Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-05-26
SAMUEL COTTON
Hrs ExcELLENcY, VIZ. 3. GALES.
FOR THE ENQUIRER.
To the oeopl. Of Ee,i.,, I;ro,,;o

OMe PeOpfc OF eastern Iugi1ld.
FELLOW CITIZENS - promised in nv last
No to snow, that there is nothing in the principle
OF representation commended for by me, irIconss-
tent with the Bill Of Rights or the lust rights OF
man-that the basis OF representation in the ordi.
nary Legislature, must be matter of compact and
compromise, founded upon the actual condition of
things in the Community, when il is organized =
mat no paper ties can prevent the vicious action of
vicious principle in the constitution OF the Leg
isiature-that, therefore, provision that slaves
shall be taxed only in the same proportion with
land, any other property, will not do where the
power to levy the tax is in the hands OF those
who, even bv that rule would impose $40 ,IDov
you, for every dollar they impose upop them
| selves--and that there is nothing in apportionup
representatives between different States or dfre-
rent sections of a State, according to population
and property, at all resembling the apportion
ment of power between individual men hy the
SEINE rule.
The principle is said to be at war with the 10.
c'aratiop in the Bill of Righcs, e that all men are
by nature equally free and independent, anil have
certain inherent rights, of which when fhev en-.
ter INTO state OF society, they cannot by any com
Pac', deprive or divest their posterity-that MI
power IS vested in and consequently derived from
the peope-that government is or ought tn % in
stit,ssed for the common benefit protection and So
| CURLY of the people, nation, or communicating
OF all the various modes and forms OF government
that is best which j. capable Of producing the
greatest degree OF happiness and safety and is the
DANGER
NAL adminisration--and that wheneve, anv gov
eminent shall be found Inadequate or contrary to
these purposes, majority of the Community bath
an indubitabe. unalienable, and indefeasble right
to reform, alter or abolish il, in such manner As
shall be judged most conducive TO the pub,ic
veal"
1t is admitted in the fullest extent that all men
are by nature equally free and independent and
have certain inherent rights, of which, when
they enter into state OF society, they cannot by
acf go.
But what are those natural rights, antecedent IN
the existence of society," The right of each indi-
vdual, in state Of nature to govern hmsef--"tbe
enjoyment OF life s. liberty with the means of ac-
curing and possessing property, and pursuing and
obtaining happiness and safety," each according
to his own will, independent Of all other human
authority. He is free and independent Of all 9th
er human beings, and the majority have no inst
right or authority over him, bnt by his own con.
sent. II Is, therefore, the consent of the minori
~, when they join in social compact that gives
TO the majority any rights over them; and those
rights extend precisely so far as the social COM
pact provides, and no farther The falIacy of the
argument used by those who assert an Inherent
right IN the majority to govern In the abstract,
| consists in this While thew profess IN on bacL
| to elementary principles, behind the social com
pact as have heard ii forcby, but somewhat
quantity expressed, they stop short and retain one
OF the principles asserted, sub modo in our social
compactj and upon that principle, directly az war
aScOIulnB 10 tnelr Interpretation OF IL, with the
first laid down in the Bill of Rights (Which is the
true, elementary principle) they build their
whole argument. Whereas, il we 70 back be.
hind tho social compact" these rights of the ma
Jority 60 by the board with the rest, and men re-
cur to their original. elementary, Inherent rights
And IN the formation Of the new government. the
aim " ought to he the common benefit, protection
and security Of the people, nation or community.
and to secure ii in the most effsctuaI manner.
against the danger Of NAL administration. "Of
All the various modes and forms of government.
that" says the Bill Of Rights, is the best,ybci
IS capable OF producing these results" But, If il
were admitted in its full extent, that msiorilies
have the inherent right 70 bind minorities without
their will or consent, in the formation of the social
compact, It does not result as necessary conse.
quence, that the principle should be followed out
INTO all The operations Of the government 10 be es
tSblished. That might not be best suited 10 fbe
condition OF the Community, the best adspted to
secure the great interests of society and the best
guarded against the danger Of NAL sdmir,stration.
The Constitution itself, the practical commentary.
as nave said, ut the authors Of the Bill Of Righis
ontheir own text, furnishes useful lesson N ne
on this subject, II we will profit by II. while
hey affirm The ndubitable. unalien; be, md indie
feasible right OF the majority TO rlfoyn,. q Ter or
uOo'Ih me government, they did not run riot in
"'e spP'ca'lon OF their own principles. They