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

;nefcctua and useless to great degree, ant
los rasu,ted only in delaying their construction and no
IN tbe ultimate success of the opposition but let ina
nass Inow call the eastern people, from sense 0
onohe of managing their affairs to retain the lie
;t;ve nower of the State in their own hands $" Ina
th, con construct the internal Improvements III suci
,o:o,;,;os in which they have common interest vi
the west- such portions of the State as VIII prov
most to the advantage OF the Whoie community
| Sir repeat, ii there be a community upon earti
mora deenly interested in this subject than any othe
norton Of the people of the Commonwealth, according
| !, the view which am constrained TO lake, tiat com
ounity is composed Of the cities on James river AM
potomac, and the great eastern port Of Noriok rams
or the mower to the west adopt the doctrine OF the nu
n.rica majority and Norfolk and all the eastern cite
| viii become dependent on the West.
II was nv intention to have bestowed some attention
mon Tho doctrine of guarantees, but am little caPacl
,aed to perform the task. anxious that the SUB
ect shall be carefully considered. desire that IN
over of appropriation should be subjected 10 ratioha
limitations and restrictions, and would 60 hand IN han
gj,h nv western brethren, in defiance OF the opPosi'io
# nv friend from FauGuier, (Mr. ScoTr,l 10 lmpos
limitations upon the mixed basis itself Come IRON
Whence they may, will give my aid TO fixing ratlona
limitations upon the legislative power feel author
zed TO say this, not only for myself, but Tor many on,
rs-enough, hope, to constitute majority OF I'M
| ody While make this declaration III respect l" th
2ropriety Of fixing limitations upon legislative power
nty which has been urged with any degree oil zeal,
one which does not receive my appreciation. AFTER III
best consideration have been able to give 10 inc SUI
yct have not been able to yield my assent 10 inc
,ao,em principle Of taxation 1t must not DC
i me on the present OCCASION to exhibit my views iui
| on this subject speak in state oil PAIN anu ~
austion and will probably be constrained 10 Close "
fore it will be agreeable to me- Another opportuhili
sill be offered Of which shall avail myself 10 'PcaN
y this nont But must avail myself oil TIC prcseh
! my "a
! en- of taxation. know Of no considerations "i'c'
onmcnds it my favor. II re ects all the less'' "
.xpcrcnce-it discards the science Of Enance-l. aa;
| IN intieXibe rule TO control the operations VI
| mperlect as ] admit my examination mo tie s'
have BEEN must say, my present impressions
idedly opposed to its adoption. In virginia We nav
10 experience of its operation whilst IN otncf o
| he experiment is comparatively mover anu n'P t
IN some of its obvious effects it might seem ~ pe
miaIIy unlyorable to the East, producing sun S'ea
narity in the proportions of contribution between r
nd west One Of il, effects will probably DC u "o"o
nc amount of the slave tax. The entire sa,c o.
! Il the State pays an annual TAX OF sIl:1Co ~"
i has been shown that the aggregate 'alc ''i ,'e s1
,uuo he ct mated al smaller computation IMAM Sl'o
| 40. 900. Which sum would produce tax oil sl3u'o"
cr ami m at an I'd raIvrem tax OF onc-tenth OF one
| cr cent showing an increase on Inc slave TAX o' =
east II 900 al the most moderate rate oil laNaiioh Whc
an be expected to prevail 1t is understood 10 oe o"
| cred vie west, as guaranty against unequal TAXA
|
.aton appcars to be- 10 double the tax on the slaves
think have succeeded in establishing the lac' III"
he excess of taxable values brought into the coin0'
,ock By the east, over and above what IS orouS ps ~"
vest is not less than $3.50, 00O 900, which would ylcl
N amount of tax equal to s2jOOU0 to tie paid by h'
asst over and above what win be paid by the "est, d
lie moderate rate OF taxation OF onc-tenth OF one PEI
cent 1t seems quite obvious that II does mol even pro
less to afford protection against excessive taxation e
,ccialy if the west ENJOYING the combined power o
\ mi Mi
sum far exceeding what will be PAID by themselves
and then appropriate the whole to themselves II Nigh
rather be regarded as eXpcdent TO reach the proper
~ Of the East, now untaxed and especially inc young
| expensive unta1cd slaves.
