Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-07-15


"a he ;' "a and over since, with little or no differ
Tas d, Wv among the masses everywhere regaTocd
eaee u 'l ;,sticn of that provision OF the tederai
IS ma. h;,b declares that Congress shall pass no
co.'s ting the freedom of speech OF Q. w Pr,
IS" W r. reiareuce untortune: LOT NJ "a" - '
':'S If the constitution having tha go,
po''s'. Than sixty wears accomPiishe" 'ne sie1
il has y! md pray God 1t ma. ever remain as
otjec ~ the wisj ION of those liustr0us men 10
@o'a' 40 Indebted for its existence. - - wen
tho, this net met with uh's ia 10 aSaornt;on
AJ ,ncnrned in it were driven WIN Wy aa.,,";I &c
a." - ;,lt.d and injured people rom ~" II ,ha
=" . ~ and the law prompt! lie. orobaId
me s' ~ acts of corrupt represGh!ali.e ~ na
aithcss Get OF a.s scacr of the planest provisions
r. PROOF s;.m,;oo then are written CONSTITUTIONS AK
me J No neope cs{ act safely through repre-
.s,ros This Is the legitimate result ol lis thoue
a'".,rins a. hunbly conceive | conciuoe' now
q ~, annie protection to property can be given
G'e' ia ronsttuon and am Que Of those who be-
| PM We shall be able to agree upon such lilnt1a-
-N ,r;E secure that end II we should not be able
".rre uptn this point then lapprehend we can MAKE
y ,rttion that the people will G,topt. II Is Que
H.. occasion that we should speak i'll the most per-
a,aor 10 each other. 1t is no time to conceal robi
49, r.rhren OF the east. the rea! sentiments OF our
-. mid say it in all sincerity that II protection
civ.n 10 a particular species Of property, which
y ~ m none other and this by placing the freemen
~ ..,st upon footing with your negroes in the
w. Tint all hope settling the vexed question. which
49, - ay occupied our time may as we'll be considered
- =, end No free people on earth would submit to IT.
.oinr the western people Will not; ana as western
~. could not advise IT,
...u;,,, -si.rrsd to the object for which govern
-. i; Instituted. l proceed to consider the rights
-.;o.;ou. Of those who to be the parties to it.
~; rbos. benefit it is to be made and this brings
'' ,,,,;r, who are they for, whom. and in whose
a art authority, we are about to make constltu.
I- There eau he but answer. The people Of
.;rs, And who lin political sonse) are the people
Virginia Not the slaves. or other property or IN
,s: h;. the free white people OF the State-those
snowr,ed to be free BY the existing constitution
~; los. Intended to be eufranclsed by the
. - make and as there il little no difference of
in this body in respect to the right OF suffrage
,v assume that all the free white citizens of Eir
mia not DISTINGUISHED By reason of some legal disqual.
lion are the people, and lin political sense) the
~ people OF the State. Will these propositions be
Iii. Sir whatever ingenious contrivances gentle.
I'm NAV devise in order to gain, retain, equal pow
IN particular sections i, will hardly occur that any
,,sn.aa will deny that the sovereignty OF the State
. with the free white people hence the conclusion
ii, politically speakins) they the people. For
M reason DO you extend to those heretofore excluded
:. right o. suffrage? Yieldigto he pressure of pub
| opinion and compelled by that spirit OF progress
.ieh is steadily advancing to the establishment OF In
s:a;ou. founded upon the principle Of perfect equal
among all reemen, you will make suffrage rs free rs
has long been in other States of this conederacy.
d vou mean, whilst you extend this privilege nomi
sis 10 ALL to qualify its exercise III respect to those
z reside in the larger half of the commonwealth rs
/, .orivc it Of any real raluc-making the promise
slice to the ear and breaking il to the understand.
