Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-02-13

countries.
My second objection to the ratio contend
ed for is thar 1t is not possible to reduce ~ 10
practice, in the existing state OF things. On this
part of the subject, am relieved OF much labour
by the gentleman from Amelia MIR. Nasb.) lie
has given a series oil calr ulaiions founded on
figures and, therefore, not to be doubted, which
prove conclusvely, that to adopt The ratio oil lice
white population, and It'll 10 allow one represen-
ta,ive to each county, will give us a House OF
Delegates of little less than one thousand member.
1t would be idle to argue against such
rangement this; it strikes every mind at once,
as altogether out Of the question. No legislative
hall would contain them; the whole revenue, IF the
State would not pay their daily wages, and their
numbers alone, would defeat all hore of profita-
bic deliberaton. What then, is the alternative!
County boundaries must be broken down; three
or four small counties must be united 10 send
representative. And what would be the effect OF
thi-. Why, the strongest county would always
send the representative, and the weakest would
never be represented at ALL Unite Elizabeth
! City and Warwick, and who does not see that the
former, having the greater pos er, the latter would
not be iel in the choice of the representative Her
people would be TO all practical purposes, so far
representation is concerned, absolutely disfraa
chised Another evil, little less to be dreaded
would be found in that jealousy and rivalry
which it would eEgender in the people Of neigh
bouring coun,i-. Those who ought to be mos'
by hostile feelings sprnging out oflocal rivalry.
! But is there the least reason tn believe that the
people would submit to he breaking down of the
present arrangement of counties? In the origin Of
| the government there would have been difficult Y
! in accomplishing the object which gentlemen have
| in view. But il must not be forgotten that Is c
have been accustomed TO county representation for
fifty years. During all that time have asn
been accustomed 10 county government, to county
taxation and to county duties We have grow
up In the practice and enjoyment OF this system
in all its notifications, and we bound to II alike
! by our habits, prejudices, our par;isies and
interests There is little hope that the people
~ oud abandon il at this late day, for any distant
and contingent good, after successive generations
have tested its great convenience and advantages.
This then, is the alternative presented in the propc-
sition oil gentlemen; on the one hand TO swell the
| House OF Delegates to an unwiedy size, which
- i'll consume the whole Treasury and vet be ut
rerly unfit for every ieterative purpose, and on
re other, break down the system Of counties
20 which we all cling wi h the fondest attachment
There are few, imagine, who would be willing @
IKE either of these alternatives, in lieu of the IRE,
| sent system.
My rext objection 10 This r.;io is, tia, il wonlt
he maniestly VI ist in It's peraiion. The deIesa
ton OF power, presents at all times ,i;ilicnlt PRO
6lem in politics. Whilst il becomes free nation,
20 be careful no, 10 exclude from, participation in
the government, any who have lu-t claims 10 shar,
IN IT, hey should lie equally cautious 10 adm i
none, who would act under temptations to a,us,
'heir power. The precise line IT separation be
tween these two classes, il is always difficult IL
nix, nor Is 1t necessary 10 fix il, for any purpose OF
this discussion. One principle is certain Nc
man Is sale depository OF political powe ~ hose
situation is such that he may enact laws 10 hear nm
The persons or property of others, witbout affect
ing his own. This principle may be well resre ed by
reference to he freehold qualification Few II en-
ats
! property; but many, nay, majority, possess per-
sonal property without possessing land The
| landhoder, therefore, whether he tax the real OF
I personal estate, must OF necessity, pay the tax
himself; but The owner of personal estate :, ho
| owns no land. may exempt himself from all The
ouTihens OF the government, by throwing them
| exclusively upon the l,rdholder. The came pfin.
cirle applies in Virginia, ano;h her SPECIES of
property. There are districts which own saves &
there are others which do not own them: ,yhe,eve
slaves are found. the number of free whites is di
unfinished; wherever slaves not found the mum
bar oil free whites is increased. The eject fihi-
ratio, therefore, must he TO give a vast increase of
| political power to tl.ose portions Of the Common
wealth, In which few or no slaves are found
| have not taken The trouble 10 ascertain Wheeler
there would be an actual preponderonce of pow
er or not, nor is this fact all material in an en-
curry into principle. Such prepondsrance NAV
exist and very probably will EXIT in The course nj
7 w
quence! Slaves are peculiar species of property
and a ready subject of taxation. The time NAV
come, when they will be made 10 pay The whole
expenses OF the civil administrations Lei il he re-
membered that those who are most eager in pur
suit oil Convention, the non slaveholtline dis
nicis And may II not well be.duubied, whe:he,
the power which the slave holders uow poss..s
Is more than fair equivalent for the taxes " hicb
| ibey pay, or too strong safeguard against the
oppression 10 which they might be subjected nv an
abuse OF that power in The hands of Others Sir
do not address this argument 10 the present pen
rration nor 10 their representatives. upon this floor
know them and have confidence in them. BnI
whiIe believe that the Ccnventirnis's who sur
round me, are wholly incapable of abusing tlei,
giea' uust, Tor any purpose OF local or peculiar
character, cannot entertain The same Confidence
VI future generations Let us remember that we
are not now deliberating uron an act of ordinary
legislation; upon one of those measures whose
oes character 1t Is to be accommodated 10 circum.
stances, and 10 change as they change We are
sPe'SIng oil the hxed boundaries Of constitutional
right and power; we are looking out for everIast
ing principles, which may apply TO us ard to ,,n.
porn generations, and which may accommodate
themselves, without change, to very Condition OF
Tree government. IL is wise then 10 look Iu,Ie
into our own nature, and not to RELY with ,oo
biInd confidence, upon the virtues of those WIN
may come alter us. Every government has a nas
tur"i tendency to corruption. Perfect virtue 70.
CURES no reiu'siion; IL is the proper business of
government, TO act cpon The natural and social vices
OF man We ought, therefore, to be extremely
ca'eIui, when we are going 10 form a constitution
10 adopt II ~ far possible, TO every cordi,ion
OF social union, and to al the natural tendencies
OF human interest and passion
My hiih objection TO this ratio 10 thai IL v,,o,1d
be peculiarly unwise to adopt it OF his time 7,
is wise and right. in deliteraine uooo n,ss.,,.a.
OF internal policy, TO have REGARD In ,ha;. .stL,