Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-03-18
VIRGINIA LEGIsLATURE.
IN SENATE.
Debate on the Contention.
REMARKS OF MIR a n SNJIT,

IL. "A.
Mr. Speaker: My recent admission TO the urivile
ges y duties OF legslation admoniscs me TO abstain
from cmbarking i'll this important discussion: but [
ann compelled by imperative obligations TO nv con-
sutucnts ana my country to submit some remarks
10 the consideration of this house. IL is however
tar from my intention to follow the gentleman from,
Brunswick (Nlr. Dromgoolc) thro' the wide field
which he has travcTsed, or to rccapituate the va
lIous arguments which heretofore have been 50
repeatedly urged in the legislature and eIscyvbar,
on The interesting subject of Convention NV
principal object is to investigate and ascertain the
rights of an oppressed minority i'm reference o that
gross inequality of representation which is admit
ted to exist. Having discharged this duty shall
yield to other gentlemen of more competency and
experience,an opportunity ofentering more at large
into the merits OF the bill now under consideration
The prominent topics which invite attention. in
connexion with the view of the s. beet which
mean to take, the relative rights and duties of
nloriues and minoritics, the legitimate influence
OF power, and the demands of expedency
Before proceed to the prosecution of nv main
design, beg leave to affirm, that the Constitution
OF Virginia has lost much fits original brightness
ana our form OF government, rom the ouerofion Of
time and circumstances, bears more sirnilitude 10
~ oligarchy than 10 a republic. For it is no
toPious, and may be demonstrated by reference TO
'he ceqsus of 1920, that portion of the Common
wealth, contdning little more than one third oF tho
white population OF the State, possesses more than
a molety OF the whole representative power and
therefore may besaid TO rule and govern the other
Two thirds. Ii may therefore, be reasonably infer
red, that in ~ much as two thirds aggrieved by
The inequality, majority at least must be frveur-
able TO reform, and will afford decisive evidence Ia
that effect, at the ensuing spring elections in nbe
event OF the passage OF this bill AS, however
many intelligent gentlemen confidently anticipate
different RESULT shall proceed TO discuss the
question: on the supposition that majority arc Oh.
posed TO the call Of Convention
hold it to be an inconrovertible principle. that
IN every Free Government, taxation and represent
,auon are, or ought to be, inseParably unitcd-or
IN other words, that the citizen should not be bound
by laws to which he has never assentcd. thro' the
medium OF representation. To controvert this prin-
ciple, would be an insult to the ashes of the ven.
cradle dead, who in the of the revolution
pledged in its defence thcir lives their fortunes
aud their sacred honour. 1t is i'm fact Tho groo'
principle, which animated the patriots of rs and
achieved our independence as "A nation IL is Tho
vital principle of the Virginia bill of rights. the
very first article Of which declares That ali mon
are by nature equally free and independent and
have certain Inherent rights Of which when thev
enter INTO state of society, they cannot by any
compact, deprive diYest their posterity If the
principle for which contend be not one of those
inherent rights, where they 10 be founds This
sacred principle is the basis of all political rioht e.
therefore must be inherent and inalienable
From the principle thus established it follows ir-
Tcsisibiy, That whatever disturbs the equilibrium
2el"eSh taxauon q representation, is departure
HOm the fundamental maxims of every free row.
eminent. VI the former exist without the latter
HespOtism y the consequence; if taxation exceed
representation, tyranny must prevail in the ratio of
mat excess The irccmen aggrieved in all these
cases, must possess perfect right 70 demand a re-
dress oil their grievances; nor does that RIGHT de
pend on the number Of persons aggrieved for il
IS ~ absolute IN minority as in a majority IL
extends to every portion Of the citizens Of this Com
inonwealth, however small. If for example the
constitution should authorize capitaton tax of $40
on the citizens OF Frederick while those of War
wick could only be subjected TO a tax Of f. the for
nef might lawfully demonstrate against this gross
inequality, and demand restitution 10 their inbe
rent rights The same right Of redress would an
Ply 10 such an inequality in the criminal code. AZ
would punish the same offence as felony in Frcde
TICK, and as misdemeanor In Warwick A similar
inequality IN representation, must q (orfi0Ji con
Ter tho right Of rcdress, nasrnuch as liberty il of
more value than property' For cannot agree with
me gentleman from Brunswick, that the possession
OF lands and tencments, tends more than any other
ntualing cause, to communicate 10 man an eIeva.
zion and dignity Of character. In nv opinion. Ii.
beriy IS above money and above price It's not
10 be compared for moment, with the possession
d lands and tencments. But, 10 an undeniable
fact, nat the county Of Frederick in reference TO
many other counties Of the Commonwealth ENJOYS
lees than one tenth Of the representative power 10
which she is justly entitled principles OF Justice
dud equality. She has therefore a perfect rirht
70 demand correction Of this abuse bv an amend
ment TO tho constitution. But every RIGHT ifnpljes
corresponding obligation. Hence 10 follows that
TAFnFNfitt w oofvNS nc efrer are h7,,od n