Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-06-06

tv anv active agency in the administration of pnbc a
fairs-in controlling tho Legislative action of free
State confess that while admired the ability force
and strength with which the argument put, the
proposition fell ratingly upon my ear Property cal
have no safety except III the virtue and intelligence Of
the people: This was the proposition beautifully an
lounced but in ms humble Judgment utterly subyer
sive of all rational liberty. 1t is in derogation of the
first principles of government.
Mr. FAULKNER Ny remark was this. That if you
rejected the influence of property at the polls
Mr. GOODE | rccollcct that. 1t was announced
however, bv the gentleman, before he reached that
point of his remarks probably, that We alone
10 the virtue and intelligence Of the people.
Mr. FAULKNER. The gentleman is wholly mista
KEN 1t is not my theory upon the subject mt all re-
marked, that there were but two modes in framing q
constitution OF government in which vou could give pro-
lection to property by giving to property inu-
encc in the elective franchise and il you rejected its uu-
cncc at the polls, then there other mode but the
sytem of limitations which indicated in my argument
Mr. GoODE. apprchcnd perfectly the remarks OF
the gentleman and will endeavOr To do him astce.
From the commencement Of my life or that portion Of
IT, which has been devoted to the consideration of the
nature OF government, have been admonshcd BIZ the
fathers of the science Of American government and ali
government and h. all those whom have been uccts-
toned to respect that government must be laid in ira
lousy, Of the virtue and intelligence of the agents and
representatives of the people This doctrine OF conf
ding in the strength Of virtue and intelligence unsafe
and dangerous. well in public private life. lnli-
vdua man dares not trust the force Of his vir-
tue. He is obliged to >ubcc it, TO mbtual restraint;
and every day he feels the weakness OF his understand
ng. Man is capable OF occasional efforts, of heroic viz
tue but they are OF rare occurrence They are placed
nj long and distant intervals. along the shadowy coast
Of time. rs brin, lights t. mark the track oi the
raj mariner but they 10 enable him relax his nj
;ention nor relieve him from the necessity of watching
the indications nt the rising storm which lash into tenn
pest the fearful elements OF human passion. Sir the
price of safety is uilceasins watchfulness eternal
vigilance i the price OF Liberty" know the gentle
man from Berkeley did advert to the necessity OF
protecting property at the polls understood him 10
intimate III the present state OF the public nnd III the
present state oil civilization in America that public SEN
imcut will permit the Limitation upon the elective
franchise. essential to the safety Of property.
Can such limitation be imposed on the elective fran
shisr-such modification of the right of suffrage IN
The present state Of public sentiment, a To insure that
safety to property which he and agree i lndspc"si-
ue /" the prosperity of natni and to the happiness
Of people Ee did declare that il power and proper
were not married At the polls they would suffer III
volccl rincnio and property be left with security
cpt in constitutional limitations upon legislative power
That was the Interpretation which placed upon tie
;cnarks o.. the distinguished gentleman who received
me- that profound attention tn which he l. en-
;ncntly entitled Now. attention had been before
directed in degree the subject by the significant
expression. which cl! from the distinguished gentleman
from kanawha (Mr. SUMMERS. who was understood 10
say, why do You not attack suffrage Why do you at
tack representa- on which is but the result of suffrage
Mr. SUMMERS On his srat) Suffrage ra'tsr than
Representations
MIR. GOODE. Was struck with the remark at the
time and fell some curiosity to know. whether these
Gentlemen DESTROYS OF placing ich limitations up
the ri., OF suffrage would extend ccctual pro
lection TO PROPERTY in the present condition of our 50
tiety Ii gentlemen should insist such arrange
elm rnnl,- int liInt,t I'M u
suffrage are dcsgnc! to protect property again~. the
war of Glasses alone. Such arrangement could nj
fld security against collisions originating in IN"
flashing Interests Oi distant sections. You may nnt
the right OF suffrage. but YOU will rot, by snch ini-
tions protect society against sectional and against
the divcrt!es of sectional interests j." regulation u
tie crcy" iranchsc, YOU may protect PROPERTY against
he aggrcs-ioS those who have property; that il
The war Of classes. But know of such III that
circle Of society region Of country, in which live
There rich 10 excite Inc acrarian princi-
pe--thcrc none poor to dcsri.e disregard
the principle of property Sir. willing to trust to
nv llci.:Lors. have fear of dcprcdatons upon my
property or upon TIL" property OF society from a"a-
tons cngendcrcd there. do not npprehcnd war upon
he sanclitv Of home person. upon the sanctty OF
the principle of property cannot peak ." the con-
sfituents Of other cnlcmcn speak with confidence
# my do not fear that the different Glasses Of
society will bc arrarcl against another fear nos
I system of a.raranism TINT will destror the principle
N, imagination. But have proved. think Success
fully, that there dverses OF Interests i'll the Con"
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES OF interests between the east
and the west. That diversity of interest cn-cnGcrs
OF things which will expose the properly Of The
east to Gcprcdatius from the west against which
shall lock in vain iur safety in any modification of the
elective franchise We must nave other scCrir
against these dangers than any which can be provided
v any regulation modification of the right oi sui
rrarc. What regulation will gi"" safety I" the east
int crest, The gentleman from Berkeley was understood
maintain thar after departing from the elective fran
mise there was 10 hope, except in the efficacy Of
constitutional limitations. and restraints upon lcssia
tive power.
Ihavc another hoppe hope there is virtue in the
rtatvc principle adequate tn thi. high purpose
believe the representative principle may have virtue
impaired tnav bc subjected to such mndiicat ions
will enable the different sections the Statcto protect
themselves against aggression prompted by conflicting
sectional interests. 1t has been done through the past
NAV il not be done through the tu!Trc ! believe tn.
aSs of representation which has been offered to the
west on he part Of the east a. part Of organic
law will have the effect to protect against his
tct OF sectional interests Believing that the interest,"
at the east will b. protected against be agrcssuis Of
the west and rice that the interests Of the ives,
will be protected against the nygrc-sons of the east
! earnestly desire lis adoption
IL Is obvious tina: b: adopting the rule Of apportrn
mcnt founded upon persons and property representa-
ton will bear proportion TO property, and NJ
5rc:atd number Of persons. with property. will have
larger representation than an equal aggregated num-
Der of persons without property. If, therefore pro
pcrty he accumulated in division Of the State in
larger degree than in another. il j. clear that larger
representation will he apport"nci 10 ANY number OF
persons in the division where there is !. greater accunl
laon of property, than would be assigned 10 in" sane
nlmbcr OF persons in the division having the smaller
accumulation OF property And il the division having
the greater Of property should have the smaller
number Of persons they would nevertheless be enabled
to protect themselves through the instrumcntalit~ Of
property representation against aggressipns from the
division with less property. but with larger number Of
persons. Now this is precisely the kind OF protection
which is essential eastern Virginia against The policy
Of the west IN the there is the smaller number of
persons, but the greater accumulation OF property and
consequently the greater amount of taxes. In the west
there the greater number # persons, but the smaller
accumulation OF property and Consequently the smaller
amount of taxes ~ the apor:ionmcnt Of representa-
ton Oh the combined basis larger Of repre-.
sentaton will br allotted to any number Of persons in
the east than would be allotted to the number Of
persons i'll the III consequence OF the excess Of pro
perv and the strcgih Of representation Irortiorc
the cast will enable In. east to protect itself aeans,
aggression FROM the and thai wholly Irrespective
Of any modification of the elective franchise
This i ;h, virtue which nSi, may be jmparad r.,