The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-05-22

oae mas oeen IN session since the rsl OF January and
until recently no material progress was made The great
dmculty was TO fix upon some basis Of representation
which might be acceptable to the two divisions Of the
Slate. The people west Of the Blue Ridge mountains
insisted on basing representation the whites alone
while the people east of those mountains having in mind
the maxim that taxation and should 70 TO-
gether insisted the representation of property as well
a. persons II seems that the proposition Of neither sec
ton could command majority in the convention and il
became to be plain and papsble that some compromise
must be adopted the convention adjourn without &C.
complaining anything leaving the State prey to those
dissasiactions which were apprehended from continu
ance OF the present constitution at
Several compromise propositions were brough, forward
BY individual MEMBERS and reported by committees but
none OF them strong enough, until the report of
special committee made during the last few DAYS
The plan reported by that committee was carried in
committee Of the WHOLE and now pending before The
convention. We learn from the Richmond Enquirer that
the western delegates sustain il unanimously, while
sufficient number Of eastern delegates pledged in lis
favor to make certain that its leading features will be
adopted.
The friends OF the ancient Commonwealth have been
for some time uneasy at the long continuance OF the diff
cultics we have mentioned. They have even been
alarmed at rumors Of excitement and hostility between
the eastern and western delegates We have not before
alluded to this subject for fear that the one party OF the
other might msconstrue motives. and regard such
alusion interference with the domestic
concerns Of sovereign State. But we cannot refrain
from speaking. since there is every probability that the
Gordian knot will be united without the use OF vio-
ence and all fears of ACKNOWLEDGMENT Of that ancient
monwealth-whch is bound TO all the States by
50 many hallowed reminiscences-be dissipated by
compromise Of those conflicting views which seemed at
one time SO full Of perilous consequences.
1t would not be becoming in US to pass any Judgment
on the compromise which has been adopted in com.
mittee. We not sufficiently acquainted with it's
antecedents to do so, were it proper for US 10
express opinion. But we are permitted to express
qualification that dangerous and exciting ques-
hon-one which threatened few weeks ago to
rend the Old Dominion in twain-is about to be CON-
posed by an adjustment which commanded the sup
port of majority OF those who represent her sovereignty
in the Richmond convention The dismemberment, from
intestine difficulties OF such S.ate-the first State set
tied in Amerca-he first to declare her independence OF
Great Britan-the mother of the South State
which freely gave pncely domain sustain the federal
authority in its time of weaknesswhch gave Washing
others, aid in achieving independence and building
up peerless institutonske dismembermen OF such
State by intestine difficulties would be most amenta-
BILE But the danger has nearly passed by, and the
clouds have begun TO disperse. We trust we may be
permitted rejoice at the suspicious event without
pressing any opinion the by which that
has been accomplished. as.te
The difficulty in the Virginia convention from the
fact that there is large slave population OF the
mountains. while the slave population west Of The
mountains is comparatively insignificant The delegates
OF the west commended they commended in the
ton OF 1922 that representation should be based the
Dhns population. while the commended for the mIsd
bass This division o! parties would look chiefly to
abstract issue far as the west is concerned and
would be practical far the east is concerned be-
cause those who peculiar species Of property
should have the Of protecting that property IRON
the taxation OF local power which had considerable
interest in il But the basis question was in respect
an abstract question. The ngh,fulness or wrongful
ness OF representing slave property is not. II we I'M
ders,and the subec. the real issue involved The real
issue il the power control the internal
policy OF the State and to levy taxes to meet expend
lures necessary TO carry such improvements. That
ia the real issue, unless we have fallen into gross
error
The COMPROMISE sgreed IN committee divides the
into two bodies the senate and house Of dele
gates The senate is to consist OF fifty members-,hir,y
from the east and twenty from the west The house OF
delegates Is TO consist OF ore hundred and fifty members
sixty eight from the east and egh,y,wo from the west
By this arrang ement the east will have majority OF ten
in the senate and the west majority OF fourteen IN the
house Of deegatss-squa 10 majority OF four on ofht
ballot This majority may be made available in the cleo
ton OF United States senator's and such State officers
the convention may make eligible by the Legislature On
the other hand. majority OF ten in body OF fifty "a
more efficient than majority Of fourteen in body Of
one hundred and fifty, and may readily, when united,
prevent any improper taxation or appropriation The
proposed compromise provides further that the general
assembly shall reapponon the representation in the sen
ale and house Of delegates 1865 and the event that
the general assembly cannot agree TO the principle
which the re1pporlionmrnt shall be made, the question
shall he referred TO the qualified voters OF the Common
wealth who shall determine BY their votes whether
shall be based the number OF The
number OF white inhabitants and the amount of taxes
We fear that this provision, il adopted may have the ef
fec, Of posponng rather than permanently composing the
presen, difficulties
But it is our purpose 10 analyze the compromise
Our intention simply to express our qualification At
the prospect, Of dssipaling the dangers which were ap
srehended by the adoption OF to be submit.
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