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

this point measurably relnquished BY the great
dabators Of former times. Alluson has been made to
the late Judge upshur, but he expressly declared that
persons and property the eleIents Of society,"
propcryis an element of society. II is the weaker ce-
ment il Is true but still an essential element In refer
euce TO the Use ol political power it is inunimae
md passive, while the stronger element is animate
and active. He is stronger and will eventually govern
the weaker element, unless the proportions of the com.
ound be so arranged rs to harnonise the INGREDIENTS
and protect thc weaker from the action of the strong
err. Hence it is our duty to form means of protect
ING the weaker against the depredations of the stronger
this be not dotc society must experience the shock of
the war of elements and rational liberty must be de-
stroyed How shall II be done but by giving the ind
vi,ias holding property the power by represent alton
to protect those ights which attach in property.
Again: it is important proprietors should enjoy the
advantages OF representation, to enable them TO protect
their proprietary rights because those rights are the
most ccpos subject OF legislation ever experiencing the
ccsin action OF the representative body Property is
dlsc through all the ran.iicutions of socc y and the
Legislative power prfsues il into its mos intricate
htIu- II Is important then to its safety tina, propric
tors such, shall have power 10 protect their rights in
Ipropcrt:. And iii addition 20 the general power of le
,-l,o it is the function the prcrogative of the legis
nature constantly to the delicate trust of setting
tnrart portion of the wealth which has accumuutc IN
the hauds OF individuals to be nppropri ed to the gen
cra purposes Of society. And this is the principle OF
Itaxaticn Taxation has been yariously defined here.
5y gentleman ii has been pronounced an erari;pn
from The cilizels By the government" This is the pr.
,plc Of despoti>m Ii Til, definition be correct the gov
"nmrI pro fanto is dcspolc and it is indispensable Il
ih proprietor that hc shall! b. secure in the power OF
representation to protect hiself from unjust and cxor-
Dilant cXacton.
B:another definition taxation is declared To b. n deb,
,lut from the citizen to the government And this
he mcap sca definition Government is pcrsoniticc
kind of perspniticaiion or nm apn,heosi,
! II b,Iutrt b, tr...
5 ncam"rplInsed into an adversary contracting part
ie.cn- the collection of alleged bt II i iudi.
peIl,abc the proprietor that he shall have power
through representation, to ascertain the sum really du,
ana 10 ensure the observance OF Just and mild forms il
he process vi collection
Lastly Taxation is defined, the voluntary conribu
ion Of the citizen to the general purposes of The State
a. this definition Is truly republican, The cont rihutor
~ voluntary 1t is b. the actual consent of the citizen
Which only be expressed by the citizen in person. ol
~ hi agent and since il impossible in the nature 81
ngs that the be given in pei son result,
at il must be expressed through an agent and that
agent is necessarily representative. Thu is il shown
hat any theory Of taxation representation is ind,
pcI-ale to express The and to shield and pro
from unjust. cXlorbitau or illegal exaction i'h
!, the doctrine {" thu bill of rights which declares tina,
no man shall! be taxed deprived of his property ion
public wiiioa has consent tina! Of lis rpr..
1tiire' chosen accordin. the forms of the co,su
gi" t" which mode of selection he has previously give
Ms assent. From all til, il results that rs property
element q. society, which cnuo, be protected with
ont representation, YOU bound TO give the right OF
Representations expose Yourselves to the war If rlc-
.mrfti:. i'll which III" fabric Of human liberty mast fall
desire call the attention OF this body 20 the ac-
gun Of the general conventions the basis al repre-
.rnityn established in tin. simion "t the J'nitc
STATES We have been told be distinguished m!..Abel
II oar body That did not come here to irv" hare
Iiri.iu But Whit is the bargain sought to he cniolccd
The part oi our Western brethren The right 81 pro.
pert - representation, has hc", conceded in The con
liutpr OF The United States in the basis Of repre-
..tation. Ia the I" ted States property has bc. al
lowed this representation aud this too v the hard bar
ain drivers OF the North They have conceded to u
his ,cn.ns-thcv have allowed representation 20 prop
rLy in the basis OF fedora! numbers Do western
brethren Concetic I" the measure of Justice:
III" N"rl consented 10 one rc of representation and
a&"ion-tat taxation aud representation sh"tl De- a.;
;,Jr;uncd The basis. 10 he asccrtancd bv ii.
lie iue. founded upon Plumbers. these numbers to b.
