Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1830-01-07

power mere Is certainly no method bv which you
can use The power oil the minority check to th =
power OF the msniiy, but by giving 10 each the pow
er IN one branch of the Legislature. Do not under.
stand me- AZ advocating such distribution of power
uFon principle, or as ccnce'ng that il is required by
the peculiar condition of Virginia All saw il. that
IL The utmost extent TO which your own principles
would carry yon You object that such Senate
wtud be no SUFFICIENT sale guard. because being the
smaller body and represe Rng In some degree the pro-
perry OF the country, il would be stiym iiized as IN
arstocraic branch OF the government and would not
be ahe TO resist the measures of the popular branch Of
the Legislature. We are told that though il may re-
sist for short tmc II must yield the popular voice
IN Ine course oil aiew years, as all experience proves
These objections, think, wholly usfounded-I
My experience In the Sssate Of Vrgris, induces me
to think that il admirably suited to guard the ss
htion OF the country against injustice, and the inu
ence oil popular camor Ii las nevertheless been
preached the arisocrac branch OF the Legislature
wherever II opposed itself firmly to the popular branch
as II often did. 10 the almost unanimous vote OF the
Hou'c Of Delegates The four years term of vice
the classification, which carries one fourth Of lite
memb' re- each year, and leaves the other three
TO render their account to their iticnts only
'hey nave had ONE two three years experience Of
their measures, and rejection upon their conduct
gives condolences TO their opposition OF injustice, and
OF The mi'ehisvous measures which popular
Dictates that is very rarely subdued II i. true, sir
that Senate constituted ours IT, cannot for s.r-s
Of years. resist the settled wishes Of the people. Nor
should they Like all other representative bodies tbay
ought to yield and yield the deliberate will OF
their constituents. And ought, and so must your
Senate Termed upon the compound basis, yield to the
hat it should be otherwise. Their constituents will be
that very minority, that very people whom yon de-
sire to give the power. But they will y-ld the
VIII OF The House of Delegates nor to the will of the
constituents OF the House of Delegates The two cor
s'uen bodie, will be different, and as the members OF
each ltnu'e will look TO their own constituents
newa OF the rns, conhded TO the IN, and TO- approba-
ton OF their conduct, they will look to the same
source for Instructions and for that s.te p,pular will
which must habtualiy guild the repres 'n,ative. can
not doubt that such Senate would afford ample protec
Id have
been apprehended from the power OF the majority.
have endeavored TO shew that no such protection
Is necessary, that no such danger exists have said
in another place, and will repeat here that your Pc
culiar property does not require representation in order
TO give IL influence and power in the government
You having more wealtli-your lands being cultivated
by slaves-all the mental due< in your families being
performed by slaves-your white people have more
leisure TO devote to the cultivation OF their minds
ter opportunity prepare h emsey"s for those tons
IN society," which give distinction and power to talent
Than can possibly be enjoyed by
In answer 10 TINS, Is said TO be ridiculous mockery
to speak OF the wealth OF the lower county, and lave
been a-ked whether know single man in the Com
monwealth, who has been more than half educated
SINCE the Revolution know not by whist standard,
gentlemen would estimate wealth education: ard I
have said nothing OF great riches finish ID educati-
ons-bu Tue whole Argument Of the EStcrn gentle
mem and the scheme OF representation they propose,
are ROUNDED upon me superior wealth II the east and
can appeal to numbetless witnesses, among the living
and the dead who will bear ampls testimony to the
fact, thlt in the have bren ton and al
most all our distinguished orators jursts and ststesmsp
Where do you find the eminent men, who in former o,
latter une, have ornamoned your har and your bench
nave enlightened and guided your Legislative Coun
sei- State ID Federal? Whence your long list OF Gov
ernors, and your of Pre- sdents IL is the natural
the necessary effect of your slave population to give
these Advantages; and they give political power
But asked whether il superior alth gives su.
perior intelligence, that 'elligence does not give 81,
pcrioT vrtue.-and whether | would withdraw the
virtue.
This is ingenious catcchism, Mr.. Chairman, but no
sound reasoning 1t does not follow that when supero
numbers are side and superior talent on the 9th
err, that the power of the government will be with thu
superior numbers-ths conclusion would deny the In
huence mat talent cxerts over numbers. And mucl
less docs follow that superior intelligence gives supe
FLOR virtue in that condition of life TO which this argumen
applies might very safely conccdc, and do concede
that In the retired walks OF private e intelligence cher
ishes, III Hdoes not create strains
does not repel subdue vice But cannot admit tn
school OF politics, Is the school of viruc-I should no
look Tor the most vrtuous among that class, how
ever enlightened, who have been long disciplined in tn
arts oil elcciioneerng and intrigue, who have been
custoned TO the simuation and discrimination practise
| IN me management OF men, who have been drilled il
the tactics OF party warfare have become veteran
in the conduct of political campaigns. should witt
more confidence, look for them among the pendcn
ana intelligent in the middle class of society, who obey
CAL INTO the public service matter of duty, who's
ambition is satisfied If that duty is faithfully performed
VINO ind their chief happiness in this life, in the bosor
oil their own families, and limit their principal desire
TO the boundary of their farms 1 cannot allow then
70 your superior intelligence any necessary superior
oil virtue; and though willing that you shoul
enghten the path of duty and persuade follow
It, we cannot consent that you should prescribe it.
Whiie would most checrfuly submit to the natura
influence OF your talents, while would coriiall
cooperate with you in any reasonable measure to guar
your property against all injustice from the power Of IN
majority, never consent 10 surrender the power
10 the hands OF the miiiortyto give them the compct
dominion over the persons and property Of the majority
GU ask what security give you for the protec
tlon oil yeur property? We ask what security you cal
give us for the protection of persons and property
You tell us you have not abused your power you hav
been guilty OF no injustice, oppression for fifty years
We tell you, that you admit to be the same peopl
with yourselves entitled to equal confidence and thu
u your good conduct, for fifty years, is evidence IN;
me minority will rule justly IL is equal evidence IN;
the majority OF the same people will rule Justly Bl
you place your principal reliance the position, this
the legislation which you would adopt for the promoo
81 your own interests and protection Of your own rights
would necessarily promote interests and protect
| rights. Let us examine this.
Upon the subject OF Internal improvements, have vol
not told u.s. that the interests Of the required on
system, and the interests Of the middle country another
and 1t not very general opinion, in the eastern dis
trct, that their Interests require Consult then
the supposed interest Of the eastern and abandon all i'm
provemens, or consult the views Of the middle country
and adopt the system best suited TO them adopt
selfish policy, and stop all your improvements at III
base OF the Blue Ridge, take money TO make them
and what becomes Of the connection betwcc
your interest and ours, Of the protection you com
PEELED 10 give us, in protecting yourselves
Again. you have already told that your slave
were TOO highly taxeda position which we controvcr
Suppose you reduce the tax one-haIf, and throv
the burthen lands?-or suppose that YOU per
your slaves have been taxed too iSh for the last fifty
years they should not he taxed at all for the nexand