Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-03-20
DEBATE ON TIE CONVENTION.
MIR. DRAPER's sPEECH-ia The sena.e.
CONCLUDED.

ior TIC support OF government, more than
twenty times much other counties; that if
called ion to send forth their citizens repe, in
vadng foe sent more than twenty of their citizens to
give battle by the side of from of the other
c9inties this far, they, couaties, equal
but as men they equal bnt when they come to
count political weight, then the counties stood as
equal, aud the men unequal twenty to
one this was not regarded by them as just it an
infringement of the spirit of the bill of rights, that
looks to equality. The people, therefore in demand
ing COW ntion, have shown willingness to recti-
~ thus inequality; why then shall we So frame this
bill as not to accomplish their desire? it must be be-
cause minority OF the people have representa-
tives here than the minority have, and this mi
fority still wish to cling TO power.
&c has every where been urged that the whole
population Is not the true basis of representation; and
the reason assigned Isl that the western people would
impose undue burtlcns the Stare property of the
cast; therefore white citizens are not to De conn
ted according to their numbers in other words, you
wish to weigh your staUes in the balance arainst
our free men Mr.. Speaker, this is what ace cannot
sujmtH to- why shall you be afraid TO trust us with
equal power, and at the same time require to re-
yam power In your hands which enables you to man
hg"oH Ives, property, liberty? the slave property
h'tn ut fupres cntcd then why have all property
represented? the herds of the west as we'll as the
ave OF the east? do you not possess the power of
o.yhS an the taxes Tor the support of government
our cattle (which have heretofore been taXed0 our
morse s. hog &C. and exempt your slaves entirely from
Caxation Gentlemen smile as much as to saw we have
never heretofore done it, ! say sir. we of the west
'mng like undue burthens your slaves our notions
apout taxation are these, that all taxation ought to
10 DC Us nearly practicable in proportion to the
Who'e value or property OF every description, real
personal, and mixed; it ought to be SO because the
protection afforded by government to our persons is
cQual to the poor well the rich and pro
lection which government affords to our property
ought to pay IN proportion to tile extent of the
protecton, viz In proportion to its values the poor
mans mite is as dear to him. as the rich mans all:
therefore the poor will cheerfully contribute for the
protection of his little, according to it's value as the
I!eh man does for his superabundance according to
us Va!ue as to personal projections the poor man rem
ders equal personal services with the rich; therefore
81 hat respect ne has as high claims the protec.
tioh OF his personal rights, withou. pay as the rich
nan can nave; these SIR, are my sentiments IN rela
ton to taxation, and have never heard different
sentiment expressed by a western man. ii we were
now In convention lii order to quiet your apprehen-
stons we would willingly incorporate in the constt
ION guaranty that neither your slaves or any other
species OF your property Should not be improperly
saXcu. Sir, on any scale of representation YOU will
hId in your own hands the power ofincorporatnp
S!ch guaranty, and my word 70 it, the western
members will unite with you in adopting il: VIC are
Il trust, Yes know it are too honest to wish to
SsHe your property for use.--I had hor.d
1Hf Speaker that in this body at least cal,nness
anu temperance would prevail in debate. and
tiaI hoing inenacing would be thrown ont, but we
nave seen elsewhere much angry discussions and II /
Grcat deal was said about ytyScoH force which has
Dcen uTs5ct s' ..G"Son WHY majority In rcpui-
why majority has right to rule is very d fercnt
lconsider that utrte, honesty nl,2 confidence arc the
great isaments of all free institutions; suDnee.np
TINS to TO be the case, each composlgthis con-
muplty, Is supposed to be actuatc by honest motives
Ito this there will always be exceptions from the fal
ldn nature of man, but these exceptions are mover sup
posed apply oamajority therefore aswc are bound
t0 presume u to be honest in his opinions where a |
diversity OF opinion arises, the presumption is isrt
lte opinions Of Tie nnyorHy are right. AMI hence
The duty of the minority to obey the express will of
the majority: you may rely il Mr.. Speaker that
Whenever this virtue and this confidence ceases to
eXsk among that will fast approach that state
III which will not be qualified i5r the enjoyment
of rational liberty. Sir, when this confidence 81 this
virtue ceases, factions will arise ambitious men will
head those factions, strife will cusc, force must then
he substituted for confidence and virtue. and dcspo
tlsm will follow in the sequel. May that day never
arrive IN this land, because fit does tie temple of
liberty Will be shaken to its centre. am, therefore,
and all western Virginia are, willing TO have conf
dence in eastern brethren; we look to the whole
OF Virginia without drawing geographical dstinc
lions, as our own common country, and to all other
citizens as one band OF trecfaen; all we ask on our
part Is to be regarded as equally R0ucsf rs cuuav
tree, as equally trust eOo1thy-Mr Speaker ha We we
gwen no evidence of our devoted attachment tn
the whole of the commonwealth? do we net as cheer
lniy Contribute, to the extent OF means TO f|r
support OF government, any other po-. ION Of ,o
Slate! Sir, have we not given yet stronger cven-
Ccs! Secure beyond our mountains. we deiy the an
proach of any foe, yet the plains OF Nors0! ybitonnd
With the bones OF western men, siicw the alucritv
VIII which the SONS OF tIG5C mountain rcr,,s ohnv
their countrps call to aid i'll defending the homes Of
their eastern brethren from the destruction Of an I'M
feeling yet powerful invading army and navy Recall
10 your recollection September 1914 when tic Can
ol Of the Union Ill flames. her arty bet on, md
the officers of the federal government Dispersed
when the same enemy was almost ho,pIy expected
i'll this -tropois when this Capitol was expected
20 share the same fate with thatat Washington with
what alacrlty sir, did the Of the wet armed
With their deadly rifles, obey the proclamation of tho
hen Governor, and fly from tic extreme parts
ithe State TO this place. Was this Mr.. Speaker
What! pay Tor lis Tic! they were actuatcd by
uober considerations. But many OF these latter per
sons never did receive any pay. Do gentlemen for
moment believe, that the ptful sum of So n month
induced those men to leave their families with ali the
comforts of hope ia land OF health to risk their
ives on the scn-board where dseqsc was more DANCE