Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1829-11-05
CONVENTION.
LRcported for the Compiler.

GReported for the Compilerl
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER -.
The Convention met at IL o'clock, and was
opened With prayer by the Rev. Mr., sykes, of
the Methodist Chur cb.
Mr.. Il zhugh reported the following resolu.
ton from the COMMITTEE
" The Commute appointed to enquire into
and report on the compensation to be allowed
tie officers of the Convention, have agreed to
the tofloW Ing .esulutiou
" ResotUtd. That 80 per day be allowed each
OF the Clerks of this Convention for every days
actual attendance on said Committees (which
WAS agreed to b, the Convention.
On Mr.. Doddfidge's molten, the Convention
proceeded 10 execute The rider Of the day, and
resolved Itself into - Commit ee OF the Whole
Mr. p. 7 Barbour in the Chair.
The Char stated the question, and an
nonnced that Mr.. Upshur was emitted 10 the
floor.
MIR. Upstur then rose, in pursuance Of his
arg 1nlent. He recapilulatrd the points which
hf had attempted to establish the day before
liz repea,ed, that there vas no abstract, a priO.
RI right IN The majority TO govern the commupi
tt-tbat there WAS no such foundation either IN
the laws o, nature, or ia comraGt-thal lhere
were two species Of majorlties. IA majority Of
persons, aud a majority OF interests-,hat how
Z y W S''Af ~ W. " "ho lloIiih
that the majority Of numbers should govern. We,
here was an exception where a great diversity
ofintefeSts revealed aud tilat property was
entted TO protection. Mr.. U. thea proceeded
20 illustrate his positions by additional argu-
mems.
He stated the case OF our contest with Great
Britain, where the principle was maintained,
hat taxation and representation ought to go
together. Such was the foundation OF our
ella M at that day.-Mr. U contended that II
those Who are taxed, have no means OF 'epre-
sentation, there would be no way of determln'
ing how much protection they received from
the government, and how much they ought to
Contribute. He referred TO the very PROPOSE
lions on the table, for proof Of hi, positions.
" by, for example. is il not proposed TO give
universal suf age Every man Is subject 10
the open alton ofthe government TO fight It's
battles, and 'ncur the punishment If its laws
and yet they are not all entitled to vote aud nd
minister The government. Ii is because they
have not the necessary quantity OF property,
that they are not permitted by the PROPOSE
lions on the table 10 exercise the Right OF SUI
frage.
MI. IT,. examined the position that had been
advanced on the 9th er side, that property could
| protect itsrIf. lie contended that il II were not
allowed a share OF representation, wealth could
only protect itself, by an improper eAertion ol
its influence ; by bribery and corruption. And
suppose he was to make the proposition 10 gen
tIemen on the other side, that if they would
nay all the taxes Of the government. they should
have all the power. For his own part he
| might be willing to agree to the scheme ; but
would IN ose gentlemen also concur in III
Mr.. u. called the attention o. The Committee
to the manner in which the present Constiiu'
ton was formed. He stated, that then every
- that oil sInaa
various interests have grown up under its pro-
visions and pledges-and is II proper now TO
violate these established rights Would II not
wear The appearance even Of violence and OF
fraud ? He stated, that il all the interests Of
this Commonwealth were the same, there would
he no necessity Tor a peculiar organization OF
its POWERFUL such was not the case. lie might
say that almost the whole carriage tax was PAID
by this part of the Staie-but this was a small
TEN. What, however, would gentlemen say
when they were told that the tax on slaves had
paid about 80 per cent OF the whole revenue OF
the State As the tar is now imposed. you hrsi
tax the labourer as property. aud then you tax
the very article which il produces.-You tax
the slave first, and you afterwards levy a tax
on the carriage which his labor enables US 10
purchase.
Mr.. U then referred to the influence which
this species ofpersons gave us ia the affairs OF
the General Goyernment-and remarked, that
il constituted about i-llth OF the whole Repre-
sentation in Congress. He begged the Commit
tee TO recollect in these days Of innovation how
much influence our decisions may have upon
that aueslion-and If we throw out all conside-
ra,hn Of it at homo, how can we justify the
adherence TO it in the Federal Government p
If n proposition was made to amend the Consti-
,u,ion O fthe United States in that respect, how
could Virginia. with all her consistency in the
cause OF principle, resist the amendment, after
having adopted a different rule 10 her own Con
~sttution ?
He alluded TO the argument, which the Yves
tern members urged that there was no dangeI
Z Of abuse, If the power was given to them. FoI
S his own part. he apprehended no such conse
ouence from the present citizens Of the West
2 but what guarantee can they give, that this dis
' nterestedness will become a perpetual inheri
c lance , and that those who come after then
NAV adhere 10 the just course Of their forefa
theirs . Blu. gentlemen bad said that this .lav
n interest had extended TO the West. and that tn
IS popula,ion was increasing. But Mr.. b. coniens
e ed m at the interest was at present so small
i, the West as not to affect In any material degr'
he it, wishes and regulations-and that there wei
d, reasons 10 operation, which would prevent al