:, | should feel degraded in my own estimation,
III know sheuld be in the eyes OF my constitu-
u and Of all patriotic men, if could on such an oe-
c. and in relation to such subject. play the part
partizan demagogue. desire to see this ques-
~ 80 settled to give satisfaction and do justice to
!: parts OF the State. believe that the present con-
zion oi Virginia is such-the distribution of her prop
~ aud population such-that republican form of
;o:eramen is best adapted to her interests. If two
ia il oae half Of the State to Be equal to only
-an u the other can any man say that we have re-
r,,au government, If assume what IS true in re-
: 20 those who constitute the people OF the State,
AMI an sure it will hardly be controverted) as mat
,;a principle how there be any ground Tor differ
ra OF opaion in regard to the constitutional allot.
..sa Of representation amongst them The Bill OF
s:. thar embodiment Of great truths to be observed
vce. man and man. under all circumstances atlrms
lin; Al: men are by nature equally free and independ-
an. ind have certain inherent rights, of which, when
lies enter into state of society, they cannot, by any
oa.pac: deprive divest their posterity-namey the
yl.eu o life and liberty, with the means OF acqur-
M anil possessing property and pursuing and obtain
IN: happue and safety maintain, then. THAT when
Gc li;r;auals into government they have each
t; IN equal voice in its formation and afterwards
s.g- rich q right to equal vote i'll every matter
vi. relates to their government That II II could De
done conv xnieny they have right to exercise 1t in
;e:oa where it cannot be done in person. but, for
,yasl.znce representatives appointed to act Tor
len. everv person has right to an equal vote IN
cav,.nt that representative, who Is entrnsted-to 90
:H tie whole that which the whole, if they could as
:e4.ye Ugh; do in person. and III the transaction OF
.cb each would have an equal voice" To admit that
,oA roo+a jDtu1 strength
T+-a he should be entitled to votes than anoth-
e. ~vu!d be inconsistent with the freedom and liberty
.; ia: olher and reduce him to slavery. Suppose any
a1nsr individuals in state of nature, and about to
into government, fourth OF whom owned dou
DE much property the other three-fourths-lf by
this greater wealth, the fourth should be
allowed in proportion to their propertylt would
S!Se item double many votes rs the other three
:y2:;h, who BY the operation might we'll have no
all since, though the entire threefourths might
-..e: 10 measure, yet the vote of the one-tourth
T9-I counterva and set it aside If this onet-ourth
s!0ved Of what the threefours desired, 1t would be
Vs.. but if otherwise, they could and would prevent
:: aai thus q minority Of one-fourth of the entire
ee forming the government could carry into effect
- Jaw thev pleased. On these principles, the three
s!s could have no will or discretion Of their own,
.ryrld be totally dependent the will of the one
.; and 10 them they would be as absolutely slaves
~ negro to his master. Hence inequality of rep
eaa,ion, or giving to one man more votes than an-
~ IN account Of his wealth. is inconsistent with the
p: PIES of liberty and in the same proportion as it
Iii be adopted in favor of one more, in that pro-
:l1on are the Others enslaved Adequate representa-
- men, formed into State government consists in
s having equal voice. either personally or by
r:~seutativea
!: has been said that taxation and representation
| a.l 20 together This is true, to the extent that
.a- should be taxed who are represented but not
tie extent insisted upon, to-wt that the quantum
:azation and representation should be the same. On
ae c,ararv the quautum of representation should de-
sa on the quantum of freedom, and not on the guam
Ia Of taxation. To those who Insist that they who
@ lie greatest share Of taxes ought to have the great
g number Of votes the greater amount of repre-
aivn il Is sufficient 10 say. that this rule
".i be destructive Of the liberty of the Others. and
"t render them slaves to the more rich and wealthy.
Das msn paws more taxes than another it is because
aa' wealth to be protected by government, and
.s'rres greater benefit from the government. Such,
Sas the doctrine of our revolutionary ancestors;
~ IN support OF it, beg leave, with the permission
he committee to read FROM Yates sketches of the
.'Aits III the Federal Convention. Here Mr.. PESpLE
= isat from the work referred to- But We have been
W.. LAT in regard to this first clause of the Bill of
'- that it had reference alone to persons in state
',El.; and that admitting its application to con-
a o. society. still there no force in the argu
- .Aa all men should exercise equal political pow
NY; ! ask If all men are equal in state OF
T o.. sni retain their equality in society, why,
Il 49, 'IoIld they not exercise equal political pow