Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-12-08

them by their own state, and by their weights
In the same spirit, and rwaysd by similar influ
ences, will now advertto the statement Of tho gentle
man from Augusta TO shew that the very foundation
he laid If we disregard and look only results
he question is In fact, reduced to form OF wors
But, before 20 to thai. let bring to the notice Of
the gentleman from Augusta. the influence Of the prin-
cple when reduced to practice, according the terms
Ell the resolution Of the Legislative Committee. as exc
piaired by his coadjutor from Loudoun (Nir Mercer)
viz the principle Of representation the basis of white
population. The gentleman from Loudoun took this
tanned in the resolutions Of the gentlemen from Norfolk
but maintained the report OF the Legislative Commit
tee, on the ground that the were equivalents
He claimed thsteq amounts Of population would pro-
duce equal numbers Of qualified electors On this nos.
tuIate ne assumed that the total numbers Of white
in any region Of the State was fair EXPONENT of
the number OF voters, II would furnish, and the NUN.
beers OF population and OF voters, having the same
ratio, however different their sum, the result would
be the same, whichever should be resorted to,
in making the sppor,ionments of Representations
III 100 OF gross population swhersoeve situated
gave ten voters. and in that proportion would Jus
as accurate to take gross population your computation
OF the amount OF representation as to take the voters
The gentleman from Augusta, does not deal wi, h
these equivalents or go on these posulstes. He has
tried the effect. and has coDjectured that f given
number OF whites in one part Of the state furnished
tain number OF voters, the number of whites in
any other part. would furnish like number Of voters
He has found the postuate of the gentleman from
Louioun to be faaceus, and the result shows one Of
the most striking aud irresistible proofs Of the sagacity
with which my friend from Chesterfield seized the true
criterion Of the question In debate. Though in its
form his proposition was supposed to be revolving to the
feelings OF the West, the result Of these cacula
furnished demonstrabe proof OF its correctness.
need not go into an examination Of the ciassi6ca-
tions the gentleman from Augusta made of the guam
nm Of power 10 each portion OF the State 1educed by
his different processes. The necessity of this IL don
away by the fact that we have the amount in gross
and that the question is between the two sections OF
the State, divided by the Blue Ridge.
On the basis OF qualified voters on the Commit
books the western district has more members than
IFS due in the lower house. and in the upper
The gentleman shakes his he al when Idesiynate the
Blue Ridge as separating the rival interests Of the
State. BE il But let tell him that IL Is matter
oil some iits value TO US TO look TO any line. We can
advance one step with the aid of the elements OF ap-
poronment we have obtained from his estimate by
first taking this primary division of the State. We an
say these are to be the estimated amount OF represent
tatves beyond the Blue Ridge, and leave the sub-lv
zion to them Leave that estimated for the East TO Us
and we will easily subdivide. There will be no diff
Guilty on this But look TO the estimated amounts
Tor the subdivisions Of the Slate. What are they! |
conid not take down the results of the genteman call
cnlaons and cannot speak with precision the
particular Gums; hut received this impression from
the whole that taking the whole number those who
pay land tax in the East and West divided by the Ridge
and giving them representation in proportion aud the
making reparition between the two sections OF the
East, and the two subdivisions of the West, I think
The difference between the results of this and APP
poricnment on the ratio, that the amendment under
consideration viii not amount 70 unit. The gentle
man may say whether not l right. That the
numbers do approximate, is certain. How much the
difference may be, is unworthy serious deliberation
Here then the gentleman from Augusta, and the gem
ueman from Loudoun, stand ground of the appor.
onment which leaves the four grand divisions of the
State, almost as they will stand on the mixed basis
II you take the federal number and work by that
rule, II will bring you to the result Now It de
serves te be mentioned memorable fact that thi,
concurrence of three different proces.es all leading
TO the same result shows the justice and ssgacy of the
scheme OF the gentleman from Culpeper, mr. Green)
He rosorted to the plan Of a mixed basis Of taxation
and representation, not arbitrary-nor with view to
claim and TO conquer power--but mature delibera-
on, weighing various interests they exst-and mol
from mere speculaon-and it does happen such is the
influence OF the slave property (Which is not proper
ny merely but meD) on the other classes Of person.
and property IN the community, 10 render il ndis
pensabe that they should he considered in the ratio
And IT another and most striking evidence of the
gacity and wisdom Of those who originated the
number. IL acts on the just principles Of political
economy. The slave population acts only the Ia
pouring power oil sOciety-but IL takes the place of men
wherever slavery exists and you lock to the
society Tor its government and there is any proper
~ qualification, you arrive nj the object, very
nearly so by adding 3-5hs of the slave population,
ny ssceraining all the voters, and apportioning your
representation according 10 numbers.
This view Of the subject il consolng. 1t presents
us point where all the processes meet and coincide
ana then The only question: is (seeing this is tn,
result by either csculs'ion) not which ratio shall b,
employed Just This momeni but what shall be fxet
upon as the rule Of future apportonmenis. On tia
subject, every consideration Of wisdom and Of eonve
nieDce, requires that we discard once other modes
1
OF the Federal number, and make our apportionn,eu
by that. +.
| Why we to take this? Not atbitrariiy--but be
cause with the other processes and because
any other Is resoredfo for the future rule you fore
an artificial state Of things, by holding ont TO poIiti
c'ns and individuals TO produce IT, with view to al
unequal distribution Of political power If You TAX,
taxation as your rule, egsiaon may be moulded no
ny right principles, but sinister views it, influence OF
political power; and taxation may be managed, so a
merely to affect the balance Of that power.
| q fred anIv ti,e
you encounter the difficulty Of accurately deerninip
] their number. The very element Of calculation
wanting III you 20 10 the Com missioner's books yo
encounter The toll and expense OF registering all In
lawful voters throughout this land and you encounte
BESIDES the active principle, alluded by the gentle
man from Augusta, leading TO make a false an,
fraudulent representation Of the number of those vote
anu give an artificial exaggeraion OF IL; and thus yo,
VIII have on your books. host of men OF straw VIII
disappear At the polls. You do more And | wonde
That the strong and masculine mind Of the gentleman
from Augusta, did not this danger and repudate tn
rule IL understood him Alright, there is no one win
regards, with stronger feeling Of orebodng and so
citude' that part oil our duty which consists in prescrb
ing 'be qusthcaiion Of voters, than that gentlemen
have The authority Of his whole political life land
the life Of be more confidently sled 10
10 determine the future from the psst0-for hi. as,er
'on And what mu't be the consequences IL he aiopt
this principle ~ future test Of political po,yerl
The very first effect Of it, will he to turn the thought
oil ms C9nvention,no to the consider Of the reasons
whch egiimately belong 10 the subject but TO its TO-
puence on the grand question Of power,
The effect viii be, that you interpose barrier 10
tar candid. and judicious decision Of The questions AZ
iectlng The limits OF the Right OF Suffrage. arm moi
sure That can exempt myself from the operation o.
such an influence. fear that my mind may be torn
ed hway from considerations Justly belonging TO those
questions by the important aud decisive influence o.
whatever principle adopt 10 regulate IN. M -, 81