Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-05-04

4
tween the representatives of the extrem.
eastern and those Of the extreme Wcs,eyu
counties, against the representatives of the
middle counties il such combination were
ever likely to occur; IT, in the nature of things.
IL were not morally certain, that it never can
occur inns view OF the representation would
be very plausible. But we know, thar. in
truth and fact, the Legislation of Virginia. hath
always been tho Legislation Of the representa-
'''es OF the real majority of the free people +.
and the friends Of reform may safely be drf.,l
to point out a single instance to the contrary.
THIS complaint was once made In the house 1r
aeNsates, ana instantly refuted by an appea,
Before convention shall he called n
equalize the representation oft the counties il
ought to be shewn, that such equalization ia
practicable; and ESQ, how. Now, il can onlv
be enectcdupon QUE Oftwo principles: Either
the smallest county must he allowed at l+,st
one representative and a prOportionate repre-
sanitation must he given to all the larger co,,o.
ties respectively; or, the counties must be
thrown into districts Of equal population. az
near as may be; and the delegation must be
elected by districts, on the principle of our
congressional representation.
ii the plan of allowing one representative at
least to the smallest county, and ii proportion.
ATE approximation to all the other counties.
shall be adopted then Nicholas, the sn,oii,s,
UeStern county, with a population OF less than
.ooo souls, would have one delegate Wash
lnstop, with ntar 10000, would have 81, /.
Chestti held, with above 10000, would have
nine; Culpeper. with above 10000, would
have ten; Loudoun, Fausuier g. Norfolk: viii,
above $4,000 each, would each have eferen
anu rrederick' with above $4,000, wonld have
t.retre 1t is needless TO proceed farther, -
This scheme of equalizing the Representative.
OF The counties, is obviously impracticabc, since
| won'u increase the house Of delegates IN ;,
number out ofall reason. And ir War,oick. the
SmuRest Eastern county, having a popuation
OF only 1908, should be taken as the basis of
Tie apportioninent, the inconyenience wonId
be set more aggravated.
IL, to surnount this difficulty, il should be
concluded to condense counties of small pop
uaton INTO one large and equal county !.
need not be asked, whether the small coun,.a
in the East, ,coud endure such privaion of
dear and vested right, so long enjoyed? il
must be enquired, whether the Western
counties, OF large territorial extent and small
population, could endure il (? These counti.s
muss he subdivided, ifthe benefit of civil go-
vernment is to be extended to them: il wer,
cruel 'nequitable, and insupportabIe, TO place
and leave men an hundred miles from th,. scar
OF justice. Our fellow citizens of the West
complain that the Legislature has not been
us prompt to divide their counties, as it should
have been; those of the East think, that il
has been unreasonably induigent in This res
pect. Impartial men " i'll think the Legislature.
has pursued the just mean.
IL the other principle should be adepted, Of
laying off the commonwealth; into district.
oil equal population, for the election of dele
gates to the assembly, upon the principle of
the Congressional representation LET ms ape
how house Of delegates SO constituted
would comport with the feelings of the people,
or answer the purposes of local legislation ne,
cuIarly the province OF the state government
This scheme, too, would involve that harsh
est of al! operations--the tearing away of vest
ed rights long enjoyed, and considered by The
people as their imprescriptible birthright-
But let us for moment consider the neonIe
every where SO enamOured of political Justice.
or aiifb1eticai proportion, as to fOrpgo every
ether confederation, & TO Danish every feeling
ga urai 10 The unsophi ticated heart of man.
me population OF Virginia is somewhat, more Than
"'1a'o'. Let The house of delegates consist of one
handrsd members, (Which seems now to he consider
eh as Tie golden number y that Isl one for eyery Ten
noasgna and 'len, Ior example, the three coun-
ties OF Nicholas Pendeion and Randolph. contain
ing an aggregate population Of lule more Than fen
np , SOUS yet comprising vast extent of Terri
any one man CHOSEN from such district would be a
real Representative of The people of it, for purposes
OF Stale 1e9isaiion That he could represent their
ioea' interests their peculiar feelings, wants. wish.
es; That those people would, ought to he salts
he'd with such representation
In tbe slate representation IL is essential thai there
shoud he close and intimate connection between
tne representative and his constituents. Whoever
thinks, that the existing principle Of cousret sopsi
representation, can be applied TO the represenatsn
oil Tie people OF Virginia in The state legislature (or-
gels The essential difference between The nature and
objects Of the two governments Conptcss is clarged
with Tie external relations, the general of
the nation IN respect which large masses Of non
niaon and territory have the same interest and ss-
herHiy The same sentiments: the stare government is
charged with il,e domestic, Internal Irca, concer.,
OF The people. The federal conye npn had IN crec,
lhe government from its very foundations hal i,
found the representation sellIed and vested +, had
never disturbed IL. " ~
Ii has been already remarked that Tie rrprcseSts
non o' 'he western Counties, compared even with
that OF The Eastern, il excessive The Tesfe,, cour
II ties have al present about -fouri of the repre,en
tatioD iii the house Of delegates Comma, ing the ncn
uiaon oil these counties (abou lI5 500, with thai Of
II Tie whole commonwealth (abou, $50 eOO,) il 10
plain, that no plan can lie devised !or ruuazinr Nm.
representation, which will not reduce their propor-
ION 10 something less than serenh He who ,ibks
that Tire people Of those counties oueht 10 copse 10
such dimiuuiioB Of their weight in the Legislature.
has no fellow feeling for them he who thinks ,at
h'y ever nil, counts the heart of man Tor nothing
IN his political speculaiions The scheme Of eouai,,
zaon, which would work such consequences, could
Nonly he imposed upon them By force.
there IS, indeed one principle on which the res
t9H peopie night consent TO such equalization one.
on winch they would lose none OF their reip,,ys
strength in the Legislature. IT, In apportionipg the
rrpresenaon, tho STARE population, inconsdera-
aud Eastern, shall he wholly disregarded The western
counties VIII perhaps as eagerly embrace, as the
Middle aud Eisern will streDuously resist Ibis bIes-
sing Of equality. And let The attempt he made whe
u will, this question, (which TO be the very
damon ct d'scord,) wiz he TO rise up to con-
fount oIr peace.
In the apprehension Of This meriirg the very api-
iatIon oi i<s sui ect carnlacd To- do prent mis-