Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-12-05

these representative organs, should they become
corrupt and perverted, the division into wards,
constituting the people, IN their wards, regularly
organized power, enables them, by that organiza-
ton, 10 crush, regularly and peaceably, the osurpa-
tons of their unfa,hful agents, and rescues them
from the dreadful necessity OF doing 1t insurrec-
,ionally In this way we shall he as republican as
large society can be; aud secure the continuance
OF purity in our governne by the sslu,ay. peace
able, and regular control of the people. No other
repositories of power have ever yet been found
which did not end in converting 10 their own profit
the earnings Of those committed 10 their charge
George Ill. in execution OF the trust conhded to
him, has, within his own day, loaded the inhabi-
tsnts OF Great Britain with debts equal to the whole
fee simple value of their island, and under pretext
of governing it, has alienated its whole soil to
creditors who could lend money TO be lavshed on
priests, pensions. plunder, and perpetual war.
This would not have been so, had the people re-
tanned organized means of acting on their agents.
In this example then let us read lesson for our
| selves, and not go and IL so likewise
Since writing my letter of July ~, have been
told that, the question OF equal representation,
our fellow citizens in some sections of the state
claim perempioriIy right of representation for
their slaves. Principle will, in this, as in most
other cases, open the way for US to correct conclu-
sion. Were our state pure democracy, in which
all its inhabitants should together to transact
all their business, there would yet be excluded from
their dciberations--l. Infants, until arrived at
years of discre,ion-2. Women, who, to prevent
deprivation OF morals and ambiguity Of issue,
could not mix promiscuously in the public meet
ngs of men-3. Slaves, from whom the unfortu-
nate state of things with u.s. takes away the rights
| of will and OF property. Those, then, who have
no will could be permitted 10 exercise none in the
popular assembly; and, of course, could delegate
none to agent in representative assembly. The
business, in the frs, c,se would be done BY qualified
citizens only; and in the second, by the represent
taives of qualified citizens only. II is true that,
in the General Constitution, state IL allowed a
larger representation account OF its slaves. But
every one knows that that Constitution a
matter of compromise, a capitulation between
conflicting interests and opinions. In truth, The
condition OF different descriptions OF inhabitants in
any country is matter OF municipal arrangement,
OF which no foreign country has right to take no
tice. All its inhabitants are men as 10 theIn.-
Thus, in the New England States, none have the
powers of citizens but those whom they call free
! D'en; and none are freemen until admitted by a
vote of the freemen of The town. Yet, in the gen.
era government these non freemen counted in
their Guantum of representation, and OF taxation.
So slaves, with US, have no powers citizens;
| yet in representation in the general government
they count proportion of IL 5, anu so also in
taxation. Whether this is equal is no, mere the
question. IL !s a captulaton OF discordant senti-
nants and circumstances and is obligatory on that
ground. But this view shews there is no incon-
sistency in claiming representation for them from
the other states, and refusing it within own.
| Accept the renewal of assurances of my respect.
! TIL: JEFFERSON.