Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-11-23

interests of the slave holding community The coun-
ty which he represented had deep stake in that
important interest any in the Conmonwealth-for
it contained great number of slaves, in proper
ton, any other part of the State and no should be
acting with Us much ingratitude inconsistency, If
in his he should do any act, the tendency of
which would be to hazard that interest; but there
should be no such deviation chargeable to him. 1t
was his opinion that provision might be intro
ducci apportioning taxation To some standard, be
taken from the relative value OF land, and when this
property taxed, that II should be taxed in the
same ratio to land. He thought that would have
been sufficient but he believed he in u minority
on that point. He did believe that provision might
have been introduced. by which regulation for that
purpose might have been adoptcd-which could have
been carried into effect without difficulty, and that
the Constitution might have been guarded that
any violation would have been stopped instanter.-
This proposition had rot succeeded i'll The Legislative
Committee, and he did not know that he should offer
it again.
/ In the proposition which he had now nude. he had
little doubt that he had gone farther than his consi-
I tuents would sanction. But what 10 be doncs-
The Convention Is almost equally divided, and gen
tlcmcn ask whether with 5" small majority will
adopt cocgcvc measures. What can We do Are
to give up the opinions OF orty and adopt those
of minority? Must desert our own principles i'm
the very inception OF the organic Jaw? Are We To
say, that maj rity Is small we will Weld 10
a minority: He could not think ths such an expect
alton ought 10 prevail and he hoped that by adopting
his proposition, gcEtlum would show a disposition
10 the middle gruund. The venerable gen
and feelings OF 4 father suggested the propretv of
course of Cancellation, and had expressed himself in
favor 0i course similar to that indicated in the pro-
position which lac had offered. But he had not
followed u up with any motion. lie had offered his
proposition IN the same spirit. AMI he hoped win her
Il should prove acceptable 10 trp Committee or NOT
that he should at least receive the credit of having
acted from good motives. lie had proposed the fede-
raj numbers, that principle with which we are
best acquantcd-as II II least iuctuatnr and most
practicable. II 1t should be the pleasure of the Com
mittec 10 take the compound basis OF taxation and
numbers as the better mode, he Indifferent about
1t. He was indifferent calculator hnSelf but lac
was told D. others that the compound basis would
prodice nearly the same result with that which no
proposed He would leave his proposition in the hands
of the Committee, satisfied TO shape it as that IL
may be most acceptable to the Committee.
! Mr.. NICHOLAS said as he was ono of those who had
/ induced his valued friend from Goochand to offer
this proposition influenced by the spirit of courtesy
it was necessary that he should ma Ike remark The
proposition Of the gentleman had no relation 10 the
precise subject before the Committee 1t was pro
position III advance, not be taken up for discussion
till the proper time should arrive He did not sec the
propriety OF agitating the question now. 1t was an
important subject and required elaboration He
would therefore move to lay it the table for the
present.
Mr.. PLEAsANrs expressed his entire acquiescence
in the motion of the gentleman. He would remark
that the subject of his proposition closely con-
nected with the topic which had been under discus
sion for the last weeks and with that which was
next TO be taken up. He had thought proper that
C.
nate should be before the Comnnttee-that u view of
all the branches Of the subject should be embraced
together.
The amendment was then passed BY and the COM
mittee resumed the business had under considera
ton when interrupted.
4 Mr. NICHOLAS said that the course which he should
take essentially different from that of the gen
tleman from Loudoun (Mr. Henderson, that he felt
compelled by a of his duty to submit MS views
This re olullon which has been offered as subst-
tute, had the merit of advancing boldly up to the
question, and proposing what IN effect, universal
suffrage. lie knew OF no occasion when II would be
more competent to consider the basis of suffrage
than when called upon to extend the right to
almost every man Within this Commonwealth. We
, placed IN that attitude II we are TO take
opinion, from those who support tins proposition
and expressed by the gentleman from Loudoun it
must be supposed that who are on the other side
are inlnical to the poor, nimica to republican ins
tutons, and nimical TO every thing that is dear TO
! the people. lie would make professions. His
walk in life had been humble--he had not filed
those high stations which many gentlemen around
him had filled, vet he had not viewed with apathy
bu had always taken lively interest in the progress
OF Affairs IN this commonwealth. He had been IN u
public capacity, but although it was one of not very
hign rank, he felt the same gcntlcIucn a larger
theatre. lie did not intend, however, to make pro-
LESSONS Of his political creed but by his own conduct
! nc willing to be Judged He had always suppo-
sed, that he defending the people He had al
! ways considered himself warning under the banners
OF the patriots OF the country, and the side Of the
people. Now; however, ii seems, that the weapons
arc to be taken out of our hands and we are 10 be
told that not The defenders Of the people, but
that the gentlemen the other side of arc their true
defenders. The people however, will not be induc-
ed to believe this. This stratagem--hc did not ~
ply the term to any individual or act within these
doors, but transactions ont Of doors-to cstrnuoo
tho people from their old friends scheme 1t
IS old Us tie days OF Isop. TSsop tells us m ono of
his fables, that the sheep in fold were protected by
4 "A number Of vigorous sentincls--wacli-dors who
4 kept the fold in safety-thc wolves made application
to the HhoPhcrd--lod him 1t was Unnecessary 10 20
/ to the expense Of keeping these dogs--hat # he
would Kill the dogs the sheep would be- uIs Us safe
the dogs were then killed, and tho wolves instantly
burst forth lntothc fold and destroyed the sheep No
clamor VIII influence the people Of this country TO
such d coursc--they know their friends and viii NOT
giys them up The gentleman from Loudoun had
made alusion to him. and supposed because while
II dwelling on The awiulncss Of tho situation in which
u we stand nc had retained his pacidity Of counte
! nance-that lac hid not felt whnt he said Placidity
of cnunlennncn dnna NOT nl.unua nLlcln Ln ...n II