Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-12-05
MIR. MADiSON'S SPEECH.
WEDNESDAY. Deccmber2

'"N' i'NDISoN oGEEttt.
WEDNESDAY, December 2.
Mr.. MADISON rose, and addressed the Com
mii,ec in speech, of Which, the following i. tue out
line aud substance
Although the actual posture othc subject fore the
Committee might admit tu, survay Of il. it is rot nv
purpose in rising 10 enter the wid- field of discus
sion which has called forth display of Intellectual re-.
Porces and varied powers feoGuence that any conn
try might be proud of; and which ! have witnessed
with the highest qualification. Having been for a We
ry long period, withdrawn from any participation in
proceedings Of deihcra'ive bodies and under her dis
q"ahhcalons now, OF which am deeply sensible,
though perhaps less sensible than Others NAV perceive
that ought to be, shall attempt more than few
on'erraions which may suggest the views have Ia
Ken OF The subject. and which will consume but little
OF 'he time OF the COMMITTEE, tecomc precious
u is Sufficiently obvious that Persons and Property arr
he Two great subjects on which governments are 20
act ana ia the rights Of persons the Ri his o! po
pcrty, are the objects for tie protection of which gov
eminent Instituted. These right. canno, well bc
separated The personal righ: 10 acquire property,
wh'ch Is naiuT" right gives TO property, when ac-
qpuP"' a'ight 10 protection, as social right The
essence oil government il power and power lodged rs
u nus' be" IN human hands will ever be al Re abuse
IN onarchies, the interc SITS and happiness OF all NAV
be sacrificed to the caprice and passions Of desro
IN aThocracies, The rights and welfare of the MANY
may be sacrificed to the pride and curiditv of few
In repmhcs, the great danger is that the majority may
not sufficiently respect the rights the minority Same
gentlemen, consulting the purity and generosity OF
'h"Ir own minds. without adverting the lessons OF
experience would ind security against that danger
IN our social enes in respect for character; in the
dirt1tes OF the monitor within: in the interests Of nJiy
'uas IN the aggregate interests Of the cnmnuni;y Bat
nan Is known TO be selfish az well AZ socia, he
ing. Respect for character, though of en- salu,,rv
rsr'nt, bat too often overrucd by other motives
"h"n numbers OF men act in body, respect for
character IL often lost just in proportion az il Is nsces
safy TO control what is not rights We all know that
o"nSi'nce 4 rot sstfcirni safeguard, and besides
mat conscience Itself may be deuded; NAV be m sled
hy an unconscious bias into acts which an enIieh,cn
ed conscience would forbid. As 70 the permanent i'm
erest Of individuals in the aggregate r,cres,s ot &
IuifU and in ti,ot ht,I
IS me best policy present temptation j. Of;en found
TO he an ovcrma'ch for those con ierations These
favourable attributes Of the human character are all
Nh."""F' az auXi'Iaries; hut they will
substitute Tor the coercive povuns belonging 10 ov-
er"ncn' an! law. Trey will aIwsvs in r.orortion
they prevail be fsv0urabIs 10 mild administration a
ho'h but hey can never he relied aS guaranty Of
the rights oi the minority against maioritv
70 take unjn't advantage If its power. The only eG-
iecin' safeguard the rights of the minority must he
I' !" Such hais and structure OF the government
Seit as may aHrl in certain degree directly or ind
,ecuy' defensive authority in behalf ola rnincrity
having right on its side.
To eome more nearly 10 the suli.c; be fore The Com
ml'tee, VIZ: that peculiar feature in orIr comr,un.
which Gals for peculiar division in the hsss Of our gov
I,nmen'' mean tie coloured part of population
" ~ aPprehended, " The power Of the Commonwealth,
shall be- in the han IL oI majority WHO have no in,er
e' IN his species 81 property, That from the aci =
WIN winch " may lie oppressed by excessive xaiin
iJusiice may he done TO il owners. II would see
hereore, we can incorporate that intefes, into tle
basis OF orr system will be the most appose and Of
"rua secIrity That can be devised Such an arr,nge
ment - recommended 10 me by many very uporfan,
CONTRIBUTIONS. IL i due 10 justice due to bumspiiv 3.
due 10 truth: to tue sympathes Of mature: in fine IN
our character - people, both abroad and al hom t A.
lh,y should be considered much A. possile in tho
'git OF human beings. and moi mere oeoper,v AZ
SUCH, they acted upon by laws and have am in
yet ~ our laws. They may be consider "a ~ ma
Nng part. though degraded part Of the families 70
Which they long.
ihcy bed the complexion Of The Serf in 'hc Nrr,b
=" Europe, nr oi the villeins formerly in England il,
ohtE terms II they Of our own cornpe sion mn n
VI we Wh'n,ty would be removed. But the mere cir.
'r"ls'a"ce compl"xi'n cannot deprive them Of the
'"d'"e"r o' men The Federal number as il is Gale
" p''"eu''Iy recommended t. attention in forming a
pass o, representation, by lie simplicity IL certainty
Hs SAMMY "Hd iis pprmsuency. Oher eSpedients for
securing justice IN the case ni taxation g lin, ,Lcy a.
mount IN pecuniaty effect 10 the save thing have
ionnd liable 10 great oijcconf: and do m, boi;,a
that majority r. bis Convention is Jisoc,.d f., -
hem. " they can find sub.tifute INV oar, ,o p
nor 70 II a small Recommendation of lie Fcdr,i 49,
Der, IN nv view that il il in conformity To ts r
recognized in The Fcdotal Constitution. The cs.es -
nue. arc not precise by HE same boz there is ore If
analogy Nan might ~ fret he s"ppos"d. ~ ~ colour,
81 population were equally dGu.cl touch M. S.ste
The andhgy would fAi; h1t exsing. ne ~ does IN Iroe
masses ~ per cular paris IT, the 5dncfion between
We diHefent parts OF the 50 e. rrse hics ho b~tveer
We saVo-holdine and non.ssye EcInp States. and n
we reject doctrine in own STATE whit We claim
ne oeneh Of in relsons 10 Other States obe,
"f'Fe'oie cons qrences may Re added 10 the charge