Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-06-14

*Itmay be of use, since this topick has been forced upon
the public attention, TO turn to the Constitutions of those
States of the Union, which are similarly ciTcunstnnced with
Virginia, and especially to those recently formed. Begin
ming with the Southern extreme Of the vally of the Missis-
sppi in the sugar planting State of Louisiana, and ascend
ing through the cotton lands of Alabama, Mississippi, and
Tennessee, to the hemp fields of Kentucky, the oldestg
nausntcf Oh virginia, the rule OF representation VIII De
found To exclude any reference whatever 10 slave popOla-i
ton: and to be founded expressly on the relative number of
r!h'te inhabitants, except that the rule of Tennessee refer
ring to taxable inhabitants, is not so explicit as that of the
four other states. Re-crossing the Allegheny 10 North
carolina, IT will be perceived that her constitution, made III
l1fo, amidst the din nf arms, and without the benefit of an
existing or anticipated census, distributes her representation
among her counties. That of South Carolina, made in
1870, without the same apology, fixes the representation of
Charleston at fifteen members, of certain enumer ated coun-
tics at three members each, of about as many moro at 2,
and OF a single county az one. 1t is silent, like that Of
North Carolina, as to the principle of this distribution;
which it cannot he averred has any reference 10 Slaves.
The Constitution of Maryland gives 10 each Of hex
countless without regard TO their relative Numbers four
members. No county in this state has fewer than about
5000 white inhabitants, and none having more than $4,000.
no caseoI inequality occurs there, OF such glarine mJusticr,
as IS presented in the representation of her Southern neigh
Dor, while her constitution is regarded by her most inteli-
gent citizens, as extremely defective in this particular.
OF all the State constitutions IN which it has been deemed
necessary to refer, for precedeuts on this subject, that of
Georgia alone, who, however, POUNDS her representation on
actual enumeration of her people, provides that three
hfths of her slaves shall he computed. A provision,
Aobviously borrowed from the constitution of the United
States, and without any analogy TO sustain it; for, what
ever doctrines may have been broaehod in the discussion Of
the Missouri question, il was not asserted by any member
"i Congress, and IT was expressly denied by the prominent
and able debater of the SENATE, from the State Of New
York, that the Federal Legislature could claim or exercise,
under any pr"tence whatever. a right to modify or 70 change
the tenure of the slave property within any State of Tire
Union.
This note is already too far extended for The patience OF
the reader; but, as the topic is important, I snal, ] hope,
be excused for adding, that, to a principle OF ,ae revenue
system incorporated in the articles of Confederation, the
substitute afterwards proposed for it, and the argument in
favor of that substitute, is 10 he asciibed the subsequent
Incorporation in the Federal Constitution Of the provision
Tor a representation of three-fiths of the slave population
of the States. (See the Address Of Congress to the States,
dated April 20, 1889 Unsafe, indeed, would be the con-
ditIon of the South, If its protection from domestic inGuie-
rude depended, in any degree, ON this representation. The
present composition Of Congress sufficiently mRnitsts this
truth, while the history OF the Constitution re pcis the sug-
gestion that the representation allowed 10 the South for this
part OF its colored populations, was designed 10 prevent the
North or East from tampering with its acknowledged pro-
pcrty.
Out Of this provision has arisen a political power, in Ger
tain States, in reference IA the Union, plich can confer no
exclusive or unequal rights on the citizens of different por-
tons of the same state, in relation to each other. Such
was the opinion of the General Assembly OF Virginia, when
the last arrangement was made of the Senatorial Districts
of the State.
As well might the counties Of the West claim Il repre-
sentaticn for their Wagons and teams, their roads or their
canal stocks, their merchant mills and manufactures, thrir
numerous hocks aud herds. as the iowlauds, for a species pf
property, tho sAcredness of which 10 man desires TO invade;
out the protection of which, III peace aud war, by contri-
buttons of money and tine expenditure Of health and life,
Is = sufficient sacrifice to exact from those who hold 10 share
of it.