Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-01-15

extent, and 10 what rnonstrous conclusion
we brought. Arc not slaves men! But, say
| gentlemen, in our law they are considered not
persons, but as property Let me ask them, If the
| doctrines Of our law are recognized in the grea,
code Of original principles TO which they refer?
| There. all men are considered equal; and though
| the policy Of the law may deprive them Of their
liberty, il cannot divcst them of what the God Of
nature has impressed upon them, the noble at
. tributes Of man ''Probe this principle 10 it,
source" and shall find that slaves not on
" entitled 10 political power, according to the
federal ratio. but are entitled to full numerical
representation.
But why would gentlemen exclude the free
blacks from representation! Not because they
are property; and surely not upon elementary
principles. They ATE not only men by the laws
of nature, bat ~ the laws of the land. They
are no. a migratory tribe within borders, but
I have fixed interests and permanent habitations.
They have no part in the defence Of the country,
because public policy forbids il; bot the law ex
acts from them their annual contributions for the
support Of the government Yet these persons,
zoo, are EXCEEDED from representation, by those
F-'Io profess 90 "probe elementary principles 70
their source" What, Mr. Chairman, are we to
in;cr from the exclusion Of these two classes of
persons from political pnweTs That gentlemen
have stopped short Of elementary principles; and
that their prudence and good sense have sugges-
ted the propriety Of forming the new Constitution,
without recurrence TO the law Of nature.
The new Constitution is not to be formed on thr
principles Of the Law Of Nature: and it is impossi
tic that it can he so formed. All political axiom
Tre but an approximation TO the truth. No gov.
eminent that exists has been founded upon princi-
pies purely abstract. 'Al the governments of Eu-
rope (says distinguished British statesman have
hren fortuiously formed And the governments
OF these states, though ahcrding the nearest APP
pfox'instion 10 elementary principles have not for
their basis The Law OF Nature. Force or conces-
SION m;ist enter into the formation Of every gov
eruncnt. Force. am sure, il not seriously con-
tc'nP'aed by any gentleman in this Hou Sc, thou h
some may regard it at distance the &c uifi,no
fdio. Concession then,--sofne point of compro-
in'se upon which we may fairly and hoRourably
meet is all that is desired That is ten
deIed by the bill upon your table. The friends Of
The bill do not insist upon a recurrence to elemen-
,ary principles. They do not insist that the CO.
toured population Of the East, should be represent
ed as whites; that they should be represented at
All as persons. The principle Of the bill is analo-
gous 10 The compromise, made between the North
ond no South IN the formation OF the Federal Con-
sHui;on; bat IT has not been adopted. Gas is sup
posed ~ the gentleman fror. Brooke, Mr.. Ed
s,pgton) because Of any obligation TO adhere to
that precedent; but because no scheme that can
De devised, observes a more just proportion be-
tween representation and taxation than that cop
tanned in the bill
hold it TO be sound political axiom. that no
government can be good, however beautiful it may
be in theory, that is not suited to the actual condi-
uon o. the people over whom it is intended TO
rule. 4 he Utopia of Sir Thomas Moore the
Oceana of Harrington and the.Republic of plato.
are beautiful speculative systems; but thew are
good ior nothing, simply because they are suited
70 the actual condition of no people upon earth.-
What is the actual condition of VIRGINIA, Loot at
that map and see the diversified nature of her
territory. See in the West her rugged mountains
waving their lofty submits 10 the Clouds afFordine
a fertile soil, an invigorating climate, and an
elastic air. which stimulate to industry, whilst
thcy enable the iaborer TO sustain fatigue. This
IS the peculiar abode of the white man Look TO
the East, see her extensive plains, ferti!ized by
ihnunerabie streams, exhibiting in profusion the
counties OF nature. Yet, nature SO profuse in
her hoefaiity has denied 10 this favored portion of
the earth, the salubrious climate and invigoratnr
AR OF the mountains Here the white man sick.
ems under toll, and sinks under the searching in
tiuence oil a burning sun. Nature has rendered
IL necessary, IN this region, that slaves should be
the Iaborers: and shall this mandate of nature be
disresardedf Is the new Constitution to be made
without reference to this necessary condition of
Tue state Are the laborers of the East who add
10 the wealth OF the community, and contribute so
largely TO the support Of the government, to
nave no means OF protection against its unjust ex-
actions! Gentlemen talk Of the formation Of a new
government upon e'ementfry principles. as if it
were tfe easiest matter imaginable. But let me
remind them OF the remark OF a truly phlosophi-
cal political writer "!t isnot with ferns of 7oyer,
nent MS with other artificial conrivances; whom
an old engine may be rejected, il we can find ano-
tier more accurate or conmodous, OF when trials
may ssie4y be made, even though the SUCCESS be
doubtful" No, sir: Governments long estab-
lishcd should not be changed for light and transient
causes And when change becomes necessa-
~ ,sre regard should lie paid to the habits modes
0, thought interests and affections OF the people
depend upon 1t, this Government, which is the |
WORK oil our ancestors, and has endured for fjfIv
years Is mol 10 be thrown aside like old agricui-
turai machine. 1t has taken deep root in the az
tections OF the people, anil when DESTROYED IL mus,
De substituted by one. having some regard 10 the
interests that have grown up, and been protected
and inatured under its influence. No government
can answer these ends and satisfy the people Of
irglna, IN which that class of our population of
which have spoken, is not reprcsented in some
manner; either by counties, the confined ratio of
taxation and Tree white population, or accordIns
to the principle of The bill upon your table.
The gentleman from Frederick has said in The |
spirit, 20 OF menace but of prophecy" that if
"e pass W~oili and the Convention organized I'm |
ier It form constitution, the people will reject il
with reprobation. IL will be the work of the mi |
nority, and the majority ought not and win no, /
submit to their dictation This is assuminr a fac,
which 1 controyerted at the very outset of INV |
argument, That majority Of the people are in "a
Vor OF the basis OF free white population The }
ruth is, that the majority are opposed TO that bssis
but il they were not; if the Constitution var
ibe work OF minority, have no fears that the
people would rejectt. The Convention. bowever
constituted, will, have no doubt consist of mon
'i sufficient talents, integrity, and honesty of pur
pose, TO form constitution which will secure the
tights and happiness of the people Constitu
ION. mus formed, will have sufficient intrinsic
neiit to recommend itself to the adoption of ,ho
people. lhave no fears Of its rejection.
mere was one argument, Mr.. Chairman used
by the gentleman from Frederick, which I mus,I
roniess, sincerely regretted 10 hear fall from him
lie commended That property was not entitled 10
because IL was destitute of the on
y sanction OF political power, physical force :
gentleman IN 10 to-