Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-12-02

courses being INSTRUCTED by ice
NJ In order that we may DO enabled to complete
it in our next country Impression, wo commence
the publication today, of the argument signed
"Common Sense" which appeared few wocks
ego in the Lexington Intclligencer and is intended
to convince the people of Virginia west of the Blue
Ridge, of the wisdom and cxpcdicncy Of dividing
the State making the Blue Ridge the boundary be-
tween the old and new Commonwcalths. This
ticlc deserves to bc rcpublshcd, if for nothing else,
because of the lively ana deep impression it has
made or is alleged to have made, the Judgment
and disposition of our fellow citizens the other
side of the Mountain. It's force, if not its
swcrablc cogcncy, also cnttlo it to Il general pc
rusal.
We propose at leisure time, 10 take up the
subject where Common Scnso' leaves off, and TO
show, as we fancy is no difficult matter, that the
interests of Eastern Virginia not opposed to
the measure of separation. After the most earnest
reflection which we can give TO the subject, in
duccd by porusal Of the views of " Common
Scnsc,' VIC can find substantial reasons for
tnuing the connection between countries geograph'
cally divided by nature, inhabited by people Of diff
creMt origin, habits, opinions and principles, hav
ing no intercourse, and whose legislative history
from its commencement, displays incessant disa-
grecment and collision. We have not been able to
find any argument in the cuckoo phrase, &c one and
indivsiblc," however oft repeated, to discern
that the sentimental wish of preserving entire the
limits of the "Ancient Domnion,' ought TO defeat
n measure mpcriously demanded by the substantial
and permanent interests, of one certainly, and we
believe, of both the divisions. Peace and tranquil
lily, no less than the causes enumerated, require
the division of Virginia. necessity for it was
laid by the Convention, never to be obviated, eX-
ccpt by concessions which Eastern Virginia never
will consent TO make, and whc! Western Virginia
never can TO demand. Western Virginia can
never with honor consent to remain in condition
of political neriority; Eastern Virginia, owning a
peculiar species of property, never will agree to
place that property under the controul Of a West
ern majority. 70 get rid of conflict which has
already proved dangerous, in which all argu-
| mcnt is unavailing, where compromise has no
chance of successful mediation, and which must
speedily with Increased violence, the only
perfect or adequate remedy, is divorce between
these who can by no possibility, live together in
satisfaction. Common Sense" irrcsistibly proves
that Western Virginia would go much more pros
perously, and satisfactorily by herself. We believe
that Eastern Virginia would likewise experience
the advantages of homogeneous population o.
harmonious opinion, and of excluding from her L.
gisla ton those elements of discord which have
tarded defeated, all the great measures of anne
Iteration and improvement.
This question is undoubtedly TO become prom
| ncnt. Oar prejudices in favor of preserving the
geographical limits, and with them, the political
weight Of Virginia, for n length of time rendered
avcrse, from admitting the question of scpa
ration TO be proper for discussion. But this
| proiudicc-iti is worsc--it is sentimcntalism. The
| better we know the two pcople-the more we OK.
amino the nature of the questions of relative power
growing out of population and property, which d
vide them-thc more examine the map, and OBJ
serve that between Southampton and Harrison, Sc
parated by barriers Of rivers and mountains which
nature always intends to divide communities there
can be nothing in conmo n-thc more and better
convinced, that separation is wise, iudicous
and later, inevitable Soon will tic
Western population outnumbcr the Eastern. Soon
will another Convention be demanded, to equaIizc
representation. If it is refused, Rcpublicanism
viii bc scandalizod by seeing a minority defeat a
majority. Ifbc it granted we shall see the old strug
gle for power resumed, which must terminate in
alienation and implacable hostility if not in some
thing yet more disastrous. Certain it is that the
West will never yield the point that one man there
shall weigh much as one man here; and it is
equally certain, that the power of taxing slaves will
never be yielded TO those who possess none. We
say nothing of the respective merits Of the dispute
All we say, is that it is wise, beneficial and patriot
ic, TO terminate the quarrel by the only mode which
human sagacity can devise.
We ntrcat the readers most earnest attention to
Common Sense"