Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-11-12

taxes, aud discard them from the estimate in the amor
honmeh OF representatives? Would il be Just to impo.s
singular burden without comforting ade uinte
age!-Another circumstance ouy hit TO be ,on.i-
ldered' The rule we have been speakng Of Is general
rule, and applies to all the States. Now nm bops "A
great number NJ pcopte in your State, trbich az,
not represented at a and have 40 voice In yonr pov
ernmrit these will he included i'm the enumeration-
not filths--nor three fi,hs--but the who'll. 1bis
proves, that the advantages OF the plan are not co6n.
ell 10 The southern States, but extend every part Of
the Union ~ on Sir that en-. Hamilton houp E.
that the Southern States had just claim to rcpr,.
sena'ion for their Slave lahour, the Northern States
Tor their free white abourand he said this m the pro.
pie OF New York, almost ALI OF whose dan. lsbour,
were free white men.
| Mr. Chairman, we have been told d, several eenIe-
men, and particularly by the gentleman from Brooke
(Mr Dodri'ge) that the amendment proposing the
compound basis OF white population and tax alton pre.
vail, which Ire regards snps claim FOR represent
taon OF slaves tn. effect viii be. the pro
pie Of the West the slaves oil the people of the East 10
the end of time. II this intended 1cite the an
cry feeling. OF the West, il was surely well adapen ~
it, purpose But. il it meant Tor argument, il ex-
hibied strange forge;unsss of the scheme rep
by the Legislative Committee itself, aud that in parc.
ular, concerning which, there has been very NTH II
any diversity OF opinon The argument is founded.
FIRST, on the fact, that, at This time. the cs-monane
country not only paysa far greater amount Of revenue
sut contains also the majority OF white popuario.,
which, comhined must give majority of Delegate,
and then on the snPposif'on that the arportonnen oi
the representation now TO he made is 10 be hx ed anil
Interchangeable. And yet. the same gentiem IN te Us
he h'9 no doubt that in thirty years. the M ory os
white population will be found on the West side Of tb.
Aleghany, let alone the Valey-and the Auditor.
estimate informs u.s. that the cs-montane white pornl,-
ton, which in 1920 was greater dian that on the West
of the Blue Ridge by niuety-our thou4, OK
goods it now by only 4S000--and the gentleman mus
know that il is part of every scheme that has been
suggested and part ofthe report of the Legislative Com
nitec that there shall be enumerations peo
pie and new assessments of taxable property and new
apPoronmens OF the representation in 1885 and again
in lSio, and afterwards in every 20 years at least
Now the tchife population increases in the Wet
in much greater ratio than in the East the pro ortio n
of Western representation will increase in virtue nj
q N Of he md basis
ulaion increases their lands must be enhanced in va
iue, all their taxable property must be augmented and
the revenue they pay into the treasury also in
sen,a,ion in virtue OF that element of the compound
basis alsouness indeed, it ne supposed that, though
their population increase aud their wealth too,
over so much, they ought contribute a
greater proportional amount than they do. and
that the taxation on them ought 10 be reduced,
from time az to keep their contributions az
the present reduced amount. The compound ratio,
therefore, will work gradually, to augment their
share OF representation, both ways; and, in due time
10 give them share OF it than have not
calculated the time which 1t will take, under the one.
ration Of ihe compound RATIO Transfer the balance OF
power TO the West, nor am very competent the
task; bat IL the gentleman from Brooke will ascertain
the date when the majority Of White population will be-
found on the West side OF the Allegheny,
ture 20 assure him that the ramontane country upon
our own plan, viii, before that time comes, have
the majority in the House OF Delegates-and then
sir, content that they shall have it, They
will acquire it gradually, and they acquire learn
to it, with Justice anG moderation. They viii,
acquire it, till they learn feel the weight OF the
crown they destined TO bear-and that feeling
will chssten their love of power. They will not acquire
IL, till they shall contribute OF their pockets under
any scheme of uniform taxation such proportion of
the revenue, az will give them substantial community
of interest with in the imposition oftaSes, if not in
the appropriation OF revenue. They can only acquire
| il, by giving us that bond tUiM surety which nv
friend from Fauqner (Mr. ScotD demanded-we shall
have security in their self-love their interest
that they will not abuse their power. Sir have no
unrea sonable jealousy disrust of them. Indeed,
have always known that upon the principles OF he ex
liStin bal nj
time, and in no long time, be transferred to the
West. Why, then, shall be asked, have been
50 strenuous defender of old institu,ionsS
Because, in preserving them, should have preserved
great DEAL apart from this, this question the balance
of power, which dearly prizebecause in preserving
them should have avoided this very contest, which
terminates as it may, evil in itsef-beCausc
should have preserved that sentiment of generation for
constituted authority, which is forever lost, which
gave sufficient moral force TO the laws, and
thus dispensed with the exertion OF the strong arm of
governments for whenever physical force becomes
cessary, the spirit of republican government must cease
to direct the system and even the empty form must
perish. And now let ask the gentlemen of the
West, why they urgent for the Immediate possess
sion of power! for this sudden. abrupt transfer of 1t TO
their hands? when they surely ought TO know that il is
impossible for TO make the transfer without giving
with it unlimited dominion over our propertywithout
giving them power TO take from the poor of the
East the fruits of his industry and the bread from the
mouths of his children Tits that rage for internal Inn
provcmentfsr wherever see that passion, there find
the passonfOr reform, and thence hear those scot
ngs at every ment of respect and veneration for
the institutions wise, prudent and virtuOus
tors bequeahed TO us.
W. have been 'od, cir, that have no dangers 10
apprehend from immediate transfer OF power the
west over the east-powsr to property accord
ing to their ideas of justice, and appropriate the re-
venue tn pay according ia their views of policy;
that wc have ample security in the honesty Of our
western brethren; that mistaken in suppOsing
that SELF ioDe ia the great spring OF human actions; that
the moral Of mankind s sufficient 10 resist its
prompiings, and subdue lie influence; that "sellIove
and soci. are the same" know, that there indi-
ydual men--Cew, howevor-whO, upon some occasions
very unCreqnent-can disobey the dictates Of self
love- and disregard their interests, at the call Of
synpahy for other individuals, friendship, affection and
gratitude But in the history Of the human kind, Il
all nations and of all ages from tse earliest tradition 10
orr own times and country, there has never been sin
sle instance OF any society OF men, OF men acting ih
masses great small, who forgot selt-interest,
| what they supposed 10 be so for moment
II was not generosity which prompted France assist
IA in our revolutionary siruggle-it was self-love-
uist,keu sc-loye in my opinion-but still sheer self
love IL il not eenerosi'y which has excited
earnest wish fir the Independence OF the South A.
uerir,n S,tss of Old Spfin--it " our scltOve--ths
deare TO profit by her trade mistaken seltove again,
a.. r ,vs .bSll probably lose by their rivalry more
- =. sb,u gain by their custom. IL IL seli-lOve
- ,h,t recommends the system Of protecting duties
e. ,,nerican SystpnI-to orr fellow citizens Of the
N.,Lero Siaies; aud it il selove which ncites rive
Gontb 10 such strenuous opposition " IL sclilove,
,vLrh now divides this Convention, on this very ques-
ton.
The moral sense aud he honesty Of the people OF the
| VEST / pray gentlemen to understan1 me Wey arc
no, IN susoect inc of the and fOly o mputtng
-, - go ,er,li,r vice Of disposition. entertain
/ Al. ia 1 sln