Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-02-19

II reStet eNcssuingiy, ar Cnaruzns that the
nodes:y Of the gentleman from ALLEGHENY, wloy
moved this amendment, has prevented him from
giving some reason for its adoption. am sorry to
Ind that the mover OF n proposition, 50 obnoxious
to fair principles, has declined avouring US With
an argument in support Of his plan Of represents
ton upon the county basis-a plan so abhorren' to
my feelings, and my notions OF Justice that nothing
can ever induce me 10 accept it.-Tho mover has,
however, found cha. pion in the gentleman from
Northampton, who has stood firm and fast In its
defence. When we say we will not take the a
mendmeut or the bill reported by the committee, !
and by way OF illustration allude to "physical
force" we are informed our language contains
menace and threats. 1t is no such thing. We
were told some days ago by decamatory MEM
Der, who had, he stated, "gleaned many things
In has promscuous reading" that familiar smiles
were the best eEempli6cations Of argument. Pur-
suing the hint, suppose take Il will not say that
gentfeman,) person by the nose and wiring il,
and am respectfully informed, IL Go not relin-
quish my hold. he will become pugnacous; would
this be termed unjustfiable menacing. All we
want, or all we ask is, that eastern brethren
should loose their hold upon us. They are ag-
gressors, we want Justice: our demand, hope, is
not made in an Incorporate manner Some think
we ought to be refused because we have never
told exactly what ne want. 1t has been repeated
SO often, that have no doubt some have become
very tired OF the worGs it is to s'equalize repre-
sentation satisfaction in every thing else will be
incidental to This. Are gentlemen aware Of what
they are about when they contend here for the
county basis! Have western members seen fully
what they are about They have made an incon-
gruous alliance with the little tide water counties
to effect their obect.-Perhaps I do the feelings
OF the gentleman from Northampton injustice by
surprising the western counties have gone over by
hrs' impulse; he may be entitled to some credit for
persuading them to come over He thinks he
has held out strong temptations to all the west: he
has exhausted defamation in numbering his vari-
Gus acts OF Hberality towards them; he has be. n
eloquent i'm making promises of 'geod things" in
in future. He has held the Eastern Shore as the
arbiter in all the differences which occur in
the policy Of the State. Does he mean to offer al
bride direct, saying the west shall have the fund
tor Internal improvement The temptation 10
accept his offer Isl however. much iessrned by the
conditions with which he accompanies it. He
says, for all "fegit.nafc purposes" he will vote
TOR an appropriation OF money from this fund. Does
he mean by this TO indicate that il has been his ha
bit heretofore to do otherwise, or that there is
probability that he will in future withhold his
sent to appropriate money 10 effect legitimate OBJ
Jects OF Improvement? The propriety of that gen.
ueman's future course is surely not to be purchas
ed, or secured upon the condition Of the VESTS
going with him in the county scheme. Let me
tell gentlemen that their course will subject hem
to suspicion. 1t will be said they were actua-
ted by too great an indulgence in future pros
poets OF political advancement. 1 hope gentle
men viii not permit this admoniory remark to
disturb the wounds they have received ia this
contest, uor, on previous day, they seemed to be
wlncing under the observations Of the gentleman
from Brooke and Frederick:) they are not yet CT
catrized, and will no, expose them TO observa-
ton. Attic the idea, that gentlemen are looking
prospecdveiy, may be superinduced by their
course, tor my own part L think them above
picion. But, how it could be necessary for the
gentleman from Northampton, to contrast the pow
erty of the West with the wealth of the East in
his argument in favour OF the County Plan. he has
failed to inform us. 1 shall not deem il of suffi-
cient Importance 10 merit an enquiry. They
poor but they are high-rninded and patriotic. Is
iair or is thonorable to make our situation the
theme Tor jest'-We live in a new country, with
few local advantsges.-it is but SO years since the
indians were driven from il. We have ever been
treated by the East as border province, and not
as a member OF one great state. Our wants, our
wishes, and our claims upon your protection and
assistance, have been uniformly disregarded. We
have not had the advantages OF 200 years growth.
The face OF our country is not like the favored
land oil Northampton, which is gravelled by the
surges OF the Ocean, where are told carriages
are abundant, and riding is pleasant.-I can tell
the gentleman, 1t IL were attempted IN our region,
he would soon find himself capsized. have in
vain sought for an apology, for those who have in
duiged IN observations upon the poverty of the
West. Poor as they are, they would be ashamed
OF avowing such doctrines as we have heard adj
vanced. on this floor Their principles commen-
surae with the State. and fixed as the hills they
live among.
We have heard much. Mr.. Chairman, abou,
ompromise-compyomise Of what? lsit expect.
ed We have come here to cheaper the rights OF the
people! Are all these invitations held out for the
purpose OF bargaining for privileges Is it for
this we are told our roads shall be made, our brid.
ges built. and our section improved! Poor as we
are, we scoTn the oer and tell those who made il,
to return to their homes and publish TO their peo-
Pile, that they have here contended for power,
which did not righifuliy belong to them; that they
have failed In the attempt to gull the West by the
offer OF bribe-and then who will first s.feef
shame. Yes. sir, we can never compromise our
principles. Policy may be compromised, expedi-
ency may be dependent for for its force upon local
ity-but principles have TO time or place; they
are eternal and the same every where Let US
then not look to that map as the representation OF
State, having in its parts, separate interests; con-
tanning counties with principles and feelings, as
variant as the colors that mark their boundaries;
but let us look at it as one pure uncoloured sheet
embiematical OF the uniformity, views and inter
ests-not suffering an observer TO believe our doe
trines depend upon The county we represent; and
because we come from little county, feel our
selves justified 10 voting for the amendment. Once
establish the principle, that free white people,
without regard TO property is the only just basis
OF power, and the day is not far distant, when ev-
cry small county in the West, from the rapid in.
crease OF that section, will, from their numbers,
be entitled to that weight, which they now seek
so unreasonably to retain: some OF them situated
in the spurs Of the Allegheny mountain. have
dull prospect 10 Increase--butdd come from one,
having only 20 souls, [ would not be found de.
serting the plain and liberia! views OF the Conyen-
ton party.
We have heard it urged, in favor OF the con-
gressional basis, that it gave the West as many
members in Convention, the senatorial districts
as at present organized; and Of the county plan ;,
that it gave the region West Of the Allegheny
more than the senatorial division. If this is ali true
.,n,, fnf,,o Il r. Al