Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1829-11-19
TuruspAy. Nov, 10.


The Convention met at II o'clock, and lis
Enng was opened with prayer by the Rev MI
borneT, ofthe Catholic Church
Mr. johnson resumed bis speech OF yester.
Gay, aud continued 10 occupy the floor till the
hour ofadjournment
After eIprcssin, his disapprobaiion ofceriain
TsInarks made by gentlemen on the other side,
o. 10 the inability Of particular districts TO pay
tbeir own proportion oil the expenses Of govern.
msni. and n reiusal to reiort in the same sprI.
he went into "a calculation 30 show 81 hat would
be the comparative effect OF the different modes
OF represent alton proposed, upon the balance
Of power which conducted him 10 this result
The strength OF the region West Of the Blue
Ridge. IN comparison To that lying on the East
oft, is at present. IN the proportion OF 40 TO 10
Should this white basis prevail II will be as Of
TO 60 and should thu mixed basis succeed, II
will be as AZ to 81. This calCulaiio was bas
cd on the returns from the Audior's office.
He went into another calculation, based on
those who pay the land ,ai. which brought
him to the following result The power of the
West would be 10 that Of the East, as 40 TO 10 :.
but il the mixed basis prevail, as d. 10 67.
A third calculation, based on those who pay
tax on other property than lands, showed the
power OF the West To that of tho East. as 90
TO 10.
From these statements he drew the inference
tiai no great or sudden change in the balance
of power would result from the ndopiion OF
either scheme. tie adverted with regret, TO
the excitement abroad, aud the premature re-
sort which had been had TO ms ructions, while
the discussion was yet pending. lie then pro-
cneded TO examine the several precedents which
had been brought forward on the other side :,
from the government Of Rome from the
House Of Commons from the principles of
our Revolution from the representation in the
Federal Government; and from The Consiiiu.
lions Of the several States arguing to shew,
that none OF them furnished an example which
Virginia ought to follow. He deprecated all
reference TO party politics in the present dis
eussion; denied thai the weight Of Virginia in
the General Govern Uent would be dimini shed
BY adopting ths principle of the white basis of
representation; and then proceeded to the ge-
neral subject OF the security Of property. Here
he went into q number OF tabular statements,
exhibiting the ratio OF increase of the white
population in the four grand divisions OF the
State, from 1870. TO the present time from
whence he contended that a small majority OF
the white population would be found TO the
West Of the Ridge in 1850 From table of
the comparative increase OF the slave popul
ton, during the same period. he drew the con.
cluslon, that that population was 10 a stale of
progress, from the Eastern toward the middle
and Western parts OF the State and from that
fact, insisted that tho Yves, would be under no
temptation oppressively 10 tax slave property
MIR. J. contended that the only efIeclual safe
guard for property. la, in a proper im, to the
right Of suffrage excluding slaves, children.
females, and persons destitute Of property -
This would hold out inducements 10 industry.
prevent dangerous combinations, and give
those who we're TO lay the tax, fellow feeling
with those who were TO pay H. The amend
ment, he Insisted, would furnish no such securi
ty but, by irritating large portion of the
people, would rather tempt them TO Cypress and
make war upon that species Of property for the
want Of which, they were excluded from pow
e..
He then went into an extended argument to
shew, that no apprehension was to be indulse ed
by the Eastern portion the State, that waste
ful and visionary scheme of internal improve
ment would wanionly be engaged in. at their
expense, BY the people of the West and to
shew this, wen, into an examination of the va
rious interests prevailing in the State, for the
Improvement of its different rivers and argued
to shew, that without combination, neither OF
sssss would carry its favourite Object, but that
Il they chose TO combine, the adoption of a
compound basis would present an efectusl re-
sissance 10 their power.
He concluded this part OF bis speech, BY lay
ing down The general principle, that no local
Improvement ought 10 DO sanctioned by the