Virginia advocate. [volume] (Charlottesville, Va.) 1827-1860, 1829-09-11

each district during the last ten years
should be reported by the comptroller gen.
eraI: and that for the next ten years the
fixed representation of l24 members
should be apportioned among the several
election districts, by assigning one half of
the repr esentatfves TO their white pop
ulation, and the other half to their tax
tiop thus ascert aimed. The effect Of this
provision, it was supposed, would be this:
One half OF the representation being as
signed to population, personal rights would
he amply secured, and the other half being
assigned to taxation would prevent partial
burthens, or at least would provde the
means of removing them. Thus if an ar
ticle held in one section OF the state alone,
should be exclusively taxed for ten years,
for the next ten, it would transfer half the
representation Of the state to the districts
COMPOSING that section, which with its
white population would give that section
a prepondcrahce in the legislature, and
thus the unjust burthens which had been
imposed, would confer the power to re-
move them. One part of the state mig Int
hold most of the slaves, and should an at
tempt be made to tax them alone, the re-
suit would he that that part of the state
would at the next appoltionmcnt become
the repository of all political power and
would repeal the tax. Or suppose one
section of the country should be peopled
exclusively by whites, and the whole re-
venue of the state should be raised by a
poll tax on them, on the system proposed,
this very act of tyranny would transfer to
them sufficient political power to cast off
the burden. In fact every unjust section.
al tax would take power from those who
imposed II and confer it on the sufferers
These Were the views presented to the
legislature. and which induced Them to in
corporate into their constitution the provi-
sion, that in distributing the representatives
among the several districts of the state
every ten years, one half should be assign
ed to taxation, and the other half 10 white
population. Taxation here was not re-
garded as the index of property, but the
contrary. 1t was to be represented for
the sole reason, that it might not indicate
wealth, but might be unjustly imposed
without regard to the ability OF the person
taxed TO pay it.
We are SO well satisfied with this prin-
ciple o: representation, that We can see
no reason why Virginia shp'.ld not adop,
1t. 1t is equally applicable to that state as
to South Carolina. In fact we consider
it the true principle of representation in
every free government 1t is unfortunate
in our opinion, that it could not form the
basis OF the representation of the union
but the evancscent and deceptive nature
OF indirect taxation evades The reach oil
this principle. lmposts form the system,
OF taxation of the general government
These are ultimately paid by the consul
mer, although collected at the custom
house from the importer. The person
or section of country that bears the bur.
then. cannot, therefore, be designated
South Carolina may pay the tax which the
government collects in New York. This
Kind OF taxation cannot, therefore, form
he basis OF representation form the uncer-
'aInty Of the state that pays it. But could
1t be rendered certain, and be represent
ed, the south would not be long burhen-
ed with the Tariff. fthe southern states
could Obtain representation in Congress
eqnal TO the burthens they bear, they
would have none but themselves to blame,
it tie tariff continued after the next CEN
sus. In fact under such system of rep
resen,ation, 1t never would have been i'm
posed. The dread of loosing power,
would have restrained that injustice, which
now lays on lis burthens with impunity,
and while itoPpresses, destroys. Had op.
preston parted with power by its exercise.
it would have held its hand, lest in its turn
1t should become weakness. The consti-
lation Of South Carolina, as far as direct
taxation is concerned, has this salutary
principle, and says to the oppressor, "cease
lest you become the oppressed" ltmakes
justice and forbearance true policy, and
restraints the motive to OPPRESSION where
the indisposition to it exists.
We have been induced thus to illustrate
the principles of our state representation,
with the view to consideration of vast
importance to the South Virginia is now
becoming the frontier Of the slave holding
states; and the security of our property
here IN some measure depends on her con-
tnuing to be so. Now it will be seen by
late publications, that in the western part
oftbat state spirit of emancipation is
manifestiug itself. Petitions to the Con-
vention are circulating for signatures,
praying for the consideration of the ques-
ton of immediate or gradual emancipation.
We are not under any apprehension that
the convention will adopt either of these
measures. Our fears are Of another kind.
If population alone should form the basis
of Virginia representation, although eman-
clpation should not be directly prohibited
by her new constituencies the time may
come, and perhaps at no distant period,
when the western part Of that state hap-
ing thus obtained political power, may