Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-12-15
Divided BY the Blue Ridge the East AID West,


In making these calculations, disregard small
fractions, and convert large into citizens, that
we may give the results in white numbers.
BY this method ofcaculatng the effect of the two
propositions i, would appear that, adopting the com
pound basis, the West would lose and the East
gain two members ont OF one hundred and twenty,
and that, adopting the simple basis, the West would
gain and the East lose eleven. But If instead of
taking the whole number of white PERSONS as the
basis, you ;4ke such only arc qualified TO vote,
there is reason to believe that the result would be
materially varied We have no means OF ascertain
ing the number Of qualified voters,Ihcre is 10 re-
cord OF them any where, and We have certainly no
data from which would estimate them accurate
ly--But we may approximate them perhaps suthci-
emily near, to answer the purpose of Illustration,
by estimates from such dts Us we have.
Until CAME into this Convention Mr. Charman.
had habltualy considered a representation appor
toned according to the whole number of white poo
pie i'll the different Districts and apportloncd
according TO the qualified voters in each,
substantially cquivalents-I had supposed that
the ratio of the one, would be fair index of the ratio
OF the other had never carefully examined the SUBJ
ject. Ny duties in the Legislative Committee. called
my attention to 1t, and induced me doubt the
rcctnesS o! my former expressions. The able argI-
meut OF the gentleman from Chesterfield, rivted my
attention to IT, and induced to think that those
expressions We're probably wrong. There is mech
weight due to the cons eratioh, that these who per.
form nenia services, the day abourers the cuvaiors
Of land which they do not own. are in the Eastern
DISTRICTS principally slaves. while those who perform
VI
white personsi and this consideration tends TO the
conclusion, that the ratio of qualified voters to the
Whole white population, would be greater in the Fast
than III the West have appealed to the, opIv docn
mens IN my power, to test this conciusiop,-te lists
OF persons charged with taxes, furnished u.s. bv the
AUDITOR lie has furnished Two iists,-the of the
number OF persons III each county and respective town.
Charged with any tax, town lot part of town
lot, any parcel of land less than 25 acresthe
other, of the number charged With any tax on other
property Now, although each of these Isis contains
ms nnl tenn IP ,,I Ill
without Discrimination and therefore must inform us
c.Frectly OF the actual number of adult white males
upon elder. Yet have thought that probably they
would not very ilr ;ccea if We regard them as ~,
index Of the relative number of men aiuei NAILS in
the DISTRICTS, and index of relative number of
wih taxes on land, giving the of freehold voters and
me Other list as giving the ratio of voters right of
shah be ex'enced TO housekeePe pa revenue
power OF the districts would stand thus:
according tho 'hs on ana is, s-saa 20 s5h Sc
Acsarng to the irstWest' o $3.50 Epaa 7 b.
according 10 the sec0nd-West 5O-East TO-
Ihn according the most favorable of these estimates
c W est would gam, and the East lose members iii
oi an hundred and twenty, and the majority OIL the Eastern
SIZE OF the Blue Ridge would remain twenty
ihes statements may serve TO shev, that although upon any
pass q representation which has yet suggested, large
ln.o OF power VIII press from the tdew those
e 10 yS h D Wn no Oa5 can the power pass now from the
tie principles for which contend if pass al all ii must
pass at distant day. slowly, gradually saicly-unaccompa-
serve 10 show TO calm reflection that ie stake depending
e present contest Is not great the prize
'Idi ue loss 10 be sustained dreadful has been
pictured to our nagnatouS may have occasion AGAIN 10
refer TO them III illustration of my y;ews
III taxing leave for the present. calculations which
have introduced coryecves of the estimates ne on the
ohef side Cannot fbear renarkng seeming ,conss-
ehcy OF gentlemen, vino losing TO
on numbers and political arithmetic have anayed them against
Us, III most formidable paaanx have drawn from them
t;!eit strength aud most expressive arguments have no
doubt that the tables of opurion aud iaxos which have gone
out 10 the public, with the arnccal calculations of gentle
men, ON the Otter sde which hav: accompanied them and
e n'crences of change power danger oil oppressive
aoh nave been the principal of the great exclenen,
VI I Pao'c mad ana OF the alarm which felt il, the Eas
tern districts OF the Connouwcaih-an excce, aud alarm
winch have already done mischief threaten TO do more
"c nave already, through the insumenay OF iustfuc
s dh ,ootdulc member OF his seat tins tioo
ana may soon confound the OF this. Convention
mean o at ali To ntepoSe between the district and It's dele.
- no lot me 10 inquire INTO the which lead
f instruction and the consequent esisnatiun;-but as mem
OCT Oh ms convention, anxious for harmony and profitable
W us idoofs-as CltIZen Of the commonwealth deeply
interested IN Its welfare, but lament the example
.oiuMeu generally, must deprive this assembly Of
% ~ Cld'dG'e ad deprive OF all power effect tie
purposes Tor which appointed. While we are s;tinn
mere aepetatms ON the great interests of the State candid
oui "P'iohS, enueavonng TO reconcile dcordan;
VIEWS ADJUST conflicting claims secure every rgh and ro
every interest," ambiguous words be scattered among the
tt scraps nom newspapers and sheds Of arguments
circulated among then moment of tnl,Ious giat,on
y d 10 oe coected at the hus,ngs and grounds,
o ID 'e' anu cross roads, to form specific inspections for
heir delegates the delicate and difficult of all the sub
lIcts OF their deberatlon-s deprivns them of tie power
" making OF receiving concessions and putting an end TO all
further consultation Can any Consdefae man be blind 10
The confusion and mischief which such measures must end
10 ot understand sir questioning the right of tho con
s'uen to instruct his rePresentaycths regard as one of
thG settled doctrines Of our government which most cheer
fully subscribe. But surely cannot be mistaken in spposn
at tnee never was unfit for exercising it. than
id' on which the people have cndeavored put rcquon
the experience the wisdom and pru1enrs of tho Sfatr ,, ~
as but TO propose for the consideration the people
themselves, amendments To their fundamental law II This ex
ample is TO be followed, had not better return home
restore the people the trust they have conied to US tell them
at a nope OF amending their Constitution perfectly .
so the solemn declaration Of tue right of the majority
tofu Is iaaced visionary theory, utterly i'm
paC'caole of e people TO exercise this right aid
o representatives. and since these representatives cauno, be
ueu even 10 confer together, and propose amendnens
pardon oT this d5resson and will return question
UcQIe The Comnitcc-wecT the compound or simple basis
shall be preferred - ~
OeVh urged as an objection TO C spor of the Select
Committee that proposes to introduce something new into
t,c constitution Il certainly to the American
Os 70 apporon representation according the ratio of
WHe populations and whether il is new 70 our own const
@ IT. cannot DC material to enquire, the objection must
eudHy NC against the proposed amendment Both propose
iCSabe. 4~'' - ''''~'' - P'o-
n cd f,..r