Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-01-10

triots coniended III the Revolutions, that period
too, when (as the gentleman from Frederick says)
the political vision was 50 peculiarly clear and en-
ightened.-lhat The power Of taxation should OIL
iy be co-extensive, with the right of representa-
tion-in other words, that they only had right To
impose the burthen OF TAXATION, who were the re.
personalities OF the people that paid the fdres.--
H. then, these principles are correct and the Bill
is-as think has been demonstrated--in accord
ancc win them, what is the objection TO il! Is il
the prejudice which has been excited against the
congressman Districts, because thay are based
upon the Federal numbers! should suppose, sir.
that II there were really something appalling in
these numbers that .entieme N Looking at things 4.
not at names merely ,f they found these existing d.
visions OF the state reducing desired would
care very little what was the Tor which they
were created But is there any thing 20 strous in
tnese saG federal numbers They result from prin-
ciple oil the Federal Constitution and one thought
absolutely necessary to secure the rights Of Vir-
ginia and the other Southern States, in entering
INTO Federal Union with those States that nos
sessed no slaves And, Sir, should pirginia,ss de-
n0uhce and proclaim the injustice of this principle?
IL they do, they ought to propose an amendment
OF the Federal Constitution, and formally reliD-
qnish 1t: But, Sir as there any thing unjust in the
principle If there as, it consists in having fixed
the proportion OF this population, for which We
should be entitled to representation by law: for
IL ADDS 10 the wealth, and consequently 10 the
strength OF the United States, precisely in the
same way that the lower laboing classes do i'm tina
other States. In time of peace-and it is 10 be
hoped mat peace will continue to cover much the
larger portion OF time-they fill the same place
and answer the same purposes, of the lower class
es oil laborers, In every community under the sum-
In time OF war they are, to-be-sure, non-coInba-
tants but not, there fore, useless for, in time of
war; all are not to be expected to be under arms;
some must necessarily be employed in labor for
the purpose OF paying and subsisng those that are
Nor Is this the least important !; for, in all the
wars that have been waged in the world-of long
CONFERENCE.-The difficulty of procuring, and ali
the various means Of subsistiny armies has been
found much greater, believe, than procurinr
men to compose the armies And, Sir, these are
NOT The only non-combatants; women and children
and old men, are equally non ombatants; vet
they are entited-and properly entitled-to iuli
representation.
However, therefore, this principle of our repre-
senta,ion in Congress may be sneered at by our
.Northern or Western Brethren, il is one which
nope VIII be preserved, and be as lasting as the
r. derai Union itself.-But the gentleman from
brooke says, that he cannot submit to the dcern-
dalton OF taking seat by the side Of those who
are, IN part, the representatives of Slaves The
gentleman has not always been so fastdious He
mas, believe, made at least one effort to obtain
such seat, and only saved from thi. depra-
uaion, by the guardian care OF his district which
refused 10 elect him. But, Sir, this principle OF
has nothing to do with the
present question But the basis of representation
Tor which contend-that of white population and
CoiHDineu--lS one suited to all
ties, and am in favor of the Congressional Dis
Tict, because they would produce nearly the same
Result; out will not pertinaciousy insist upon
these divisions although there is one strong reason
In favour OF them-that the people within these
DIVISIONS are In habits OF acting together for other
purposes. Yet, if other divisions-in more exact
accordance with the principle for which contend
would be more satisfactory 10 others, l have no
objection to adopt them.
Mr. Craig said, he was anxious for the preser.
vauon OF the best good feeling among the mem
bers He should vote for striking out CongraS
sional Districts. He saw that federal numbers
N would DC most unwillingly given up by Eastern
vi emoers, and he was sure that the West would
lc' Yield any part of the principle of representa-
ion by white population Hence the necessity
Oh compromise upon some fair, middle ground.
And II the section stricken out, he sug-
gested the propriety of filling it with Senatorial
iistricts-even this he would do upon the ground
OF compromise and not otprinciple. The Conyen.
sioh "oulu men be composed of members in the
ratio oil 10 below the mountains and 9 beyond.
lie could never consent that slaves should be mt
llon The same political footing as white men,
4 hey were in tact nothing hut property; and by
me laws OF our state were declared to be prore ty
'niy OF secondary character. Horses and ali
''her property were equally entitled to represen-
ation, II you take any one class of it, IL wa,
"cii Known that Congressional Districts were laid
'il WIN reference TO slave population and if Won
ADOPT those III rlcts, it follows as matter of course
were arranged. Virginia, as a sovereign, indepen-
deht Slate was Jusabe, in entering into the ,ede
raj association 10 insist upon this principles il was
1er duty TO make the best bargain she could asa
ihS'e anu undivided political community. But the
sane Justification could not be urged for INSISTING
upon such principle among ourselves in making
Tic SOCIAL compact Tor our local government IL
we nave not confidence in the Justice and magna
liihity oil one another; and found il necessary
rom diStrust, to guard against the rapacity of the
TWO great sections Ston hon tha,
| state OF things which would indicate that we
'usht not longer to live in the same political com
nunity. The argument OF Mr.. Old, he consider
"a, as implying this want OF confidence He here
i"eh upon the injustice Of such sentiment. and
poke with feeling OF the attachment of our whole
people TO our common country; Of their proud mar
icipaIon III the same character, the same an
;estry and The same glory. istrue that the nee
'ie beyond the mountains did not possess as much
wealth. as their fellow citizens on this side But
,ha' niue they ala possess OF the common stock
vas equally dear 10 them, and would be eoIaliv
Hc ohJect OF protection in the Constitution ami
avs. anu
oh the subject of the principle of force in sus
aiming the VIII OF the majority, this much Mr.. G.,
'@iu might De alhrmed-From the very nature and
oi properly no one man could hold much,
any, beyond what his physical strength Womb
enable MIN to retain. All the rest was held under
NC po'ecuon oil the ldws-and these laws rested
IPoh 'he physical force of the majority for their III
nal execution-Thc will of the majority made the
avs, and, consequently ON that will rested th,
security oil property. it was not fair to presume
nat tle majority would resort 10 acts Of oppression
y f0poeTy some confidence must be reposed i'm
hem by the minority, and there was 10 lust
5'ouni 10 dpprehend that that confidence wouli
,T I've, pe "Dused In any manner similar 10 that 10
winch reference had Just been made II man
'0uld not meet man upon principles of fair a.
indllty, then the come Ction which bou,d fhen
VSeuher ought 70 be broken up. The ilea thar