.-ccrtaneu by Il moc OF computation provided in the
'"r!s ri the constitution. They counted thrcc.tiiths al
!Ic slaves FOR Ill" purpose of representation. and the.
excluded twu.,ii1hs from the putalion Thcy
hrrc-iiiihs oI si:c- tor taxation and exempt two-ifth-
They aGop one basis Of arporiionment through til,
i,"le ech,mc Of government. No; SO with western
fi"nd- They propose basis ri representation
beneficial 10 themselves. and ano her basis for taxation
most hctr!!cai /" themselves. They for :h basis ~
t,iocr:. ana ca;m the ben, 1T OF he numerical maori.
'.i@ii the c"f!" 10 avportion nXaion they rcpudat,
ii, bass OF !uu.ocrs II Ills driving hard bargain
The h.,,, Of numbers i good !"r rrprcscntation gives
;Ac w"st power: b"i it Is bad for i"rhi0R-hc at,e
could exact taxes in proportion to numbers and repre-
a's,aion This ;H"v deem utterly oppressive, ana nj
though they stand up the indomit"bc advocates o.
M eternal aud never varying principles OF Justice, wlc
Ter own rule comes to operate lnur"ls!r upon Them
p. ... o. they uniI",ila;inglv discard it, Numbers
numbers "tI". I" be regarded in the appor;innmrn
tt,ty il
al taXllon the rule is not To be regarded u; ALL
he doctrine "t friends. They not will
Ing - pay taxes III proportion to nun bcrs-th"v an
the rule "f numbers to take To themselves the greatest
possible share Of representation bnt when comes [,
..xori proportiunata taxation lhry liz in the face
heir rulc and seek establish another the prop.
.,r; the ratio Of contribution, which EFFORTS from h
LAST the greatest an"Li ." taxes and from the West th
least. Thus j. ii shown. that we tern brethren
generous i'll themselves devoted 10 the principles
eternal justice. seek establish hro rules Of apportion
nrnt-onc for representation and another for taxation
t.ch i'll the form most beneficial 10 themselves Acting
cac long It's action is beneficial to tie Interest
OF the West hd dlscardng each prccsc al the pDni
where It's action wGuld commence 10 De favorable to thu
East. Yet these gentlemen are shocked at the idea ni
coming up here 10 driye hard bargains Sir more
uSt. unequal and oppressive proposition, sub
mi; ed Tor ti!c adoption Of til" people Of America
ias-.chu-ctls proposed 10 adopt the basis OF
white population the rule of representation FIR the
mon: Gut tnCE were willing also Ia adopt II Tor the
rue OF the apportionmcnt Of taxation Thcy
sciig that one rule Of justice should pcrvudc oui
whole system oi government. But western friends
Who desire not to drive hard bargains up and in
list upon III" adoption Of rule which will give them
IN" greatest share of representation with the least &c
gree Of axaton, and impose upon Us the necessity Of
taking the least share "f representation and Of paying
the greatest proportion n taxes. Ih, true and faith
!al analysis of the rule of appor;innmcnt which tLeg
propose" II Is impossible to disguise The fact that
property must be represented in every governmental
must exert legitimate influence IN every government
or the advantages OF society must be lost. Edmund
Burke ana Sir James Macintosh have been ad,llcel
authorities to di,cret The rules OF apportinn
m,nt but their ",inicns Inscribed mprrslable
history. ana the authority ri both these usrioIs
MAJ be niti'ced to attes; the necessity of reprcscn
lion to the safety oil property Burke declares cmphati
ca!y that
Nothing Is a due and adequate representation of Il
State that does not represent lis ability we'll as its
property.
In his essay upon France addressing himself to the
French people he sag
"'The property Of France does moi govern Frarce-of
course properly Is destroyed and rational liberty ha, no
.xi>t.nce.
Sir James Nackntosh. in an essay on the right Of par
t1f.r.- -,-.Trn =