Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-01-31


under the new constitution representation, on
the basis OF population and revenue, and thus
pose their property, in the administration Of the
future government, 10 unequal taxation even
conhscaon? They, therefore, insist that in consi-
Iteration OF their property they should be allow
ed such additional representation as may enable
them to out-number this penniless majority land
model the government as to secure themselves
from exactioa. They assent TO the principle, that
the majority has a right TO alter the constitution.
and yet gravely declare, al the same moment, that
the minority owing to certain, peculiar, advent.
tlous qualities, is entitled to controul that majority.
ne doctrine, he said, was absurd-I was mon
strous He would rather they had braved the
VIII oil the majority than sought to defeat il by
such indirecton-ra,her they had determined to
defend the present constitution TO the last extrem-
ny and yield only TO actual coercion While
the true character OF the right adIpilsd, it
was only necessary to weigh the consequences Of
exercising IT. But now, il seems that the majority
Is TO beconsidered as in the full frui,ion OF its
rights, while the minority is actually governing it.
1 III this precedent be once made and ripened into
law, our liberties are gone. This Is no longer
a republic. Let it then no more be proclaimed in
speeches, or quaiied in toasis at paiopal fes-
rivals, that here the sociaH compact is Piolate-
that the foundations Of government are the hearts
Of thelpeople, and men free as the waves that
wanton round our shores.
What, said Mr.. b. is the true and substantial
distinction between republican and despd gov-
ernmenH England has constitution. enc branch
of her Legislature il coppoAA6f the represen-
tatives OF the people, chosen in a maiiners Fhich
may bear comparison with ours. The Lords have
certain ascertained powers and privileges which
they cannot transcend. The King, is constitu-
| uonai King, whose prerogative is confined within
known and defined limits. Power is so distribut-
| ed between these departments as 10 produce tri-
pie balance and keep each within its sphere. Now,
| wherein consists the difference between this CO.
vernment and ours :. Ii is stronger one but so
| 9ay one republic be stronger than ano,ber-
fne degree of authority vested by the people in
the government does not determine the character
OF mat government. he distinction is ,his-the
people OF Eng land have no power to change their
governn ent. That they have the rig-the I'M
alienab!e right. in common with all the human
family, we have been in the habit Of asserting in
! Tins hemisphere. But, then, IL is denied. Sove.
| Ielgnty resides inDhe governmant-no in the peo-
pie. Their constitution is garded as the work of
remote aniiquiiy-founded in consummate wis.
dom-hallowed by time, and new too sacred TO be
touched by human hands and too perfect 10 stand
In need oft II is treason TO attempt to alter it,
The people had the power, but forbore TO exercise
1t, until II Is at length aenied--and can only be
recovered by revolution. So, when this govern
ment, successfully resiss the wish of majority
TO reform or abolish it, eln,ies it by pretend
s ea compliance, It Will have ceased 10 be repub
hc No matter by what name il may be called or
IN what form il may exist, whether with or with
out The insignia OF royalty, il VIII be- in principle
a despotism
MIR. b. said, to explain the subject more fully he
would put plain and familiar instance which
might serve the purpose of illustration better than
! The most splendid distractions Suppose few
individuals, say five in number-in state Of ma
ture-wiih perfect freedom Of &c ton and thou chit
rowing through the forest, in the lonely elrsuit of
subsistence and happiness. They meet and de.
termine to unite their fortunes Cor the purpose OF
social enjoyment and the better security of their
persons and property. They enter into a compact,
by which they promise to each other mutual as
sistance and protection-that they will henceforth
pursue their employments togetber-,hat the ac-
lions OF each, shall TO a certain extent be control
ed by the others-that each shall contribute par,
Ut the fruits OF his labour to a common Stock to be
expended for the common benefit, and that two
OF their number, be authorized to carry the con-
trac, INTO effect IL is also agreed that majority
SHALL at any time, have the right to alter or annul
the compact. After lapse of time, some of these
individuals become dissatisfied and request an alte
ration OF the compact But the two rulers object
20 H. Oh the ground tbaf there is not majority
! IN favour Of il and declare, moreover, that e.
ven II such were the fact, they would not
yleid, because the compact is the best that
can he devised; and besides, that they have more
property than the other three, and if they should
go into Council with them, TO change the eompact
they would have no assurance that the majority
might not establish such rules as would DEPRIVE
, uoe,o Oh t"eoperty. or susjee, il to equal i'm
anu II Is iound MAT three are in favour Of chang
then demanded, "a matter of right The minor,
ny answer, that is true in the abstract lha, the
majority must govern, and they are ready 10 sub
NH. bui lhey have more property than the ma =
Jo ity ,and must insist having an influence in the
Council, proporoned TO the excess of their proper
ty-ihat is, that each ahall have vote in his nv, n
person, and another in right of his property. This
VIII give them votes against the g. and enable
them to secure their property. On such terms,
they will go into Council The majority replv ina
their right to alter the compact, is absolute and
uncondilional-Tbat il is derived from all express
agreement TO that effect. recorded in the compact
That they have the power TO enforce il, and i'm
so doing, will only compel the minority 10 abide
by their coBiract-Thal TO allow 4 votes 10 the
minority, would put in their power 10 change the
compact, against the will Of the maorityETba,
lhey, the majority, also have property and to place
II at the mercyoi The minority, woal1 subject
them to the same danger, Of which the miuorifv
| complain That their personal rights would al
be exposed, and they have the same reasons for
! suspecting the minority Of that meGitated iDius
| tee, which is imputed 10 thenselves-That thew
| viii exercise their right to change the compsci.
| but IT shall be, in justice and fairness; aud ihev
will pledge themselves to provide tor the protec
ION OF property, against the rapacity of their fu-
| ture rulers.
| The minority are obstinate, and proceed TO alter
| the compact according 10 their own views The
majority admonish them that they will No,
submit pit nay, more, that they will make the
alteration Themselves, and the minority shall sub
| init The minority, then offer to abandon the 60
| ciety. The majority reply, that the agreement IN
continue united, Is perpetual-'Tha tho terms nj
The association may be changed from time 10 fine
at the discretion on majority; but that the pre
urinary pledge to adhere TO one another is ire.
vocaDle- That they cannot supply their places by
re" associations, because all the rest Of the hu-
man family are otherwise engaged and their own
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