Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1843-04-17
SPEECH on MR. PARKS. Of Ksnswhs. In fasoar Of
isking the Of the People the PrOPnsy OF call
iaT . Convention 20 amend the Constitution.


In contamination Of such inconsistency the striking oh
.stvstons of Alexander Hamilton foreibly mind
met history proves protested devotion popular rgh
been the road 10 desPosm and that those
men have been successful erthrowing the bcr
republics have begun their career by paying obseqUou'
the people, commencing demagogues and ending
tysns The late General Taylor OF Norfolk truly grea
and good man aud patriot whose memory viii ever be en-
bsd the recoeeons OF the lovers OF liberty, embodied
the principles OF representative government IN the FOL
towing resolutions offered In the late Convention;
1s Resolred That the elective franchise should be
form: that throughout the state similar qualifications
should confer similar right OF suffrage.
"a Rssofpsd That 70 entitled by the constitution to
the elective franchise there should be equal
Of suffrage, that in NIL elections the suffrage OF
qualified should avail much that OF any other
qualified whatever may be the disparity OF thoir res
ID, Rssolrsd, That representation should be uniform
throughout the State.
Ath Resoirsd, That a. individual suffrage should be
equal without respect the disparity OF individual fortune,
equal number OF qualified voters are entitled to equal
without regard the disparity Ut their
grogato fortunes. Those principles are so smpe-thoy
obviously ustthey appeal 80 directly TO common
sense that they need no illustration application,
recommend them the understanding and affections OF
frccmen. No republican will gansay them-nono
who favor OF arsocracy will deny their correct
will oppose them who's not willing, at the
hazard OF hbery,io subject the citizens to the wealth OF
the country. Let bring constitution TO the further
OF those cardinal principles OF popular representative
government The result OF the POLL in the animated fresi
dental Of ls40 in Virginia. showed majority OF
voters according principles Just laid down would not
the quite majority Of three representatives;
for the number each delegate would
represent representation equaized according To the
number of throughout the State would be 6ii which
muuplied by three would be 1892, larger number than
the majority of eastern But when take into
consideration the that the division OF the State
has majority of white population, can scarcely doubt
that outstanding the exhibit made by the poll OF leiu
that the has in truth majority OF the voters like
wise.
have no doubt but tina, white population and the
Der OF voters pretty nearly equivalent as basis o re-
presentation throughout the Commonwealh-and in fact,
the slight seeming relative differences between them,
IN the grand divisions ot the State, shown by the
vote alluded to- prove them sufficiently for all practical
purposes This seeming contradiction, too OF the hyPo
thesis that population and the number OF voters are equva
ents basis of representation, may be fully explained
by reference to the different conditions and
at the grand divisions OF the State East OF the bue
Ridge the counties comparatively small; their popua-
dense; and times OF excitement their political can
vases animated. and all their brought TO the
polls: while the Western division OF the State, the coun
ties ARE argc the population sparse; there is COMPARE
lively much less excitement and interest taken IN elections
and, consequently their whole vote is seldom, If ever CIV
Under these circumstances 1t i only remarkable,
supposng the number of equal IN the two DIVISIONS
of the Stae-that the great and exciting canvass OF leiO
had shown larger majority of voters IN the East and
the very majority exhibited by that election, mutcon
every candid mind that there Is not only majority OF
white population, but that there is IN reality majority Of
voters also of the Ridge. Upon what principle OF
Republican government, then, is the East entitled 10 Is
more than the West What dictate Of
This Arstocacy of the rankesi kind. No man can JUS
ufy IT, unless he prove that OF the Blue
Ridge ought equal two on the west OF that range OF noun
tansuuess he prove thnt there Is mbociy IN
the suffrage OF the West which impairs Its efficacy the
consequence OF which Is, that requires twice many
the West elevate representative 10 the digni
of n legislator, does in the East. In contemplation
of such ridiculous taacy, cannot but eGciam IN the
language of the poet "Oh! Judgment thou hast fled TO
british beasts, and men have lost their reason"
Let take brief review OF the arguments Of our
opponents support Of those principles, which have
aumadverted and which, in humble Judgment, are nos
tile To the genius Of free government.
