Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-05-27

Tho gentleman from Greeusville r CHAMBL1ss seems
"a ha haunted bv fearful apprehension of the conse
opances which are bea U.s. should we ever reach the
Cor mercal importance which New York has attained
And he is not the only one who has thrown out like sug
,os1;ons IF G.ars Shall then stop march, Are
1Iho rrsn;t of commerce to be discontinued because
tho succ.ss of sister State has brought with 1t some
OWLS which wo are compelled to deplore: But, beg
call these centlemens att enton to the fact that We
have q duty towards another government to iultl
That much Of our wealth is to be made to depend upon
to rer in which the affairs of Federal govern
mont are administered and it is important to us TO have
a. nrcb voice there as can be had How ask IS that
end to be accomplished except ny adopting pohcy
which will build up population anu thereby Keep
IN our REPRESENTATION in the Federal Congress II the
nicy Of internal improvements had taken deeper root
tho system had been pursued with proper energy IN
times nnt Baltimore would not now be Boosting OF the
co oo increase of her population in the course of the
last few wears have little doubt sir but that large
pronor ion of that $4,000 drawn from own com.
monweath We might have easily avoided tins ana
with the same effort avoid it, could have attracted
from, other States and other communities population
ten fold greater than that which retained. Upon
every conceivable view of the subject should feel
bound 70 lend counenance to the prosecution OF this
system.
SUBMIT md will trouble the Committee farther.
There has been much said about the large amount o.:
luyes paid by the cast The is large admit when
compared with that paid by the west. But it is moi
large in proportion TO the property held by the east
neon Tn saw that it is not relatively larger have
not made the calculation. but hazard nothing in say
ing, that the west pays taxes upon much greater
amount of the property she holds than does the east
on what she possesses. And in this connection il
NAV not be aniss to make remark or four upon u
topic which discussed by the gentleman from
C;reensyillc last evening He seems to have great
dread of the ad rcorea system of taxation Did new
er occur 10 that gentleman that this odious al raorem
system is actually in operation upon the leading subject
f taxation in the west! the principle is ust in t<
opcraon ,-e are suffering from its in uscc. And vet
when it is suggested here gentlemen to be utterly
mortified ut the idea Land is taxed at ralornn.
specihc tax i, imposed upon negroes yet, | believe
;hat according to the tables there sixty mil
10 is Of that property not taxed at all The specific
tux is thrtytwo cents head. lake negro worth
81 600 The tax upon that negro is seHentytwo cents
The tax upon $500 worth of land is thirty cents. Thus
wc see that upon negro VALUED at that sum- the land
tax exceeds the negro tax some 3OO per cent Let US
.ook ut il in another point OF view. Say the average
value of the taxable negroes $500 Taking this the
measure of value and the land tux exceeds the ncgrg
TAX $50 per cent. But will take negro such rs the
cn lcman referred TO worth 5000 and land worth the
The same amount Of money Compare the productive
hess of the negro with that OF the land What will the
negro compared with the land, worth the same amount
produce The negro would in all probability hire for $40
or $50 while the land which could be obtained for that
price would rent for little or nothing.
Gentlemen however, seem /" forget that there is an
other consideration which should reconcile them to the
payment Of what they call an undue proportion of III.
taX,s They should remember that government arises
oat of the reciprocal wants and dependencies of the
individuals who compose the community, and that
whilst those who reside in the eastern portion OF thu.
Stat. feel none of the wants in the way OF facilities for
trade which the people of the west do they are ncvctc-
less somewhat dependent upon the people of the west
np re
tbroad Their position is of more exposure To ior-
riyn assaults than that of the people OF the west and
should invasion come should hostile fleets blockade the
mouth, Of the dccncclcss rivers OF the lowlands. YOU
would not find the people of the west answering your
calls for support by saving that you may fight your
| own battle. Such would seem, not only I'M
reasonable but unnatural and permit me to say the re
,s.l upon the part of the cast 10 allow portion oil the
small amount which contributes to create public trea-
srr to be employed in overcoming the physical dIcul-
les under which the west abors seems To be equally
unreasonable and unnatural Ii Is by these procl!
dds and supports that the strength Of government Is
established and felt and that it is enabled IN move "l
securely and easily in its march 10 happiness and pros
prrity maintain then that II Is not only the policy
nut Of the highest duties oi government to contEl'
bate portion I'll its towards the construction
Il all those improvements which are reasonable ana
calculated to promote the general prosperity {" her
citizens But sir, fear have already tlespnssed TOO
long upon the time Of the Committee and will bring my
remarks TO close There are various c0l>lheratloils
which should have been pleased to submit, but must
! pass them over.
trust, Mr.. Chairman, that the result of our deber-
toII> will be the submission OF constitution which
will command the hearty appreciation of at least, de
aided majority OF the people OF our state Such con
siutn Can provide but have Ito idea that it cln
.,c dome By Incorporating into it the plan of represen
alton which our eastern friends propose. believe OH
he contrary that if such constitution should be sub
ated while it ng ht be, that ma orly OF, even, the
western people would for its ratification, they
anud ,lo 50 from regard respect fur 1t, but with
view TO strengthen themselves for renewed agita-
lion of this great Question of political equality Their
minds and hearts iercelv and obstnatcy bent upon
establishing that equality, AID neither delay nor dlfn
cultics will induce them to relinquish their pun pose
Why will gentlemen then, upon alleged approximations
which their calm judgments will soon teach them are
IDLE persist in whchis to settle nothing, but
which is keep up the angry strife of sections pro
ucing heart burnngs. discomfort, and, perhaps, dis
,ncmbrrmcnt II this principle of representation was
cherished idea with the people OF the west at time
ahen their white population was not equal to that OF
he east is it not preposterous to expect them to aban
:vn that their white population exceeds that OF
he east by some ninety odd thousand No sir, the
,lpption of n constitution with the mixed principle
which is proposed. will be bit prelude to a
struggle which will make the foundations of our pot
al fabric remble. Quiet passive submission need not
ne looked for but fierce and unceasing agitation. AMI
resistance BY all forms of speech rc"Estrance and APP
zeal. until by the overwhelming force OF popular power
sc will extot from the east the power which they haze
80 pcrSevcrngly and pertlnaciousiy withheld
FEiDII. May I'd, 1851.
The Convention met pursuant 10 adjournment at 10