Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1822-02-09

ing to Executive influence, on the one hand,
or to popular prejudices ON the other never
debasing themselves tothe condition OF slaves,
because they the agents of the people,
and dlsGaming all the patronage of thc EXecu-
tive, when that patronage is TO be obtained
only by becoming the creatures of the EX
| ecutive. | wish to see them too proud TO be
Imlnions, and too honest To be demagogues.
! A bold and ambitious President, and such
one we shall have sooner or later, would not
hesitate To use the influence of his office TO
operate upon the popular branch of the go
vernment, aud the surest check which could
he hIterposed against such an influence, would
he gained by increasing the number of those
who hold, tif L may so call it, the resisting
power ofthe government. Should we adopt
the ratio of 10000, as proposed by the gen
t'eman from Vermont, tMr. Keyes,) our mum
her would be reduced To little more than l. 90,
of whom less than co, would constitute IA
majority. That majority would be marked
men. There are many ways in which they
might be assailed, without Il direct and
ruptng Influence. They might be assailed OH
the side of their preludices, their partialities
they might yield themselves 10 the blanslish
nents of flattery, their better feelings, of their
hearts, where understood, might induce them
To support the administration, and, with the
purest and most patriotic sentiments, they
might find themselves rallied under the Exc
cuiIre banner, aud contending against the
people. do not believe, Sir in the imma-
culate purity of any Legislative body. That
every man had his price," is said to have
been remark of Sir Robert Walpole, aud no
man better understood the most difficult of
all Sciences the science of the heart. l am
bound to believe that every gentleman hold
| ing seat on this floor, is an honorable rlau,
but am not bound To believe that he is more
than man.
| In future days there will he men, who, by
de'udinS tine people with false professions, will
obtain seats on this floor, men who, by their
talents and specieusness, will acquire an in
flucnce over the minds OF oihers--nen who
will be constantly in the market, ready TO act
any part by which their own views would be-
promoted, and open to corruption in all its
shapes. Such men llave,been here-yes, Sir,
fclonS have held seats ON this floor, and have
mingled with the wise and the honorable Of
the land their equals in political rank. As
the people in the aggregate are honest, so will
their representatives be honest. BY incrcas-
'ng their numbers, you add to the means by
which corruption may be resisted.
| L am sensible that there is 40 magic in par
tcular numbers. ] am willing to vote for a
number by which the present representation
of Delaware might he retained get ] despair
OF obtaining that number. After all, the agree
ment III any particular nember must he the
result oil compromise, and concession ; cali for
the votes of the House all the different IA
tlos which have beenpropOscd, and, my word
Tor 1T, not one fifth part would agree in any
particular number. 10000 was the number
| reported by ii committee, consisting of mem
bers taken from every state who, after iuyes-
'lgailaS the subject, and comparing the opera
lions OF the different numbers, reported that
lulImhpr fbpI,. .liI,,.r,t. NJ.
iion like this, something is due To the opinion
OF the committee, and | think we ought not 10
abandon that number without strong and con
elusive reasons.
Sir, am willing to avow, and do frankly
aFow, that my principal objection 10 the
numbers which have been moved, (aboye
100000 is on account of the cruel opera
ton which those numbers will have upon the
state of Rhode Island, which state, by The
. adoption OF either, will be deprived ofone halt
of rs representation.
The gentleman from Virginia, (Mr. Ran
/ dol?h,l the other day, with his usual eoquence
! alluded Ia the state of delaware, and although
q | am willing To assent ~ the whole OF his Gu
5 loSium upon that state, still | must be per
} united Ia say, that in enterprise, ia industry
l IN talents, aud III patriotism, the state o
-l'lthode Island is not surpassed by any other il
this confederation. Sir, Notwithstanding the
: equality OF her vote IN the Senate, she ha.
= never been Over-represenied
s There is 10 state in the Union, in pr0por
IA ton to territory and population, which car
sustain any comparison with Rhode Island
r IN commercial aud manufacturing capital
: In commercial consequence She maintains thu
d fifth rank amongst tie states. As u lnanTfac
y turing state, | do not know that should say
| too much, If said that she maintained th'
: irst5 and, If brought into the estimate the
% amount OF manufacturing capital owned by
S citizens of Rhode Island, aud employed IN tin
) states of Connecticut and Massachusetts.
e In one part Of the state, the enterprise ant
= skill of her farncrs have rendered her sol
Z more productive thar any have ever ye
= seen.
e The enterprise ola Rhode Island merchan
IS opened the way to the trade of the Indies.
Vi The first cotton mandatory thai was eve
J. reared in America, was reared in Rhode Isl
n and.
20 Has she 90 claims upon the gratitude Oft
J. nation for revolutionary services Rhod
II Island almost commenced the revolution (; tn
ID burning of the Gispee was The first open an
ie iorciblc act of resistance to the authority &
p Great Britain. The destruction Oft the tea a
10 Boston, although prior in time, was enccte
e BY men Ia disguise, Rhode Island for los
!; TINE was one of the principal seats OF the wa
< yet she did not confiic her eYertions to ht
t. own territory: at Red Bank, and in New Jei
= sey, the blood of her Sous, her gallant sou
T. was poured out like water. The Rhode Is
Is and Regiments were not eXcelled by any
at an army where al were patriots, aud all wer
be heroes, the laurel never encircled nobler brOw
ne than those of her Olneys, her Dexters, h,
ne SherbGrues and her Greens. lf ever I'll
ne llanie Of patriotism burnt pure and unadult,
er rated, il was 10 ;!le bososns of the revelation
C. arg wings Of that state. The revolutiOnar