Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1850-03-01

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bas representation upon population ana ,aNa'o' r OF
J - allow each grand division oi tlr STATE hu ,, f
i.o.,es in proportion 10 IL population anu w KIN his
ue n,va There is no State in this Union III "l''' W.
l has been recognized. Even i'll Sonth "'o y. y.
LIZ. nopulaon and taxation are combined a. ,;;,a
nrssentaon this plan olaying oil the STATE iho w don
y lla,ng 40 many delegates To each, has nor pseh "i
aJ rThe zen tcman from Logan here renal keo' l -,
Snb Carolina representation was based eNciusiNcis
axation No. sir am correct II : paS'a , o INSTITUTION
tS me II saws: In assigning representatives w.
several districts Of the State the Legislature shan om
renrfsenative for every sAty-secona pun one rcurc-
ibnr of white inhabitants in the State; ana one il
aavc also for every sxty-sccond part oi inc MhJ,e
YEA raised hy the Legislature of The state Ie.' W,
whole population of the State IS taken IN r and the
h whole amount Of also in the aggres,.t "u W.
bcr Of delegates calculated for the whole STATE
nqly and not specified number Tor eaeh oiSf'o'' :"
posed by this bill 49,. ,, s,i,u,ion of any
sa, in the Union with the exception Just stated IN ~
1,aroIna representation is based upon edera hu'"l
coruo thc same basis is adopted In tennessee, '' ~
- f CONSERVATIVES is apportioned among Inc Gun
es or districts according 10 the number oil liaeu
in each In Kentucky, representations equa uI lfni
IA i; regulated and asceraincd by the number u 9uacu
ocors in each county election district III ssisspl'
renresenarion apporoncd among the SEVERN coul,
cities or towns entitled TO separate on.h In
Alabama representation is apportionod among ule
counties cities towns, entitled to separate
ZION according TO their respective numbers Oh we d no.
,nis In Louisiana, representation IS ascef aihru anu
Iated by the number of qualified electors therein III al
he states just named, slavery exists and nave uhuti
stood is nearly uncqualy distributed, as II l. III 'ii
ct moi one of them has adopted the plan proposed III ms
bi If experience and the example OF our sister states are
10 have any weight with ought we not 10 follow me cN
ample set BY the majority But sir, we look back 10 !c
history of our State do not find that representation
was ever based upon the principle commended Tor uh
der our old constitution VIZ had county represci'
tation; each county was allowed two delegates WIN
out regard 10 territory, population or iaAaiio'-
This was found TO be unequal and unjust, and was
one of the primary which led TO the call Of me
Convention which formed eRr present Constitution; anu 81
in that Convention this very question, the basis Oh
taton was the all absorbing question. Day after dhv anu
week after week. discussed and that too by some Oh
the abes and purest patriots THIS or any o'er c1
ever produced And sir what the result OF their deoe
raons1 Why sir the adoption of the abomnabie, iinequa
and arbitrary system under which we are now aboring-by
which the Trans Allegheny psi:rt was to efe. nir'y
delegates the Valley District twenty ive, ihe Piedmont
District forty and the Tide waer District tnlrty -sS
This the result Of the abors Of The wise men oil the Eas
and their wish 10 palm oil upon us scheme a
most as objectionable this arbitrary appoitnhen
We wish break down those geographical lines mat were
established by present Constitution far as II Is pae
tcable 10 do and base representation upon us e aG
legitimate basis the white population Of the State Mhilc
contend that the white basis Is the only true basis upon
which representation should be based yet II our Eastern
brethren would manifest disposition 10 compromise upon
something like us and equitable terms feel willing TO
meet upon half way groud But they appear 10 BE-
determined force this bill upon u.s. or not give us any
shall feel constrained to vote against it, because establishes
principle there be principle in IT, that has never oee
recognized by any of The groat statesmen OF gina
Thomas Jefferson who acknowledged 10 have been one
of the greatest that this other country ever
produced yes he who is acknowledged have been the
geut apostle Of American liberty he, sir cpudltea s uoc
trine inequality Misrepresentation lie says IN MS eeI
Samuel kerchiva vol 1th page 2o5 But Inequality OF
representation in both Houses Of Legislature is not the
only republican hcresy in the first essay Of our revolutionary
patriots forming constitution For let II be agreed lai
government s republican in proportion as every member
COMPOSING il has his equal the direction OF its CON
Germs mot indeed in person. which would be mpractcao
beyond the limits OF city, small township buD oy rep
resenatves chosen by himself and responsible 10 nm al
short periods and lei bring 10 the test OF this canon every
brancn of constitution" Mr. Jefferson cnumeraes th'
amendments which he wished cngracd into the new
constitution and as do not intend 10 particulase me a
tecs in our present constitution and upon then
will read what he says upon this head The sum oil these
amendments is ls General suffrage a. Equal repfese,
talon in the Legislature. 3d. An executive chosen by inc
people A. Judges elective amcnabe D. Justices jurors
and shes elective. q, Ward divisions And = Periodical
amendments OF the constitution These, MI SPEAKER arr
OF the amendments that ought 10 be made IN our pre-
rnt constitution which every republican wi"
say ought To be- made
But sir not To be tedious, ! will pass on 10 examine The
opinion OF OF the other great statesmen oil virginia.
