Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1822-01-31

be fairly understood, or a. least felt, in the |
representative body. w
But, sir, there is another consideration Ia
he taken into view; it is the great extent Otter
ritory over which the population to be repre-
scented Is spread. Where people occupies
small area-whcre the population is very
dense, and sentiment and opinion are easily
communicated from breast To breast-wherc
the same or similar feeling can in IA short time,
be transferred through the whole mass of
which the community Is composed, such IA
population can, uaquesiionably, he more east
ly represented than one spread overa vast cx-
tent of territory, with its parts separated, in
some instances, by miles, having but mper-
feet communications OF individual feelings and
opinions. Now, sir, by the first census our
population consisted of S,6i4,9l4. The mum
Der OF reprcscotati, which such population
was considered entitled to for the purpose of
a fair expression of public opinion, consisted of
one hundred and five--and this number was
no: and has never heen, complained of as an
eXtravagant number for such population :;
and we were then, generally speaking, plain
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES now, Sir, when this popu-
lation has increased nearly three-lold has
spread itself over the double extent of terri
tory ; has divided itself into all the various
classes OF which people can consist when it
nufacturing, as well as largely agricultural :;
when these three great interests, in all their
branches and parts, have become intricately
interviewer with each other: complicated and
difficult To be- understood /; it is proposed to
do what Not relatively to increase the
number of representatives, but to increase the
ratio and relatively to diminish the number.
But, sir, if any inference is to be drawn from
the existing state of the nation, il warrants a
| great increase, rather than great reduction
OF the representative body. But, sir, | have
another reason for opposing this great increase
OF the ratio. As one coming from one of
the small states, for | find there are
more small states than one or two-I call those.
large states, Sir, which, consisting oftbree or
four in number, can unite their representations
| IN this House, form IA majority, control its pro-
ceedings, and hold the fate Of the nation in
their hands; which can say to this government.
you shall continue to be, or you shall cease
TO be which can permit its wheels to ro! ON.
or stop them in their progress, at will these
Sir, call large states :the others are small
and as coming from one of these small states.
feel Il peculiar interest in the strength of the.
general government, and durability of the
Union. Ii Is under the protecting shield of
mat government that the rights and sovereign
~ vi 'iie shlaiier states are secure, and whilst
vered, as they ought to be, the liberties of
those states will be safe, and beyond the reach
of danger. Nothing but the constitution. thu
common bond of union, which kecps the
orbs oil our system within their rrsnect;y.
spheres, can prevent the larger st;,tcs from
crushing INTO atoms the smaller bodies H.,
which they are surrounded. | wish not. sir
10 be understood TO express any jealousy in
re.ition 10 present concerns, vet il is our duty
TO look 10 the future, aud guard agninst mai
improbable contingencies. In what manner.
then, SIR, can this be more efectua!ly accom-
Fhshed, thdn by increasing the synpatby
winch does, or ought 10 subsist, between the
government and the governed between those
WI" make the laws, and those upon whom
lie laws operate : and how, sir, is il TO b. in
creased, but by enabling the people more i'm
mediately TO take their share i'm legisIat,on.
and more sensihly To feel that the govern
ment and laws under which they live M,
tileir own by giving them larger rcpre-
sehtation, anu creating more intimate and
stronger connexi0n between them and tb.
government under which they live ? Besides.
sir, there are generous and aspiring minds in
every part of the Union, whose number in
crcases IN proportion as your population auo
iheh's they communicate 20 those who arc
around them their own feelings, their oyu
principles, attachments, and affections, and
the general mass of our population * moved
as they are moved by increasing the number
OF representatives, you hold forth 10 their Inn
dab.e ambition additional objects of attraction.
10 which they, and with them every part of
me great body of the people, will lie drawn :
VIII ne attracted as to IL common centre Inv a
principle somewhat analogous Ia that law
winch binds together the material universe =
But, sir, it may be objected, land the alarm
has already been sounded0 that Tn incrc,sa
the number Representatives will I,e to mel,
down the state governments into one common
mass, and produce consolidation of The
CHlon' But, SIR, permit me to ask how such
an. inference can be drawn from such premis-
eS ihough the members of the Senate are
elected by the states, as the peculiar guardians
oil their soveregnties is there. a single mem
Der of this house that will yield, in attachment
to state rights, to any member of the Senate .
1 feel confident that there is not, and eouaIly
confident that no person ran be elected :,
member OF this body who is destitute of at
iachment to the rights of the state from which
We comes. Therefore, sir, in proportion nc
you increase the number Of this house. Won
increase the number of those i'm the general
government attached to the states by eycrv
tie OF interest and affection. You at one and
the same time obtain additional guarantees
Tor The protection and safety ofthe states in
divIdually, and confirm and strengthen their
common government and union.
Sr, have another, and, it possible, a stron
ger, objection TO this increase of The ratio. La
the course Of my short experience, land il has
indeed been SHORTY have heard something
said of executive influence do not, sir. in
dulSe IN any suspicion that any inpropcr in
huence at present exists. My views are alto
scther prospective, and when known causes
are IN operation, and must continue 10 ope.
rate, we may, without making any prctcnsions