Virginia advocate. [volume] (Charlottesville, Va.) 1827-1860, 1829-11-20
THE. ADVOCATE.
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 90, 1899.
THE CONVENTION.

THE CONVENTION.
From week TO week this Body is increasing
interest which, from the commencement of
session, has made it the object of universal
fraction, throughout the State. The impor-
Mt question of the basis of Representation,
hch yet occupies the discussion of the Con-
ntion is, especially Of absorbing interest and
ershadowing magnitude. 1t calls forth al
talent, and arouses, too deeply we fear, fol
br peace, the passions of the members. There
indeed appeared much less of temper on the
,or Of the house than might have been antici.
tied from the character of the subject; but
e arc informed that beyond the walls of tho
hpitol incorporate mcnaces are thrown out and
ninous forcbodings entertained. The object
the former relates to division of the State
Id the apprehensions of the latter seem TO
emble least these menaces should effect it,
or ourselves we have no such fear The dis
lssion may elicit much unpleasant feeling,
rd imbitter the resentmcnts which it is calcu-
ted to excite, but they will gradually wear a.
tay, and yield to conviction Of mutual inter-
Bis and reciprocal dependence which, although
OF in all respects, perfect and entire, are too
auablc to be sacrificed. The feeling too of
toumon tic of Brotherhood and affection which
as SO long united the two divisions of the State,
Hill in little while, come in aid of these con-
Ederations, and save us from that almost the
dpst and worst of calamitles which can befall u.s.
b separation of our ancient and venerable Com
blonwealth. We say almost the worst of the
kalamties that can beiall us, for we can ina
! zine even worse calamitics than that.
We have said that the question of the basis
be representation is one of absorbing interest
4 nd Ooershadoaoing magnitude. This charac.
Ter does not belong to it solely the floor of the
Convention. The people are beginning to un-
lersand its true character more thoroughly
han hitherto they have done, to feel It's inter-
|st to their very hearts core, and TO grapple
With its magnitude. Throughout this district
specially, we understand they are awakening
md getting into motion. We arc thoroughly
persuaded that the best interests of this district
It least, will be guarded and promote by basing
representation on ratio compounded oftaxat0n
Ind representation BY this alone in our view,
ian the rights of persons and property be equal
y and effectually guarded; and we trust that
he time is not yet come, in this commonwealth
rhen the language which asserts that thele are
lights of property, is to be regarded as absoete
recommending. The taxing power is among
'ie!most important that can be committed to the
dictionaries of any government It's through
he unequal and unjust exercise of this power
hal, in government constituted as ours, OPP
resson and injustice are brought to act upon
lie people. 1t is therefore nothing but sheer
nstice that property, from which alone the rev.
nues of the state to be derived, on which,
$ on foundation, the social pyramid is erected.
hou!d be protected from unjust and unequal
urdens; that paying nearly all the taxes it
hould not be excluded from all share i'm their
IMPOSITION. This is indeed the sum total of
hat those who contend for what is called the
ompound basis claim for it, And this has been
randed as the claim of an aristocracy. Ger.
liny those who resort to this accusation either
o not understand the meaning of the term thew
sc, or they hope to impose upon an ignorance
'hich they presume in the people, by m appli.
alton OF this odious epithct to their opponents.
We trust it will be understood BY the peopl.
hat they will refuse TO become the dunes of
his stale ind shallow trick. That they will not
uffer themselves to be frightened from the
ssertion of their dearest rights and interests
y this . rawhcad and bloody bones'
We ask the people carefully to peruse and re-
ect on the statements contained in the article
Which we this day lay before them from a Z" Mid
tc District man," and ask themselves if the
lain set up. for protection against exactions
which can have no limit but the sense of Justice
nd moderation Of those who impose them
When The suggestions of interest and the PROMPT
less OF unchecked power, urge them beyond
very limit save our ability to pay, whether a
lain like this be claim of Arstocracy When
VIC ask did the indictments Of power and inter-
st unite TO stimulate the eyactions of anv peo-
nc and they were disobeyed? We challenge
ne annals Of mankind (and our opponents are
earned mem to produce a.single example in the
negative CT the question. The truth is the only
rue question involved in the discussion. blink
N as 1t may be, is whether the people beyond
be mountain shall have the power of filing the
pnnge at pleasure i'll the eastern division of the
tate, and squeezing it in The west' And il is a
question Tor the people Of this district to an
wer.
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