Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-04-18

e Russell 1o,s7a
: Ohio lT,6l4
!Nnr-ue 1905
a csnyson md Carroll 1i,s5I
' Hampshire and Morgan 1860
y CabclI and WAYNE 1916
A Rockbriisc ll'i1d
Y Is l36g03
These counties have white population of 1850
e and vet hnt fifteen delegates assigned to then
The white population in these western counties exceed
II the combined white and slave population in the easter
Z counties named by S99i. IT, to this excess, you n.
il the slaves in these western counties. l3,25l) yo
Lave excess OF whites and sla-cs of 2i5; We; the
i! power and influence in the house Of delegates is eXac
Z Is the same. Thus, the average white population f
Il each % the fifteen delegates in the western counties
H. while the average nj whites and slaves combine
II Tor each delegate in tho eastern counties is s,52
i Meck.rburg continuing =, Ii whites and 1926 slave
l. has two delegates While kanawha and Putnam col
|, tanning &C. 69g whites, and 32 slaves h..ye only tw
{ delegates.
Thus it is seen, that while kanarha and Putnam cor
! tain ,2s3 white people than McckIcnbu",. the
exercise the political influence in the legislature
.iad yet gentlemen labor 10 persuade us that there
!, no Inequality here
Now, repeat the inquiry, il be possible that cen
tlcmcn, will make effort 10 force this Thing upo
cry thing: Will they only undertake here TO m;:s
up and money! which nols and anli-rcpublica
enough God knows! but will they al the time in
roducc into The legislature, fifteen delegates based up
aggregate white and slave population and oni,
the same number o! delegates to white population cx
cccdng that aggregate by $500 in round numbers: L
that the eastern idea of justice 10 the west Is this
evidence OF the Kindness they entertain for W. and Tic
fostering care which they say they have Gailorny
ihlblcd towards US Are tho eastern governments
Al IA,
people oil Virginia, with state of facts such is here
presented, staring them IN the face However strong and
powerful may bc the control which interest exercise.
over them, hope they will neYcr allow il 10 control
Them, 10 such an extent as this
BIZ; there is another view ofr matter which il seems
10 NE, is worth! "i consideration. There S7u.UlO
of taxes paid upon slaves eastern Eirgina and 80
upon slaves in western Virginia. Thew Therefore, nav
upon that species OF property $50 600 more than we do
but then on the other hand, have majority of 90
GG1 OF white popuation Ought lcv ,0.k o! us more
Ian oil their og 900 excess vi slave tax AGAINST
%. 900 aj0rliy OF white popua;on: IL seems 10
that this, should mol be asked. most certainly
ought not 10 Dc desired. The would t!!c, &c, re
presentation founded upon the excess OF the taxes pad
ny ihcm on slaves. Ii You are allowed representation
I"r Tie cArc, o! :9 600 o. your taxes on slaves il
seems 10 that you getting; just Is much AZ reason
able ought 10 ASK brethren 10 assent to- Nhy do
they no: propose 1t 10 lis: The would take their
slave taxes and tcy would count them against the excess
oi white population III western Virginia. Would there
BIZ any Injustice 10 The east arrangement like that
According to the arguments OF gcn;cinru ON this luor
the interests Of the east and west arc honogcniul, in
all respects, save n a!aTc property Give them repre-
scitar ProPortoEatc to The c%ccs. o! their paid
on slaves and To that extent, they will have punrr
project themselves against improper rg,!apn IL oy-
In taxes and in controlling the appropriations Of those
taxes to Judlcoils or improper objects. Ought they in
justice 10 themselves, they desire representation
tor tie taxes upon slaves 10 ask il for more than the
ttsi .lt
ug to their views Il do not say accord in thcm)
that they would get sufficient of protection.
10 them from TN ;st taxation and unwiSc appropr-
ltiois Ny scheme, II adopted, would, n;,-iuc-i
the Iuura Is 20 be judged Of by the p,s-;ro,cct them
Just c;cci:a majority ii fourteen in the house
ot delegates atii l"c III the senate. The east has had
iorty vi "enly-thrce III the house oi delegates.
ard six III the senate since 1903 80, and all eastern
gent iencn admit that even this ma orv has furnished no
protection Inc east against the taxing and approrri
ting power. They can hops for such Majority
II his doctrine for which eastern gentlemen contend
is to be carried out, II Is perfectly manifest Imagine
10 every Oh this floor, whether hc be from the east
the west, that whenever this constitution present
ed to the people for ratification it is excite violent
and bitter feeling throughout he entire commonwealth
and if i'll evil hour the mixed basis should be rccog
niaed in it, the inevitable result will be to rous. III
against it the majority OF the nproperry holders in
eastern Virginia while it may combine with that major
iy large portion oil tho property and non,propcrty
holders of the west What is TO be the result of such
Il struggle as this. Is it plac. in jeopardy t.
very serious extent this peculiar species of property
rot to ekindle spirit OF deep and bitter hostility
against the existence oil all institution which will be
regarded the sole o. the nequalitvand injustice
cnnriancd nj by them Ii this is 81 So Is it not
e the duty OF the cons OF eastern Virginia. and not
/. only of eastern Virginia, but of all Virginia flor
i my district is deepl, Interested in this property J
to guard against consequences, so greatly to be de-
= pored! Do you believe, that any man who feels
that he has less political power than his fellow
man under this constitution, will not examine into
this inequality, aud ascertain what has produced il
Do you believe that he will not have Intelligence su;fi-
ccn ascertain the cause, and having asceraincd it,
that he will quiet that he will have too little spir-
20 resist the av, which has stripped him of his
Just measure of political powcrt do believe it.
nor do think eastern gentlemen this floor believe i:
I All must that such must be the inevitable result
that whilst you running the risk of losing vc.r prop
crty running the risk, of losnr ours. The
inquiry naturally forces itself upon Us wh.t is the best
means Of protecting property again. ,is danger' Can
protect 1t By pursuing fse which excite
popular prejudice and rouse up against it, portion OF
the people east and west who have interest in its
reservation and who feel that il is the cause of nus
ticc and wrong them Ii would protect this pc
culiar property must not expose it to the influence
OF popular prejudice Ii this mixed basis shall be adop;
ed will not have the inevitable effect of nhaming
the west and uniting them agains, the con
stituto and will JAcv not nave the cordial sympathy
and united action OF large party in eastern Virginia
When such state of things shall take place. Virginia
east and will have dread the consequences
that will follow. And where will rest the responsible
ivl This eastern governmental majority have the pow
cr this danger-to save the state from the VIC
lent agitation which threatens her peace and her
, integrity They do it, if they will and let me tell
gentlemen that il this evil hour shall come tic will
stand justified in the eyes OF the world
And let me say farther, that il the cas-! would secure
protection only for slave, but every other species OF
property they must emaody in the constitution none
other than sound and well recognized republican prln
cipes-prncipcs which will command the public ap
probation and secure for the government the popular
affections This will accomplish the object which the
cast hare in view, and will at the same time destroy al
sectional feeling and unite Firsinlans cast and west
I in one glorious brotherhood
:, trust eastern gentlemen will look at this question
in the point of view i'll which | have imrcrfecty pre-
senteJ il. TO the consideration of the committee. An,
constitution which we may adopt, and which will pro
let pronery in tho valley nsAleghany, Tlll
necessity protect in the Piedmont and Underwater d.
visions Of the State. Any constitution which will Sc
cure the interests and the rights, and promote the
pery and happiness OF the people OF tie valley o
rams Aeghanv will Of necessity, work the same re
smI.s in the Piedmont and de-water divisions of III
e State