Virginia advocate. [volume] (Charlottesville, Va.) 1827-1860, 1829-11-20

empire was travelling to the West-NIr. c. |,
compIimented the eloquent metaphysi-
clans of the East, who were so famous |
for splitting hairs. No wonder they had |
SO much advantage over the Western |.
Orotors, reposins as they did y, their ease.
with the slaves brushing of the flies from
their faces, while the Western members
were compelled TO pull of their coats,
and put their hands TO the plough.
MIR. G. deprecated the idea Jer,ermin-
ing power by wealth. Was it tn he borne,
that Robert Fulton, and Andrew Jackson,
aud Joseph Lancaster were not to the
| same footing with the rich men HE
detested the influence ct Mamnon.
He proceeded to examine position ia
ken by Mr.. Barbour, as to the maxim that
all men are free and equal. Mr.. G. paid
very high compliment, to the genins and
services of John Locke, who Essay on
federation, &c. had shaken to pieces
the tyranny OF Despotsm, over the souls
and bodies, and estates of all Europe.--It
was he who had first made the discovery
OF the equality of men and had given an
impulse to the liberties of these States.
He examined the question Of the rule
OF the majority-When men enter into
society, the minority are bound To acqui-
esce in the will Of the maJority-not tn
submit their whole soul body, and estate
to their will, but when the pubic good
required it. He asserted, that a state
OF nature was established 10y Historical re-
cords, and might at all events be ready
conceived to exist. Suppose, for instance,
this country was invaded, and some Of it
citizens fly to the West. A finds a bag
money aud retirest to the Rocky Noun
tains. Is goes thither with his wife ; G.
with his children ID with hls rifle f.
alone, ETC., They meet together, and
enter into society, for nation is nothing
but large family of individuals. The
first step they take is to adjust the Right
oil Suffrage Tor suffrage is nothing but
the expression o! the will of the indi.iIu-
ais. lie asked whether A with his bag
OF dollars, or with his rifle !; or G with
his children would have right t. a larger
share OF power OH this occasion. Mr.. G..
showed how untenable would he the pre-
tensions OF each OF the tAem founded upon
such considerations; and by species of
dramatic dialogue, he caused one TO reiiite
the claims of the other. f again might
urge, that he had nothing to bid in favour
OF his claims but he hal studied the lam
gnagc OF different tribes, and might be-
come the Interpreter of The nation Thus.
each person orcrthrowS the professions OF
every other until they all Gnaily settle
down to the personal prc,ensions and
equal rights of each-He examined
ais" the position of Mr.. Bar bour, that I'M
der the existing laws it seldom came to
pass that the majority does rn-that
frequently, the minority prepOndera,es in
The election OF members of the Legislature,
and OF the President of the United States ::
or as the last and strong case, that one
man on the jury can govern the eleven.
lie con'endeh that If any principle is to
ne founded OH these lacls, 1t would come
10 TINS, that society was continually tend
ing to oi'sarchy or monarcsy-lirsta DE-
cemHirate, then triurvirate, and finally
one, man Cesar.
| Having thus examined the passions OF
different gentlemen, he proceeded to sup.
port the propositions which nc himself had
'ald down. lie referred to the statistics
OF the State, to slew how the gain or loss
OF power More ineligible to gentlemen
than mere distractions would be affected
by the Report of the Legislative Commit
Tee, and by the amendment He Con-
tended, that two extremes Of the State
tine Iransmontane and Atlantic PORTIONS.
would lose according to his principles, 26
representatives out of the ratio Of pa
members and of these, the country be-
tween tide water and the Blue RIDGE.
would gain IL, and the Valley country
IA. He asked i'll whose hands could this
additional power be placed with more Sc
curIty than in the middle country, whose
situation and habits we're calculated to re-
move all fear from the two extreme dis
tricts. Both would be satisfied, that this
additional power should be transferred to
the hands Of that middle country.
lie was sorry to find gentlemen taking
1t tor granted, that there is no community
OF feeling between different parts of the
state. lie was sorry to see such doctrines
avowed, and such princi pies maintained,
as that men are governed by interest, pc
cuniary interest alone. What was the
condition OF this Commonwealth in 1914?
While your militia were engaded in local
patrols, who came to fight your mo, Sir,
our battles p? He had understood, that
at one time nearly 1900 citizens from
Shenandoah country alone had repaired
to the sea board for your defence-that
a company of volunteers from Culpeper
flew to the frontiers. and yet were not
more than three in the whole company.
who we're possessed Of the right of free
| hold. How then can IL be SAID that tbore
Is no community of interest throughout the
| citizens Of the State ?
Gentlemen have said, if the basis of
population and taxation be rejected, it will
scatter discomfort through the State But