Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-02-13
VIRGINIA LEGIsEATunE.
HOUSE OF DELEGATES.
Substance IF Mr.. Upshur's argument on the
Contention BIZ.

Substance IF Mr.. Upshur's argument on the
Contention BIZ.
(Concludcd)
My first objection to it il, that i, rrcjmdgcs The
most important. and, indeed the only important
point which will divide the opinions OF the Con
vention. The effect OF such an organization of
that body would be 10 admit to participation in
political power, class of persons who are now
deprived OF it. Is II 10 be believed that hey oud
voluntarily abandon this tempting privilege! Is it
MOI, On The contrary ahsolute, certain that they
would incorporate In the Constitution, the
same ratio OF representation for the Iiouse OF
Delegates, TO which they owed their own exis-
ience and power in the Conventions am aware
OF the answ or which ill be given to this Argument
Gentiemen will tell me that, if The ratio of free
white population in The Convention will insure a
chdnSe OF representation in the House OF Dele
Es'es, county representation will insure a con inu-
shce OF the present system, hat The question
VIII be prejudged either way. The replv Is found
IN previous pert of my argument. The pre-
sent system must be adhered TO, until the People
themselves shall change it. We dare rot touch the
distribution OF power which the people have made
In organising the Convention, we must adhere TO
.iie plan winch the PEOPLE have pointed out TO us
the Convention i,self may change that plan, be-
cause they will be clothed with eSpres. authority
TO DO so; but II We assume upon ourselves such
measure oil power, az we shall do by organising
\tbe Convention in way to insure, and even TO
'@nPei, change OF the established plan, it will
r. 10 an VI uhqucS lOnaDle uSurpatlon.
bni, Slr, even if we possessed full power over
this subject, even II we were debating this ores
ton IN The Convention Itself, il QUILL be unwise
70 ADOPT the Iaio OF free white reputation, as the
OASIS oil reps esenia'ion in the House of DeIega,es
we may be permitted TO hope, that gentlemen will
s'e iess reason 10 ooJec 10 the plan cf county re-
presentation proposed in the amendments :, hen
they discover that tie only Ilan which the,
would substitute for it, is alike unyise and i'm
practicable, aad must therefore disa,noint ali the
hopes which they build on H.
nay hrst objection 10 it is, that it is the r;inc-
PIE oi un've sal suhrsg', carried to excess. Who
are To oe counted in fixing this rario5 The free
fnhhe population; al the people; even the ulce.
rated pauper and The convicted fe!on u, is in vain
10 tell NE that The freehold quail ficaion NAV sill
ne preserved; the PyihcipIe will remain unchanged
me beeboiders, may indeed, give the vote, bu,
HeJ WIZ WELD the power Of those who do not
vote. suppo-e, fer example, you fix the ratio o.
representation at one fur every we thousand and
'hen suppose a county 10 possess free " hte no
pniaiion oitwenty thousand. with only one hun
dfed ireebolleTs. county so circumstance
would be ebiii'd to four representatives,, not be
cause oil iIs hundred freeholdes but because of
Hs twenty thousand free whites. The freehoIIers
are but the organs through " licb the mower ia ex
ei'en, out The extent OF that power is measured by
those who are not freehoders; by nuubefs and bv
numbers only. Ia effect tber eore if NOT in term.
every "hte prson In tie community male and
fax
payers and those who are not, arms bearers and
'hose who are not; the infant and the adult: all
eHke, OF every age and and condition are adj
mitted to participation in the government. This
Is even worse Than the worst extremes IF mi.
Vefsai suffrage, that we have ever yet heard of in
practice. "
am happy 10 perceive from all quarters NJ
the blouse, distinct indications of opinion mon
this SUBJECT There are not twenty men among
us VINO would not be startled at the idea of uni.
versai suffrage. However we NAV be di.nosed
10 extend that right, none Of us are prepared TO
abandon the safe and dgnified basis of ths f,ss
hoiu quaDhcatIon. Virginia has stood as il were
Upon promontory, ami witnessed g ith ni,v and
ulsmay, the commoiions, the inlrieues and lie co,
rnptIon OF neigbbouTng states, who have been mad
enough 10 adopt this wild and demoralizjne svsien,
she has derived alike from their woes and her own
dressings, an Impressive lesson upon this subject
which she viii not soon forget So long, indeed
as she retains her republican principles she c,nno,
seimii this unjust and oppressive doctrine If the
sole business oil egislsion were TO punish crimes
or 10 operate In other modes, only uron the MR.
80" OF the ci1izen, universal suffrage ouId form
The correct rule; for oil alike are liable 10 crime
Sod all alike are amenable 10 public Justice BIZ, bv
lar the most numerous class of our laws, re ,Ios.
winch regulate the rights Of property Shall he
VINO possesses no property be permitted 10 dictate
laws Tor regulating the property OF others2 Shall
ne VINO pays no taxe-b permitted TO pass law. /
faHNB tthcts t'hdI ne WHO, IN the i-Dguao e
Lord Yerulam, is " light to iun agsy:-' who j. /
here 20 day and gone Ia. morrow: who confers No
benefit on The government, and offers no proof Of
attachment 10 it, be yet permitted 10 controul ito
destnes! Surely not. lie who only bears srn,s
does but discharge the obi cation which he owes to
'ne government, for the protection extended 10 HE
person; he who pays taxes upon personal proper
~, has Jet but imperiecGy discharged his tury to
government, because he has offered no procf of
= permanent iRiefesi in and attat hnent to- i, -
Tie only IS a safe depository Of power who, while
ne bears arms in defence Of hi country, and COR
tributes by taxes, TO the expenses Of her civil ad
ininisIa'ion, has also bound his destiny 70 the soil
and thus given pledge Of attachment to he go.
vsrnmeni, as permanent az his own intere.t
These thence ead only be glanced at in this dis.
custom advert to them only to bring TO the
view ofgenuemen, the dangers snd the anti.repub.
iiean effects OF universal suffrage. And submit
il to them TO say, whether the highest sdvantsges
Witch ihe5 rtpfniss lhscss'vss frsp Conysn.