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

cal precision. We have advocated the basis of ,
Hhe population, instead OF qualified voters, because
the former gives more certain and convenient rule,
and because 1t believed that it was substantial
" equivalent in effect. But u,inai ion and reflec-
ton lead to believe that there may be- and posi-
bly, Is, material difference, i'll the etfecof the two
rules,-that the number of white persons IN the diff
ferent districts would be fair index of the num-
Der of qualified yoers,-and that the basis of uualif-
ed voters would be more favorable TO the eastern
part of the State, than the basis of white population
If there be airy gentleman this, or the other
side of the House, who prefers as the basis of repre
sentoton, the qualified voters, rather than the white
population who thinks that the superior Justice of the
former connterva,s the greater convenience and GER
tanityo the latter, l am prepared 70 no with him
and give 1t my support. will PRESS the pr;nc-
pie for which contend beyond its reason and Justice
IN advocating then. the basis of white population.
must be understood as maintaining the right OF the
qualified voters to share equally e power of the 20
vernment,-and as pressing their claims, not to
precise mat enIaticai equality, bat rational prac
tical equality assuring to every local interest as flr
as can be, ITS due weig ht and Just protection.
The proposition to amend, which offers the basis
OF population and taxation combined is not very de
finite in its terms, but explained by it's mover is
very ntclligiblc. 1t does not propose to compound
the number of dollars paid for taxes in each district
with the number of white persons therein, and
thence derive the rule for apportioumcn;- but
proposes 10 compound the ratios of tax1tion and
numbers, thus-to give one half the dccgn,cs. ac-
cording 10 the ratio of taxes paid, and the other half
according to the ratio OF white persons thus talk
for each district the proportional between the
number il would be entitled to according to the ratio
OF white persons. and the number il would be entitled
to according to the ratio Of taxes paid. 80 illustrate
i HE trans All rgirany district would be entitled =
on the basis OF white population to 32--on the bnsis
OF taxes to l---on the compound basis to e1J The
valley. on white population 2i--axes I9-conpornd
basis 2l5' Middle district. white population So
taxes d9--compound -. Eastern district on white
Spopu!atlon 29--taHes 41--cornpound So
| Inc proposonto anend is liable 10 other obioc-
~ of
US to suppose, lat they viii be obviated when the
proposition Is carried out into its details and there
! fore they need not be polluted out.
W th these explanations. the question before +n,
committee may be thus sated-Shull the po,v or of
the government be apporoned among its districts
accordmgto The simple ratio of those who partako
OF The sovereignty, the qualified voters in each; =
or snail 1t be apportioncd according to the combined
ratl" OF white persons and taxes?
/ ihoSe who advocate the simple ratio, en1cuvour
to MAINTAIN II ponplpCipe, to dcduce il from, the
fundamental doctrines OF our government, and to VIM
olcae upon considerations of sound political exnc
diency PN
The advocates of the compound ratio, not snemiun
cctS TO cohtroVcFt the general rule, that the ma
I}orly should govern and some of them ADMITTING it.
insist nevertheless thatt is liable TO executions that
1t Is subject to the control of these ccusideratons f
leNpedellcy which may prove it unfit for the rood
government otthe people to whom it is to be applied
uiu 'aI 'he circumstances ofthe people of Virginia
render 1t unit for them.-Thcy contend that nr
mary OBJECT OF government is the protection Of nro
perty that when its title is unsafe no other righ,s
can lie secure, and HAT the peculiar condition of bro
perry IN Virginia is such that adequate protection
can be given It, ifthe power of the government is put
/ into the hands the maIority-thcy endeayour to
prove, that power in tie minority is essential to the
OF their property, and that such the sim
guar constitution OF our society, that while the
perty OF the minority is exposed to certain injury.
ny giving power to the majority the property and all
he PERSONAL rights of the majority are eectually Sc
cured by giving the power 10 the nrnor;tv .rb5o o
bow find tI,o
dStDuiion OF the slave property, among the different
districts OF the state the UNEQUAL contributions Of
revenue from those dsricts-the variety and sumo
SEQ conflict OF their local interests sbeyy that
4 the great body ofthe slaves is held Inv tho Eost
districts oil the commoDwealth;-the endeavonr IN
e"' thdt the taxable inhabitants those dist riots
pay n . greater average tax per CAPITA than is
PAID by the taxable inhabitants Of the Western die
tricts mat there IS subject or taxation in the {oc
which is not also found in the East, and on which
TAX would not be quite as burthensome to the Fas
Tern as to the w estern people-and no subject nj To-
Ssl'ton, on Which the interest of the East could be
promotedat the expense of the West-tbat on ia
interesting subject ofInternal improvements portic
uiary. "me the interests of the Eastern and Wes
tern districts are yaneDt if not hostile and Mir.
might be adopted to enrich the lafter which Ill
mpoFerish the former, yet the East would have no
adequate motive TO do injustice to the yVest.and
chey thence hfer the propriety of giving to the East
power I'll the government somewhat pronortionnd
to their contributions of revenue no,gor 49,.
TO the protection OF their property;-bev thence al
SO nter, the perfect security of the West against the
if the power ofthe government. were in tho sDas
Of the Western peopo,-wlther they think the
rule ofthe ntajority would probably soon carr it,
Ine PROPERTY ofthe Eastern people would be unjust
ldAeu' uilWlSo laws affecting the value OF their
slaves and dangerous to The peace of the comrounti,
would be enacted and schemes adopted which rng6t
apply the revenue contributed by the East to the i'm.
pr9yement OF the estates Of the West.
This IL believed TO be a fair outline ne Tho ,r;;
pie grounds on which the friends of the conno',nd
ratio rest its defence Some subordinate comsidera.
tions have been called to their aid and many mem.
Gus, able andeloquent arguments have left it wan
to our affections and our Judgment.
readily subscribe Mr. C.. to the proposition. that
an Indispensable object of every goodjgoyerunonlt
is the security OF property and that no government
Posltory Of the liberty and life Of thc cilizcnht