Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-12-07

The County Courts were notathe creatures of onr
Constitution. They previously existed aud al
though not -esablishcdn express terms in tho Con
sthution, they referred TO. The Legislature
have adopted regulations concerning them lie said
lie should vote against the qualification.
The question was then aga, n taken on tho motion
to strike out the word Tho" and carried IL the nep
ntiyc-aycs ~, noes So
Mr.. MERcER then moved 20 pass by the other nro.
positions, IN order 10 take up the fesolntions on the
subject OF the basis of repre- sentation, wh:ch mo-
ton was decided in tho Affirmative.
Mar. MERCER said /, must be obyinns that q con.
slider the various Propositions offered as amendments
to any thing already adopted, would lead To ersbar.
rassneGt and confusion. lie thought it would be
better to take up the propositions seriatum, begin
nng with tlat of the gentleman from Nurthampton
Some congregation took place rs 10 the correct
cTdeE OF putting the questions, whep a suggestion
YVES made by Mr. Powell that She precise Question
under consideration when the Committee ROSE was
on the proposition Of the gentleman from Goochland
n little explanation took place between the Chair
DIR. Mercer, and Mr.. Cooke when the two latter cy
Monday
Mr. COOKE moved to pass By the Legislative re,
port and amendment andto take up the propositions
offered on Monday.
Mr.. LErcu wished some reason far this motion 10
take up those propositions in Preference The o.
incndm"nt ofthe gentleman from Goochond.
Mr.. Cooke said his object 10 free tic question
from the embarrassment which adherence 20 par.
iamcntary rules would create.
nc question was then taken passing by the
report ara amendments md tulting up the PROPOSE
tlons offered on Monday; and decided in The alrIna-
tive-aycs 30.
The Committee then tool: MP the consideration OF
the propositions offered BY MIR. Urshur, which are
as follows
Reso!oed, That the House of Delegates shall con.
sist ofope hundred and twenty members, of which
there shall be chosen, for the First District or Dis
trict west of the Allegheny mountain, oG
For the Second DatriCt, Or District Of the Valley %
For the Third District, District between the
Blue Ridge and the head Of tide-water, SO
For the Fourth District, or District betwcrrn the
head Of tide water, and the ocean, 81
Resoired. That the Senate shall consist of thirty
members, of which there shall be chosen FOR the
First District, aforesaid, z
For the Second District HfoT as3id, 6
For the Third District, aforesaid o
For tue Fourth District, afoI eEiid, 9
Resotoed, That the Legislature shall have power,
TO re arrange the representation in both Houses OF
the General Assembly, onceiu every years, upon
n fair average the following ratios, VIZ: LIST OF
white populations Cd, OF white population and taxa
ton combined: Sd OftIc Fcderal Numbers.
Provided, that the number o.: the House Of Dele
gates shall neve. exceed l6o, nor the number OF the
Senate, 10.
ThciresolGtions having been read frotD the Chair,
Mr. NADisoN rose, aud addressed the Committee
IL a speech, Of which, the following is The outline
and substance:
Although the actual posture of the subject before
the Committee might admit full survey of it, it is
, not my purpose, In rising, to enter into the wide
O
intellectual resources and varied powers ofeloQuecce
that any country might be proud of; and which
have witnessed with tho highest qualification. Hav
ing been, for very long period, withdrawn from
any participation IN proceedings of dcliberatiVe bod
les, and undor other dsquaifcations now, of which
am deeply sensible, thought perhaps less sensible
than Others may perceive that ought 10 be, shall
not attempt more than few observations, which may
suggest the views have taken of the subject, and
which will consume but little ofthe time ofthe Com
ntlee, now become precious. 1t Is sufficiently abv-
ons, that Persons and Property the two great
subjects on winch governments Ure to act that the
rights of persons and the rights of property are the
objects for the protection Of which government was
instituted. These rights cannot well be separated
/ The personal right to acquire property, which is q
natural right, gives to property, when acquired;
n right to protection, q social right. The
essence Of government is power; and power, lodged,
IL must be, in human hands will be liable to
abuse. In monarclcs the interests and happiness
of all may be sacrccd TO the caprice and passions o
q dcSpot: In nrstOcracics, the rights and welfare of
the many may be sacrificed TO the pride and cupid
ity ola few In republics, the great danger is, that
the minority nay not sufficiently respect the rights
| Of the minority. Some gentlemen, consulting the pu
rty and generosity Of their own minds, without ad-
vcrtng to thclessonS Of experience, would find Sc
curity against that danger, III social feelings; in
a respect for character in the dictates Of the monitor
wlthn IN the interest OF individuals IN the
! interests of the community. But man is known to
| be II selfish, well socai being. Respect for
character though often sautary restraint isbut too
often ovenucd by other motives. When numbers
Of men net in body, respect for character IS often
lost, Just in proportion it is necessary to control
what is not right We all know that conscience is not
sufficient safeguard. and besides that conscience it.
self may be dcudcd; may be misled by unconscious
bias, into acts which enlightened conscience
would forbid. rs to the permanent interest Of ind-
yiduals in the aggregate interests of the community
and III the proverha maxim that honesty is the bet
policy, present temptation is too often found TO be an
over match forthosc considerations. These favour
able attributes of the human character are all
valuable, auXariCs; but thoy will not servo as a
substitute for the coercvc provisions belonging 10
government and law. They will always, in proper
ton rs they prevail, be favourable to n mild adnms-
iratiOn Of both: but they mover can be relied
OF guaranty Of the rights OF tho minority against
majority disposedto take unjust advantage OF its
power. Thc only eiljcual safeguard to the rights OF
the minority must be ladin such basis and struc-
ture ofthe government itself os may afford, ina Ger
tniu degree directly, iDdircctya defensive AUTHOR
| ity IN behalf Of a minority having right on its side
20 come more nearly to the subject before the Com
mittcc, VIZ: that peculiar feature our community
which calls for nCcuiav division i'm tn basis of our