Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-03-25

He would infer that all who fail 10 vote are IN
friendly TO a convention, whilst am willing they
should be counted in the ratio of those who vote
But il differences are to he made, which is the
most natural Inference, that the absentees, from
age, inhrmity or otherwise, acquiesce in the de-
csion oftheir more active fello-wcitizens, that
they opposed to their own interests the claims OF
justice and the general prosperity ofthe State? The
most atrocious ielon is presumed 10 be innocent
Ill his guilt be proved, and yet the freemen Of Va.
are 10 be condemned without trial, and from the
mere silence or passivencss, we are to infer the
crime Of political suicide.
1t is very possible that even in many Of the
counties most interested in 4 conventions; some de-
gree OF Indifference may exist this interesting
subject. That indifference can only be attributed
TO Ignorance or political degeneracy. In either
case it should inspire even the enemies of Coli
venton with the deepest sympathy and regret and
not with anticipations Of triumph Of their resistance
to the cause OF reform.
III any be indifferent through Ignorance, that
very ignorance may have resulted from defec
tive constitution, defective legislation. If from
the former, the evil should be remeded; If from
the latter II would be illiberal and unjust in any
members OF the Legislature TO profit by their own
wrong and infer opposition to Convention from
the ignorance Of the people. We should be the
more digent in disseminating the blessings of ed
ucaton through every portion of the State, under
the frn conviction that an enlightened communi-
~ will always maintain their rights and liberties if
they shall have the physical power.
30 far as the difference of which ! am speaking
results from political degeneracy, it affords strong
argument iii favour Ct legislative interpositon to
correct the evil, and it can only be corrected by
constitutional reform. For although i, is an estab
hshed maxim that all government must be found
ell on public opinion yet ii Is equally true that 60
vernrnent reacts upon the people, and its organic
powers may be made to exert salutary influence
in reclamng degenerate community from the
error oil their ways. To effect this desirable OBJ
hat hp tit,tfin slo
precede the people, at short intervals, in the road
to virtue and to glory, that il may appear TO ac
company while 1t in fact is gradually leading the
citizcn In his onward march TO the temple of liber
ty Increase the interval, and the constitution seen
through the mists of prejudice and error, will be
lost IN the distance and no longer as Ca lamp
TO the feet and light TO the path OF cratic and
bcnighted people.
The gentleman from Brunswick has partially
contested my postuIatc Of the inequality OF repre-
sentation, and advocated theory predicated on the
Joint ratio of taxation and Representations For the
purpose OF cucidating this interesting subject
shall take the liberty of submitting TO the Senate
an estimate made several years since by gentle
man oil acknowledged accuracy, in which the
question is considered with great ability and pre-
sented IN all its bearings. This document will
conclisivey establish my positions and refute the
gentleman from Brunswick on his own premises
Here Mr.. Smith read the following document:
Estimate made several gears since, to sk0aO the
inequality IF representation in Ylrginia
The LIST or Eastern District, between the sea-
board and the head Of tide water
The 2nl, between the head of tide-J7atcr and the
Blue Ridge.
The Sd, between the Blue Ridge and Che Ale
ghany.
The Ath, westof the Allegheny
1t the representation in the House of Delegates
which consists of two hundred and fourteen mem
bers, were aPportioned according to the free whit,
population among the foregoing districts, it wonl,
stand thus