Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-02-03


no authority as competent to this purpose, but
"a ncjorify IF the community" But, If this is
really the effect of our legislation, majority Of
this Legislature. altho, in truth, the representa-
lives OF minority cfthot community, are propos-
ing to take upon them the authority OF prcscrib-
ing the future government. IL there is any force
in tho argument, il is clearly against the amend
uent.
But other reasons have been given in favor OF
flis system. Ii is argued that the representative
should reside in the same county with hisSeon.
siituents, that the acquaintance Of the people is
confined in great degree, TO the citizens OF their
counties, respectively, and that the county basis
being the existing, or, as some call it, the accden-
tai state OF things, would not produce that collision
of principle, which they say is inseparable from
the othe bases submitted TO the consideration of
the House. If, Sir, the citizens oil the small coun-
ties are confined in their acquaintance space so
narrow, It might have sa by effect, to hold
out this strong inducement Tor an enlargement of
their acquaintance, that they may I've induced by.
their interests, Ito which they have eynced by
their course upon this subject, they are by no
means recreani,) TO look beyond tie precincts of
their little world trust, Sir that their views Of
the great principles Of government, will keep
pace win the advance Of their acquaintance and
overcome thpse sectional jeaousies and local in.
terests, which, even on this great national sub
ject, dictates the course which they impose upon
their representatives on this floor. Government
is ought to be, instituted for the general good
and general convenience of society; and when the
Interests OF an individual comes in conflict with
this general paramount interest it must be Weld.
cd. Now, Sir, altho', will not set down the
population OF any one Of the counties or towns,
entitled to representation this floor, as an unit
(some OF them do not exceed hundreds,) the
same reasoning which would shew TO be absurd
che claim OF an individual, to exercise "a much
political influence In a community OF which he
was constituent, one hundred, will equally
shew that county containing given population
cannot with the shadow Of Justice, or proprie,y
claim to exercise as much political influence as
one which contains i've or ten times that number
Nor have been able to discover any force in the
argument, that the representative in Convention
should reside in the same county with his con-
stituents. The able and lucid exposition of the
gentleman from Harrison, leaves me no necessity
for discussing this proposition. 1t does to
however, that some district system is prefera-
BILE to this on the ground, that the decision Of
great political principles, ought to be freed from
those local interests and predictions which ex-
ert so powerful, aye, Sir, so irresistible inilu-
ence over deliberations here. This argume MT
in. favor of the county basis, seems TO me TO be
wholly imaginary. What care /, if my represent
tatvelbe man Of worth and talents. whether he
resiaes the side the other of an arbitrary
line: once heard Of an old lady, who, having
been In great doubt and no little apprebens sion
that the settlement of the boundary line between
Virginia and North Carolini. would leave her in
the latter, upon being informed by the commits
soners that she was in Virginia, ielcila'ed her
fei upon Tue result on the ground That Carolina,
as she had been informed, was a very sickly coun-
try. Now, Sir, whether this old lady enjoyed
better health after than before that event or
whether the representative living ON the one side,
would be better man ADLER politician than
ii he lived on the other, leave for more curious
enquirers and more subtle casuists than myself TO
determine.
But the county basis, being the accidental state
OF things, would put end to those collisions OF
opinion which, it is said are inseparable from the
fharh apao ,l,.,,sf s.I CO.
at loss to how the friends of these propositions
can be influenced by this argument. Almost the
whole OF them propose some system of equaliz ga
flon and are, therefore, at war with the county
scheme whichproposes gross inequality Of rep.
reseniaiion 1t is true, sir il we adopt this amend
ment, we shall settle the discrepancy arising out
OF the other schemes, but is equally certain tina
we will settle every hope Of reformation as far a.
this Objection TO the constitution is concerned. Il
would in effect operate complete bar 10 any aIte
ration IN this most glazing defect in that nstru
ment. Enact this amendment, and the friends O
rotorfn will have toiled in vain. The state will
have incurred an enormous, unless expense; & the
people will be in the situation that they occupied
previously to the last spring elections, except thai
they will be agitated with new excitement, an
hundred fold increased-an excitement carnestl,
to be deprecated, and studiously to be avoided nv
every lover OF social order. To conterd for Z
county representation L. indirectly, to oppose
Convention. Now, sir, I voted against a Conven
ton at the polls as was my right; but do not re
cognize the right in any man notp TO do an ac
4 which shall tend 10 defeat it. The question o
Convention, or no Convention, is at rest. II ha
been decided by the legitimate authorities, and il
no longer open even TO discussion. But by accept
ing tins amendment, you do that, by indirection
which you are not authorised, would not venture
openly to attempt. With what justice, or propr
ely can we enact a law, which, while il proposes
70 respond to the call of the people to organize
Conventon-containsi in itself the most garng ant
universally admitted objection TO the instrument
which the people seek TO amend. Will they ac
Il ceptN VIII not the great mass of them indig
q h1ntiy reject proposition, which, wheit pro
poses 70 give them Convention, so organizes il al
E 70 make the grant nugatory, which is 10 end il
q noIhinS but expense g. disappointment? Arc gen
uemen prepared still further distract the public
mind, already in state of feverish excitement b,
disappointing all their fair hopes, and abls
expectations upon tho very eve of their expecte,
consummation' Will they force upon the peopl
me necessity Of taking this matter into their owl
hSnds, and are they prepared TO meet the conse
quences which from such event would result
q othe country! beg of gentlemen. who hav,
y every thing to gain by organizing a Conveniio,
nere upon something like just and equitable terms
W .ponaer well before they give that vote upo
Which so much depends, whether they look 4
the great interests OF the community, o the ulti
tbate interests OF their own immediate constitu
ents.
MI Speaker-As 30 much of our time has aIrea
ny oeen employed in this discussion, / have eDdea
roreo 70 compress in limits az narrow as possible
Tue arguments which felt bound TO urge upo
,ne consideration ofthe House Il will briefly Civ
s1e reasons, that have decided my mind in favour G
senatorial Districts the basis of represe ntatiol
I'D convention, aud frespass no farther upon il
pauence-And here sir, permit me TO remark
that amongst the various schemes which have bee
proposed for that purpose, none are so obiectiona
II "a mo apc 4 L.