The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1826-04-06
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hich have referred, no rational man can
onbt. So important was 1t considered,
at il is well known fact, that two Of the
states refused TO recommend the econ
,titution when formed, or To be bound by II,
iniil the first clause in tho 9th section oi
Article Ist of the constitution. was inserted.
At the time the constitution was framed, as
well as at the period it was adopted, hut Il
few among us thought this population
would increase; 1t was the Increasing pray
erofevery phllanthroplst III tie country that
It wouIdnot, IL IL was consequently suppos-
ID that those states which had this popula-
ton, would derive no additional advantages
from it, IN the ratio Of representation, or
otherwise. But, sir, how stands the facts
at this period? In 1900 this population fur
nlshed eighteen representatives in this
House, and in 1920, but fraction yhort of
Of twenty-five representatives. The in
crese of black population is found, on eX-
animation, to be much greater than that Of
the white population. In favor oftlc Atlantic
states from, 1880 to 1910, the relative in
crease of the white and black population,
has been as follows: In Maryland the white
has been thirteen per cent. and fhc black
thirty. one. In Virginia, the white popula-
thirty-eight. North Carolina, the white
population thirty per cent. the black sew
cnty. In South Carolina, the Increase Of
the white population has been sixty four,
and that Of the black population, eighty
three per cent. In one Of these states,
South Carolina the increase from 1910 10
1920, has been, whites $4,000, and blacks
$4,000. In this state the whole number of
whites is $4,000, and the whole number Of
blacks is 2G5, ,000. The black population Of
that State, upon the existing representa-
tive ratio, furnishes four repre- scntatiyes,
mud fraction over, nearly one half OF the
whole representation of that state, and the
increase of that population, from 1910 TO
1920 have been siXty-four thousand an in
crease which has given to that state an adj
dtional representative, while Vermont,
Connecticut, and Delaware, hevc each lost
one.
At this moment this species Of popula-
ton amounts, perhaps, to more than one
million seven thousand, and at the next
census will furnish one-third Of the repre-
senlation from those states where 1t exists.
Those states, with this compound of pop
ulation and property, have had the full
benefit OF this feature in the constitution,
introduced for their benefit. They have
In fact, had the benefit, without paying,
except III n few cases, the qUid pro quo, "a
greed upon, our revenue, except in very
few cases, has been derived from commerce
and but small part of our war debt has,
or will be, paid off by direct taxation. Il
will not pursue this subject further. The
II ought ncySr W., 30 rdagHHrSfd dg dS intimated
told the comilittee eff this population does
exist, in the late war some OF the states
withheld their militia, when called for by the
General Government; and this refusal by
some states, is To shut out Of sight,
In this discussion of state rights, the part
of the constitution referred to, and the
political power given to some states by the
means 0T' IT, Sir, all the old thirteen states,
and particularly the smaller states who have
relied upon their relative importanco'in the
Senate, which is in the inverse ratio OF the
number of that body, have witnessed a di-
diminution Of their strength, in ne admis-
sion of states into this Union, out other ter
ritorics not included withint tire limits Of the
old domain, at the adoption Of the const-
tuition. 1t is, perhaps, too late to controyert
the constitutionality Of such admission; and
If il could be questioned, and think it well
might he, necessity, which knows no law,
would be reserted to for a Justification; the
territory must be purchased 90 secure the
free navigation OF the Mississippi anu The
dcpositc at New Orleans, and the purchase
could not be effected without an express
stipulation in the treaty Of Cession, binding
The United States to admit the nhabi-
1auts of the ceded territory into the Union
al,
pies the Federal constitution, TO the en-
joymcnt of all the rights of citizens of the
United States"
Two States have already been carved
ont of this territory, and in the course of
time, perhaps, some eight or ten more may
be. When the constitution is examined,
and it is found to have been " ordained and
established for the United States of Amer
lea" and for the territory which belonged
10 the United States, the same being an
nppendage to the United States, when we
view the restricted power relative to the
admission of new states; (hcro the honour
able gentleman read the 3d section Of ar
tcc 4th of constitutiop,) il may well be
questioned, whether the convention that
framed, or the state conventions which a.
dopted the constitution, supposed 1t capa-
bic of a construction, that has been put up
on il, and which, in this respect, it has re-
reived. lithcy did not, then here has been
an unexpected operation oftho constitution,
diminishing the power, II not impairing
the rights of the small states, and IN fact, of
the whole Of the old thirteen. In fact, in
whatever light the practical operation of
the constitution is viewed, il will he seen
that the smaller states have gained moth
inn hu N hnf hnun hncn mndn in incl and