Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1820-01-13
RICHMOND. JANUARY la ls2N
FOR THE ENQUIRER.
MISSOURI QUESTION:. No S.

sui. But there stands the mountain an be assur
ed, iha, the time will cone when an eruption. ter
rDle AZ unexpected, shah disnay aud desoia
90 ton through the land"
lSpeecA ota member oSthe House of ne
tsgnes Of Pirgisid, in iSlG-l5, FROM
BaM quoted from nemory.l
Mr. King proceeds 10 remark, "tliat The
reasons which shall be offered in favor
of the iHierposiion of the power of
Congress 10 exclude slavery from Mis-
sour. Shalt be Oult such, as respect The
common ,ielruce, aud general welfare,
and that wise administration of 'he 90
vernDieni which a. lar "a possible. may
produce The impartial distribution of
' netiiS aud burdens ilirouShO the
Union"
lis arguments are preceded by long,
coniused, and very imperfect historical
detail at the rise and progress Of the prin
tlpe tiNnS ihe ratio Representation and
taxation. established by the present cou-
'siiluiion OF the Uai,ed States.
Ii calls to our recollection that article
of ihe old confederation, which r, uuir.d
contributions 'rcm The several states, in
proportion TO HE value of lands and I'm
provemeniS. There being difficulty In
making this valuation, an alteration was
proposed, corresponding as Ia taxation
with the present system. g A ma iorl,y
OF the states" says Mr.. King approv-
agreed 10 the same." When the new
Constitution aas under consideration. The
sane difficulty occurred the whole
question was once more examined:
aud tile role proposed by the old Con
gress was adopted the rule of mum
bers beng probably as neario equal, as
any other simple aud practicable rule
% can beexpected To- be, Qhough betwee
the old and the new states It's equity is
deteciive.)
fore we attend 10 the application of
Tins statement, III argument. II will be
useful 10 examine the statement itself, To
point out its detecis) ami To- shew what
iIle real history is, of this part of oar
system.
The 9Th article of the oh confederation
establishes the rule of contribution stated
by Mr. KING, aud il is true that an alie-
ration Was proposed, buI not until 1888
IhiS date IL moi u"ticei by MIR. Kimg,
nor Is II stated by Vi King Iha Massa
chusvtis objected at line outset, TO tins
pds, OF the 9Th arti tc, concerning that
Ihe rule ~ app0r'I0nmrn should be va
rIpd from tiuJe tU time, untu experience
ShOutd enable Congress to deciae which Cds tie
best. Ia 1888, tne alteration Already no iced
was recommended az the adoption OF the
statrS; ani FOR ais recon- Meudaliou, ev
eTT s'd'e IN Tie Union voted, except
hh"d island, ~hich voted against II anu
Ne" York, which was divided. There
we're tNriVe states present Ten voted in
saVIr oi the proposition, one state voted
against It. and one STATE, being divided,
gave no vote. Mr. King, therefore, is
certainly correct IN point of fact when
h Sat that mJo'ity "f the states voted
IN favor OF the proposition but surely
tidi statement leaves The mind under an
iWrresSiOn very different from that which
i produced by representation OF The
fact, as II really occurred When the mi
norl'y Is very small, oraS in this Instance.
one only, the custom is To speak Of The
minority only. Mr. King further saws
that " some Of tie StateS disagreed TO the
same: HOW as ouly one State, voted
galnst the proposition, Mr. KING would
md 1t diih uli 10 reconcile thai fact with
ms statement, That some OF The states
disagreed 10 the same" Ii is worthy OF
remark That Connecticut was, al the
commencement, IN favor at a. appprIIou
meuI founded ON The whGl, number Of
alhabitaRtS in each stale.
Mr. Mig mO dnubj hal motive for
entering INTO this deIaID and for present
lng u III the shape IN winch wt baVe seen
IL. Ills object Was probably 10 represent
tile slave-hllding stat 5 as hdvag an al
vantage underline present con .iIimi."n, 10
WHICH ~ sirICtUess they are not pntIil "a
and as having gained ntTom The necessity
mat existed, 10 agrre upon some principle
10 Seiilf this loHg d,u6ija@ point He goes
So lar as tn call II cOnc SHOu" To lh"
Southern stat, :, d necessary sd riiicr To
Tie "siabIlshmenl OF The constitution ="
Now Nj King certainly would nOt have
used iangnaS" h ihIS, II he bad given
LA lga tthlt fiji A.. 4 4 A
our system lie forgot 10 state The oDpo-
siiioD OF Massachusetts To the rule pro-
posed AMI Il itrUards adopted in The con
Federation, aud lie forgot also, the amend
Ineni suggested by C0nnecucu', fixing
the RATIO Of contribution by Tire Number
OF INHABITANTS. t'Om His lie fair infer
ehce Is, that til" proposes! ~ 1883 10 alter
the rul", was madr by MASSACHUSETTS, or
Cohnes'lcni or one OF the eastern stat \,
ana agreed 10 by The southern prupic
Tor Ner accommodation. T. is also ex
trrai ly probable for HE same reason.
lhd' lle present TUle OF taxation, was of
lered ID, on" OF The eastern states as a
substitute Tor Tie old rule; and II Is a
most Striking TACT, not unly thai ten
siaIts agreed 10 the amendment, but
tha' "ui OF those ten Sidles, represented
Di 81 members there vas only one dis
sen'ing member.
The rule" says the address recon
neudlrg Tie alteration aliho' not free
from objections is liable 10 fewer than
any oiuer That could be devised. The
:, o"il noicria d.6icntg schich atteated IL
~ he dehb0dtiCHs of Congress was to
JIG he proper d,Dereace. between The la
h"nr an indHslfy ol ire, inhabitants,
and OF all other iuhdbliau S. 'Ibc ra-
No "t'Hmfeg agreed on ras the eGicf N