Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1828-12-24

ioreibie manner, presented bis views fthc resolutions
The real question nc said was ir one fec man was
equal TO snother' If FREQ man in the common.
wecith,was entitled 10 the same rights aud influence
with another. without reference geographical posi-
ton: Whether property 10 be put into the
scales against liberty, The moment that the prici-
pie was departed from, that man was az good Us
another, property was weighed against liberty. In
reply to an observation that the Legislature had no
power over the subject, Mr.. ID. commended TINT the
Legislature had no power except from the acuues-
cetcc ofthc people. If they acuuesced in tho act Of
the Legislature organizing convention, they made
their act by acquesccnce; as they had the act
o the last Con- Assembly, providing facilities for ascer-
tanning their wishes on the subject. That the Gene
rnl Assembly had inherent dcrivative power to
blnd the people was apparent from the fact that the
law oil the last Session directing the sense Of the poo
pie to be taken, and the law Of this session organizing
convention, had confirmed and would contain no
penalties for enforcing the people to vote. II the
people had not chosen voluntarily to exerute the for.
mer law, II would have been nero nullity; as the
contemplated law would be- nullity, il the people did
not choose 70 executes it, by choosing Delegates
convention. Mr.. ID. then examined the several pro-
posed basis of representation He rejected that of
county representation nbsured, us continuing in
convention the inequality Misrepresentation found
IN the House OF Delegates the principal grievance
which induced the people to 90 into conv cntion and
which must be pcrpetuated IN the new Government,
IT the inequality carried into the convention.
lie rejected the basis of federal numbers-that of
making 100 negroes equal 20 60 white men--as n
departure from the principle, that one free man
IN one part ofthe State, was entitled TO the Same
political weight with another free man in my other
part oil the Commonwcallh-ss putting property into
the scale with liberty. II any property was to be
represented, Why should not all property III the ne
groes of the Fast entitled to representation,
why were not the herds Ut the West! But the fear
expressed TINT the slaves would be taxed, oppres
sivciy If they were not represented i'll the gov
ernment' For one, and he felt authorised TO speak
tor all, he was willing to incorporate n guarantee in
the new Constitution, that all taxation should be ap
portioned upon the whole amount of property real
personal and mixed When the slave holder was tax
cd nc willing that the slave holder should DE
taxed III precise proportion to the relative value of
their property--that each should pay dollar for dol
lar. Was not this justice, Ought this 10 satisfy
the anxiety OF the slaves hoderr Mr. D. said if the
slaves of the East had been taxed for the support
of Government the tires otthe West had been equal
ly taxed for lis defence. Secure behind their noun
tans, the people Of Western Virginia feared not the
approach OF the invaderj yet the plains of Norfolk
whitehead with their bones, showed the aIacrity with
which they had obeycd the can OF the government to
assist in the defence of their eastern brethren Did
not this cnttle them TO their confidence, and TO
concession of the equal rights which had beer so lonr
denied thcms We can do no more than present the
outline of Mr.. Diapers excellent remarks)
Mr. Wethered (Senator from Greenbrier) depreca
ted the warmth which had been displayed, and the
throwing of fire brands He declared himself oppo-
sed to any Convention, bet still disposed to execute
The wishes ofthe people He was opposed TO exten.
ding the right of suffrage, and still more opposed to
giving negroes representation in the Convention.
Tie thought the first resolution squnied at physical
force, and for that reason opposed to it-M Wehe-
red proceeding to descant with latitude WIS called to
order and took his scnt.)
Mr.. Moore of Rockbridge, expressed his surprise
that any thing obectionable-any thing like fire
brand, should be discovered in the first resolution
which merely affirmed the sentiments of the bill of
rights.
Mr.. Bagty of Accomack, expressed his regret at
any course that cod tend by possibility to defeat the
call of convention. He was disposed to have one
upon any terms he could get. He was willing the re-
presentation should be taken, from Senatorial or Con-
gressonal districts from Counties Ills object was
to have Convention upon good terms if possible but
upon any terms, if it could not be had of good.
Mr. Mason of Frederick, in the most Impressive
defended the resolutions from the impuaton
Of being nfammatory-afuned that they re asserted
what was already declared in the Bill of RIGHTS and
by all men, deprecated all inteperance
and invoked harmony and concert.
The question then taken ON the first resolution
and it was unanimously agreed to-
The second resolution was also agreed TO- with hut
one dissenting voice, THAT we heard)
After some conversation between Messrs Morgan
Senate, Doddridge and Mason of Frederick from
which it understood that the opinions of the meet
ING would be consolidated in substitute TO be offer
ed TO the bin before the House of Dclcpntos: on
motion of Mr. .6nson of Frederick
The meeting adjourned.