Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-02-17

oil Richmond, contain little of every thing. why
not let the county Of Henrico elect the House of
Delegates, and the City Of Richmond the Senate!
This would be very convenient Sir, ever Tree
m desires to be equally represented; and he does
n ( deserve to be freeman, if he does not drman
hi. equal share OF power with every other freeman
am in favor OF the bill, Sir, because tends q
the Establishment of equal representation, iou d.
ed on the ba-is OF free white population. Govern
ment should he founded the will Of the majority
! OF the people, not on The will of the Of
| lands alone.
| Z cry free white mile citizen Of Virginia is
psr,y TO the social compact, and such is the pin
ciple recognized in the Bill of Rights. Whenever
:" majority oi the community" choo-e to alter
their form OF government, they have right TO do
so. Does no belong to the community but
ireeholders? Are not your governor, councillors,
and Judges, members Of the community Yet they ),
and every other executive judicial officer of the
Commonwealth, may be non-freeholders. The in
| dubitabe right TO alter the form Of government,
belongs to the free white male citizens of the COM
n,unity. BY the common consent Of cations, wo-
men and infants excluded from such affair
| The free man of color is only inhsbnant He
is not a citizen the proper political qualification
| OF that word, he is not member OF h- commun
ty; nor is the slave, who hs- no rights; his pro-
geni;crs ere long since conquered; the rights Of
| his savage conqu-iors have passed 10 hi present
master; and he may be regarded as conquered
| alien enemy. The free white population Is the
only proper basis OF representation. II comprises
the isdon, the freedom the will, the force OF he
| community.
| Our government is not founded on labor,
wealth. I you founded it labor, you uld
| enumerae the horse. the OK, the mule all la
bor-saving machinery. If you founded it on
wealth, then all property, money. stocks OF ncor
porated companies, mu't be estimated, and the
towns and small Olgarchy would govern The
lands in western COUNT alued within
few years past, al $lS5 900 Two establishments
IN the City OF Richmond nigh, perhaps, be ap
praised 10 as large -um Will the people of
that county amounting t. thousand free white
persons,agree to be placed on equality with two
citizens of Richmond? Ye, if you. allow political
power to wealth, you must allow it TO the partcu-
lar individuals who are possessrrs of that wealth
Why communicate this power to the people of
their vicinity? man in Amelia county, for
example, possesses great wealth II This carries
after II political power, it should go he ndiv
dual, and not to the people of Amelia An .elec-
tor IN Amelia has barely tue iieehold quail iticaon
is poor, and owns no slave; elec;or in Gile~ is
wealthy, and owns 10 slaves. Why should the
Amelia eIector have twice much political pow er
as the elector in Giles?
But TO give TO the wealthy man political power
in proportion OF his wealth, is Incompatible it'll
equality, and would destroy Democracy The
right OF properly is a personal night; has
this right we'll as ano her. So one man is en-
titled to the right OF personal safety well an
other. The quantity OF property is no more
ject OF representation than superior reputation
genius. or beauty Of form. The laws secure to
every man equally, his personal rights; and the
force OF the community protects him in their en-
10 ment.
II has been sail in The of this debate hat
taxation and represent alton should e. hand in md
Then aGatIon,nus precede representation in order
to appcrtion it. Bul th- xes vary Nov, if
the taxes change on the event of war, IN uld he
dis'rioa ion OF power change likewi-e' This pre-
tended prin. iple is dsily violated: For do you not
tax women, infants, and free people of color?
lie proper rule ia, that district or country
should be tXed by lesislau body in which its
inhablis are not represented II DIES not mean
that taxation shall appoIton representation. This
principle would lead the dreaded universal
suffrage; for you tax the non freeholder; and if
representation mast accompany taxation, he should
have his share o! power.
| will express my idea of the proper course of
proceeding The freehclders have possessed all
political power, and exercised the government FOR
lou years. with view 10 alter the constitution,
The first step should be to submit TO them the
question, whether they are willing 10 share their
power with their ie!iow-ciIizens: This is propos-
ed TO be done by the bill The next Step would be
10 call Convention. In that, | conceive that
every tree white male citizen should be represents
ed' ana consequently should be allowed 10 vote for
| members of the Convention The Convention
might, and he hoped they would, extend the right
OF suffrage without rendering II universal. | would
not extend Che right Of suffiage 10 the paupers
me"iioned by the gentleman from Norihau,p on;
but think II might be extended 30 lossees for
years, owners of stock in ma, igaion aud turn ike
companies - heir Gpparen' Of fgeeholders; in
shcrt' Ill who possess the qualification required by
the I'll oi Rights; that is, " evidence OF perna-
neat common interest with, and a iachment to the
community
In the original formation Of a constitution ever,
free citizen has right to be represented in Con
vcniioa: For, the Convention is substituted for q
meeting OF The people. And suppose that the
| feopie were 10 TO form a constitution. who
would IN fact meet? Doubtless the free white
male citizens. II The greater number Of these were
freehoiders, they might give The law II the
greater number were non-ireehoIders, they niigh
! give The law. Let it be supposed that The non
iTeehoiders OF THIS commonwealth constitute the
majority OF he community; tha' actuated by one
| impulse, they should meet in every county and
send delegates 10 charlottesville to form co sti.
! tuion and institute government. Would not
that government he recognized as the government
OF Virginia, by the general government, and BIZ
! the other states! When it should appeal that ffe
new constitution is formed by majority of the
community, and tina, your Bill of Rights declares
I IT to be the right OF 4 majority Of the community
I to alter, reform, or abolish the government; il
seems to me that The new government ould I'M
questiobaby be recognized, peaceably as al the
| other states have abolished the freehold right OF
suffrage
! Our present constitution recognizes the eqs,lity
! OF man and the equality Of the qualified elecior
The most wealthy eleclo or in any county, Is no
more than equal to tie poorest elector Of he same
county. The cors;ttutirn ,ec,,i,e. .t.o 49,