Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-11-03
lREpoRrED FOR THE wHIG.1
TEx e CONVENTION,
DEBATE OF FRIDAY. OCT. 3o-CoscIrpf

olatlon OF our State constitution, of the Federal
authorities and Institutions He would ask if there
was no great interest concerned in this question:
Ill tho West tell us there great interest to be
Prote ted and which the amendment of the gentle
man from Culpeper protects? Is there not a great
interest which is in jeopardy? What is the position
OF tins ate. How does it stand On this side of
the Blue Ridge have $4,000 slaves; while on the
other side there but 5000. On this side above
three ourths of the whole revenue of the 81 ate is
rlScd by taxation; the other side less than ono
fourth is raised In the Western region, 30 counties
embracing one of tine loveeSt valiies in the world
'0ending between the Blue Ridge and the Ohio draws
annually from tho public chest more for it's Judicial
and "hcr cX re dtures than the whole which it con-
tributes ct VIC are asked, while VIC are thus pay-
ing more than three fDurtlls If the whole revenue
and the West Is paying less than one fourth and
when the w st is drawing annually from the
public treasury than the whole she contributes toit-
we arc asked to adopt an article into the Consttu-
ton by Which the whole Of the political powers of
the State and all the in Of the tax paving nor
ton are TO b. transferred to the Wesi lie did
rot III IAN TO insinuate that the gentlemen from the
w est are al all inferior honor the people of the
East He believed there was no greater puritv in
tie orc, than in the other But he would ask if
fhey IN our places would be willing agree to such
transfer of power: Would it b. republican in it's
tendency W hat is the money raised bv taxation in
Tree governments? Is it the eXtortion of power
the forced contributions of the people for the
mantenance of privileged orders; for the sup
port OF Kings and Nobles' Is taxation here the
right to take from us SO or 100 per cont
without consulting opinions nteres;sa Not
81 the money raised by taxation, in free governments
IS voluntary donation for the necessary expnces of
the government, made either directly by THEMSELVES
or mcdlately by their agents? What then if there are
agents VINO are to levy taxes for others than those
whom they represent ? Would it be sufficient to
say that the taxes to be raised for the public pur
poses He was surprised to hear the gentleman
from Norfolk, Mn. TATLoe) say that taxation and
represent alton are Streams from different foun,ai
running to different oceans. In modern times-he
would not go back to the days of Greece and Rome
concerning whose internal governments VIC have hut
uncertain lights to direct usbut ia as his limited
reading had gone, our States owed their nonulor
branches to the British House Of Commons that
model rs to representations SOME had atempted 70
improve upon 1t, and others had taken If az II w,s
Inc House OF Commons CONSTRUCTED Of men !
VINO pad the taxes which they laid and originated in
4 compact that they, and their constituents woula
ray certain TO the King, for the public service
fcSerng to themselves the power to refuse the aids
When they were not convinced Of the proprlety or !
necessity OF granting them. This powe of granting
and refusing aids, has raised the House of Commons
10 ITS present height OF power since il leaves with
them, the discretion to withhold the supplies unless
they shall be satisfied with the reasons which accom-
Pany the demand for them The construction and
practlcc ot the House OF Commons, therefore, were
hostile to the idea expressed by the gentleman from
Norfolk. that taxation and representation. were from
distinct uunt aims, and tending different oceans
The idea could scarcely be sustained that those
whose moHey is granted, should not be taxed by their
own agents. Gentlemen had told us, that he nor and
virtue, werethc only basis which confidence is
founded. He was not disposed to deprecate the
sanctions OF honor and virtue. BUT he could only
take settled principles for his ruide, Iealousv and
vigilance he commended should lie at the root of all
government Would not the gentleman from Fred I
crick, Mr.. PowErr) be shocked at a proposition
that the Legislature of Ohio, should be allowed to
tax thep eopleot Virginia, Yet there was no doubt
that the Legislature of Ohio, is composed of homo
rahe mon, who feel warm interest in the prosnortv
Ct Virginia. He had doubt that they are attach
ca 10 Ills es people. Why would the people of Vir |
Glnia revolt from such a proposition? Not bec,u,e
they were not assured of the intelligence and virtue
o. the Legislature of Ohio; but because thew would
ieci that IN imposing taxes on Virginia none hut tho
people OF Virginia would well know how In d;stri
quite the burdens. IT, is not only important TINT
Tins should be the iii free governments hut II
was further of Importance that the aren't who Laws
me tax 5 should be one who has to return home to
pear his proportion OF the taxes, or at least to he
accountable TO those who do pay them If il were
not settled principle, why is the tax laying power
confined to the popular branch Of the egisattire?-
u rests the principle of their rpsuonsihfv IN tho
great mass OF the tax payers. This is the corner
stone OH which our State Constitutions rest-there
may be exceptions, but one can dispute the ron
cral truth Of the rule.
ii We grant to gentlemen on the other side tho
power they desire, how could this principle of ali
fec governments be brought TO operate upon Eas
tern Virginia with her 400 900 slaves contributing
so much the greater portion Of the revenue of the
State' Taxation is the voluntary donation of those
who pay the taxes, who interested in the objects
~ winch they arc to be applied and who by paving
iHe testify their appreciation ofthc course Of their
agents Take the basis Of the white population and
you deprive hat portion Of the State of parcipa1on
IN laying the taxes in the same proportion which the
contribution ofree fourihs of the revenue bears 10
thht OF one fourth All this is swept from US if we
surrender to you this power.
The gentlemen ofthe West uinv pcrl,1p5 desire !
{" construct Enlean OF an Appian ,yav. or y
splendid aqneIuc he did not design to cast ridi /
''ic on the spirit Of Internal Improvement but
'me gentlemen are disposed to 20 much further
Than others on this subject There are some who
link they must bring tho Potomac and the Ohio
,ogether and tunnel the Allegheny mountains,
'1I'c me power to the West, which is now asked
tor and they Who pay fourth of the taxes will
nc ~ SITUATION TO impose burdens on those who pav
ne other three iourths for the accomplishment Of
92cc's winch the after believe TO be inpracticable
The mambcrs of the Fast will VOC o,,inet ,,r,r
aions, which they will regard as merely waste Of
treasure, but their opposition will he of as little avail
as ihcir silence; The donation will be- made bv