Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-02-12
VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE.
DEBATE ON THE CONVENTION.
IIR. ALLEN, of Preston, rose and said

MR. ALLEN, OF Preston, rose and said
MIR. SPEAKER Nothing but the principle OF
seli-defence could impel me TO take the floor on
this occasion, amidst the lucid discussions with
which the House has been favoured; but this prin-
cipe that runs through all the animal kingdom,
teven to the vilest reptile that is induced TO turn
when trod upon, is power ful for resistance
trust that for the obtrusion of my remarks upon
this House a sufficient warrant is given when il is
recolected, that represent one of those unfortu-
mate bdnfings, that has its place in spur of the
Allegheny mountain-whose location is so partic-
ularly contemplate in the eyes Of the gentleman
irom Harrison, (hir. Wiams,) and said in this
House to be recreant at home, and a supPhcant a.
broad: Thus becoming fair game for the bellige.
rant parties, whose sangninary shafts have left
, bleeding at every pore; and whilst would say 10
the gentlemen from Brooke, (Mr. Doddridge,) that
d'sclam ingratitude to the old stock from which
we were taken, would say TO the gentleman from
Northampton, (Mr. Parker,) that disclaim the
Character OF sturdy supplicant, taken into favor
upon the condition that will become game: toicI,
prepared with spurs, to strike TO the vitals Of my
Western Brethren.
came here, MIR. Speaker, with determination
10 iinpart to the larger counties representation
IN Convention, according to their free white popu
Iation, upon the consideration that the smaller
counties should retain unimpared, the representa-
tive weight to which they would be justly en-
tied, without losing itself asia drop in the great food
| That the small counties do possess political
weigh,to which they not justly entitled. have
never doubted, nor do l yet doubt, and that they
should still retain il in Convention, conceive to
be an unwarranted retention of a right, belonging
properly to others; but, that the ungraduated Sen.
atorial District Plan, and thai OF County gradua-
ton, are inadequate 10 a removal Of the evil / am
wen prepared 10 say; and that, in the adoption Of
| the Senatorial District Plan ungraduated, or that
OF the County graduation, ciassed by the gen.
teman from b. coke, (Mr ID y (aIl printed and put
into our hands for raion-w therefore, take
1t Tor granted, have right 10 discuss them col
lateraliyO while you relieve on the one hand, you
| Cypress on the other.
Ict ha Co
gentleman from Fairfax, (AIr. Fitzhugh,) giving
TO each District 5 Delegates, better than the Coun-
~ Representation? BY it, that part Of the State
West OF the Blue Ridge, would have As Dele
ton oil strength to the West; yet, as an induce.
ment to us, the large county gentlemen say let us
support IT. ami the principle is gained. What
principles gained? They answer, the principle
ton, and yet they yield the increase of population
for lS years What is this for-beca,lse there is
no later census? No. There was census taken
only years since. Then, what is the reason il
Is yielded! Twill tell you, Mr.. Speaker 1t is
to appease the slave-holding counties, and to en-
list them into plan, that but for this relinqush-
men they would spurD; and, in after time, the
Federal Number Representation will be insisted
upon, with much better grace, than il now is
when coupled with the recollection, that we of the
West yielded Is years increase Of population in
consideration, that the East would be quiet about
their slaves.
thought, Mr.. Speaker, when in Committee Of
the Whole, the County Plan supplanted the Cen
gressonal District Bill; that the great enemy had
fallen-but now find ec,ion of him in
the Senatorial District Plan, based upon the CEN
sus of 1910. We have scotched The snake; not
kiIledit' 1T is the same thing, by diiie en-,
name.
The advocates of this latter proposition, talk Sc
riously OF principle, when some and tn nix ma.
iJority oil the Western large county gentlemen sat
tqiietiy in their seats, while the work OF death
was going on in Committee Of the Whole; and
thereby, gave negative vote in favor OF the Con-
gressioal District BIZ in single handed struggle
between it and the County Bill-one a represen-
tatIon by JedeTai numbers, (Which, q few DAYS
since, was particua Iy odious to some Of the same
gentlemen, insomucb that they were heard 10 saw
They would never mingle with or sit by .be
side OF Slaves, OF the Re,rese natives of Slaves ~
| and the other entirely free flom this objection
| Yet, we see these same gentlemen, then so pas
sve and indifferent, now seeking TO make allies of
these small neighboriDg counties, to whose inter-
ssts they we're so indifferent, and whose very ex-
istence they were willing to annihilate, by these
! sable, ew- born constituents.
| We have been told, and very truly too, that
there is an identity of interest beyond the hills;
and, II there is not an exact distribution Of power
among the several counties, it will make but little
difference, as an additional power is gained-tbat
we shall not then ask in vain for funds 10 carry
on our works for Internal Improvement Yet in
the strife Tor such object, for such purpose we
lind uniting that one Of the East, which con.
tains the maser-spirii OF opposition for every APP
preparation Tor the prosecution OF works, Of IVES
tern Internal improvement, q mean the county
( OF Spotsylvania, which, ii will be remembered
IS pretty stable one) which convinces me that
the most heterogeneous bodies will sometimes
unite Tor common purpose, and especially when
that purpose, like this, IS the acquisition OF COVER
And alter all this, the small counties alone are
charged OF striking up courtsbip for the purpose
OF more ehectualiy clnging TO unjust power but
do not those who say so, make themselves victims
to their own remarks' Yes-i would, if the par
ties 10 the nuptials would not take il in dutgeoD,
say oil the union just named, that here had b. en-
sparkling, cooling, billing and courting" and that
too, between "rare birds" Mr.. Speaker, what
alliance could be more unnatural than that OF
Spottsylvania with any western county, There
was not such coincidence OF sentiment the other
day, when the appropriation Of a SUN Of money
| was asked Tor the construction Of the Winchester
and Parkersburg Turnpike Road; nor when a like
| favor was asked for an extension Of the KaDawha
Road-and am induced 10 think, that 1t will not
remain longer than the time when the latter sub.
lJect shall be again brought before the House ION
Tomorrow on the final passage of the bill.--and
as though the of surprise was not vet full
we have 10 recollect that we have got this county
as an ally in struggle for western power against
| the east.
But when the matter is sufficiently scanned we
6nd there is acquisition Of western strength he
this disulct mode oil representation, over that of
county repteseniahon--the latter is as 40 In 60.
the former is as 10 TO 10. which gives about the
same relative strength; In either case there s mn,
the dnerence oil one delega,s-so that as The f,c
does not exist, the conclusions drawn from II can
not shall, therefore, leave them IN perish n.
gether, and pass on 10 notice the classi cation prn
posed by The gentleman from q. (Mr Doddridgcg
before proceed 10 notice IL, however, / beg
iedve 70 say one word to those who have been ST.