| The gentleman from Augusta Orr SHEFrET.) al Al
.arly dav directed our attention to the fact, that tn
ands Of the west being unproductlve, inprohla2c AM
| ar removed from the advantages of commerce, Wcr
eavily taxcd-at least TO their capacity to pay w
he productive lands Of the east might, IN ms opnio
sell afford to paw an increased tax perhaps equal Il
hrec tines the amount of the present tan Inc gen
eman from Augusta, (A1r SnErtEY,) and the ge'r
nan from Berkeley, (Mr FAUL1SER) are looking :" III
IN anxious eye the increase OF tax upon l '"o 'h
est subjects OF taxation held in the east or Know"
| lie laws of the Commonwealth. And the system 0
ri raiorsm taxes may be regarded as an eNPe!'cn'
| accomplish their ends Taken in conneXon with IN
lower OF appropriations fear 1t would BRING ds'sI<
!, the East II is the cxpcdient to carry into effect IN
scheme of a property basis IF tnration in conimunit,
ynch proposes Numbers as the basis OF rePrescnta''o
IN expedent to compel the east TO pay into TIC
portion of The taxes disproportionatcly large: ana
surrender it to the management oil the wesl' |n, "a
norton OF the taxes, dsnrccs Il It with CARLTON
confess that aiere TO the old tried and approve
sh tested by experience and cultivated through cen;
ries, a science. -.
The question of slavery has been introduced int
.he discussion LII our actual existing social s!aic
his was natural perhaps unavoidable; though
must confess, ii might have been assigned position
ar less CONSPICUOUS without detracs from the oealt,
r the force OF the argument
Sir in community like ours, with onc-thlrd oil IL
population consisting OF degraded cast, VINO cannc
re admitted to the rights Of citizenship, it IS right Il
proper that important an element OF society snou'
eceiye the calm and considerable attention OF states
men, Every power Of the mind, every faculty o. INT
,ou should be blended into harmonious effort, 1
establish the most bencfccnt and benign relations be
tween the several classes Of community. II is n"
Tor me 10 decide, whether such be the feelings by "hc
slavery has been brought into this discussion, or whether
/ has been treated as theme Tor decalnaon' ora pol
IF attack Eut the Convention knows that the East liza
Jeen reminded of the existence OF slavery amongs
hem as Of weakness. bringing us into dlsad
outrageous condition Of dependence upon the West
We have been called upon to remember our dependence
upon the West in connection with the great qucsi!U
OF slavery. Sir must be permitted 10 say. that so iai
rs my knowledge extends, this sense OF dependence "
III the west, has ne very extensive existence III Tho
eastern mind If the insinuation be designed 10 rcici
the dangers of Instruction, do not profess 10 c n
oil mat peril, ana nave no WISH
character for insensbility to fear. desire rather t.
De regarded as rational man, actuaed hy ordin"r.
feelings and anxious to avoid danger whenever cab
without the sacrihce OF sefrespect But whatever ma!
1e our a. prehcnsons upon the subj ect VIC feel able l.
meet the emergency, whenever il may arise. Ascrl.
Ding the best intentions and most patriotic motives t.
,ur western brethren they have it not in their powc
to extend to any very efficient assistance in such
emergency. The dangers of insurrcction suddc'
and quick and the crisis must pass before aid arrive
rom the distant west The murderer goes forth in i
lark and silent hour Of night imbrue his hands in h'
blood of his victim, to wrap his dome i'll flame. Thu
Iced is done-the mischief is ccompishcd-the victim
lie. in sleeper, if startled from rcpose, and reused
assume posture of defence, if he but escape the rsi
moment OF peril peril past and the dark conspir.t"
is crushed long before ardy assistance be bough
from our generous and patriotic friends of the West
When such uu occasion shall arise their aid will b.
.ealousy and enthusiast ticay rendered but cannot BE-
mey or eticient-hey only arrive in time to vii.
ness our triumph and the fall Of our foes.
Nor is the danger Of insurrecton increased by tn
existence of foreign war-armcd soldiers are then ell
bodied and very inconsderable force, must be equ',
to the suppression Of the most extensive plan wlIcl
could be projected and matured By the nsurgeni Thi
is obvious from considerations connected with the pArsl
sal constitution md moral condition of the race Ih