Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-11-14

NlllllS % diiu HccIJ W iS tCCoin-
pishment. All that require is, that the public funds
shall be iudciously distributed, and with national
and not sectional spirit.
With this view and especially to quiet any well toun
dcd fears of the would consecrate III the Const
tuition, that wise provision which fund for
Internal Improvement so long rcposed and from
which, L, amongst others, was tempted, in sew!
hour to depart. Yes, sir, the best security for
just and IudCiouS application of the public treasure,
is dispose OF it only in connection with individual
contribution. Had this principle been sustained
until now, we should have been gratifcd by the ge-
neral diffusion of our system every part of the
State; and instead of contemplating bankrupt fund
buried III the waters of single stream, we might
have prepared ourselves to enter upon new career
Of Internal Improvement, with unimpaircd resources
and unbroken spirit.
beg leave to return for single moment TO the
idea OF the gentleman from Northampton, that the
Legislative power of the Government should rest
with majority OF interests rather than OF persons
Does he really think that this or ever can be
accomplished i'll Republican Government? Does
he believe that the interests of the majority, by which
tue Legislature is elected, predominant: Or
that in any county the selection of atives
can be made by those who to contribute most
largely to the revenue of the State? | hold III my
hand SIR letter from the commissioner ofthe reve
me III my own county, giving this important intor-
nation, that of 1881 male tythcablrs, paying upwards
of So 500 tuXes, 5S5 contribute only $35 His exa-
mutation has gone no farther; but have very litte
doubl that if prosecuted il would have shewn that
three iourhs of the of the county arc paid BY
less than 100 of its citizens. And does the gentle
man think that To these 100 individuals, the entire
control of the county should be given consistently
with the general character Of our Republican nsitu-
tons? 70 attempt it, in reference to tho State,
would be not less futile and iniiu ely more unjust
To our proposition, then, Mr.. Chairnau. going to
contdc TO minority Of the legitimate voters Of the
State, le entire controu of5oM branches Of the Lee
gsldure. cannot, under airy circu1s ances, give nv
assent Hardly less Objectionable Is the pr position
OF the gentleman from Culpcpper now under conside-
ration, to give such controul, the most popular
branch Even this goes very far beyond what rcn-
tlean profess to ASK the protection Of property und
r in all cases eli the joint action Of the two Houses
e. whether referring to persons property, elcvatcs
the minority above the majority. Ihe fo-mer and
not the latter are to elect your Senator's your Co
vernorS und your Judges; and to proclaim from time
to time, the relation which YOU stand to the Gene
rul Government. Sir, caunot assent 10 this To
tie VIII otthc community, fairly and leginlatey ex-
pressed shall at all times bow with perfect subnis-
SION But cannot recognize as the deliberate SEN
timent OF the whole, the will ola minority, congrcga-
d III particular section Of tie State, and express
sing the peculiar feelings ana wishes of those whom
they more Immediately represent.
RI Gentlemen mistaken in the precedens on
wlich they rely. There is not one of them that
goes to sustain the broad proposition commended for
here, that the whole power of Legislation ought to
be confided to minority. The case of the United
States is hardly applicable at all. THAT Govern
rnent was compact amongst independent sovereign
ties, and regulated i'll almost all it's departments on
Il principle of COMPROMISE If Virginia obtained in
one brunch of the National Legislature, represen.
tation beyond her white population she fully paid for
it III the other, by admitting the little States of Rhode
island Delaware, &c to all equal participation ofpow-
or With herself. Nor does any State that know of
furnish an example Of organization in both houses
With vew to the representation Of property The States
OF New Hampshire Massachusetts South Carolina Ceorria
ana perhaps one OF TWO Others property is avowedy
provided with check in house but large majority
OF me States both old and far legislative representa-
on mas oee by any thing beyond convent
ence has been fixed solely in reference white population
i whether we ought 10 depart all om this principle
| must depend upon contingencies that cannot yet be
calculated If the legitimate claims of property to protection
si9'on becomes question of e%pediency, how far they
ought to he secured by check the power the oriy
degree by its probable effect on he OBJECT We se ] al some
IN vewc adoption of Constitution that will be
to majority ofthe people.
amented sir, that could not follow the gentleman fom
Accomack (M Joyne) through statistical details with
which he yesterday favored the Committee The late period
al rose rendered me utterly ncaoable of eiv ~ G
statements the attention they doubt deserved heard
enough however TO satisfy that while he had less than
less than received from had measured out rather mere
than justice his section State by eyhib,n il in
connection with the fertile and heavily country medi.
aey under the mountain Learn indeed from the Gentleman
Ion Abenarle that if the cities of Norfolk Richmond be
excluded from the eastern division ofhe State il is very doubt
in whether may be found very pedcaInent as
ced by the gentleman from Accomack the whole western
Country
canno, concur with those gentlemen sir would resolve
o our actions mo os and sorid interests and useless
10 complain OF the remarks of the gentleman Chesterfield
III relation to the dsircti represents denying to US
oeE motive OF action than peculiar interests he has
only placed us BY the side Of himself do trust sir that
III spite of the growing corruption of the times he has so eo
queotly and Justly described there is vet in Tins hod
least enough OF public spirit induce look to the great
interests OF me commonwealth uuDuenced by either person
Al or national considerations II there not the sooser we
aoq[n the better Let us 90 back to constituents and
@ them honestly and candidy, that the men they
naa supposed u.s. and that we truth to give as
they to receive republican government o. 49,
lave submitted these remarks for no other pnrnose MI
Chairman than explain both and elsewhere the
am about to pursue would be folly to hone thai
the government abou TO be formed would he based exrIe
~ on the principles have advocatcd should hold mvs
unit for the station with which have honored f ia
Il not feel myself al ali times prepared make every
concession, to insure either harmony here u t!anouity
II (oEBATE III coSffyrrpA
i toH TIE CoNsTfTUrIOS1L WuIg
i AT meeting OF the members of the bar of Prince
RI William county, and Of the Justices of the Connt,,
Court and the Officers of the Superior and Corrfy,