Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-01-08


spurious delicacy. while engaged in the discussion
81 these momentous topics, to warn them of the |
dangers Which believe TO mpond
The indications Of determination by the ma
jority of the House Of Delegates to exercise pow
er and trainpe on right, unfortunately, too !
plain 10 be mistaken The formation of con
vention-ccminttee. composed OF member from
each Congressional District, was omen Of evil,
whose fuiilineDt is already in rapid progress
The Committee, IL is said, has determined TO re-
commend TO the house the equal re presentation Of
the actua, Congressional Districts, in convention
which ought on every principle ofright, 10 be
pcsed Of the representatives OF equal portions OF
The people OF Virginia. The prospective snuncia-
lion OF measure so fatal TO the best inter of
the cominonvS ealth, has directed all eyes towards
the minority In the House of Delegates. On their
hrInness and wis3om--on their uncomproInisng
devotion 10 the principles of free government
the hopes VI this generation rest. II they act well
their parts, they will receive III loud and cheer
ing paudi,s; II i'll, the deep aud nurmurei rurses
oloppresssd and dsir anchiscd thousands. History,
loo. viii record their deeds, whether honorable or
inglorious, aud viii rank them, in ornnt orro A.
mong the benefsctors of the human race, or the
describes from the sacred cause OF liber,y.I owe
no apology, and make none, for using language
so strong w hen odiouS, but tolerated, abuses
which sprung up in times of ignorance or disorder
are about 10 receive new and solemn sanction,
aud become law TO US and posterity il is the
right II Is the duty of every citizen to his best
Efforts TO excite to high action and noble purpose
guardians Of his rights
1t IA nay purpose, in the following pages, 10 sub
tTit 20 the consideration of those functioraties
hurried sketch Of those elementary principles of
government which ought, as / suppose, TO be held
sacred and inviolae in every appor the at Of po-
incai power. IL IS my further purpose 10 show,
by reerehce 70 those principles and 10 the ac;u-
al state OF the commonwealth, uiat the appor-
toninent recommended by the convention Com
mlttee Is hagrantiy unjust, ruinous in its practical
tendency, and one that ought not TO be submitted
10, under any circumstances, by the people of the
comparatively non-Slaveholding portion of the
commonwealth
If we would learn the elementary principles of
government, and solve the apparently difficult
problem what is the true measure of apportionnen
OF political power: we shall best attain our object
by narrowly inspecting the state and condition of
community, before that apnortionment is made
ana by learning, with it. the first lessons i'm poti
cal science. It the artificial institutions OF eoci
ETY., moulded and modified by fraud or accident,
or violence, That cover aud conceal from our view
nose Simple elementary truths in the science of
government, which, like the axioms of rnathemat-
icai science, lead us, by plain and obvious steps
10 The solution OF questions apparently the most
difficult. We must forget then, for moment
the eloquent dseourses which we continually hear
about the vested rights OF the countless the fitness
anu expediency, OIL just principles Of compromise.
OF an apporhonment according TO g federal mum.
oeTs, AMI all the other topics OF the day. & trans
port ourselves, III Imagination to distant age of
instant idi!l. ana become members OF
oil simple herdsIncn and hunters, assembled to form
a government for their infant community with
minds unsophiSticated and unwarpcd nv ingenious
theories or inv-teraie prejudccs, and with no
light TO guide them but the light Of reason.
The people OF this infant community have i welt
or years, or ages, in contiguous villages or ham
lets, united, In war, under occasional chiefsiD
out hving IN tranquil times, without any govern
inenf, in friendship with each other because they
are connected by the social feeling and bv blood
hpra tiNaxt
union and harmony essential 10 their protec-
lon against the hostility Of the neghborng tribes
But the community has increased greatly in mum
oers,- and property has been acquired consisting
OF Hooks and herds and prisoners taken in battle,
and detained in slavery. The right of property
has been frequently invaded by the indoIent and
The vicious. aud other disorders have arisen which
force on their native sagacty the conviction thai
inc restraints OF government snd law are essential
10 the safety aud well being of the tribe
They assemble. en- BrasSe at a central point TO
choose council OF wise men. who shall regulate
tho ali1rS oil the community and repress the dsor-
dcTs that nave afflicted it, When they have thus
assembled, the question occurs 20 them for the
FIRST time, whether every member Of the tribe shall
have voice in The election of The council or
whether The right Of suffrage should be limited
and on what principles.
he first idea that occurs 10 tic assembly i5
that as the community, collectively, possessss he
You'd dispute, the right Of forming government.
every member OF the community must, Of Deces-
sity, No entitled 10 share of that right--Jsut 4
Iiuie r'hectlon convinces them that this propos.
hon - OF too sweeping and comprehensive a char
acteT For 10 say that right belongs TO one who
lahors under natural incoDpetency TO exercise H.
Is 10 utter gross absurdity. The right TO choose
rulers implies iree-agcncy in the person making
The cho'ce. And as Nature, by making women
weak and men strong, has placed the former IN
der tue control OF the latter, women arc not free
agents and not competent ~ exercise the ripIt
which ~ only saying, in other words that the law
oi nature has denied it 10 them. The same oh
jeclon applies 10 children; with Ibis additional one
that as Tie safety and happiness of,hc community
can be ensured only by a wise choice of rulers i
would be folly. il would be running counter Go ,he
law OF re ason and nature, 10 entrust the choice 10
persons Ut irm AZURE reason
Inc consideration of the question, in regsrd to
rhl!uTen' mas thus suggested another principle OF
i''n'at'on. he safety and happiness Of the com
muh'y being the great end and object of royern-
inent, II IS clear that the electors ousbf IN fool
some interest IN i's attainment; because if thev
ee no such interest or are interested in prevent.
,ng l's attainment. they will not vote for wise and
hohe7l rulers The thieves and robbers who have
harassed The community by their thefs or disturb
Z" u Dy tne'r violence, have shcwn by the whole
tenor oil their lives that tey feel no interest in The
pubic welfare, but the contrary and oannot
therefore, be safely tsusted with voice in the e.
lection OF rulers. IL cannot he expected. that
men who pass their lives in the habitual com |
mission oil crimes will vote for rulers, who will
'%uiniiy discharge their duty, by the punishment
All these Limitations Of the right Of suffrage are !
accepted, at once, BY the good sense of the com
MUMMY; but there are others still 10 be consider
'd'. SfIdggleTs, from the negbboring tribes, have
ntruded themselves on the Couimtni,y thew are !
iien ~ blood, foreign in habits and feelings. and
lnconhected with the tJibo by marriage They
lahg loose on the skirts Of society," possess little or
~ property ana have, in short, evidence Of /