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

.'Aauoh' whiie they amount pecunary effect 70
the same hng have been found liable TO great obiec
tons: and do not believe that majority of ,b;e
ConFennon IS disposed to adopt them if they can find
substitute they can approve. Nor is il small 70
commentator OF the Federal number in nv view
tnat II IS III conformity to the ratio rccoruized in rho
ederi Constitution. The cases it is true arc no,
precisely the same, but there is more of apalorv
than might at first be supposed If the coloured pa
puiston were equally difused through tho State The
analogy would fail; but existing, as il does in larre
masses, IN particular parts OF IT, the distinction be-
tween tic different parts Of the State resembles
mat between the slave holding and non-sayehodins
States: and, ii we reject doctrine in our own State
whilst we claim The benefit oft in our relations RI
other So es other dissgreeabe consequences may bc
ADDED to the charge of inconsistency, which will be
brought against US. IF the example of our sister
States Is TO have weight, find that in Georgia the
Federal number is made the basis of representation
IN DO h branches of their Legislature: and do not
learn thae any dissatisfaction or Inconvenience has
flowed from its adoption. wish we could know
more OF the manner in which particular organizations
or government operate in other parts of the United
States There would be less danger Of being nisled
into error, and we should have the advantape of
their experience as well as In the c9se
mention, there can, believe, he no error
w hefher, therefore, be fixing basis of repre-
scntation for the branch the other of our Lee
gEmture, or Tor both, IN a combination with other
principles, the federal ratio is u favorte resource
with me. II entered into my earliest views of the
SUBJECT before this Convention assembled and
though have kept my mind open have listened To
every proposition which has been advanced and OF.
ven to them all candid consideration, must saw
that in my Judgment, we shall wisely prefarrin
1t to others, which have been brought before us
Should the federal number be made to enter into the
basis in one branch of the Legislatures and not into
the other, such an arrangement might prove fayora-
bic to the slaves themselves 1t may be, and think
it has been, suggested, that those who have them
selves interest this species of property are 40,
to synpathise with the slaves, more than NAV be
the case with their masters; and would, therefore,
be disposed, when they had the ascendancy to pro-
tCct them of
the masters, who have common interest with the
slaves against undue taxation, which must be paid
out of their labour will be their protectors when they
have the ascendancy.
4 The Convention is arrived CT point where
we must agree common ground, all sides
relaxing ID their oplnions;Eot changing,- mutu-
ally surrenderng part of them. In framing Con-
sttution, great difficulties necessarily to be
come and nothing overcome them but a
spirit Of compromise. Other nations are surprised
at nc: hing much having been able to form
Constitutions in thc manner which hiss heen cxeIn-
plhed in this country: Even the union Of so many
States is in the eyes of the world wonder the har-
ronious establishment ola common government over
them all, miracle. cannot but fater myself that
without racle we shall be able to arrange ali diff
fcuities never have desraircd; notwithstanding
al the threatening appearances we have passed
through. have now more than hoppe consolinr
confdence,-that shall at las. find that our aboTs
have not been in vain
Some conversation took place On the course
of proceeding, when Mr.. PLHAsANFs expressed his
Willingness to withdraw his proposition to amend, if
the gentleman from Northampton could not other
wise obtain opportunity to explain his propositions
! The CHAM pointed out the necessity of adyertng
| to the Legislative Report, to get at the subject
| bIr. JOHNSON thought this course was necessary.
He thought the questions might be at propoul-
ded on the various propositions. But if the Chair
thought there vas any parliamentary impeachment,
there is another course 1t is parliamentary to move
| to strike cut the commencing word. If the Chair
thought this the best course, he would now move to
strike out the word Resolved
l,tI. E,-SE, 49, ~.
withdrawn, the question being considered by the
Chair parliamentary, upon the adoption Of the
| solution.
| Mr.. UpsuUR then said he did not mean to discuss
the proposition, we all fatigued with debate
but merely to explain his scheme. He said we are
| all III search of some middle ground which we
can all agree to frame a Constitution. The plan
which he had submitted was formed with cautious
sed to TAKE white basis, the combined basis
and some federal numbers: He had regarded
all these: had taken the census of the present mo-
ment; taking the Auditors ratio OF increase He
had been obliged in carrying out the proposition to
dispose Of fractions. 70 the first district he had as
signed 2e to the I'd district he had given q; the
Sd he had given &c. and to the 18th he had given 81
members.
In Senate to the first district he had given mefn-
bers the I'd district 81 to the Sd he had assigned
O. and to the 9TH district he had assigned members.
| WhCnevc. fractions had occurred he had given
them to the vest. There little difference between the
gentleman from Albemarle. He assigns to the first
district 26 members; to the second district u
bets; to the Sd district 81 members, and to the 9TH
district SO meinbcs in House of Delegates OF 100
members. The proport ops established by his plan
| in the House Of Delegates arc so members west, and
1 70 east. Mine l8 west and u east he caTry
ing his plan through would give 10 Senators west
to Ii east. Mine would give 10 members for the
west and II for the east. There is no great differ
ence between the plan of the gentleman from Abe
marie and this; except that the gentleman from
Albcmarle had made no provision for future aPpor-
| timnnnfs. The east had thing TO lose and
nothing gain. The west have every thing to gain,
and noting to lose. The western part of the State
is filing up. The system Of culture III lands will
prevent us from clevatng ourselves any higher. In
all future apportionmentst west will have the advan
tage. This he had thought fit to say to nttabcrs.
AS to numbers and taxaion, the I'd ratio; the east
| is taxed high as it can be- the taxables of the
west are daily increasing. But this taxation is
With riie nonulann. the sua.t hacnmea