Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1851-07-01
THE BASIS COMPROMISE.

ed IN previous number OF this iape-, to
place either the writer, or the suto9tct, in an
improper light before the public. OR OBJ
ject was, to defend position assumed by us
few weeks since, in some remarks accom-
panying an announcement Of the Compro-
mise; and we would not again refer to the
matter, did We net deem it our duty, to re-
ply to certain parts Of the communication
upon the same subject, continued in another
column We are there represented as plac
ing words in the mouth ofour correspondent,
which be did not use In answer to that
part Of his communication, in which partjua
lar care is taken to deny the use Of certain
words. marked as quotations. we baye to
state, that our article did not insinuate that
to be the express language used. But it
was or design then, and is now, to state that
such was the tenor Of his argument, and that
we can easily prove, He says. first. al did
not say the advocates Of tn, Mixed Basis,
have gotten all they claimed, that they have
lost nothing by the adjustment Here is
what was said on that point:
On the one hand, (Mixed Basis side) it
ives contenaed in tue discussion referred to.
that it was most material to us to guard
gainst the adoption of the White Basis, "if
those provisions should not be embodied in
the Consttution" provisions not only of
guarantee but preventing the call of another
Convention unless the guarantee adopted
should be flat Of "a House UPON THE
NUMBERS. 1t was thus, distinctly assumed
that such an organization OK the Legislature
would be just and wise because it was con-
sidersd immaterial, that the Mixed Basis
should prevail in both Houses.
The Mixed Basis and Federal numbers
were admitted, on all sides. in the Conven.
tion Of 1920, to be the same-and, now in a
Senate Of fifty, as provided by the Compro
rise. and in which twenty Senators are as
signed to the West, the Basis of Federal
numbers, strictly. would give it no more than
flcenty-tloo and a fraction-so that the Ser
ate is, to all intents and purposes proposed
to be constituted. Substantially upon the
Federal Basis
If, then, the Mixed Basis party have sue
cceded in getting Compromise, in which
their favorite scheme of representation pre-
vail 'for period of years sufficient for all
purposes" as is commended, it is evident, &C
cording to the argument of our correspondent,
that they have gotten what they claimed,
and lost nothing by the adjustment"
He denies having said. that in fifteen
years. the interests of the West viii be ideu-
tiled with those Of the East" His article
reads as follows
"Indeed, the West ITSELF in fifteen or
twenty years. will have much at stake in the
matter of taxation. Increasing in wealth
and population, and especially under the in
fuence OF the improvements, begun and au-
thorlzed, and Of such further aid, as may be
judiciously extended to it, it will. Moreover,
then be entitled to the power, in all probatll-
ity upon the Mixed Basis principle itself"
The Mixed Basis principle is an Eastern
p-inciple-We may here remark that we
consider fifteen years very brief space in
the existance of State. If tie above means
the reverse Of what we stated, it must BE ad-
United that the writer's argument is as alb
struse as lis style is obscure.
But the object of the communication was
ITO prevent any riisapprehensiou Which our
editorials might occasion" And now, "most
potent, grave and reverend seign;or, our very
worthy and approved good master" we con
fess ourselves at loss, to know how any
misapprehension could arise, from correct
sketch of the bill ITSELF fixing the represen-
tation, by which our remarks were accompa-
Med The substance Of that bill, was placed
before our readers for their information.
They could read it and see its effects
The more We have thought of the fnal
settlemcntof this question in the Convention,
since its adoption, the more we have been
confirmed in the impressions which we an
nounced in our frst article on the subject
Indeed We are utterly al loss to perceive,
how any candid, fair judging and fair reason
ing man can regard it in any other light than
as q total SURRENDER OF tue mixed OASIS and
perfect and complete triumph Of the oppo~
principle
That the East every where so regards it
is certain. And if we were so disposed, we
might Eli our columns twice over from the
proceedings of their popular meetings-tbe
editorials of their press and the speeches Of
their orators with the solemn declaration Of
their opinions to the same effect.
We shall however content ourselves with
few extracts from the speeches of two oil
the most calm, rejecting and able advocates
of tie Mixed Baris in the Convention.
Aud first let us bear what Mr.. Janney Of
the County of Loudoun thinks of the settle
ment ofthis question Surely if any mans
mere opinion is entitled to weight upon that
point, it is here:
We have been batlliag here FOR Gye months ia