Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-01-17

lmDOr-
lance TO the happiness and welfare of succeeding
generations. The gentleman from Allegheny,
(Mr. Ierrill,) had on yesterday urged as an argu-
meht IN favor OF his substitute, that Convention
nad ever been organized in any OF sister
states, upon any other basis of than
that upon which the existing legislature of such
state had been formed. Mr.. II. said, that prece-
uents derived from our sister States are certainly
entitled to much respect. He did not recollect
that the fact as il had been stated but did
not doubt that the information of the gentleman
was correct. IL appeared TO him, however, that
before the fact alluded TO could be successfully
urged as an argument in favor Of the substitute,
It ought also to be shewn, that the inequality of
representation iii the Legislatures of those States,
had been as glaring as it now is in our House OF
Delegates. 1t ought TO be shewn, that one OF the
main objects Of those Conventions, was to rectifv
a gross inequality OF representation in the most
numerous branch OF the Legislature. Could the
history OF any State in the Union, (he askcd,)
FURNISH an example OF SO palpable deviation from
the true principle Of repre- sentation, as is exhibit
ted IN The organization Of this House? If SO, he
, :nought NE could venture to say, that a Conven-
ton designed to remcdjksuch a grievance, had
never, as yet, effected the object for which il was
called. II organized upon the same principle of
inequality 1t was sufficient answer to the ar
gument, 10 say, that no State in the Union had
ever gone into Convention, under similar circum,
stances.
In regard 10 tne Bill reported by the Select
Committee, Mr. X. remarked, that the more he
had reflected upon the principle, requiring re-
presentation OF three-ffths OF our Slaves upon this
moor, the stronger was his objection to it, ii did
no, OBJECT 10 federal numbers, as applied TO our
representation on the floor of Congress Itis right
and proper, that all sovereign states, in forming
treaties or compacts, should negotiate the best
terms they can Virginia, and the other slave
holding states, had colformed only to the invari-
able usage oil diplomacy, when entering into the
federal compact, they endeavoured to secure
10 h'mselves all the political power that could be
iairiy obtained But, he considered the case to be
very diifereni,whe the adoption of this principle
is urged within the territorial limits of our own
state The States Of this Union compose Fede-
RAJ Government The People of this state con-
s''ute a consolidated state government and it
was utterly Incompatible with the idea he had
formed OF such government, that the various
sections oil state, whose interests are one and in
divisible, should be contending with each other
or power, Ike so many distinct corporations or
municipalities. The most perfect equality of rights
ia such government, constituted in his opinion
.he very pest guarantee that could be devised fer
us duraOy, and for the happiness, prosperity and
tranquility oil the community He objected more
over 70 the representation of our slaves because
ne could see no reason why (f property be emit
'ieu 10 representation at al) that description ell
properly alone shall be represented in Convent.
on He thought it would be more consistent 10
coh'ehd Tor The representation of all, than only
o.; m"GeJg,ns OF the slaves lthad not been urged
IN this House, that slaves entitled to represen
tauoh as persons. They had, indeed, been called
the labouring class of Virginia but viewing them
as property, they can be regarded in no other
nsht thah the labouring horses and cattle of the
country. But, II they be entitled TO repre- ntat-
on as prop eTty is not every other species of taxa
Die proPe rty equally entitled to the same security |
against undue taxation (: II Is fair 10 prssume |
.ia. 'iiis protection Is as necessary in one case
Dc III another Directing as liz ,:;,i ;v the prnci
PEE u'at slaves are entitled TO be represented eli !
teer as persons property and BELIEVING Thai all
ne Tepeilue derived from all the taxable property
VI me state, should be placed upon the same loot
ihg, lie designed to submit the amendment to |
winch he had already alluded, not as recognizing
principle which he approved, but as being much
iaTer ana less Objectionable every respect than
Tie principle OF the Bill reported by the Commit
tee. Feeling himself bound, in the first instance
~ 'o'e either ior the bill under consideration, or
iof some other provision which, if adopted will |
meet the views of his constituents he intended IN
summit ms amendment as being calculated to ac-
coInplsh the object for which il is designed. Bv |
"pPoi ho"ing Representations, according to the COM
pound basis OF white population and revenue in
lne manner, and upon the scale recommended in
lhe proposed amendment, he conceived thai all
.he taxable property OF the state would be as eff
iec'uaiiy secured against oppressive taxation a.
.ouio reasonably be expected. If any particular
Pecies OF property Jour slaves for example) shall
hereafter, IRON any cause, be sub jected 10
'icIcdSeu o oppressive taxation, the owners there
OIL (shoud the principle of the proposed amend |
meht be ado ted) would, Of course, be entitled
representa- ian |
whereby the evil would in measure carry
WIN IL lis own remedy. This hypothesis is based
VI course upon The ded that the appor,iopment of |
representation In Convention may indicate The |
Pr'i Pie winch Is TO prevail in the future organ |
Zd'ioh OF our Legislature. Mr. II. repeated. that
t would not pretend to advocate the principle hat
Is entitled 10 representation. regard TO
what he believed 10 be the will of maioTiiv Of
Ms constituents, would unqurstionably regulate
MS vote, which, however, he would cndeay ur I
o render as palatable 10 himself DIS circumstances
would permit.
Mr. H. said, he had never heard apv areur,en,
Hhich could convince him, that properfy entitled |
Is posse,sor 10 any additional political power in the
If taxation be fairly ilDposed unon |
property, in proportion the ability OF its OWNER
o pays no hardship can be complained Of For.
ne man whose means limited finds il more
nHcuit anu lnconyeIiient 10 pay his mite into the
,e"Su'y " tndn the individual whose Inc ans are am
he' mat proportion of the public revenue which
nay De eHacted oil him, while the former il re |
GU W perform all the services, both civil and
military, which can be requI ed of the latter II
iad, indeed, been conended, that property is emit
ien 10 representation, because government is in
"'u'eu DIS wen Tor the protection Of the rights of
property, ds the lights of persons. He admitted
hdt the protection OF property Is one OF the main
Dlects oil civil society Blu, how is this protection
De afforded! not by giving representation TO
moi by placing land, slaves, and horses
'Pon hVeI win freemen,-but by the com.
ined physical force of the whole community. oil
when each member Is bound 10 contribute his h,Il
no equal portion. This is all the profection In
vhich property IS entitled. tax on propertv. il
othIig more than lair equivalent for the pro,ec
ION thus afforded. Trace the CONSEQUENCES of
WING representation 10 property, and the unsound-
ess OF this doctrine must be obyious-It I,vs s
rate the cardinal principle OF democracy. fb,t th,
vii OF the majority shall govern All evner;a,,c. |