Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-04-01
REMARKS OF Mr. HALL. Of Lancaster, THURS
NV Norcb a. 1851.

REMARKS OF 4R. HALL, Of Laaeaster' 1HORS-
DAY March l3, 1851.
MrHALL At this stage Of this very oeoase
il would be presumptuous in ME to ask tue VI
the committee to listen to what &c termed le9sthened
speech upon question which has been so aoy discussed
on both sides and which has been III almost eve
nv conceivable aspect And yet, am induced to throw
myself upon the kindness OF the committee Tor short
time whilst attempt do that winch certainly had
not the least idea Of doing until very recently, to pre-
sent few thoughts that have occurred to my mind
which may have some bearing upon the question: They
will no.doubt be crude and desultory and may make
no impression upon the minds Vt gentlemen; but in pre-
sentng them shall have discharged duty that may
be expected of me- BY portion at least of those who
have conferred upon me tie high trust with which am
invested Ny purpose is to make use Of some Of the
fragments OF time, IL gather up few fragments of
gurent, if there shall be any, that may have been left
upon this OCCASION
Although the district which have the honor in part
TO represent is connected with the nobet On the
page al the worlds eiTil political history-whch
name | need not repeat to indicate my reference
claim no right to be heard this account. What
though county of my district (Westmoreland) gave
birth 70 that greatest OF statesmen; anu another my own
little couny Of Lancaster) was the birthplace OF her
who's. breasts first nourshed the infant hero-shall
presume upon these considerations to obtrude myself
upon the committed No. sir, make no such claim Inc
rights and interests of my constituents sone furnish inc
| only plea have to make.
|
whole Ct that section of the sa:e from which come
! known as Tdswater which demands the specla nolce
Of this committee: and it is because OF TINS Pecu's
Of interests and because think that those interests
Lave not received their tuu snare OF atteuLiou' lu
! have risen to address you.
We're il not for the great dssimarty Of interests III
| this commonwealth this perpenng question had not
been raised or being raised had not produced TINS pro
traced debate II there were no Tide water
Valley Allegheny divisions known IN the state
if there were but one ndivsibe Virginia III interests
we had long ago performed the duties tor WHICH We
were elected and given the people Of the common
wealth. constitution worthy OF themselves ana o. 'n'
convention. 49, liza
diny rbis discussion upon what gentlemen term lhel
principles There such things principles out aouc
very much whether gentlemen who have discussed th'
oues.iou, have always been guloeo ny mem no"e ~
honestly and conscentlousiy they h"'e inA'nAeu 1'
| contrary. ..,
which should regulate the motives and conduct Of ali
men, ever where, end under all circumstances lhey
are moi confined particular classes Of persons procs
of time or locality Of stuaon and yet the remarkable
inc: las been developed in this debGte that tho top Of
the Blue Ridge mountains Ia the precise dividing line
which separates people, ell protesting TO DO governed
ty principle and yet differing in toto from each other
in regard those fundamental truths which should gov
EN- all msn How has this occurred2 Why is j: that
this particular line should mark the distinction between
50 large number Of individuals all claiming TO be
tuated BY the same principles-by those fundamental
truths Of which we have heard SO much' Is there any
,h!n IN the climate of these two sections Of east and
west; which acts upon the percepve faculties and
such difference of opinion No. there other and
we'll known which have produced this strange
inconsistency Mans interest ID his ruling motive and
change Ike permanent location OF the residents of these
two grand divisions OF the State and YOU would
reverse their acts and opinions. admit it for the cast
aud believe it is in regard to the west And change
the relative position of members upon this foor
ven the assertion that the tables would be turned,
that | myself aud those that act with me, would be
western in our feeing-whte basis if YOU please
and that those gentlemen who would supply places
would most strenuonsly contend for the mixed basis
cannot but believe that the venerable and distinguished
gentleman from Greenbrier, Mr. SMlrH.) who opened
this debate. had he remained within cannon shot Of
this metropolis and not sought his fortunes in the west
would have entertained very different views from those
which be SO ably advocated here mean no personal
offence. 1t is trait of fallen humanity, which is
common with US ALL and which l possess mysef and
which of at all times fully detect in III
tercourse with our fellow creatures.
In he further remarks that shall make tx: rfore
am free to acknowledge, that however might
with my brethren the claims Of the upon
the score Of principle shall nevertheless base
them upon the interest OF my constituents Is there
one gentleman upon this fyor who will complain Of Inc
iur this If he must be gentleman who is himself
prepared acknowledge that he does not here
represent the interests IT his own constituents, but to
,acrifce them if they conflict with abstract theories of
government, which he may imagine are based upon
principle.
The course which have marked out Tor my own gov
eminent does not require me to invade the rights Of
others but to guard and defend my own II the adop
ton of the substitute proposed by the gentleman from
rauou MIR SooTT) and failure Of that, the sdop
Ion Of report A. Of the basis committee instead of plan
B. does violence to any OF the rights OF my western
riends am not bound, according TO my own conces
inns to prefer them But does either the one or the
he: work injustice TO any section or class think not
And if gentlemen will this question in light
Which have not heard presented, think it will have
tendency to lessen their adherence OF tho apportion
neut of representation as proposed BY the east.
They denounce the mixed basis Of representation as
egraiinc in the extreme because they say it proposes
% put valuation in money upon the heads of western
reenen Because the east proposes TO base reresenta
ton upon taxation well white population, and be-
ause by dividing the annual revenue of the state by
the number Of white inhabitants. they obtain quotient
some fifty sixty cents they logically conclude
Iney suppose that this quoten is precisely the price
which we put upon western freeman. Anticipating
hat which fear shall never realize, future reduc
ION Of gentlemen have reduced the per capita
!liunIon low as ten cents Now propose to exam
ne this argument and endearor to disabuse the minds of
he people of the west, if they will condesceni
r read what may say as it regards the degradation
which We propose to put upon them
We intend no such thing. We propose no such thing
let US examine the evidence on tue subject.
we nave Ueeu souI 1eie LAC peuPio " EohIout'e
eform or gentlemen say, to construct const
ution entirely We all agree that in settling the
terms Of the compact respect must be bad to the rights
md interests of each and every section of the state
that every branch of the government should be organ
zed TO that end and especially that most important de-
pertinent of all governments, the legislature, should be
% constituted to give adequate protection to ell.
1t is admitted by all that the nights Of persons and
he rights of property comprehend the entire Of all
ne interests that be imagined aud that in the
truction of the government both should be adequately
protected.
The lattudinous opinions of my friend from Accomac
Mr. W1sE) in regard to popular rights does not conflict
With this principle He emphaticay says that he cane
ers protect eastern interests that because he
EASTERN man be advocates the white basis believing that
be prosperity of eastern Virginia will thereby be pro-
noted.
But let US inquire how these two great interests can
osst be secured Neither is paramount to the other
rhey are so intimately united that cannot long oxs
without the other II you rob Of my property you
AXE my life, and taking my life you take my all
"You take my house when you do take away
Tho prop that doth sustain my house,
You take my Life when you do take away
The means W. ereby live"