Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-11-26

~ insist that the non of Virg MIA have bee
politically wronged, and that they now. Permit
me, since we are boldly called upon TO point out soita
ry instance Of misrue, a few simply by way OF
example, Some Of them will demonstrate the injustice
done TO those who do not vote all Of them manifest the
unsound policy Of the representatives of those who do
Thi- is an invidious task l enter upon il with no
feelings other than those of regret and pain Profess
sions are OF little n'e will proceed with the argu-
ment In Hening's Statutes at large, vol. g. p 439,
and in thu same book 532. may b. found two Acts
OF Legislation which will serve to exemplify, in a live
ly manner, the idea which advance. l will no'ice,
briefly, the last provides that all the people Of the
country shall perform the atduous aud psriious military
duties incident 10 their circum.ances except certain
official dgnitaries and owners Of four sidres The Of
fetal characters compelled 10 furnish and
equipments substitute for their personal services but
the overseer OF the opnsnt was nsi her coinpled
To light nor to pay BY the Act OF 1854 to he found
43S, two Justices might cause to be Sc xsd any man
rants indebted or bought, have him dragged before
them, and finally decide TO consen him to all the
hazards and suferings of IL this right in the
general why except voters, or, in other words, free
hoideT1 Why except servants, the property Of these
freehofders? Can any man believe so gross discrim-
nation would have been made if these rcehod-rs had
not held all the power, and the remainder OF society
been prescribed caste? This example il not the less
art or Illustrative because il occurred under the colo
NAL government.
Is not every gentleman somewhat struck with the
fact, that the long denial of justice to thousand, Of c
zens, is itself evidence OF mi.ruIc.
The manner Of working the roads Of Virginia is little
short Of the odous Of France. IL has two
slaves, he /. exempt from the imposition, while his poor
neighbor, with all his sons, liable to it. Imagine
wealthy man. often the in the county where l re-
side, to have large crop carry 10 market and fam
~ Tor whose accommodation good roads cssehial;
this Individual has six negro men, his poor neghhor has
ak sons, who, geh.r with their father, earn their da.
y bread bv their daily labor This man. with his six
sons obliged to work upon the roads along side Of the
six slaves of his wealthy neghbSr. The poor man, in
the interim, never uses the road.
The entire county and parish leves raised by a
poll or capiiation tax In the county where reside,
this charge for the four years next succeeding the last
census, was $4,000. than whole contribution
to the revenue Of the State itself.
If poor man owes Is or $40, his creditor may, in
one month, sell under scire acas at auction, the bed
which his sick wife anguisbes and the that affords
aliment TO his children Nothing is spared.Until with
in a few years, might large landed estates
valuable stocks and unless he had per sona proper
ty, hi, creditor might SEIZE his person. and the
terpoed. and under the kindly facilities of the prison
rules, he might live like nabob. Even now, ifhe
chooses TO convert his prison into drawing room, he may
employ his income in riot and luxury. I submit il
this Committee, to that part of it, least who edo
eoncuvely assume that 10 be wise which has existed
long, these examples do not indicate TOO orcbly the
eSceponable spirit of legislation? aware, sir,
that am now addressing gentlemen elected by free
holders l appeal to their candor aud good sense,
and through them, 10 the liberal and dispassonae cu
Zens of Vrgina.
Sir ask il the state of the Judiciary OF the country
is not reproach to the Leesature' Truly, add tn.
- laws delay" to the proud mans con'umely."
will not enlarge this topic
What is the general condition OF the Commonwnal h?
commerce inferior to that Of the little Stite Rhoda
Island. agriculture LANG ushng. the mechanic arts
I'm state OF depression and hressness, and provision
made for the education of about eighth OF the chill.
drrn annually educated by the small State Of Connect
cut Yes, Sir, andthey not half so well educated.
AS for The development Of the natural OF
the State through the medium OF system of improve
ment the very mention of The subject is calculated to
inspire melancholy. What Sir, is your great Jane,
River Canal? Between one and two millions of dol
lars have been avshed it. in the course of forty
ar.-some thirty miles are completed and the pso
pie of the State provoked with this gross absurdty and
waste, look on the whole enterprise with disgust.
But, II there be Commonwealth on earth, where
the Right of Suffrage is fairly and nationally susceptible
OF most liberal enlargement, il is that of Virginia
Her people are habitnay steady in their conduct the
mass OF them are rejecting; and, libel them who NAV,
every man who really knows the state of society and is
willing 10 he just to it, will attest the truth of the de-
eiaraton that morality and virtue growing
u.s. who is no, struck with the temperance and sohr-
ETY. oil the rising generation, compared with that which
is passing away Vice and crime boldly affirm have
within ten years, rapidly dmini.hed individual indus
try and energy, are increasing Schools are multi
plying, and relg is dsng its genial influence over
sketched, rejoice with fal Joy; and while cheerful
w admit the virtue and stability OF the freeholders the
middle classes, rs they are termed, cannot yield my
judgment TO the dictum, which confines virtue 10 any
description of men. The gentleman and the cotta-er
TOO are pure. Yes, Sir, with individual exception all
deserve to share in The of the community
that rules the land of their BIRTH the theatre NJ their
joys and sorrows, that embosom. the ashes If their IA
Tiers and untes the hopes Of the children Of their az
fecons. The composition and circum.tance. of the
society Themselves, invite TO the Acknowledgement of the
people No large or populous cities sgate or corrupt
us few Foreigners are ntermxed with ~ our pursuits.
Tor the most part agriculture; an extensive t.rri'ory
sParsely peopled and respect for ORDER for the char
acer OF the Commonwealth eef anima'ing all class..
oil citizens. Such IL Virginia.; such the crial for
her statesmen and aw-givers. Are TO apprehend
rapine, disorder, Reorganization, from parrna and
generous course? Besides, than three Of the
inhabitants, comprehendng far the greater part of those
termed in European countries the rabbe, are slaves.
This single circumtance, is enough quiet all the
approximations Of gentlemen II he successfully
commended, that community, thus charact ,sed and
composed. IL not to he trusted 10 govern i,seIE that ito
powers must be conided TO the chosen few From tho
days OF Homer, to this day, 1t has been conceded that
TO ensave man, was Ia impair his worth; and TO
ciohe him with the privileges appropriate to his nature
elevated his sentiments.
Hit were questionable whether the reasoning I en-
ploy were just originally, still half the force Of the
Hcting argument is taken away by the fact, that no
other State in the Union retains the odous distinction
which combat. II the freehold suffrage existed in the
other states, the problem would ex't in all s force
and Interest; bu', when abandoned by tweniyhree
Sa'es. TO retain II here, were insufTerable The hum
bic citizen Of Virginia pass the confines Of Ma
fylsnd, Pennsylvania. Ohio, Kentucky, or Tennessee
without being tainted by lis neighbours with h4 vassal
condition. The bordercr on North Carolina heholds.
amids the most perfect social order and security tire
very free negro exercising that privilege whcls with
held from him. This is CALLING and most humilianng.
Let Hose who teel socitude, and who do-s not
Tor The future destiny of The State, inspect with
stdtesmans eye, its diversified population There are
Tour distinct cla''es-the ireeholder the nor freehold
er, the free negro and The slave. Parse, Mr. Chair.
man, and examine Ibis interesting subircl. M,v no.
occasions arise when the common veal will loudly call
Tor the united exeTtiOl, Of YOUR white popusIion? A