Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-04-07

IS,
article 1st. sections ,. 0, provides that taxes and
representatives, shall be arpor,oned according TO
the same rule.
Mr.. Dromgoole then Introduced the book OF
American Constitutions AMI read extracts from
the constitutions of tie different States, as here
Indicated, to wit: Massachusetts,, chap. ], Section
2. Senate, art: ], 2-secton 5, art. ], ., IA
mendments, articlc3.
New Hampshire, Title, Senate
New York. article j, section.
New Jersey, sections 3, i.
Pennsylvania, article ], sections !, q.
Delaware, article / sections >. 3.
Maryland, sections, >, IA, Is.
Virginia. No basis established. Property
qualification in electors and elected.
North Carolina, sections 5, ., rs, g.
Tennessee, article ], sections >, . T. &c; art. 3.
Ohio, article ! sections 4, z; article i, section ].
Indiana, article 3, sections =,
Louisiana, article ,. sections 4, 9, 7, IL.
Mississippi article ., sections /, :, 9, 10, u,
Slaves.
Illinois, article ., sections 3. 6.
Alabama, article 6, section 6, slaYes J..
Missouri, article 3, sections 3, s.
Kentucky, article Z, section !, Slaves.
Mr.. Dromgoole invoked the particular atten-
ton OF the Senate TO the provisions in the con.
stitutions OF South Carolina and Georgia.-S. Ca
rolina, articles 4, 6, 8, and amendments.
Georgia, article j, sections 4, Z, g.
do not mean, sir, said Mr.. y to be under
stood as yielding my entire assent to the detailed
provisions in any one of these constitutions.
have cited them only as instances in support oil
the general principle, that property must in
some mode be represented and secured in the
formation OF the government. France, Inflated
France. affords an impressive lesson OF admoni-
ton against the contrary principle. Tho Nation
al Assembly convened at Versailles on the 5th
May, 1898. This event was hailed with Joy by
the votaries OF Liberty and il constituted empha-
tically thehrst day OF the French Revolution
The fatal, the ever-o be -smented error in the
constitution of the Tiers Estat was, that property
was not sufficiently represented. The wild ex
cesses oil this revolutionary struggle. the eHusion
oil blood, and the in6iscrmnate violation OF pub
lie and private property, inflicted deep moriiica-
ton upon the advocates Of popular government,
and at the same time furnished but too powerful
an argument TO those who denied the right and
the capacity of the people TO govern themselves.
The TRANSMISSION OF property influence, to
some moderate extent in the National Assembly,
would have insured wisdom and stability TO its
councils, or respect for private rights, and al
indie aiigable devotion TO the hes. interests OF the
Nation. To the mai-org aniZaii0n OF the repre-
sentative body, is TO be charged the sad catastro-
phe OF the French Rev0!uiion,-hut for this,
France, like America, would have stood before
the world a brilliant excmplificalon OF the prac-
ticabiiiy OF seli-government, and would have ex
hihited the lovely spectacle OF order preserved,
and republicani'n established! Whilst it seems
clear that property should have so much infu-
ence as 10 give il security, and to infuse order
and stability in the government, il must be frank
ly confessed that The most serious difficulties oc-
cur in arranging the details Of the plan. II would
be a task OF immense labor and expense TO ascer
tain the whole property of the community. The
mere revenue is not fair exponent Of all the
wealth Of the country, because portion exists in
such form as 20 screen it from taxation, and a
portion of that which is visible and tangible is
exempt by the policy oEour laws. Special COM
nssioners could not ascertain fully and com.
f,il ind
even after The consumption Of much time, without
looking too inquistiyey into the private matters
Of our fellow citizens. In addition To this there is
republican Jealousy against an undue influence
OF wealth, constant apprehension that political
power may be contracted in the hands ofits own
ers in proportion TO their possessions, and that
thus oligarchy or arstocracy may be created. I
If ii were proposed 20 distribute political power
between individuals in proportion 10 their wealth,
the objection would be valid and WELL founded. |
But the plaza CT dividing the representation ac-
cordiDg 10 the compound ratio OF people and pro-
perry, is exempt from the charge OF aristorracy.-l
IL Is but a rule for distribution among all the
sections OF the country, whilst il is part Of the
system 10 augment the power and influence Of
each Individual, according TO the extent Of his
purse. The proprietor Of thousands viii remain
OH an equal footing as TO political privileges, with
the individual who possesses but the bare quail
iication oil voter. Stll it must be admitted that
less complicated scheme Of representa- tion,
which would attain the same object, would
be entitled 10 preference. The Uhole and no. a
selected part Of the population, taken as the ba-
sis Of representation, will accomplish the same
desirable purpose OF aiIordDg protection both 10
persons and property. Hence, l maintain that
the human beings residing within the territorial
limits oil the community, constitute the most ca
sy, safe and practicable rule for the appDrlion-
inent Of representatives. Upon principle, the
bond and free, Che black and white, the male and
female, ought oil TO be numbered in the arrange
ment Of representation. BUt our western bre-
teren, apparently hoTtor-strUck, denounce this
idea as most odious-as the LidcheSt feature Of a.
ristocracy. / am persuaded, that if the relative
number Of colored persons in the two sections
Of the State were reversed, that the proposition
wouid then lose more than half its ffightfu de-
iorIni,ies. However, ihc politicians OF the West
maintain that slaves are property only under our
laws, aud are not 10 be regarded in the light OF
human beings inhabitng the common soil OF Vir-
gina. VI Is true. sir, that our laws in opposition
TO natures claim TO freedom, subjects the black
nan TO bondage, gives TO master the controul
Of his conduct aud the ayails Of his labor; bar the
same laws shield his person from barbarous cruel
~, and protect bis life. by furnishing with death
his life is guarded from desIruc-
ton even at the hands Of his proprietor expresslv
upon the ground Of the crfnnslity Of shedding hu.
man blood, thereby clearly recognizing the slave
as fellow creature, with an immortal soul and
not az brute beast.-Whilsi The position is main
tanned, that the slaves inhabitants Of Virginia
and constitute part Of lie population, ii is mo- in.
TENDED 70 DC Understood ss IN any wise impeachiDg