Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-11-17

the government for 20 years was attorney General OF
the State at an early period my life, (and II ever did
certainly did not then deserve the trust) but the
ton afforded me good opportunity tojudge from obser-
walton, Of the practical effect Of this And
declare to God that in the whole period those
~ years, knew OF no instance of esson or injury
to any mans rights caused by the operation of the Co
vernheu IL is not then wonderful that should part
from il with reluctance.
Permit, ne now Ia make a few observations on the
amendment offered by the gentleman from CheserReld
lwasaiways OF opinion, that the true ground of re.
presentation was that Of the Federal number. voted
IN favour OF the nike basis because appeared 10 me
hat i, might have the effect Of securing the rights Of
the eastern portion Of the Common aud not be.
cause preferred It. The other mode had my decided
preference. The Federal number adopted from
considerations which operate in what i, now before this
body twas not adopted on grounds Of comp
Look at the speeches Of that day: look at the number Of
the Federaltst on that subject: IL fixed upon Dot
OF representation. Here We have both property and
persons protected and hsre, we find, the happy med-
um between the two extremes of universal su age and
arisiocraic government.
II wa. the ground taken by gentlemen from the
North (all Of them strongly preudiceJ against slavsry
as ground which afforded just protection TO proper
~ The principle was viewed not only vital to the
Southern States, but fair principle for ALL ANY
gentleman who will look at tho debates of the Federal
Convention, will find full evidence that il wa, not
compromise The U. s. Government, though in many
features OF lis Federal, is in others National Co
vernment Representation is one Of those features IN
IFS representation, il l, national, and not General lts
representation IL not founded upon concessions OF one
state 10 another States but is laid correct basis for
the whole. The mixed basis, as proposed by the gen.
ueman from Cupeper must necessarily be fiuctuatug
anu very hard TO reduce TO practice The will of
Ten d'isr In the same d;srsc. The whole basic must
be eternally huctuang and will require to be resst-
ed from tmc 10 time But the ratio OF 5ths of thu slave.
furnishes certain criterion that Is easily mea.urcd
and cannot change Gentlemen represent this propo..
ton as unjust, and fit for portion the Common.
wealth only; but this is true. We do not saw that
the eastern part OF the State only shall have the hs
hin hat ha -.
there are slaves, there the principle will take effect and
", az has been very nrenously represented Il be- in
deed pr probable that the slaves win 60 beyond.he Noun
Indeed this argument Of theirs, appeared to me at the
time to be feio de ee else 10 be lin opposition
to the other arguments adduced by them in IA.
vor Of a white basis. IT. the slaves shall emiyrate
every three slaves that pass the mountain gives
them additional representation The rule il general
and operates alike OH all.
said, had arrived at an awful period in our deli.
bcrstions. Yes, Sir, we have reached the brink of a
precipce. Gentlemen must here decide for themselves;
and put tito gen,lemea OF the West; whether they
will consent to form entirely Constifu,i,n for
the Sa'e by majority OF one, or Of two, Of ve
ten! II IL an awful responsibility for them; and all the
ills which may grow out Of il he their heads say
this, no, in but in Some Of nv dearest
friends and nearest relatives reside beyond the Blue
Ridge. deprecate the calamity which bohold i'm.
pending, TOR their sakes, as much my own.
Much has been said 10 the NOR influence Of Vr-
giua. believe, sne has frequently saved the Union;
and though gentlemen pleased to say, that the is
Ietrogradng in wealth and influence, we have this
proud consolation that IL we haze refused the lures and
hoons Of tie General Government, are at least poo
on principle Virginia may be victim to her hon
our but for one hope she may he poor forever she
can only become rich at the sacrifice Of her principles
Gentlemen under great mistake, if they impute
to me any wish for confusion any desire that we
may make change that shall prove unpalatabie to
the people. But we, whose districts are to be sac
rihced, have important duty which we owe
to our constituents. ! am disposed conciliae. I
wish the State to remain united. had rather be the
citizen OF great Commonwealth than petty State.
But there is something yet better than union Oppres
sion !. worse than division. ready go as far for
corciliaion as any, but am ready offer up my
country as the sacrifice. think vastly better, that
freedom should be preserved even il dis,nion must be
the price. speak, God knows, with sfIlicton at nv
heart But how is this evil to be avcr'ed! Here W.
are arrayed against each other The West advances
demands and they say "there provisions which
must have" The East demonstrates. and says, "you
will destroy u.s. To every compromise there must be
two PARTIES but do we hear whisper. aye, much
as one low voice, that talks Of compromise, No Gen.
tlemen stand on their righs: they stand perfectly sta
tionary: they call to UP to tbem aut that
we never can. am willing TO adjust In. difference
Do gentlemen ask how! BY plan which shall
give security 10 the East. for the preservation of all
Tint Is dear TO them and their posterity. While we
sdape course towards cancellations we must Ia We
etsctua security All security from equality of taxa
ton, purely imaginary What boots IL u.s. that the
taxes are made equal if they all be paid by one
part Of the State Ii would he the interest OF the West
to pay even heavy taxation, they are 10 have the
sole distribution OF the money raised. Th- only posi-
tration Of affairs shall ensure good and lust CIV.
ernmen as will secure TO us the rights which we be-
lieve TO be in jeopardy
Let me sav, In conclusion, that whatever vote NAV
give in the final ISSUE reserve TO myself the right
brst to the ooie extent OF the security gentlemen
propose 10 give: and, then, when they have modified
their proposition into its last FORM then comes the av
fui question, is this security adequate! If shall Judge
that is not, never will give my any system
which will eopardize the rights OF my constituents.
Mr.. MONROE rose and addressed the Commit.
tee, in substance, az follows;
Mr.. Chairman: The House, [ hone will ndulys m
in few remarks. will promise to he very concise
My faculties Of debate, always humble, have beer i'm
paired by long disuse while occupied another station
iG the public service and have, Of late years been vet
farther weakened by bodily nhrmity: yet duty mpes
me to make reIna ks this OCCASION They shall
be but few, and more sentiment Than grafton MY
situaon h Of peculiar deiicacy IL relates to nv
constituents, and my country When retired from
office Ia' held II was with the expectation that that
retirement would be permanent. My nge admonshed
me that II was welcome and becoming When receiv-
ed an invitation 10 here, (for the hold was
not sought by mel consented with regret for causes
which must be obvious TO all. Yet would not shrink
from the call of my ieIlow-citzens, and at their call
came. But it with .he disposition TO fosk to the
whole Commonwealth. from the Potomac to the Roa.
noke. from the Mountains the Oceap, from Kanawbs
to Mononsalia, from the Blue Ridge TO tho Ohio; all
was 10
could have been content TO reside In any part of the
Commonwealth. left one part Of IL, where fhsd spent
the greater part OF my life for another where wa.
almost unknown. fs citizens kindly manifested their
confidence and came with disposition to look to the
interests OF the whole. consider myself az their SER
want, and consider ten, having right to instruct
me- " they should think it TO do so, shall either