Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-10-29
Gz4btN.
Speech IF Mr.. CO0KE-Conctudei.

- Speech IF Mr.. COOkE-Conctuded.
Now sir, said mr. Cooss) without commenting
further the practical operation OF the proposed
menduent, let us apply to it the test to which
we have subjected the resolution of the Committee.
Does accord with the principles of the decla ration
OF rghts--wth the principles to which the me.uber
from C,ipoper, III common with all, has given but
yes erday, the sanction of his approving votes
II will be perceived, OIL examination that 1t violates,
not ono of those principles, only, but every oae-t
rep hates the doctrine that lie pe1pte are the oniy
lealmlte source and fountain of political porcr aud
thats.a power is derived iro'nthe people" and makes
property one OF the sources o power, and declares
10 be derived in part from property.
IL denies the correctness OF the principle TINT all
the electors IN the commonwealth equal i'm polti-
cal rights BY comforting su,1ii number of ,oenfthy
cicctors congrcgaed together IN one -oleotoral dis.
-srict the power which IL confers large
Der q poor electors eiecto-
great principle alluded to, aud substitutes for it the
control OF the wealthy few-Or in other words, an
aristocracy of wealth
And for what purpose, pray you, are We thus TO
diapidntc the very foundations of our free ins,itu
tons! What mighty good is to be affirmed BY this
abandonment of the principles of the revolutions
We left, sir, to imagine the objects of the
mover of this amendment. For tho Paria1nenta-
ry usage, so far as 1 understand it, devolved upon
hun the duty OF developing the principles of his
amendment, and tho regularly notified yes
terday, N the manner in which such notices ure su
ally given, that he would proceed to-day TO the per-
Torrance OF that duty, he has pursued different
course, and the friends of The resolution reported by
the COMMITTEE have been invited - cornn,cc CO the
discussion.
But knowing, as do, incidentally the Grounds on
winch tins great innovation is proposed viii pro-
ceed undor the disadvantages imposed on by this
unusual course OF procedure, to examine the a gu
nent of the friends of the proposed amendment
They aledge then Sir, that, though all the princi-
PIES ~ government contained in the declaration of
rights may he correct there Is still another prin-
cipe, of vtai Importance, which NAV not safe
ly be neglected in the formation OF our f,uI,
mental iaw-it is that tie right Of p,opcrt,
"ttbe completely and eGectuuty protected 6y ke in
Siauttons Of Society-And the advocates o. the nro
posed amendment insist that property cannot be e,c
tuaiy protected without investing the holders with
greater degree of political power than they are ent
tied to inen citizens aud electors.
That the right OF property is, aud must be- procc
ted, IN ell well regulated communities, am free to
adm admir- The imPOssSy Of giving it tina. protection
power, deTicsa from That possession, is what utterly
deny.
The urgumeu; of the other side I understand to be
1. That scif-interess is the greet and overru,juy
passion of nleu, which controls all Other passions
feelings end principles.
2. That it is the interest of tie 1n1ny who are
poor TO make spoil Of the property of tie (e.o, who
are RICH
9. That if the power of legislation be conferred
On he many, they will pursue their interest and
sdopt system of legislative spo iai o BY which the
rights Of property will be subverted, and the whole
social fabric be consequently sapped and overlhron
a. That there is no method of avoiding this caes-
trophe but by investing wealth, by provision in the
fundamental, with p0Der to protect itseE
This is fair statement Of the argument, SO far as
have incidentally gathered it, relied OH by tie
trends OF the proposed amendment. And to this
i reply that am BY means' disposed TO admit the
exclusive, controlling and overwhelming influence
which the argument attributes to the feeling of self
interest. While concede that interest is one Of the
rnaster-springs OF human action must be permitted
to believe that there other counteraotinp prnc
pies IN human nature, which always modify, and
sometimes CONTROL the feeling Of Selfshness. a.
!uce to the principles of morality and FegioD 10 the
spcial feeling, and To the feelings of honour and
shame. A notable example Of the prevalence Of
these counteracting principles is afforded by the his
tory OF our own commonwealth. From the founda-
ton OF the commonwealth the slave holding popua.
ton has held the supreme power in the State From
tc foundation OF the commonwealth there has exist
ed, and there still exists, numerous population on
the western frontier, who are comparatively dos.
ttute OF slave property, and whose wealth Inns ever
consisted in cattle than any other description of
property. Now IT the argument Of the gentlemen
DC correct, II would fOlow, that, 10 is and ALWAYS
mas been, the interest acc0riing TO their views m in
ercst Of tue slave holding population, to shift from
themselves, aud TO lay others, the burthens Of 70.
ferhmeht they would impose heavy taxes tie cattle
we property OF the helpless minority, and Cypress them
by this and every other species Of fiscal exaeion-
And yet the very reverse sthe fact. For the slave
hoilers invested with supreme power, and urged to
rs exercise by their "mterest," have not only not
0vertaxed the cattle Of their Wos:ern brethren bot
have, IN fact, imposed on tloin tax at all. Aud
wiyf-Because they We're governed By the principles
Of justice, and the feelings Of honour. Because
tliey thought, and Justly, that the people of tho from
tier, buthened as they with the first expenses
OF society aud engaged in laying, as il were The
very foundation Of the social fabric could i'll endure
the additional burthen of tax on their nocks and
heTds. Because the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Of the West
were a. their mercy and every feeling f honournnd
mrgnanunity forbade them to Cypress the weak. l
say, them sir that The shareholders ofVirginia have
shown by their conduct in this particular, the incor-
Jccincss Of the theory which supposes man 70 b
e1geincd W he sordd feelings alone Of his nature
90 the exclusion Of the nObleT.
But, an, ] do not believe that il is OF ever was,
TIE reH interest Of any man, set OF men, of any
class an the community, or Of any community, 10
abuse Fower to Cypress the weak, 20 net with in
justice 10 not believe tint IL is OF ever can BE-
the rent interest Of any mar or set Of men, 20 dis
regard the moniiion5 OF c'nscionce To break
down the barriers, and obIteTats the distinctions
between rght and wrnv. and TINS 10 involve