Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1850-02-26

privilege uspOslHI
think proper that the leaders OF the Democratic party 70
far from using their energies in favor OF the rights Of
and the formation OF Republican principle in
men had directed their efforts Tho comparatively niscra
BILE work of chasing the in the basement story OF your
Capitol The for thus surrendering the West into
the hands of the East without struggle is that they
slider the substitute Of The gentleman from Halifax com
promise between the white and federal basis What kind o
compromise is il compromise which yields our major
ity eight the white basis and accepts one OF II on the
combined basis \ compromise which giyes 10 the Eas
seven delegates than she would be entitled 10 on the
federal basis exclusive OF the free negroes, which population
il is the determination Of the Legislature 10 send from the
borders OF the Commonwealth; Qor the accomplishment OF
which YOU have Just made large appopration)and who
Number ,crI Of white population East, 10000
3a5 600 three.ffhs Of which are 237, 600
Making in federal numbers $4,000
White population west OF the Blue Ridge, ass, 600
Three tiifhs Of the slaves west $4,000
Making in Federal numbers $1,000
Of slaves between 1910 and 1850 found
ed on the decrease 1880 and lSl0 makes the ra-
oegaies which each would be entitled rs five
siyor in other words il would give IN The West 62 dse
gates and fraction and the East II and fraction. This
calculation sir is made in round numbers for the sake OF
veniece Ii should pursue the same course OF policy pur
sued ny others and give the fractions TO the West, would
give the East nine OF majority the Federal basis Is
this the compromise feast 10 which We are invited! COM
promze between the White and Federal bassa compromise
Of eight the White with their nine on the Federal basis
compromise which untes eight with their nine and
makes II for thcna compromise winch may be very sats
factory TO the gentlemen who have united win the East in
forming IT, and who now the warmest advocates for its
adoption BY this House. Save sir from such compro-
misses and in future such compromising friends.
Let u.s. for moment, examine two of the proml-
nent features of this much auded compromise In the first
district each delegate will represent 5OO white persons,
and 3l5 OF In he fourth district each delegate
will represent 9,212 white persons, and 81 56 vi
Take 5O70 white persons in the first district from 922 in
the fourth and leaves majority of 1902 white persons
to each delegate from the fourth district unrepresented
What is the price proposed be paid for this miserable
fce of the rights and privileges OF 1902 white citizens
each delegate from the fourth districts aggregate OF
6i 1915 of the white population West of the Blue Ridge
who must and will remain unrepresented in that Con-
vention The process of ascertaning the price very
simple take from ST. 3l5 Of taxes paid for each dele
gate in the first district the of 81 5G Of paid for
each delegate in the fourth district and have left the
sum of 80 59 Of in the first district against 1902 Of
the white population of the fourth disrct-o small
fraction so cents per head would to those from
the West who intend for this compromise take home
the calculations of the Commeepace them in the hands
of every OF the Westtel him that This compromise
was the best that you could makehat ii the best you
tried makethat YOU made known in advance that you
intended dispose Of the white population of the West
80 per head if offered; that
offered and made your mind 10 close the contract at
Are there no other duties be performed members Of
society besides the aXpayng duties for the performance Of
which you claim exercise The political power in this Com
monweahl Are there no other interests 10 be defended
interests of property What would be relative
dons in case OF war; Upon whom them would the bur
thens fall? They would fall upon the people of The Vest
Suupose that your country is nyaded-a call is made for
soldiers for its Defence from whence do those soldiers
Do they from the counties that the highest
and gentlemen contend should have the largest share
representation No sr-they do not The county Of New
and the county Of Notowny each have delegate
this floor representing fraction five hundred white
ttheahleswhie the counties OF Lewis Braxon and Gmer
but delegate representing four thousand white
theables If the call made that speak of the counties
Lewis &c. would furnish ak soldiers who would have
pt oil 6
tewhe the county Of New Kent the county of Motto
yav would furnish soldier and 80 80 against six of the
hardy veonanry of the West.
Ii gentlemen correct in their positions that property
Government is the rghul power and that proper
should constitute element in rho basis representa-
ton in the Legislative Department of that Government
would not be equally fair that soldiers should be called
from the different counties according the interest they
in the government Certainly Sir il would What
Sir by your act do you say us?at are your EQUALS
10 fight that If country is invaded you mus, furnish,
according your white population armed soldery TO de-
end III but when the war over and peace smiles upon
land the people who furnished six soldiers to your
one shrink back your former position-you nre not
equal in the exercise of political power Yes Sir six
81 our soldiers fall to your and when the widow and the
orphan OF the West shall ask the of this they are met
with the miserable reply of the property holder thai the price
has been paid With the great men of the Revolution 90.
yernmen in the hands Of the people experiment. and
the great question was how much OF popular rule could be
safely Infused into the Constitution of State, MANY Of
the grea, Of the Revolution in the Convention Of
90 and they carried with them into that Convention the
with patience the doctrine Of property representation
and OF property qualification when advocated BY the Mad
sons the Randophs the Barbours and by others of equal
distinction in that day sir il CRATES harshy upon
feelings when proclaimed by the pigmics of the present &c
neration.
government the hands of free people is no longer
experiment. Nearly all the States West Of US and be-
eye large majority OF The States OF this Union base
presentation upon white voters upon free population
Permit every free white male citizen q years of age
exercise the right Of suiragecquire property aua
the people Ye, when ask 10 have n Constitution guar
anreeng each citizen these nestmable privileges Con
sttuon hat shall place the humbes The poorest either
upon equal footing with the highest the proudest and The
weahiest we are gravely told that ask much; We
raunnry told you get from the Legislature all you
ask make your roads you money &C. what more dc
you WANT? As though pul contemplate mud turnpik,
n sufficient compensation for tho miserable scfIcgr1
ding condition Of inequality 10 which ARE subjected b,
your present Constitution
We have been asked this session to build railroads to Rich
mond 10 Alexandria, TO Petersburg &c We have bee:
told that duty Virpinans 10 build I'm The ci,i.
and towns OF State to make the market for our pro
ductions upon seaboard; to increase by all tho
means IN or power HE commercial wealth of the Atlantic
cities OF Virginia. This should be proud TO DO were
not for the detested doctrine of property representation
on are well aware that il and commerce alone
that promotes the growth and prosperity of cities md co
we OF the west, without pursuing suicidal policy direc
our commerce 10 the seaboard of Virginia. unite our efforts
with yours for the accumulation of wealth here when thu
very wealth is used the very Of our political depra
daton For one sir while wealth is 10 constitute an ee
ment of representation prefer TO assist in huid;no nm
foreign city where at least the wealth OF that civ cannon
used as means OF increasing the political power of our on
pressors. y
will examine this doctrine of property little farther
II Is right if IL Is true that poperty mus no
in order 10 be protected why not carry it out 10 i,s fne
eSen and in selecting the representative of that
why place the selection in the hands of the MANY when IN
The calculation of the Auditor which sine. examined
gree the West 10.