and those too who members OF The late CON
ycnon hni framed present constitution Robt lay
ur Norfolk city, ot the pnresl and most talented ic
in the convention. conscientious that rather liai
perpctrae such fraud upon the people Of the "a ~
this mixed basis upon hen was under me force oil ~,
structions say, conscientious upon TINS pnrtcNEi!
subject that than obey his instructions he resigned
his and Withdrew from The convention. Will give ms
views in his language as expressed in his letter oil %
signaton He says Having always believed ana mann
tanned that the OF representative government mainly
depends The principle that representation Is only mean
whereby the deliberate viii OF the constituent body 10 be
expressed and ciecaed no act OF mine shall ever impair
the principle Had my constituents instructed ne on some
matter of expectancy; required me 10 perform any
thing which possible il would have afforded me plea
testify with how cheerful submission would give
effect their opinion rather than my own But they ash
what is impossible they require 10 violate my conscience
and the sentiment Of lial devotion, which owe 10 my
country.
40, 7 fhst he
am instructed support is hostile 10 free Institutions de-
srucliyc 10 equality nj right among our citizens ana INTRO
ductive Of principle that minority on account oi superior
wealth. shall rule the majority OF the quahed voters OF INC
State should be guilty of moral treason against the beri!
OF my native land, ii allowed myself TO be the instrument
By which this mischieis effected In this state OF mind BY
executing The wishes Of my constituents, should suoeci
myself their rcproaches tor my baseness, and To the more
nsuiierable eproaches of my own conscience"
This The language Of one OF the purest and most devo
ted patriots this country produced and one sir VINO
rather than violate this great principle that the majority
should govern resigned The trust reposed in mn by con
hding constituency and retired from their service Thus h
gave practical illustration Of the obligations OF the repre-
sentative his constituents either 10 obey their WILL or re
sign The reposcd in him. into the hands from whence II
smanated Mr. Taylor by SO doing endeared himself 10 every
republican, and particularly 10 the Democracy OIL tRe
West who viii remember him. with gratitude ms long AZ re-
pubicansm remains among our Western hills which hope
will be a. long as time endlres.
Some of gentlemen who have advocated the passage OF
this bill say that this is anpropops lime 10 discuss ms
question: inasnuc the slavery question Is now aglting
from extremity 10 the OtiltI- tieN
abandon this great principle as they ermi II will be used
argument against the South by those who opposed
federal basis OF rcsrcse1taon in the Congress oil the
United States They say, "how we, with any degree oi
propefy or consistency surrender this principle here In
Virginia and contend for il element Of representation
in the Federal Government" say sir that there Is very
little analogy between the Federal and State Governments
The FcGtral Government is league compact between
sovereign and Independent Governments each acting in it,
sovereign capacity and the avehodng States when they
entered into This compact with States in which this nstiiu
ton did exist had perfect right TO make the best con-
they coui Tor the purpose of protecting this peculiar
species property But, sir the State Government not
compact between sovereign and Independent communities
government Of the people, ordained and established oy
the people operating upon Tho people rs individuals and l.
us as binding upon the minority who vote against liz adop
on as il il upon the majority who vote for II. Therefore
it consolidated government, and not compact ms
was not the with tho Federal Constitutions II was not
binding upon those States that did feel disposed TO adop
it, For the Constitution itself says the ratification oil the
Convention of nine States shall be sufficient for the esab
shncnt of this Constitution between the States so rayng
the sall,e."
Sir there Is another important difference between the prn
cpr attempted 10 be established BY the provisions OF thus
bill and the principle established the federal basis OF re-
presentation This bill based upon the principle that popu
on and taxation combined shall form the basis of repre-
ntatiou the be levied upon what species OF pro-
pery they nay in fact basng representation upon pro-
pcry This The principle adopted BY the Federal Con-
srion Slaves represented in The Congress OF The
nitcd States as persons and property They are
counted and not valued five slaves being counted equal
10 three white persons This sir is principle founded upon