Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-02-07

encc oil our Country depended on these small
counties-as the central points Of force-as the TO-
CT OF eivlization,-one more perfect cannot be de-
Viseu. Dir, on the present occasion, no argument
can be urged, drawn from the people. We cannot
see the power to consider this subject to draw
the elements Of the question into the vortex oil our
discussion.
Gentlemen have seemed to think we were re-
iusng justice. NO, sir, II is only postponed. The
object Of the County Plan is to secure to the
Counties an independent action, from aud by
themselves. But, sir, il ,ce are like certain Sill
versmiths Of old, who did not enquire into the
doctrines oil pure system, because they believed
Its influence would rain their craft-yet, thsse
gentlemen OF the largo counties, who make the
general subject subordinate to their particular
views, are somewhat in the situation of the Old
bishop, who, when about to be translated to new
See, looked alone at the commendaun, or benefice;
the gain made all doctrines clcar.-So it is now
when power is to be the acquisition. The most
elegant solution OF the political problem OF County
representation, IS that which makes its fate turn
upon game OF skill in Arilhmeiick, and not ON
constitutional doctrine. And, sir, l am proud of
The discharge Of duty, even when have to sus-
tain the prejudices Of the people, against the tenn
per Of Reform. Like my friend from Albemar.e,
L am aware how difficult il IL, worthily to repre-
sent the people. But, sir, when they have trust
ed not only their interest, but their honour, who
will rebuke the generous confidence. What hon
est and faithful Representative, will not even stand
BY their prejudices oil BIRTH habit and education:
ieei the power of the people. For myself, as a
public man, II is the source Of honour, and comes
with generous influence, when IL comes 10 point
out my course.-Agaiu, sir, like my frieni know
that stand here 10 represent boty of wealth and
Intelligence; and am awed by the trust, so res
Ponsible as il is whilst feel here what is due to
the sovereignty of the people-Yet perceive the
nature OF the duty we have to perform; and that
duty must be discharged as the majority in this
House shall determine. They have perfect right
TO decide for themselves. The majority must be
let in to the exercise of their undoubted risht
and no theory of argument he selected, to
disPossess them Of ii. Some gentlemen saw on
this branch of the subject we have all power; aud
yet we are also told, that what we do will be- per-
haps, OF no importance-for the people are not TO
be bound by it, Even an appeal is spoken of IN
less our decision accords with certain stipulated
rules. had thought, SIR that we were not en-
gagged in vain thing, and that your decision being
in the form of law, would be binding on the Ex.
ecutive Officers of the Common we IIh-and un-
der such circumstances, viewing the origin, pro-
gress, and contamination OF this question il did
not appear to me, that any other than demagogues
would question the authority Of your law or the
solemnity OF your decision. Sir the co operation
OF the Legislature is unworthiy solicited in hi.
way-and particularly, when from its Const,u-
ton so much is distrusted. My we be permitted
TO hope, sir that the spirit of Reform will find its
proper Limitation in the temper of moder alton
ulaing what is proposed? If this principle fails,
yet II may be reasonably expected, that the good
eided by just veneralion for the work OF illustri-
GUS men, When gentlemen told that the spi-
Tit Of Reform must deign to animate this antique
statue, that its unduiaine principles may cover
and adorn its manly proportions, they seem to re-
gard such sentiments as not suitable TO their pur-
pose. Is il, sir, that whilst they act yet on 80
great subject, they will consent leave the ba-
sis Of reflection, which the love of gloriou
Virgin, founded the historical events of our
country, prescn's TO their consideration. Those
who love and venerate the good maxims of free
government, should remember that even the
sovereignty of the people, is but link in the
higher delegation OF power, which, 10 be Just, mus,
work under the immuiable law OF reason and
right. IL was the lot of ancestors to struggle
against force-so il was their exalted province Il
settle principles, which were TO stand the law
OF political organization, for communities of the
most perfect model rs well as the happest comb.
nation In the hands of the people operating
upon scale of justice these principles will never
betray the interests of society the fame Of their
authors. To the people as the conservators, as
the surveyors 0! the ediice, ii belongs, 10 apply
these principles, worthy OF being stied the rules
OF great masters. These masters were the skill
full workmen who reared the structure OF the
present governnent-call ii Gothic or Grecian, o,
mixture OF both; aud yet the age may never
come, endowed with the genius TO devise, or the
perseveriUg devotion to lay the deep foundations
OF an institution so good and useful. Will the
principles left for the government of those who
are TO repair this political ediiice, justify them in
the continuance and execution OF entirely ne W
building? Or do these principles consistently con-
trout the work so TO execute the will of the
original donors? These, Sir, important en-
quiries Are they answered by the temper which
is seen abroad, and which graveiy talks in this
House of an aristocracy?-of even an intended
aTistocracy, from the beglnn ng, by the establish
ment of the freehold suffrage. IL was, however
founded in good Political reasoning was
ever, and ever must be computing principle;
and, Sir, where is the arstocracy? This urbe
condita policy, so much unlike the great drama
in which ancestors were engaged? Do We
see 1t in The aris,ocracy OF wealth, talents and
virtue, which we can boast? No laws can create
such an aristocracy-po policy OF government can
call II into existence, The offspring of society
when unfettsred industry, genius aud enterprise
marks the career of tiourIshng community, il
comes into existence through the operation Of
causes just in their nature and fortunate in their
influence. / am willing TO cherish such an aris-
tocracy. sir, il is persuasive in its power and re.
commends itself by the benefits il confers Lei
gentlemen point where it is not, and then will il.
friends be able to se off its soundess, its beauty
and its excellence, against the value of mere
brute force-against the poverty of that condi.
ton of society which cannot maintain it. II
such is the arsiocrscy which here sits to admins
Ger your government, and frame your laws, then
ipO1eed the fact is evidence oil the ability Of the
Teople 10 govern themselves.
it Is not in the maximum OF Individual accumu-
iatioD, where law does not dispense liberty, tina
we find it-nor docs that maximum destroy IL
where freedom weighs with an equal hand tbs
claims Of all Sir, wherever you tind hostility Il
it, you may look for that sort of minimum of dis
trbuton, which takes from society, the arts which
adorn il, and the scienc which insructs il, a.
well as the virtue which sustains healthy sys
tem--where the friends OF liberty would in vair
strive to throw halter over the tempest of a vi
cious re.action-to pull down and not to build ~