Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-11-07

er' Gsntlemen 70 tho west Of tina Allegheny, feel op-
pressed not being represente but candour requires
TO say that the taxes in that part OF the State
not paid in manner proporonate TO the population
Yet there only whites TO black. even there.
In the mean while, the tide OF the black population
moves westward; and It increases rapidly in the
west, than In any part Of the Siste Now Mr.. Chair
man. what IL the conclusion from all these facts, Plain
~ th.-Th1 If any body is wild to be disposed
that Sirgina should get rJ suddenly Of her coiorrd
people, the thing Is impossible. They fixed, East
rivstted upon
Here. then. the whole .uhjec, r.-. bcfor. us: and
would to Cod. had the power to do justice to it. But
trel that Is otherwise, and must confne myself
lew OF its most promnent points.
As IL seems, that extend the right Of suf-
hag- how vain will it be TO Introduce into Con,ti
u'on principle odoms TO the people, from its ar.to-
cratic character. Notwithstanding all that has been
said this floor, against the right Of vote YOU
FIND few who will deny that they themselves have
that right, either by nature, or IN sonc other way.
am for exteniing the right Of suffrage, not merely be-
cause mink II proper in ITSELF that every Tree white
citizen, should have share In the government,
hut because II IL the only to couneract the effects
OF the increase Of the black population In Virginia.
am against Offering premium 10 induce our laboring
white people 10 leave soil would have that class OF
the community retained & ed Among us as tho
best means Of preventing the dspropo tonae increase
OF the slaves The labor Of the country is tho wealth
ot the country be II reformed by white or black
The black laborer represented through the person Of
his master, but the white laborer is not represented
all.
Here Mr.. G.. went into series Of illustrations on
the relative Importance Of abour and money; contend
ing Tint there nothing valuable in the community
,part from the soil ITSELF that the effect Of
bour; that the resources OF the country had been
yet drawn ou and argued TO show that il was better
entitled to representation than wealth could be: and
rom thence insisted the necessity extension Of
the Right OF Suffrage He never thought that free
hold was the only qualification on which ought 10
be allowed to VOTE Society lives its labour, not on
ITS capitals not its capital would soon he exhausted.
H. said he, you extend the Right OF Suffrage in fair
and equitable manner. You will satisfy the count y.
There viii be no excitement, and the whole effect Of
power not across the mountains but only little fur
Their upthe country. than where il resides. We,
who liver the middle region Of Virginia, have slave.
as well AZ you. You profess f.sr that the Valley
will z, with the and that the two will unite their
mower to opprcss AMI injure YOU Ifhat fear be well
ioundei, the measure you propose off.r, rene y.
Let the Valley unite itself with the west and let them
be i'ned by all the non--l'vc-ho!ders below the
tain', and any resistance of youcs. any scheme Of
representation must prove utterly turtle. You canno,
Withstand Their will Adopt what scheme you please
hey must have IN, 'ri'y in the Legislature. IL l.
tho interest Of my pot,n Of III. eqnaize rep.
rescnia'ion any basis that effect no avoided
and lit could be, there Is nothing in that part of the
siate hostile 10 he interest or any other part
| The gentleman from Orange. when arguing fnr a
minority, referred the Committee to the Senate of Mas
sachusetis whore property is the sole hssis. But there
isa striking difference between the Senate Of Mas.a-
chuscts aud the Senate OF Virginia the frequency
of their election In Massachu,et, they are chosen
annually; in Virginia, only in four years. And
a. to taxation, the chief burden of The contributions in
Massachusetts is imposed by, the people tn
| l.eP "a
tive Hail are comparatively few; and Tor even these the
Legislators are perpetuaiiy before the people in their
annual elections.
Gentlemen talk about checks and responsibilities. T..
the responsibility Of which they speak the RESPONSE
b'lity Of Governor of the Senate To the House of
Del gate? We all know how such checks may he
counierac'cd by cOmbina ton. The only eff.
ponshili'y in free State il responsibility 10 the
pie Thy in favor OF their own opores .on:
AMI 'hougt, they may sometimes Cypress, their op
preston Is directed only sgan. individuals. against
masses oil IN" community. The gentleman from Eau
qii-r, tMr Scot) speaking about projects to bore the
Hisgiary, referred case OF the James River Ca
nNi IN which he supposed pledge given, or at
least understood 10 be given that IL the Legislature
wou'h MAKE The necessary grant 10 carry the i'm
pr0vement, orr produce should not b, taxed That
loan was obtained, AMI when din Guilty was felt in
paying the interest, tax imposed upon tot, Geo
was here at the time. aud ws- in favor OF the proe Ct,
OF Improvement ami against the tax tobacco Now
ask,w'o voted Tor that tobacco, the who'll, low
Virginia interest II there were any executions n,
all they were Gas W. heard laiey) rari nantes They
all voted by simultaneous movem- mt, TO Law tax Of a
dollar hogsheld on tobacco Notwithstanding the pro-
hi6on in the act OF Incorporation of the James River
company, ny which they were bound not to raise their
Tolls, TIL The rate OF transportation should be reduced
fr me gentleman says. that the pledge then given,
was Immediately violated.
MIR. Scorr here explain. He had not charged
a breach OF faith any individuals. He had merely
stated fact, which lac in the Statute Book
Mr. GORDON said, in reply, ihat it was much more
agreeable TO HIM 10 think, fat al the gentlemen were
equally jisi and he had doubt that those who vote
| the tax. were upright and honorable men, and did
what they supposed 10 be right. The only proved
nat IN Jority could sometimes do wrong: but said
hr u come the impo+ition from where II NAV one
Thing IL certain that Time TO paw il 10 this a, y.
ana when hear the musihcent power OF lower Viz
gnla Landed and magniied, by strange association
ihis Moody Tobacco tax always comes into nv mind
was carried by ma oritv of vote ooy: and
lao remember, with what arour AMI ability the gen
eman from Augusta (Air. John-on) resisted it to the
last, In the Senate. Yet this case il brought I'D 10
nave weight OIL the present question Sir, have no
douoi mat The gentlemen voted ffom The flares uo4
yves Ihe motive avowcd by 10 cure the couu
'ry OF middle Virginia, of s fondness Tor Internal I'm
provemen', and, to speak the truth, believe il has
thus TAR, operated very eTtctu,y to that end oar
country complained OF tn. tax and EN- eavored to get
repealed; but in vain: all rho voted 10 Law il on yo.
TED 10 Keep on. But this case far from fnrni shiny
an argument, Tor inequIliy o; rights has it, VIII Die
bearing The Other way. ID, you give us our ia power
IN me government. aud then tax tobacco il YOU
can: SIR am not against the tobacco country. As
10 Inc increase oil the tolls IL referred TO COM
mittec OF two gentlemen, who reported in ts favor
Ih"y were both enthusiastic advocates for Internal
imProven~ mt; Of them successfully pros ,tipe
work Of great interest the Roanoke, aud the other
| had MS own residence the banks Of James River
and was willing himself TO be taxed.
AMI now sir, ask, what have all these subjects of
internal Improvement to do with the question before
u" what prevents US from going TO lay the foun ia
ions oil republic, those sacred principles Of equal
rights, Or which the patriots Of America have slways
conendeH j, sir mist, hat The people are capable OF
'e-governmenf, ond tina, they ought TO enjoy it, that
the power shall reside in or H. but in the whole
he excluded. but those who have excluded themselves
by The immorsliiy Of their character
Alter an apology Tor occupying so long the time of
ue COMMITTEE, nOd reference the enbarr,ss,ncn