Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-01-25

of two dollars, would any one say il would
he immoral or dislionOrable in those " no
opposed The passage of tie law, to take
out warrants under il ! But il is an old
provcrb, that misery loves company
litrue, it is not surprising that those who
have committed political suicide, should.
Sampson-iike, endeavor 70 crush their
opponents beneath the general wreck
their own conduct has Produced Mr..
r. said, he made these observations 10
rescue himself, and those who had sin
cereiy acted with him, in opposing the
passage of the law, from the imputations
winch were unfairly and uniustly attempt
Ell to be cast upon them.
He said this might be hailed as a proud
day for the people. Their power and in
iiuence are pourtrayed III strong and Vi
va co'ors, bv the sincere repentance and
deep coniriiion of many OF those who vo-
tel iUr the law the sincerity OF which,
was eyinccd bv their anxiety 90 be fore
Most IN undoing what they had hastily
done last session. lie trusted the people
would receive the sacrifice now made TO
Their VIII, Cthe repeating of the law us an
ample atonement.
The arguments urged by the people at
the late elections. in favor os the repeal
of the law, have been. and are. more con
vincing and conclusive, that anv thing
that has or can be said in this committee !;
ann, bat for the aSons ASSIGNED as an
apology for the enactment of il. though
nor urged az the reasons why il should be
continued, st would b. unnecessary 10
Fenhls Ele committee further.
lie SAIL, those whe are in favor of "a
hishersnn than So per day, contend
'hat instice ana sound policy require IL !:
That The CONDENSATION OF representative
ought 10 De such as would enable fhe vim
tuous ana Intelligent citizen of eVa r, class
IN society. TO serve Lis country i'm the M
tIonai legislature snch as would enable
MN To live like gentleman when here,
asd maintain his family while absent /:
such as would ensure the continuance of
the ablest heads and the best hearts in
thecountry, aud such rs would pat him
IN some measure on par with the other
oincerS OF g0sernmcnt--make him indie
pendent, and place him above the influ-
cnce OF executive patronage, which six
dollars per day is altogether inadecuate
to do.
These reasons are plausible, If not
strong, IN iayoG Ola higher per diem Than
SIX dollars. They naturally suggest the
questions, what are The requisite qualii-
cations to make d good representative :!
The answer is plain Wisdom TO dis
Germ, AMI integrity 10 pursue, the true
interest Of his country VIII :. high saia-
~, or greater per diem have a tendency
TO bring men, with such qualifications
into the national legislature, sooner than
the moderate sum Of six dollars per day I?
Would II not have contrary tendency {?
Would ii not stimulate every political ad
veniurer, who had nothing to lose, and
every thing 70 gain, by securing an cleo
ton. TO suppiant, by unfair means, the
meriforous candidate, in the confidence
OF the people? The qualified candidate
would feel TOO much respect for his own
character, and that Of his constituents,
10 gam their votes by soothing their fol-
hes. or fiattcring their vices but the un
qualified candidate would be all Things 10
all men-he would affect sanctify with
the religiou'-laugh with the merry
treat the avaricious-fatIer the vain
grunge 10 the proud-promise every thiao.
and perform nothing, and then blame
those whose popularity he wished 70 des-
troy, 'or bis failure 10 accomplish what
lie had promised. He would, nine times
out ten, succeed. BIT leave, said Dir.
X. the pav so low that If cannot be an
object worthy the pursuit of any one
and the people will look for the best qua
lined man TO fill the oflice-he will not
seek fine Office, the Office will seek him.
and 1t will find the propeg person.
Tentiemen appear TO think that good
salary or handsome per diem, is essen
tiaiiy necessary to bring respectable
representation into this House, & TO make
them, when here, Independent Of exeo,l-
tive influence. Ifso, il should be given
But when didgold give intelligence TO the
head, or integrity TO the heart ? That If
will not do the former, is proved by the
conduct of Ferdinand the SeventhEand
that IT never has done the latter. NAV be
collected from the characters and con-
duct OF Bacon, Marlborough, Dodd, and
t,!!ratian The latter Of whom, while in
digeni, was the bold defender of his
country's rights-yes, and Of the RIGHTS
ot man. His fellow subjects, grateful for
the many services he had rendered them.
gave linn 5000 pounds sterling. They
made him rich, or, in the laDgnane of
gentlemen, Independent: hut they para
USED The patriotism OF his beart-Le
ceased 10 be the eloquent cha pion of
civil liberty, tcelinglv alive 10 the mise
RES and affections ofbs oppressed coun-
trvmen.
Enable Your representatives. said Mr..
X. to live N ease and ahiuence-fo CON
tract habits and tastes, above the iuteIIi-
gent part ct tllelr constituents. and in
consistent with the plain republican man
nerS OF your cOunirymen, and YOU quail
Naf o. A