Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-12-11
DEBATE ON THE BASIS OF REPREsEN.
TATION.
WEDNESDAY. Nov. II.
SUBSTANCE OF Mr.. CHAPMAN JOHN:
SONS SPEECH

-
7 Mr. Chairman: The question under consideration
8 Has occupied much time. in the discussion. and nc
uouot much more, III the dep deliberations of thu
v"hmttee. It's great Importance and exceeding de
ncscy' entitle 1t verify, to all the AID, which temper
y ioroedrance, Cancellation, fee, frank and full inter
change OF opinion, laborious investigation and cand,,
U argument, can afford. u has on the one hand On
6 outraged the most animated hopes, and, on the other
aIatnicd the most anxious teSrS. The whole countr,
looks to it, with intense ntrrest.-convinccd tina, or
It's issue depends much OF veal or woe.
we are engaged. Mr.. c , IN q contest for powcr;-
I DISGUISE 1t as you wilI,-call 1t n discussion of ihe
rights OF man, natural or social,--sll II an enquiry
INTO poiiiical Xpedicncy.-;m CINE yourself if yor
[ please, presiding over a school of philosophy, discour.
sung on the doctrines Of political law, for the Instruc-
non OF mankind. and The Improvement, OF all human
fnsutuuons bring The question 10 the ties. Of prin-
ciip!e' or OF practical u'ilty,-stM sir, all our meta
PHlsica' reasoning and our practical rulcs, all our
scholastic learning and political wisdom. are but the
arms employed IN "A contest, which involves the sreot
and aSitating question, whether the sceptre shall
MS feet.
IN this contest, l feel a peculiar interest because
l stand towards the parties in a relation of some icli
IAcy-Nhh the one, are my present residence, the
Iond OF my nativity, almost all the friends of my
youth, and most Of those to whom nv affections arc
bound, by the ties OF affinity and blood:-witb the
other are my property and my OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
VINO are %endeared to me, by a residence among them
OF more than twenty years. BY many a proof of re-
corrected Kindness and friendship, by gratitude for
early patronage, and for political confidence. bestow-
ed oeioIe 1t had been earned. and Continued after
every claim | could have pretended to it. had been
lost by my removal from them. In this state OF d.
Vlded allegiance | ought perhaps 10 have taken coun-
sci from prudence, and have chosen the part of
neutrality. But ! had been long in the habi, of con.
siuerlng both parties to this controversy us children
OF the same family constituent g. Insrparable parts Of
the same community diversified. IT strue.
10 their possessions, their pursuits, their manners and
their character, having minor interests pcrhnps no,
aNogether IN accordance,-nCvCrthelcss identified in
the leading characteristics of a plain agricultural, re-
puohcaA p~eoPIe-havlng the same great interests,
and one common object, the integrity, freedom. han
piness, and glory Of a Common country.-I had lonr
loo, cherished the fond, perhaps the deiusiye hone
that 1t was possible TO reconcile all differences, 10 ap-
PeaSe all angry feelings, 10 remove all causes OF tea-
lousy. and 10 unite all parts of the community in |
harmonious action, in common labor for the. common
Veal;-and TO realise this hope, | had often cyerteA
TO the uttermost my humble powcr.-I could not
therefore, at this most interesting crisis in public
affairs, when heated If not angry controversy was
expected by oil, when serious. If not fatal dissention
was feared, by many, when all might be lost by mat
tention or imprudence, or ali might be saved by care
and Palns,@l could not decline the honorable call to
duty, from my old CONSTITUENCIES could not refuse
the trust, when, well knowing my opinion, they con.
hded their great interests here in part to me, and left
me at full liberty, without pledge and without in
struction, to profit by the experience and wisdom of
those around me, and following the dictates Of my
IONh JuuIultilN II Sildpe my COUrEg. with q Hiunle
view to the public good.
After listening attentivcly to every thing that has
been sald,-and much has been ably and elouuently
said, | am satisfied, that by advocating he resolution
OF the select committee, and resisting The proposed
amendment, | shall best discharge my duty to nv
constituents, and my country.
Mr.. Chairman: | am no friend to chanre.-I have
been no advocate for the call of this Convention;-
True, / have thought the old Constitution, in some
respects, imperfect, in theory, and defective in nrac-
tice. | have thought its principal defect, that very
inequality III representation, which the resolution of
the select committee proposes in part to remedy.
/ thought IT also a defect in the Constitution, that
IL contained no provision, tor a just apportionmeut of
taxes, or just distribution Of the burthcns of tho Go
venment among the people of the Commonwealth.
l had been, for some years member Of that branch
OF the Legislature, IN which the inequality of repre-
sentation was most glariRg. ! represented d. 10 The
senate a district composed Of SIX counties, IN the
E0lcy' containing then perhaps, about ono eighth OF
the white population OF the State, and | with only
three others, represented the whole country West OF
the Blue Ridge, containing about ono third of The
"hite population. ! thought ! perceived tic lnluri
GUS Ope atiOn Of THE inequality. On ouesiions orIoca|
concern, | had often seen the interests of the East mr..
ruycd again those Of the West, and controversial,
thence arising, attended with much excitement. and
sometimes with great asperty and angry feeling. II
had occasionally been nv good fortune 10 interpos,
between tho contending parties, and reconcile then
differences. But ! was satisfied that a. settled dis.
, content was arising, that jealousIes were daily increa.
sing, which threatened 20 fonont discord, TO ALLEVIATE
brother from brother, and to counteDancc the opinion
g that there were important differences Of interest ir
the different parts Of the State, which the same Go
yGrhTncnt would not equally protect. When TN,
western people complained, that they had not a iusl
participation IN the power OF the government. the,
were often reproaclrcd with their poverty, and almost
Always reminded, that they did not contribute ther
y Jast proportion Of tie revenue. The act of 1852. mad,
Tor equalIzIng the land tax, had thrown the State inf,
-four great districts, the counties INTO fpu, clas"oI
e and had fixed a standard, in each class. octhe avs,o1,
: value OF the land per acre. The first class comnriseel
! al inc lde water counties, with several Of the larr,
midland %couutes, and the standard value of is ion3,
u per acre, was ten shIllings; tie second class corn.
o ptsed tbe other midland counties, except Pittsylva
ma and Henry, and embraced the two Valley conntie,
OF Frederick aud Berkeley, and IT. standard per acr,
was rs. 6d.;--the third contained Pltsylyani,
aud Henry, with the Valley counties. not includer
IN the second, and the standard value Of it's lands wa,
It es' Odr-to the fourth belonged the trans Allephan,
Counties, rated at the ftaDdard value ut IS. per acre,
FhIs standard probably lust and fair nj The time vine,