Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-12-08

Je.eo the western people, VIZ; Federal Numbers !
an't t1Nation and population combined. Where |
as, tn; gentleman from Chesterfield, introdu-
ceS only one unfavorabc elcmcn:-thc favorable |
element OF white population being common to both. |
rms prncipie them OF future apportionmeut is worse
Lhan the principle of actual apportonment resorled
to by the gentleman from Chesterfield as it regards
the interests of the Western people. His actual dis
IN present., rs, III regard to the SENATE,
more favorable to the west being as far as can +
perceive, merely arbitrary, and not in any manner
conference.-the to his principle of future apportionncnt
y wore or two with regard to his plan for reap |
portionng political power, at some future period.
Is II not strong objection to that plan, in the eyes
OF the western people, that its execution is lett at
the absolute discretion of an Eastern majority in
both of the Legislative bodies? Let us examine his
third resolution.
"Resotrea, That the Legislature shalt hare powcr
to re-arrange the representation in both Houses of
the General Assembly, once in every wears
upon fair average ofthe following ratios viz: 1st
Oh wnne population. I'd. Of white population and
TAXATION combined. ed. OF Federal numbers"
Does he suppose that the people of the West will
regard with favorable eye plan for a re-apporton
ment OF represcntation-for adoption of tile num-
oers OF the two Houses to heir mparativcy fast in
Hreasihg populatiot-whch may or may not DO car
red INTO execution at the will and pleasure of an
Eastern majority IN both of the legislative Houscs?-
Does ne not perceive, that, if his plan were carried
INTO iui effect at present and il it should be found
some I'VE or ten years hence that from the couIpar-
atlvc.y rapid increase of Western population the
two divisions of the State are very uneaualv rep
resented the Western people, will call loudly for
re-apportlonmcnt?
And ifthe people of the East, acting on the prnci-
pie which he and his friends insist is Tie GREAT mas
ter-sprlng OF human actions-I mean on the prnci-
pie Of scliShness-shouldr refuse to re-apDortion rep-
resentaton, would not the same divisions-tbe SANE
scCiu'iai aiiimoStes-thc same discord and conti,-
sion, be rc-produced which we are seekinp to heal
ana 10 prevent III all time to come?-.In word are
not the SEEDS OF new discord, of new dissentions
so"n IN the very act by which existing dissen,ons
ynIS H.
lie larly and honestly seeks to provide rot only for
present eXegencics, but for future TRANQUILITY i re-
collGnh these questions to his grave and consider
ate reflection.
In commenting the objections to lis r;,n for the f,n,s
OF representation lave anticipated some of
9 se TIsn sppy' With equal force to that of the gentleman
itc'' esterheid The prospective augmentation OF the now
err the west III the House of Delegates is made in he rI,r
so,e on .he WIN and pleasure Of overwhelming
Poirr 10 the eight western counties AND m
confer representative in the House Of Deeoa anu 10
vi ese ne counties But does lie forget how often he has
tou US and with what emphatic earnes,ess that he will r
ID thc power OF no unless be clearly the iuisr
sSl OF tat nau To polcer 10 his
harness And does he perceive that it wiz be the
, ae eastern people, or that his principle OF
10 create these western counties and thus rive a;ona
10 s rival section OF the commonwealth May we not on
nus own priEcples, entertain well grounded anprehenon
lnat the people of the will refuse? And if thpv do iii
W CiIoers OF the west he loud as ever? Win thew
a can io Convention TO redress :leir gricvaucesp Il
not better ask him. IN sober seriousness Ia nake b;S ,r
sea re appointment imperative the Legislative bodies And
bic and ension?And Womid me al! future troi,
tire 10 the western people, apply to fix.
the same principle The two AVERAGE
ny Whcn ne no0 regulates the actual istrbution NJ
[ ,a principle be now just and far and honourable
al iot ho he now thinks is, will not be enuaIIu ms,
ana iar and honourable in all to come? Is he i
tennor,r ] Oh representation shall be considered mere
lc"eht Tor the adjustment of existing 3iferenccs
r S II 9ids out the certain prospect creating future
for powe' These are grave and by new struggle
OF his attentive consideration. i'iS' ana worthy
but Is there not another feature his scheme of f,,,
to the
ne gives PoGe' to the legislative bodies to add t,en, ~
members I" the House of Delegates whenever and
ever quarter OF the commonwealth it NAV to then, seem e.
PROVIDED rectys OF each house of the leasatre eb
concur IN the neasasc These "a members NAV he -. i
rom inc extreme est from the extreme East or nh f
me last II It shall seem good to Mrreftihs of the
BODIES And in his actual apportiouHient NJ to
to The con IN NOSE BODIES Inc gives than three s
.e te po'cer at the same time that he holds ont 70 hs
e strongest temptation to re-esablish greater nenuaI
IN the House of Delegates than has
IN the commonwealth greater ine0,aIitv of p
ha that which has produced all the dissensons ali The
much horror. F''''' A' 'esd'uS with SO
IN snort sir what would avail, If We the ,ep,cscotr,;
oil he people were to accept compromise Ike tb
Tout be rejected by the unanimous voice of ali tho W.
nave hcs stated respectfully, but frankly the obiec,one
which seem 10 me conclusive against the ado, lion ~ ~
OF the proposed schemes of COMPROMISE in Their ~ te
Believing as do that they nevertheless offered in ,b %
It OF consultation submit gentlemen who have '9 af
tnen whether would not be advisable TO aept AZ ,
to which they offered " ~ O0'n
MT: CPsHUR SAID he had listened with atto,.;o
and pleasure to the gentleman from FredeTici bo
cause OF the spirit in which he had made his remarks
ana OF the tact, hatfhe had named the only obiec'
Iii W o present proposition, 1t would be easily and
with pleasure removed lie could not conco;,o III,
70 TS. De compromise which involved no Concession.
ETgry JcomPT0mSe if he understood it, involved
had beo y. tic CLAIMS or portion of them, which
tho Tu PREVIOUSLY supported. He took view IF
one situation IN which parties stand here The vs.,
can 9y telr own strength obtain the white bass fr
vote iou3e o. Delegates while the East by their
TUIc, can OBTAIN the federal numbers in The Oe
mere was no compromise of the West Womb ,'od
any thiPE but what The East could by its own r5 'ea
take Ihet IT could be no compromise Ye Power tr
there be no conf6romse in ~ ron S
erct basis Of the two Houses. If the Yves, tg Gii
arranging one House they choose let them S is
pG"tI o. arranging one House as we please
MI easing u TO wiiaJ number we please TIo P
orr 'e P,oceeahgs OF this House, as thew have Tpno
ion ~ .c people may produce revolution Of 9 I'm
we sbn,,I may changc the opinion of this House: #
VIC SHOuiQ nave q majority bnraofto. e - a.