Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-02-19

OASIS OF representation In tree government. AS
that doctrine was alike avowed and defended by
the other gentleman from Powhatan, (Mr. Old)
1 shall content myself with giving short con-
sideraton 10 the argument advanced in support OF
II by mat rentemar; indeed, he, thought the
only Ineligible views which have heard upon
this branch Of the subject. Uc sets out by affirm
ing, ".hat government is compert, and the right
Of majority TO govern is coDtained in the terms
OF the union, and can exist only by the consent
OF the minority" "that the power 10 govern must
be conferred before it can have any applicable ex
istence;' "that il is not inherent ia any portion OF
a community" These ideas are the result Of
confusion In terms, and their absurdity can be ac
counted Tor, but by supposing the person who en-
tertans them, to have confounded our situation in
state OF nature with our condition in civil socic
~. Questions Of right and wrong in the abstract,
where there are two parties differing. suppose the
whole people divided, can only be settled by
physical force" and we have the same evidence
20 believe the majority right an axiom Of GO
verninent, that we have to believe the prepon
derating scale, the heaviest. Is not physical
force, an indispensable concomitant OF an cxer-t
else OF the right to govern, Did any one;
ever hear that governed party was or ought to
be consulted upon an exercise OF governing power
upon themselves; and thai governed party, a mi
nority.-Or did any one ever hear OF stipulation.
in governmental compac, that the minority should
yield! Between individuals, power does not make
right: but IN governments, majority though
wrong, must be considered right, as there is. no
superior tribuna! to revise controul their acts;
and hence, the truth Of the position of the gen.
tleman from frederick, "that the right Of the ma.
jority to rue IS mainly derived from physical
force"
The gentleman from Powhatan, (Mr. Oily says,
social conpacts are created for the protection of
persons and property'-true, but let US examine
what he maintains by this premise He contends
that both should be represented, because the
rights Of property would be eopardized b. placing
The supreme power in the hands of persons with
out regard to their wealth. In this state of things
it is thought that every species of property which
did not belong to the poor would be ekorbtantly
taxed:-that the wealthy would and mus; become
the slaves of the poor. All admit, that in The alb
sract there as such thing as perfect equality, q
, mean OF siiuations) yetwe know, that take things
as they are, aud the situation OF persons, in refer
ence to their minds, persons, and property is We
~ dissimilar. 1t is attempted TO be proven that
The two latter should ne represented in conven-
ton, not Mr.. Chairman by the power CT the pos
SCISSOR, butio manner peculiar in itself, and that
these two interests it seems must be at war with
each other. The peculiarly Cfthe representation
OF property in convention, according 10 the views
oil soIne u traced 20 its origin, will be found TO
consist in the fact. that property not sought TO
be represented by the agency Of the owner; not
oy an extra ouanlum ci sovereign power belong
ing to The possessor-but by those who live in the
same imaginary and arbitraTy boundaries, where
the property lies.--ln contending for tax as ba-
sis OF power you must at the same time not deny
that power TO the property holder. If you think
the power necessary 10 protect your wealth, will
you obtain your object by placing it in the hands
OF those who have no other come xion or interest
for its preservation but what is derived from con-
tiguity TO its stuAtioD2 You yield the question in
the practical application Of the principle. Your
best argument for the claim set up ishat it should
be granted for seE-preserYaion, forgetting that
you abandon the ground. by giving what you get
TO your neighbours. That would be the case Of
Mendicant, who would beseech your charity to
relieve his own wants, and the moment he receiv-
ed your DONATION, give it to another PRINCIPLES,
II sound and consistent will never clash by ex-
tending them: their unlimited progression can ne
yer render them absurd, but like parallel lines no
protraction will make them converge; and though
the examination OF a small section, may seem to
present them, az each Termination. as equi-distant,
yet you can obtain the proof only BIZ extending
them.
suppose, tor moment, property 10 be lust
basis OF power, and take the argument advanced
to shew its weight, that much attach to the owner,
then see the spectacle presented civil commu-
nifty, apportoning out its supreme authority ac-
cording TO the wealth OF its constituent members
Inen the votes OF an elector, in representative
government, must be graduated in the ratio of
shares, which he may possess, of the whole free
hold estate o! the country When. too, we consi-
der the evanescent character Of wealth, it would
be but justice in fixing what each lran is entitled
to- 10 take into the estimate the probable chances
OF his retaining 1t. And who is to fix the value
OF the estate necessary TO authorize one yote!-
Who Is to calculate The chances o. its stability, II
is too late. Mr.. Chairman, for such political no.
tons. 1ties were suited. perhaps, to the middle
OF the last century-but the present age is against
them; the march OF reformation is against them;
and that which cannot be withstood in govern
ment OF moral ength-public opinions against
them. They are in opposition 10 common sense
and the rights Of man. Such opinions must be a.
bandoDed. IL is wished our adversaries would
give them up. with, al least, shew OF complaceu-
cy-aDd not loose their temper in a contest in
which every thing contended for, must be lost.
am certain the military qualifications OF the GEN
tleman from Northampton. will not, ne ce ssarily.
be put in requisition. TO adjust the present conro.
versy. lfthey are. however, he may not be as
successful in obtaining allies beyond the Ridge in
conflict Of that kind, as he is in the present
strife. At the same time, ii not be forgotten
that, in an event OF that sort, the people will act
for themselves and not by the agency of repre.
seDtaiyes Present. as we'll as past experi.
ence, shews that the conduct Of agents and prnci-
pals, may be in oiametfical opposition. BUT.
"persons" and property" are the watch words:
thejr influence, upon some gentlemen, seems
to be unbounded. They yield to their conlroul,
az IL acted upon by the wand Of coniurer-
Now, sir, If there is perfect equality in them. no
danger could result, at least no direct danger. to
The rights OF either. But, as we have seen that
can never exist. We are then brought to nske
choice which shall be sacrificed, admitting The
arguments Of gentlemen to shew that sacrifice
must take place, 10 be correct; will any gentleman
in this body hesitate moment! Il not the liner
~ of the citizens Of superlative consequence, II
ia these two conflicting interests one or the other
must predominant, surely it must be that which
attachee TO persons. Do you wish to give greater
consequence to wealth than it now possesses.--
The universal homage which il receives il the hest
guarantee for its protection. We find ourselves
unconsciously guided by its influence, and bowling
in submission to its authority. Gentlemen have