Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-01-13
Uye Constitutional Iustg.
MoNoAY MoNNINt:, JANUa::Y ~, 1919.

ofuhite populations WAS conducted with great ability
hy Messrs. Mason .of Frederick and Dodtrtge. No.
discussion in the General Assembly for years past,
HIS called forth great display of talent, sub
iect has excited il that body out oit, great
Share of solicitud...
The conflict the question stands, is be-
tween the hns originally reported, giving represent
taton threcifth OF slaves, and Mr. Terri's sub
stitutc giving every county and borough present
entitled to Representations in the House of Delegates,
one member in the Convention. Between these
plaus, the advocates of white population eel as be-
tween the Devil and The Deep Sea; 10th entire
IL unraatable that they can care but little which
Ultimately triumphs 1t is indeed diiicuc to say
which s the most repugnant to Justice equality and
Vepublicsnism, to constitute the Convention by Civ
ing Williamsburg the numerical influence in it
with Richmond, to constitute it by giving five nc
grees in certain division OF the State the in
fiuence with three white citizens in another. Either
plan would aIuaze the nigh souled patriots vino
Glrled the banner cf Revolution in rs, could they
raise their heads from the tomb. We are aware of
the argument brought TO tie aid OF these plans,
from the relative weight OF taxs.lion, but to
minds, it appears that the possession of superior
wealth ought to content the possassor, without his
claiming for it unequal political power. The idea
that in this country and with the OPINIONS Of the age
US they are any really feel insecure in his
rights of property from Convention in which prop
erty N not specifically represented is ncrcdiblcwe
hceve it not.
We have little question, TINT the county plan
viii drive the gressional, from TIE first section of
The bill. We think many who inimcal to BOTH
will GO for counties, merely to disposscss the slave
representation Of its vunoge grounds and then aban
genial with justice.
To the surprise of many the small ran-sallcg CLANCY
and the small counties below tide water, have struck
up u coGrtsh;p, and nl;!ch billing ami cooling going
on between them The object of this unnst,lruisai-
anco to preserve county government at the
Of the great country between the Blue Ridge and tie
head OF tide water, and tie valley, embracing the
heart and bowels of Virginia 1t is unfortunately time
that 178 900 of the people Of Virginia may conrou
the other 42o o0o by conjunction OF the small
ties in the House of Delegates. This is the plan
now on foot in order preserve county superiority
irstcad of that OF the people the conventions and
consequently in the new government. Nothing is
more pspabe than that the government Of Virginia
has been of counties and borougs instead of the
majority Of the people; and the struggle is arr
we'd between tho two, whether the old shall be pcrpe-
tuated, or be thrown aside unworthy the rights and
liberty of the people, and the character of the age
How, when the contest il the Legislature will end
1t rs difficult to say.
There hes been occasional severe sparring in tie
debate especially between Messrs Old and Miller If
Powhatun and Doddridge; bnt take pleasure in
stating that the Saturdays debate assumed in its
close entirely conciiintory aspect which notice
fom Our firm persuasion that nothing bat he utmost
temper and Cancellation preserve the Stnte from
IN extremely awkward and embarrassing, if not
dangerous state Of things.
Mr.. Pottor's bill in the House Of Commons CT Il.
Carolina, for natitutng legal proceedings against tie