Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-02-27

he deemed his duty to resist any thing like inequality
here, and much more, such gross inequality I
as that contained III the gentleman's amendment.
he said all governments embracing any kind of
wealth III the composition of representation, have
tendency to concentrate in the hands Of few, suf
tclency oil power, to WELD the whole political ma
chine OF the State and those based wholly upon ter
ritorial representation without Just regard to the
equality OF the people, have tendency to perpetu-
ate and increase inequalities, and in the end, to
pace power IN the hands ofthe few to controle the
liberty OF the many. Why then adopt such
system OF territorial representation III Convention
why do gentlemen offer such unequal terms here,
and pretend to say. they go into Convention to equa
he the government? Let us at least, sta. fairly
WIN them. They cannot expect the people to sub
nut, TO articles Of government to which they cannot
give their assent, III Convention, b, their representa-
tives equally chosen among them. IL is we'll recog-
nzed doctrine, that number of free persons, or n
community, meeting together to consult the for
natlen of new government, not all bound by the
determination OF the majority. unless IN the very
ception OF the business they all first agree, that
jorify shall bind them. And if the minority, not be-
ing bound, shall refuse to submit they have ripf
peaceaby to leave the majority 81 act for themselves
But II the majority shall ultimately compel them to
submit to their system, iii then, no more cues
tlon oil compact or agreement, but one of power He
said the convention ought to be called with view to-
and under the influence of these fundamental laws;
and that the organization ought to be adc on the
same elementary principles, as fsociety, far as
the natural rights and freedom of the free white peo-
pie are concerned, may he affected, We're tssol-
we'd into its original clements. That we should view
ourselves as standing, singy and equally, and Who'll
independent, without any thing to control us,
cept that living under the existing government, re-
cognizng Its necessity. and attempting to chance its
! form, must be construed an acknowledgment. of
the right OF the majority to make the change, and
consequently, the unqucsonabie right of the peo-
pie to equal representation in effectng it. Then let
us act as meeting trethcr, to effect the most per-
feet equality III Convention and produce the greatest
harmony among the people, and we shall secure to
ourselves, and our country, system Of government
that VIII not fail to produce happiness and prosperity
| TO the community.
Mr.. NJ said that, gentlemen from the middle
section OF the State, who DESTROYS of obtaining
fair distribution OF power among the people, could
never have effected a convention, but for the exer-
I tons OF the western counties 4 large majority of
the people of the lower counties were decidedly
against any chunge in the present system of govern
nent, and therefore, the members from that middle
section ought rot to oppose efforts for equality
Misrepresentation in the convention. They have pow
er now, to do justice to ALL g. surely they ought not to
do injustice TO their friends. Under any arrange
ment, the Eastern people will have q majority in
convention; and in amending the constitutions may
| lay upon the Western people, any conditions they
may think proper, but this is the time to attemp
IT, II we concede principles, before we begin the
TASK OF reform, what may not be required to con-
cede, before 1t is finished, We however believe If
we commence upon fair and equal footing in conven-
ton, that unequal terms will net be required Of
me W estern people are not ignorant of their num-
their brethren of the East and wish to do Justice 10
all men, yet when they told, that they are to be
treated hike step children, and denied the Justice
SheWn 70 other sections Of the State they would at
least say that they prefer remaining as they arc un
equal from their natural increase, than to submit to
an acknowledgement that they are not entitled TO
equal representation lii the convention or in the flu
ture government. And he deemed it his duty. in tho
name OF his constituents in the of liberty So
! ienny TO protest agant going into convention upon
any other, than terms of strict equality.
MIR. III said, he would make few remarks in 70
lation to the mode of election as proposed Nv the
Dill, aad the amendment Of the gentleman from
Orange and ofhis amendment. 1t was we'll
known fact that, the main cause Of our present Iecs
latIve deIberatons has grown out of the existing in
equality Of the representation in the lepisafrre
II has been commended and maintained that minor
ny OF the people have majority of the representa-
tlon III that body and of course it follows that they
have the power to negative if they please the will Of
the majority, however important that may be to the
State.
The amendment of the gentleman from ORANGE
may transfer this power from one portion of the com
nunItyto another, and give to the latter portion.
the very undue power of which if had con,nIa;nod
when in the hands Of its former posscssors 'I,I,;s
may be the effect of the district systems,ch t Ioae,
will be its inevitable tendency.
The great question before the people, is between
the large and small counties so far as relates 70 ro
resentation, and the main object of reform on tbpt
subject is to equallZe their power and Influence IN tbo
Legislature When you cali upon the neonIe by do
trcts to vote for representatives to go into Convcn
ton, what do you say? "Now is your time, let tho
large counties in each district exert themselves and
enter into combinations against the small counties
and IN nine out of ten, the DELEGATES Vii L
elected from the large counties by plurality ofyntes
aud oftener than otherwise by a minority of the
people so that those vino complain of inequality
IN misrepresentation, may and doubtless will secure
10 themselves the whole power in their o,,,n bonds
Do not the large counties now complain Of the undue
power ofthe smaller ones? Will they not now more
certainly than in any other election exert their whole
energies with view to correct the evil Of which thew
complaint And in fact will they not in every district
grasp at the whole power Ifso the small connties
will nave iust cause of complaint against the larre
ones and such an excited canvass might defeat the
whole labour of the Convention. Mr. IT. insisted
that it was high moral duty in this BODY TO see that
the people shall be fairly well as equally represen