Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-03-20

pooble, while we Of the west maintain that sys-
tan OF government to DO best, which gives to equal
political power--The owianders maintain, that this
d NOT equality, that other matters and things are
20 DO taken into conside ration, TO balance the pow
evs Of government. While we support the doc
tftnes We have urged, how can il be expected,
that va should yield to the opinions OF Others 50
opposed to our own, and so obviously unjust, that
they cannot be sustained by sound argument
II We get into Convention on equal footing, anu
Il should DO determined by the majority OF the
Convention, what things shall he taken into con-
sheraton as basis Of representation, and Of
tuf tho question shall have been decided nv the
voAe Of the people, wo must submit; because we
agsse that majority may rule, in prescr bing the
SoRn Of government. Bat before we go into Con-
venuoo. we cannot eoncede these points, and 1t is
unjust 70 expect it Of US.
Nj. n. said he could not help thinking, il the
Wessshall agree to go into Convention on une-
quail terms, that unequal conditions will be laid
upon them: certainly it may be the case. 1t SEEM
ed 70 be almost an inherent principle in human ma
turc, to get power and TO retain il as long a. pos
sbie; and as it has been the principle by which most
governments have been actuatpd at all times
when power was not equally distributed among,
and eejoyed by the people, he deemed it his duty
to resist any thing like inequality here, and much
more, such gross inequality as that contained in
the gentlcman's amendment. He said all govern
mcnts embracing any kind Of wealth in the COM
p0sltion OF representation, have tendency to
power. to wield the whole political machine of the
Stats; and those based wholly upon territorial re-
presentation without just regard to the equality
oEthe people, have tendency TO perpetuate s, in
crease inequalities, and in the end. to place pow
q In the hands of the lew, TO control the liberty
Of the many Why. then, adopt such system OF
Janitorial representstio in Conv enton. Why do
gentlemen offer sach unequal terms here and
pesteud to say, they gointo Convention to equal.
tzs the government Let US at least, start fairly
nm hny Mt H. l.
submit to articles Of government to which they
cannot give their assent, in Convention, by their
represe natives equally chosen among them. Its
we'll recognized doctrine. that number Of FIRE .
persons, or community, meeting together to
consult on the formation of a new government, are
mt all bound by the determination of the majority,
unless In the very inception Of the business they all
hrst agree, that majority shall bind them. And
the minority, not being so bound, shall refuse 10
libmit, they have a right peaceably TO leave the
minority and act for themselves: But If the ma.
Juyity shall ultimately compel them 10 submit to
their system, il is the n que s;ion of com.
pact or agreement, but one Of power. He said,
the convention ought 10 be called with a view to,
and under the influence OF, these fundamental law ;;
and that the organization ought to be made on the
s1me elementary principles as if society," so far as
tho natural rights and freedom Of the free white
peopie are concerned, or may be Affected were die
solved into its original elements: That we should
xiew ourselves as standing, sinSly and equally, s.
wholly independent. without any thing to control
ia. except, that living under the existing govern
ment, recognizing It's necessity, and attempting to
Change it, form, must be construed as an acknow.
Iedgment Of the right of the majority to make the
change, and consequently, the unques,ionabe
right OF the people, to equal representation In ef-
tactfng Il. Then let act, il me- ting together
TO eject the most perfect equality in Convention
and produce the greatest harmony among the peo.
plo. and We shall secure TO ourselves, and our
country, system of government that will not fai
70 produce happiness and prosperity to the com
nunlty.
(To be continually