Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-11-03


hands; hence the separation of the Legislative, Exc
cutie, and Judicial Departments. But this separa.
tion has not III practice been found sufficient II
Is not enough tn chsck power by power. Some
inrthcr security has been found nceessarv. The
o'st reflection which have been abb to rive 10
Tue subject has brought me to adopt this MAKING
las lar as practicable, dcposite power in the hands
Oh those only whose interest it is not to abuse it."
III we look around us into the ordinary affairs of
men we shall find that interests is Tho vreat sn,;ou
OF action. What is it that makes agriculture flour.
ish' WHAT'S it that builds YOUR cities and make
commerce H spread her wings? What inspires the
roet, ana nerves the soldiers arm: 1t is love of
wealth. fame, and distinction. In word it is self
rove. have net muci experience in Legislation:
""t u gentlemen here who experienced
oo'h III FEDERAL and state legislation whether they
are ever so sure OF vote as when thcy appeal to
the interests of those whose vote thew want II
would be out of order, sir, TO speak of the members
o' inns House: one remark, however, take leave to
make. A Although much devo ion is shown to pr,n
clfles the principles OF gentlemen do auadrate most
marvellousiy with the interests of their constituents
q" not mean TO cast imputations on gentlemen.
do not mean To question the sincerity of their at
tachmpnt to principle. But when | see able
aud intelligent mcn with all their devotion to prin-
cple, unconsciously influenced BY interest set an
higher value on the security which interest eives
against hsabuse OF power The guarantee of in
terest constitutes the chief difference between Re-
Punncan, ana Arstocrntic, MonaychicaI Govern
nients Theresponsibty of public agents resolves
Itself INTO this principle. BY causing the law maker
q
laws winch he has enacted you make it his interest
to enact just laws. BY subjecng him to re-elcc ion
at short Intervals you make it HE interest to con-
suit the welfare of his consttuents in order that
he may be re elected. Here then we haye great
principle founded in human nature which
VIII serve as a touchstone for eyery grant of
powor tlLt we propose TO make. Let us
bring the question before the Committee this test
What will be the effect of the principle reported by
the legislative committee? II will give TO the neople
west OF the Blue Ridge if not immed atrv in very
short tme majority in the Legislature. No gentle
man has questioned this but nv friend from Erode
rick lie seems to think that the ma tority of whites
vii remain as ii navy is east of the Riduc. If I'VE
look to the documents furnished by the Auditor we
small IND that tie increase of whites west of the
Ridge greatly exceeds that the east; and if il
should continue in the same proporiioi a majority
WILL n very short time, he found west of the r idpe
Ii we look at the face OF she country, shall come
to the same CONCLUSIONS great proportion of the
land below the head of Underwater is worn and ex-
hausred. That between Underwater and the Ridge is
In similar condition, except strip bordering on the
mountain This Is capable Regeneration, aud will
sustain an Increased population. 1t is of less extent
than what Is called the Limestone Valley, which, from
the fertility of its SOIL is capable of aiming dense
population The Country east uf the Ridge hes no
new lands to settle There no room for great in
crease of population a large portion of fertile land
west of the Alleg haney is yet unsettled and when it
Is brought into cultivation by the influence of the
Chesapeake and OHIO Canal, it must give vast ac-
cesslon to the population OF that region. / will ask
progressing, whether he does not expect it will sue,
coed? The population which this will add 10 the
west must be exclusively white. From the viciuy
of the country through which passes to Pc nnsvlya-
MIA, slaves cannot be held there. But, sir it is unne-
cessury TO this argument farther. We have
II OH the authority of the gentleman from Brooke
land no man Is better acquainted witt the situation
aud resources OF that country, that thirty wears
majority OF the white population of the State viii be
found west OF the Allegheny | feel, therefore war
raned IN assuming as the basis of my argument that
the country west OF the Ridge does now, will
contain n majority OF the white population of the
State. Let us now enquire whether The people of
that regi can give the security require against
the abuse of the power which the legislative commit
tee PROPOSES to give to them. 5gree with rhe gen
tlemen the other side, that general rule ma
lority ought to govern. malorry of persons will
Prilna facie, comprise majority of Interests But
this rule is certainly liable to exceptions. The pow
or of the majority must have limits. We all propose
to limit it by denying to the Legislature the power of
passing post facto laws suspendInG the privilege
of the writ of habeas corpus, &c. The only ques
lion Is what limitations shall we impose! | answer
all such US are deemed necessary to protect the rights
and interests of the governed. IT. is Tor Inc to shew
that the limitation, which propose is necessary for
security To hat end, let Ms take a survey of
the points of difference between The portions of the
State, lying east and west of the Ridge. The first
point of difference which strikes is the erroneous
disprcportion of the taxespad by the two regions.
vii not dwell on this part of the subject af err the
luminous exposition given by the gentleman from
Hanover. The point of difference is in the cha
racter of the population Eight nlilths of the slaves
found east of the Ridge In all laws relating to
this species ofproperty, the people ofthe Ridge
Interested to the extent Of one ninth only. But
the gentleman from Frederick thinks that this proper
ty will mt be in danger because the slave holders
west of the Ridge, when added those of the east
will give majority. Suppose it is Why, ask,
should the people below the mountain all the
power necessary for their protection to the people
above the RIDGE This NAV be very agreeable 10
those who kindly offer to become guardians. But
the people whom represent have a notion Gt may
be very unphilosophIcal one that their Affairs will
be never tile worse managed, because they have u
hand in the management OF them But, sir, in that
part ofthe Valley to which are invited to look for
protection the slaves one to four. In the coun-
ties more particularly alluded to by the gentleman
from Frederick, they are one to three. The pro-
portion which :hc shareholders bear the non-slave-
hold.rs viii be found TO be about the samn and wlen