Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-05-01

Oh success and III the trials OF adversely has been the
consistent and valued friend of that great and GOOD
num- now enjoying the triumph of his virtues in the
conscious security ola nations gratitude.
SAM. HOUSTON
GES. WInLIAM HALL,
Speaker Of the Senate, Tenn
To TIE Editors 81 he Enq,asei..
! Gcntlenen l with others, requested throuuh
yonr paper, by many Freeholders OF Fluyanna Ia
make known distinctly, and explicitly, my sentiments
ON the following subjects.
LIST As tc the extension of the right of sufraue n
non frecholders, with a reasonable qualification
end. As to Il reduction, of the present Numbers Of
the liousc OF Delegates, with view TO economy OF
time, and money.
! Srd. As to equal representation throuUhont the,
state, apportloncd according to white population
| Attn: As to new organization of The executive
branch OF the Government and for d;spcn .ipr wi,
the Council in part or the whole.
5th as TO change in the tenure of office in the Jn
dietary Department, as TO Increase tho responsible
lty OF the Judges, or to facilitate their emotion from
| Office, for sufficient causes
Our bill rights declares that Collections of MEM
b,rs to serve representatives of tho Deople ourht
to he free, and that all men, having sufficient evil
dencr, OF permanent common interest with, and at
tachment TO the community, have the rrht of suf
tfagc and cannot be taxed deprived of their prop
erty for public uses, without their own consent or
that of their representatives elected nor bound by
any law to which they have hot in like manner as
IN.
have permanent common interest with the
community, who permanently reside in it, who con-
tribute by taxes, &owever SMALL and common bur
thens in peace and war, TO the common interest
whilst attachment to the community springs from the
social virtues, and love of those, with whom nature
! and affection have linked us.
would therefore, exclude from voting all citizens
who had not resided in q county two years paid taxes
and borne the burthens of the society: those
who have rendered themselves infamous as convicted
feons, and free negroes and nuattocs as matters of
obvious policy. The diffusion ofpower a,nonp The
people, is the Safeguard ofhcir natural sovereipnty:
and the sGrcs guaranty, against its dangerous acci
mutation in particular hands. Nor need danger be
apprehended to the landed interest Of the country
whose rights, oil will guard in peace and war; as the
source of their slStcnance and nurture The earth
IS not the natural basis fpOlitica power. Iabour
IS the father ofa she brings forrh and the accumua
ted wealth of the world is but the offspring of labour
in gifts m,s>es. To this Intelligent and active
parent ofhuual prosperity and comfort should there
| fore, he committed the of its offspring. Then
will such burtheus, only he laid OH the mother and
various branches of the family, is consistent with
the liberty and safety of all. That representation
should be based IN free populations have no doubt
Slaves having no free will, cannot be represented as
such. But political power is clamed for those pos
sessing them, the ground, that they are rs proper
| ty taxed, and subject to be taxed Paxation under
free constitutions of government Is not true lr,ss
! of political power.
In free COMMUNITIES taxes are voluntary conribu
ors to the necessities of the society by themselves
or their representatives they choosing the subjects
on which taxes may be levied. A fixed representa-
ton on combination of persons and taxes would be
unequal and unjust because the basis would itself
be 6uctuating, both the subjects and amount of
taxation changed in public emergencies; and q
constitution framed might give representation on
particular subjects when the tax itself might he d.
mnished, enlarged, or withdrawn. The means Of
acquiring and possessing property, arc enumerated
among our inherent rights, well liberty Itself.
Property wealth spring from the exercise of ber-
ty, or free will, the guide of manual and intellectual
labor. 1t you'd be just therefore, to give yocr
representation according to their intellectual s,Iper
GRITTY, the the other, as on their proportf
accunulated by that intellectual power. Superior men
tal cndowments like wealth have natural power thc
these III nature of things be possessed but by few
and happy would it be for the world, if their union
with power had not uniformly turned them from pur
poses ojusce and philanthropy to become the scour
ges of mankind. would therefore, give equal por-
tiors of power, to- equal numbers of freeuIen; ant
those among us who fear dangers to property, from
popular freedom, sectional OPPRESSION should hav
their apprehensions quoted by constitutional prov
sion that particular property should not be taxed bu
in proportion to given standard on property common
: TO the whole country.
= An independent judiciary should guard the cousti
tuition from violation. That independence to he sc
cured by fixed and adequate salaries and stated term
of service. and their responsibility TO the will Of th
l. community by periodical appointments elections
# subject to removal conviction OF crime or mai
feasancc in Office, by joint ballot of both houses
the General Assembly On principle the governc
q ought to be eecte cd bv the people would dninis
the number or abolish the council Of State. The OK
ecutve branch of the government should have a
$ little power as will be compatible with the executo
of the general will, expressed in the laws. Phe nun
p Der Of the House of Delegates should be diminished
leaving the representation so full as that the cons
tuents may conveniently confer with the represents
tive and the senate enlarged, and their torn Of Sc
vice not to exceed two years at most In the orgai
ization Of the whole government, would have fri
oaydf m
ur TO public iducIaries. Having thus explicitly apd full
On my intrusion your columns viii permit,
the enquiries of my fellow citizens Of Fuvana thong
not in the order proposed, [ will only add, thai