Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-01-17

middle districts OF the Sia,e,) contains more than
one-haii the slave population OF Virginia by ma
Jotity OF about 5000 And it is well known, that
tho'c two middle districts, comprise that portion
OF the State, whclishas heretofore borne, and
with patience too all the hardship and Injustice of
unequal representation, and OF course, will be en-
titied to an accession OF political weight in q new
allotment OF representation. The same census
also assures us, that the Western District of the
State beg the Allegheny, containing fewer
slaves comparatively speaking, than any other por-
lion oil the State, and OF course, feeling less inter-
est IN the protection OF that property, will under
fah distribution OF representation, be curtail-
ed oil the undue weight II has acquired, by the
| numerous divisions and subdivisions OF counties
| for their local convenience. What better guaran-
| tee could be required for the protection of this
property, than the fact, that fair apporonmen mt
OF representation will increase the political weight
OF that section of the State owning the .larges,
portion OF this property, while it will subtract
| from the power of that dis,aict of territory
containing the smallest portion OF our slave popu-
iaiion This guarantee is strengthened by the
numerous and increasing population of slaves in
the great Valley of Virginia, to the West of the
Blue Ridge, and by the deep interest which the
whole OF Eastern Virginia, extending from. the
Blue Ridge tothe Atlantic, and containing large
majority OF the white population, must ever feel in
the protection OF this property against oppressive
taxation. II is obvious, then, that great and ex-
| traorcinary change must take place IL the loca.
Ton aal c"HersAip OK the slaves, ere the evil so
much apprehended could ever take place
But, although he believed that the fears enter
tanned upon this subject utterly groundless
ne ielt bound, In the present stage Of our deIibera-
ions 10 vote for some basis Of representation hc
would meet the views, and tend TO allay the ap.
prehcnsions OF hi constituents. He, therefore in
tended, II suitable opportunity should offer TO
submit the amendment to which he had already
alluded, and which he preferred either TO the Bill
or The substitute which had been offered by the
gentleman from Allrgany, (hlr. Terribly
MI IL SAID he objected TO the substitute, be-
cause IA believed that equal delegation from
ach county in the common ~ eaith was cacuIa-
Ted TO perpetuate that inequality of representation
which it was one of the main objects of Conven-
ton to rectity. There is no defect in the present
constitution, which the friends OF reform had been
more unanimous in denouncing, than this very
grievance, as would be proved upon reference 10
the JournIl OF the late Staunton Convention And
yet 1t is grayely proposed organize the Conyen-
non upon precisely the same principle which has
heretofore heen considered Objectionable i'm the
Organization OF the House Of Delegates Was il
reasonable to expect, that Convention thus Or
Canned, would be disposed 10 remedy this glaring
defect IN the present constitution? After the VIC,
ieht struggle Tor power which had been made i'm
inns house; after the ingenou- and successful an
peals that had been made TO the pride and local
preJudices OF the small counties OH both sides of the
Blue Ridge, who could doubt their fixed deternin-
ation TO cling most obstinately, TO what ev con-
slider 10 be their vested rights.-And what would
nope oil any Improvement in the future basis of
representation. We should probably witness the
same scene in Convention that has been exhibited
nere;-lhe same scramble for power the same COM
oinations, the same appeals TO the pride the
preJudices and local interests of the small counties.
IL would be in vain to hope for Just apportion-
iheht OF representation by Convention thus con-
shtutod-The new Constitution would not answer
one oil the main objects Of the friends OF reform
However acceptable TO them in other res,ec,s
f;l,,,;o
ala not provide Tor a more equal allotment of rep-
resehtation The new constitution would be re-
Jeced; and, as had been emphaically remarked
oy the gentleman from FeIerick, (Mr. Mason)
me people coutd neDeT again appeuI to their IT,
S'Siafire for redress. They would regard any
such appeal as hopeless Nor would thew remain
content or quiet after having been tantaiz d and
moc1ed by The existing government. 1t had been
,luy SAID, that the ball OF revolution is in notion
~ cannon be resisted. It must and will go on: and
tho II may b temporarily retarded every obs;ruc-
non IL may encounter, will ultimately ONLY add to
Its impetus. He hoped and believed, thar in anv
event. tne good sense and moderation OF the peo-
PIE would prevent any resort TO physical force
nu'' should the present atte mpt to organize Con
Veh'lon be defeated, or should il he organized IN
on such principles "a to render hopeless the rat |
ihcauon oil the constitution, they may submit: the
present legislature will have ample cause for re !
e gre, sha'i have lighted up Che irebrand of
civil discord throughout our State, and have er
cited all the clemens OF revolution
MT H. said, that his ideas of convention diff
Tered very essentially from the opinion thai had
oeen advanced upon this subject by some of bis1
friends. 1t appeared TO be strange doctrine TO
him, that he Convention should las had been cor
Iended) he composed of delegates, representing
MOI so many souls, but may districts of terrorv
without any regard TO population. Such an as |
Semoage, he conceived, could only be assmlated
10 convention OF independent states, represented
Oy their respective ambassadors negotiating and
coh'ehding Tor their sovereign rights, and adjust
x The balance Of power by mutual checks and
guarantees. Convention of the people of state
however, Tor the great object now in contemnI,
10 y couii only be formed upon correct PRINCIPLES
by wing 10 every member of he community his
luil ana equal portion of political power We had
~. nueed' Deen told by the gentleman from Ma
thew, (mr Brdxton) hat while he tbousbt tb
counties hould be represented bv an equal d.
5ahon IN the convention, he woulI not b. sit,t,
were ~ member OF the Convention TO eoualize
representation hereafter upon Just principles Mr.
4 SAID, he would place much confidence in the
ioerailtS OF that gentleman, if left 10 the unbi
SEQ exerc'|e 't MS own Judgment But, was il
d'oisOie TO believe, alter the devoted attach
neht mat had been manifest d in this House for
Nhat uad been called ''Uested rights" and f,e
present settled order Of things that the delegates
rom those counties which had been so sensitive
ipoh this SUBJECT, would ne permitted TO 20 into {
ne Convention untrammeled by instructons,- I
!" ouid not the same appeals that had been made
10 successfully in this House IN The doIT,,as
rom the small counties, be addressed with enual
ingenuity, pauSibity and effect, 10 The ueoDis of
nose counties! However literally disposed GEN
Icmen might be- they would probably find them
eIVes paisied by sacred regard TO the Obligation
;, 'neir insrncuons:-Mr K. admitted, that the
objection resulting fom the great inequality Of the
county delegation, was applicable to certain ex {
eht, either TO representation upon the basic NJ
edTot numbers, or the compound basis of lchite