Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1844-12-31
For The Enquirer.
To nALBEMARLE."


In response 10 a commentator over the sigma
ture of Albemarle in your paper ofthe 10th inst,
coincide with him upon the propriey and GER
tainty Of holding a convention in our District,
called Albemarle, for the purpose ofnominating
candidate on The part of the Democracy. 10 run
for the Representative in the aforesaid District
for Congress Bu, Albemarle don't stop there
his object seems more to discuss the principle Of
preponderance, as he thinks, unequiyocally be-
longs 10 the counties in the District, which have
the greatest number of votes-from which hypo-
thesis is only reduciblc 10 subordnatlon the mi
nority 10 the majority-thus in word merging the
smaller into the greater, which undoubtedly would
be the case, if Albemare and Bedford were unan-
imonS in their vote, either for one or the other
party and By shrewd shutting, the two large coun.
ties could invariably, at their pleasure, cut and
deal Tor the smaller counties, and nominate their
own county candidate; when, upon the other
hand, admitting the small counties should form
a league TO carry the nomination, they would be
too weak in numbers, under the numerical sys-
tem-and would BE- perpetually under The mercy
OF Albemarle and Bedford. | cannot see that
side of the picture observed by "Albemarle," that
there is no analogy between the county system Of
voting, and the system Of voting by States ulli-
matey, for President OF the q. S. But, TO the con-
trary the two principles are identified; the General
Government operates within the circle oiihe States
conjunciively, thereby giving uniform rule
TO them all; yet forbearing giving a preponade-
rance of power TO large State over the smaller;
hence the respect and protection Of the minority
from the crushing jaws the majority, which
nature revolts at. The principle is simply re-
solved into the problem, that the strong shall
give rule and incentive to The weak. Viewing
the counties in State id0nlicay upon the same
principle 10 their State Government as the States
are 10 the General Government, and we see the
same principle or rule of protection. The States
give ldws their counties, but the counties can't
give laws 10 one another, which is the same in
point with the General Government. II can
make laws for the States, but it can't under this
municipal give one State, no matter how large, the
power of making law for smaller State
ii man in Albemarle requires more breath 10
sustain his existence than one in Orange or
Greene, of course then his power of inhalation
would be in the same ratio with his power Of ex-
halaton, and consequently he would blow a
stronger blast, than man of Greene or Orange
could; and, as matter OF course then, and Of
right, the winding of the horn would fall upon
Albemarle as the strongest blower, and the Greene
and Orange boys would only have to obey the
sound. cannot see the latent reasoning of"Al-
bemarle," in supposing that, because one county
is larger than another it should give dictation 10
the smaller, no more than can IN New YORK
debating for one OF her smaller sisters. Though
one man is smaller than another he ought not TO
be deprived of the power Of giving that i'm
preston of feeling which rouses his sensation
and islhereby deprived Of his voice i'll advocating
his rights, because the feelings and interests of
large man are not agreeable TO him. The same
coincidence might be spun out indefinitely. For
instance, a large nation is entitled 10 dictate TO
The smaller, thus deprving the smaller nation OF
looking 10 her own concerns. am very doubt
ful whether the small counties will yield 10 "Albe
mare's" suggestions; and, moreover, am very
clearly of opinion, that il they should, they will
Weld that which they are entitled 10, and what
does no, belong TO Albemarle. Let rs not differ
about the peculiar mode of nominating our can
didate hut let US throw of sectional feeling and
personal favor, and rally 10 the centre Of the dis
irct, and nominate that man whose talents fiji him
for the place. and whose responsibility and weight
Of character will inspire one consolidated move
10 the polls, and once more and forever resusetac
the name Of Monticello. GREENE