Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-12-15
VIRGINIA CONVENTION.
WrpNrsnAY. Nov. lI.


many from che polls, and require qualification IN
property, TO give the right of suffrage. This urgu-
mcnt IL founded nlmstake: We have never advocated
the power o numbers without distinction of persons:
oil that we hav. eDdeavored maintain is the equal
power OF those who share the sovereignty & the
scquent right oftheir majority The qualification of
~ terty which VIC require, tn give admission into
tins number - with view to give power TO proper
~, bat IL Hike the qualification OF age and
evidence only of fitness for the exercise of political
power. ifit intended TO give power to proper
". the richest and the poorest voter could
JOY the equal portions of power. If it were in
tended to give power to property, the richest
aud the poorest voter could not' enjoy equal
portions OF power. So far then as this illus
trGton is entitled to respect, the argument foun-
ded upon It turns IN favor of the equal right of every
voter without reference to property, in favor of the
simple basis of representations
Experience and precedent have been ap-
pcatcd to, and the learned gentleman from
Orange, (Mr. z. p Barbour1 had warned us of
the very just distinction between experience and ex-
perlment and giving us wise caution against the dan
gers OF the one, has prudenly commended us to the
guidance of the other. II hardly to have been
expected after this saluary lesson, that the gentle
man, To restrain his argument and enliphten the
path of our duty, would have looked for examples in
the twilight of Roman history. When we substitute
ior our own the experience OF other nations ami 9TH
ages, we should at least require that should come
to us well attcstcd by authentic history. But | am
wiling to allow 10 the argument all the aid IL can de-
rive, and avail myself Of all tire light that can iow
from the example referred TO. The centuries ard
tribes OF Rome the examples TO VIII CHI our atten-
tI'n mas been Called the former for making pre-
ccdcn of the representation of propcrty in q rcpub
&c The centuries, IL is true, IN which tho richest
class OF society represented, furnish Ia my mind
80 TAR as the dim light of my information enables
Tue To Judge, far illustration of the representation
OF property;-and ask whether this example AN tho
Roman government is seriously recommended to our
Imitation
Here Mr. BARDouR, IN explanation. said, that he |
hau referred L" the Roman republic furnishing an
example at one time Of the represen alton of property
alone by centurieS,-and at another time of the re-
presentation OF numbers alone, by tribes. He had
SAID that ne did not approve either of these extremes
he would prefer to combine them, as in the prapo-
s'tiHn of the gentleman from Culpeper.l
Inis explanation, Mr.. Chairman, does not vary
!hi view have taken of the subject, nor can
~ add force to the example which has been quoted.
The centuries and the tribes of Rome were not ex-
tremes OF arIstocracy and democracy of which the
Nonan people made experiment at different times
anu separately. They rested torei her and for aGes
iley were al the foundation of tie paricaH and pie
teian orders--orginated during the monarclly and
were continued in the Time Of the republic They
were the inspiring use of the angry dssentions be-
tween ine different orders oftle people the Grind
ing expressions of the poor and tn. lawlcss nro,d.
Apon the property OF the rich The power of the mo-
hsfch was necessary to balance the contending fac
tos anu restrain the dangerous excuses Of each;-
ana IN lew short years, less than twenty after the
expulsion OF the TarQuns and the destruction of the
monarchy, these led to tine appointment of
INC rSt DICTATOR the recession Of the people to the
sdSIeu mount, ana the flrSt petition
graredn law In the tribes tho people were not re-
presented but appeared in proper person to act their
part IN pubic affairs The scheme Of centuries and
'loes was designed to balance numbers and wealth
against each other but the history OF the republc aE
lords more OF warning against is mischefs than COM
nenuallon OF Its success. will not, however claim
the benefit OF this example and urge it as caution
the Danger OF giving representation TO proper
" I'D our republic. | know that our condition and I
that OF the Roman people essentially unlike our
representative repubicso radically different from their
mixture OF arlstocracy and democracy, that it is not
sale to reason from one to the other The Roman {
government, indeed, in the opinion Of Cicero its
greatest admlrer, and ablest indicator owed s chief
excellence TO ITS strong aristocratic character-a
merit TO which our government surely has claim.
~ Is utterly IN vain, MIR. Chairman, that our an
peal TO any Of the ancient republics for information to
guide Us. We know them all most imperfcctlv and
tle little VIC do know teaches only that they con
tain no instruction for us.
The modern European republics will sunuiy os u;
lie aId to our deliberations We should look in vain
10 Venice or Saint Marine, TO Holland or Switzerland
tJf the experience Of system like ours, operating
upon system like ours,or for information TO rllde
Us TO the best means of protecting the peculiar inter
ests which arise out Ofthe peculiar population of Vr-
gina How would IT avail us, for example to know
what causes preserved so long the little Italian re-
PuoBc, with few thousand inhabitants only on n
mountain top conrenEed and happy though poor safe
amidst surrounding nations, though without military
force, aud perfectly tranquil the operations of its
government though without the ordinary checks and
bnanccs?-or what would it profit US to inquire how
IL has happened that IN the small democratic cantons
The liberty of the people, with all the rights Of person
and property, were preserved for centuries though
every male citizen, above fifteen years OF ore was
A9mttod, m proper person. 20 share the Legislation
OF the country
Ja5t as little useful Information or salu,ery eorn
ing Is id[nlshed us on this queston by the experience
OIL the French republc--a government that was
tnlO"n up oy convulson from the abyss OF daspn-
t'sm iioated for few years on the wayos Of b.I,
ieNolu,loh' and sank again, they subsidized into
1ne OotlomieBS deep Such experience iplght tnari,
us tne uue[ unhncss of any people for government
" "" lS uey nave been wholly unuscd,-and the
great dangers which attend violent and srdao, 80
sItlons from one extreme to nnotner;--but none or
INC ak APles OF The European republics can asssT ns
~ uociulhg' whether IS wIsest Virginia 10 b,so
combination OF both. F'''''"
Inc britIsh House OF Commons hus been rc,orr,d
TO- for tue purpose OF showing thcintimate cou,r,,
between taxation ana reprrseniation-aud Of proylu,