They maintain that the Eastern division Of the State pos
much the larger Of the property OF the Com
monwealh both in value and extent and that property
ought TO be represented well population. The gst Of
their in favor OF their position Is, that property
only be safe. under any form otpotcs when the
OF the Government hands Of the property hold
Tins argument evidently denies the capabty ~ man
for scfgovemment. Ii IMPLIES directly that the people
safe repository OF political power; and II majority
people cannot be trusted with the administration
public affairs, II be IN consequence O want OF
tai city moral honesty either OF which units them
for the high pcrcgavcs Of seligOyenment The position
and arguments OF opponents precisely those which
have been used III all ages by rans and desots lstnca
lion OF the slavery OF mankind The fact is property It,
self s powerfully tends - give it, pOssessOrs
whelnng weight in the body polite, without conerFns
upon them undue quantum OF political power likewise
Aht1y and experience prove that the people have much
fear from the overshadowing influence of properly,
than property has RppTehend from the people COniem
plate TOR moment the unreasonabeness oil our Eastern
brethren. They trust the Western people with the
management OF their property and yet they expect the
Western people cOnide their control, their lives, IL
berries and fortunes and all those rights, Interests and
ntons, which affect intimately the happiness OF man.
Do Eastern gentlemen value property highly tIaH
peronsl Do they weigh dollars and against the drops
OF blood mans veinsl Do they compare the ripping
with the purple current of he Do they es
their farms highly than the thews and snews Of
the human body, and the almost divine powers OF the i'm
mortal mndl Yes, sir IN the estimation OF opponents
all these succumb the clOds OF the valley. Ii these
the doctrines Of Republican goyernmentf these
% wOhld q
Turkey, in future, study the genius OF free instu
lions; kneel hereafter the footstool Of the Auocn
o Russia and imbibe sublmacd ideas Of liberty from this
headspung OF Democracy.
must protest against the necessary inference from the
argument OF gentlemen, that wealth Is necessary TO patriot
ism and virtue The love OF country inherent m the hu
man mind. IL implanted by the Creator, and m all
countries and in all conditions Of life. il has been found
glow IN mans bosom, and animate his public conduct.
And when reflect upon the fleeing character Of pro-
pcfy How often It gained without merit and Ost with
crme should spum the idea Of sitting up
standard Of public virtue. Is there any peculiarly IN the
condition character Of the people OF Western Virginia
which renders them less patriotic less honest worthy to be
trusted with the functions Of Government, than other pso
pie
Sir any thing ike reflection on the virtue of the Wes
people would spurn with indignant contempt;
and do believe there exists any where ardent
attachment To the principles OF free government, than will
be found among the mountains Of Western Virginia. Ii
berry has always delighted dwell among the highlands.
When driven from the plains she has taken refuge
the gorges and Businesses Of the From whence
when the storms Of despom have ceased she again
sprung forth like Pollas from the brain Of Jupiter, full
grown, armed aud indebted continue her glorious
over the earth.
Gentlemen further contend that the slaves Of the Com
monweuth, constitute portion Of s population, and
ought 10 be considered in they propose
the principle of federal number in adjusting the reproson
taton Of the State. They seek justify the large ma.
Iory Of Eastern representatives in the Legislature by
the majority OF the East in the upon the principle ri
federal numbers. twill be sufficient answer to this view
Of the subject TO state that the slaves Of the Common.
wealth. denied by Constitution and Laws oil the
% -tlnff
property, and have public will the Admins.
trnuon of the Government. II gentlemen will insist upon
being the representatives, OF slaves they consistent
ly deny them the night Of suffrage, refuse % ncknoy
ledge them as constituents and be governed by their
known WILL aud instructions the extent Of their numbers
portion Of the constituent body These legitimate
differences from the position. would be considered mon
srous; and yet they flow from naturally water runs
down inclined plane. But told that federal mum
bes been adopted the basis OF representation by the
Constitution II the United States, and cpudlr
the principle n the State without mpainng the argument