Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-02-06

that the minority should yield, Between individuals,
power does not make right but in governments a
majority though wrong must be considered right rs
there is superior tribunal revise ar controIil hCr
acts and hence the truth the position OF the gen
tlen,anlrn Frederick, that the right of the majority
to rule is nlainly derived from physical force
The gentleman from Powha'an (Mr. Old) SAYS
social copacts created for the protection oiper-
sons and Property"-truc but let examine what he
mlln'alus by this premise. He contents that boil,
should be represented because the rights o property
would be eoparlizcd by placing the supreme power
in the hands OF persons without remard to their
wealth lntFs state OF things ii is thought that every
species of property which did bcon. to the poor
would be cAorb'i"r'ly taXct:tlat the wealthy would
and mus. BECOME the slaves o. the poor. All admit
tl!:; N the abstract there is such thing perfect
G-n,ity q mean OF situations: vet we know that take,
Things they and the situation OF persons in re-
fcrcnce TO their minds, persons, and property, very
GJsSniiar. II is attempted to be proven that the tHu
latter Should be represented in convention, Mir.
Chairman by the power of the possesspr but in man
ncr peculiar III itself, ana that these interests il
seems must be at war with each other. Now sir If
there is perfect equality III them danger couId re-
suit ut least no direct danger, to the rights OF either.
But rs we have eeen, that exist. We ar,
then brought to make choice which shall he SACRIFICED
admitting the arguments of gentlemen to shew that
sacrifice must take place. to he correct; will any
gentleman in this body hesitate moments Is not the
liberty Of the citizens of superativc consequence If
lii these two conflicting interests one or the other
must predominant, surely it mus: be that which ot-
taches to pcrsoNs. Do you wish to give greater con-
vcrSal homage which it receives is the best Guarantee
Tor ts protection. We find ourselves unconsciously
guided by Its influence and bowling in submission to
its authority. Gentlemen have mistaken IN incident
n result Tor an intended constitutional provision when
they suppose, that the farmers of government
sought Unconstitutional weight property Give ME
n sufficient quantity, and would 90 into any county
III the state and be able by my influence to return
member to on this floor This is a dsa rreea-
bic fact. hat none who have mingled much in the eo,-
Germs OF this world will deny it. in that the
power is not vested IN the property holder the fear
Is entertained that he will be oppressed. In this
consideration lose sight of what must ever
constitute the safety and the justice of n republic
the virtue and intelligence Of the people. If we arc
afraid to trust that, must to believe in the
pernancncc of our institutions Take on the other
side Legislature composed of wealthy aristocrats
and then will the gentleman from Powhatan UNDER
take TO say there is no danger from unjust exercise
OF power. 1t would be far from strange if their c.
nactmens of such character to be oppressive
to the poor. But if the convention was composed of
individuals of this kind, 1t is not improbable TO slspect
that they would by the provisions oftheir constitution
exclude from n seat in this body every citizen who
does not possess real personal estate Of three five
ten thousand dollars Villa: becomes of our dcnoc-
raCy then?
regret exceedingly Mr. Chirman that the modes
ty Of The gentleman from Allegheny who moved this
amendment, has prevented him from giving some rea-
son !orits adoption am sorry to find that the mover
OF proposition so obnoxious to fair principles has de-
cned fayourng lis with al argument support of his
Plan Of representation upon the county basis, plan
so ahorrcnt to my feelings, and my notions of ius-
tee, that nothing can ever induce to accept it
L ne mover has Unconventional champion i'll the Gen-
tiCmun from northampton, who has stood firm and
last III its defence. When we say we will not tnle
the amendment or the bill reported by the comnlittec
and by way of illustration alluic sphysical force"
we are informed our language contains menace and
threats. Il is no such thing. We were told some DAYS
ago by declamatory member, who had, he stated
cleaned many things in his prnnIIscuous reading
that familiar SMILES were the best excmpfcations of
rom lnTt amy flcl
not say that gentleman,) person, by TIE nose and
wiring it, and an respectfully informed if do not
rrGnquish my hold he Will become pugnacious; would
this be termed unustifabc menacirp? Al we v.ani
or all W. as; Is that brethren should loose
their hold upon us They are aggrcssors, we want
justice our demand hope is not made III an ntenpc-
rate manner. Some think we ought to be refused
because have told exactly y hat we want
1t has been repeated oiten that have no doubt
some have become very tired of the words; it is 10
"equazc representations satis3ctioni III evcry thing
else will be Incidental to this. Are gentlemen aware
of what they are about when they contend here for
Tie county basis? Have western members; seen
fully what they are about They have made an III
congruOus alliance with the little tidc-watcr counties
to effect thelr object Perhaps do the feelings of
the gentleman from Northampton Injustice by suppo-
sing tie western counties have gone over by first I'M
pulse: he may be entitled to credit for rcrsuad-
Ing them TO come over. lie thinks he has held out
strong temptations TO all the he has exhausted
defamation in numbering his various acts of liberality
towards them he has been eloquent i'll maxine prom
Uses Of ''gbod things in future. lie has held the
Eastern Shore the arhitcr in nil the differences
which can in the policy of the State Does he
mean to offer brbe direct in saying tic west shall
have the fund for Internal improvements The temp
taon To accept his offer is however much lessencd bv
the conditions with which he accompanies it: He
says for all "leghaetc pgrposcs' he will vote for an
appropriation of money from this find. Docs he
mean by this to indicate that it has been his habit
heretofore to do otherwise, that there is a probal
ty that he will in future Withhold lis consent to an
propriate money TO effect legitimate objects of i'm
provcment? The propricy OF that scntlcnan's future
Course Is surely not To- be purchased secured upon
the condition of the vests going with him in the
county scheme. Let me tell gentlemen that their
course will subject them to suspicion. Ii viii be
said they were actuatcd by too great an indulgence
in future prospects of political Advancement hope
gentlemen will not permit this admoniiory remark to
icft fl,,y ,l- I,-, 1.