Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1844-06-13

pedSaDlfJ VI LuiOpc--ot tbS PSoSnhfF
or day labores in the non. ssave-holding
States of this Union. The denser the
population, the more numerous wlll this
class be. Even 10 the present state OF
the population beyond the Allegheny,
there must be some peassntry and as
the country fills up they will surely have
more--lhat is, men who tend the herds
and dig the soil, who have neither real
nor personal capital Of their Own, and
who earn their daily bread by the sweat
of their brow. These, by this scheme,
are all to be represented, but none Of our
slaves. And yet, in political economy,
the latter ill exactly the same place.
Slaves, indeed, are not, and never will be,
comparable with the hardy peasantry Of
the mountains, in intellectual power, in
moral worth, in all that determines mans
degree in the moral scale, and raises HIM
above the brute-l beg pardon. his max.
er placed him above the brute above
the sayage-above that wretched state Of
which the only comfort is the natural
rights Of man. have as sincere feelings
of regard for that people as any man who
lives among them. But ! ask gentlemen
70 say, whether they believe that those
who are obliged to depend on their daily
labor for daily subsistence, can or do ever
enter into political affairs. Trey never
do--never will-~never can. Educated
myself TO profession, which, IN his coun-
try, has been supposed to fit the mind for
the duties Of the statesman, have yet
never had occasion 10 turn my mind to
any general question OF politics without
feeling the effect of professional HABITS to
narrow and contract the mind. If others
are more fortunate, congratulate them.
Now what real share, so far as mind is
concerned, does any man suppose the
peasantry of the West--that peasantry
which it must have when the country is
as completely filled up with day-laborers
as ours is Of slaves--can or will take in
affairs of State Gentlemen may say,
their laborers are the most intelligent on
earth-w which | hope is true-that they
will rise to political intelligence. But
when they rise, others must supply the
place they rise from. What then is the
practical effect of the scheme OF represent
tatior in question Simply, that the men
of properly OF the West shall be allowed
a representation for all their day-laborers,
without contributing an additional cent
Of revenue; and that the man oil property
of the Fast shall contribute in proportion
TO all the slave labor they employ with
out any additional representation. Sir,
| am against all this-l am Tor repre-
sentation of every interest in scciety-ior
posing and balancing all interests-lor
saving each and oil from the sin of OPP
pressing, and from the curse CT being op-
pressed.
"Sir, the amendment offered by my
honorable friend from Culpeper, is a
scheme for balancing the various interests
of the commonwealth with exact and
equal justice--not deprving members OF
their due weight, for it allows them full
epresentation-yet allowing property al.
SO that talr, due and just share Of repre-
sentation, which is essential to its prolec.
ton and security. 1t proposes TO Guild
up Government on the interests of socie-
ty, with due regard 20 the rights both OF
persons and property, and 10 confde pow
err to those whose selt.ove will forever
prevent them from abusing it. lfgentIe-
men prefer the federal number as the
basis OF representation, shall be content.
If they prefer county representation,
founded on any fair principle, respecting
peculiar interests, and balancing the pow
ers of government accordingly-iho' |
am sensible that this will be more diff.
cult operation-I shall be content. But
| must forever contend, that principle,
which, in government prolessejly instl.
tuted for the protection and security Of
property as well as mere personal rights,
discaims all regard to the interests of
property and allows representation to
members only, is dangerous and vitious,
contrary to all the details of pruCence
and justice, and incompatible with the ma.
ture of representative government, its
wholesome operation and all lis ends"
The above is literal extract from Mr.. Leigh's
speech the basis of representation, as reported
in THE Enquirer" of the day, and in Richie &
Cooks " Debates in the Virginia Convention of
1917, r. 1867 ) a report winch pears ihteina'
evidence of accuracy. There may possibly have
been other reports of the speech in which his Ian
guage was distorted msrepresented, through de-
sign or misconception, through the mere imper-
lection of the act of reporting. Ii is not known,
however, that there was at the time any such dis
torton or misrepresentation. Hardly any report
er could have represented Mr. Leigh to have said
that " Mechanics and laborers have neither the
means nor the inclination to study the science of
government, and therefore unsafe repositories
of public trust" A sentiment of that kind
no wise opposite to the purpose Of his srgu nen',
and therefore could have entered into his mind
To the opinions which Mr. Leigh did utter in
the Convention, as is we'll known to all who are
acquainted with him. he still adheres; nor is it
likely he will ever retraot them. These opinions
are unpopular enough in The Western part Of Vir-
ginia without being exaggerated or misrepresented;
and he must be content TO bear the unpopularity
they have incurred with US. 1t is however we'll
known that ne holds those opinions in common with
of the self-styed Democrats of East
ern Virginia, The State of Massachusetts has
lately proposed amendment OF the Constitution
of the U. States, whereby representation in Con-
gress is to be apportioned according to free white
III bas he haa