Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-03-13

aoty OF self Preservation plead our justification
tue continuance of a policy which we did not ORR
wnicn violates the natural rights of man, and
Ut ~hch our feelings of humanity revolt 49,
IN the organization ofthe House Of Representa- :,
ives sara var. L. slaves are included and recognized
as part OF the population. The government of the
states Is MAINLY federal in its character; hut tIi
rouse OF Representatives is national and wse H.
signed to the feature of popular
me II. OF Representatives founded in the theory ofu
representation of the people, e,ntes ord oy,h,
ces slaves as portion of the people Tho n,r.;,f
was urged, as understand in the federal Copvent,n
tae the representatives should be apportioned
ao,y TO the number of inhabitants, and that slaves
con s'itu'ed part of those inhabitants; but it was
aso commended that direct taxes should be apportone
Al conformity with the same rule. Because much
nearly the whole number of slaves were found
~ ~. INC southern states, compromise was effected
Inc south yielded representation in bebalf of So
hfths OF Its slaves, in consideration that in th.
assessment OF direct taxes two-ffths should he like
wise excluded The north conceded TINT the ,rhoI,,
number of slaves should not be nclpda5 i, tko
distribution of direct taxes, provided also that tho
whole number should not be included in the d;stybr
1on o. preeentativcs.-When 1 view the vast
disparity IN the slave population in east and west
Virginia, and consider it's peculiar and degraded
condition, IN spirit of Gberaty should feel dispr
seu TO consent TO similar compromise. As at
present advised would admit the federal ratio as
tho OASIS of representation without exnctipo of r,,
trans montane brethren correspondents comnronis.
as 10 taxation. The appointment of President OF
the United States rests principally upon the grosnd
OF popular election--ssIt was desirable thar fhr
sense OF the people should operate in the choice on
toe person TO whom important u trust ,yus to- be
connded.* In the superintendent of electors amou,
the several states the same rule observed as pre,
walls IN the arrangement of Representative; with
the ADDITION OF two to each state out of commitments
presume to their equal sovereignty. Nav if it be
right TO enuInerate slaves part of the popula.
t,on IN the election of President of the United
states, and in the election of REPRESENTATIVES
IN Congress, can it be radically wrong to urge the
same doctrine in reference to the distribution OF
popular representatives, in Virginia? With what
appearance OF consistency can it be denounced and
reject ed at home, and yet defended and maintained
ABROAD Ii We mould state government unon
the admission, that the free white population ia the
only correct basis of representation we must aba,,
don the support of different principle elsewhere
we shall be constrained to WELD to corresponding.
modltcation of the constitution of the United States
In It's national and popular aspect, whereby we shall
sustain sensible loss of numbers and influence in
tue House ST Representatives and in the election OF
President. '0 y"
small we permit struggle for sectional asccndency
10 Ieao TO the espousal of doctrines which must
present US IN an inconsistent and huniatino atituH
with reference to the other members of the confede
racyF Shall Virginia, heretofore distinguished bv
her devotion to the Union, so often pIelged "a
support the constitution und maintain its PRINCIPLES
become the fret indirectly to attack those provisions
IN the preservation of which, herself and all the slaves
noidng states have deep, vital coneerus