Worcester daily spy., 1853-11-09
Free Democratic Meetings.
ANSOS BURLTNGAME
Will address the citizens Of
FiTCHBURG, FRIDAY, Nov. llth,
Equality of Representation.

1t appears to US, that no fair minded man, unless
he has taken very limited views of the subject,
honestly believe that the provisions Of the revised
Constitution unjust towards the cities and large
towns. II there be any injustice in the instrument,
in respect to representation, IT is towards the small
towns, IN not giving to all of them the right of rep.
resentation every year.
Democratic equaty,in a republic, consists, not in
numerical equality in representation, but in equality
OF political power and influence There are other
means Of exercising these, aside from numbers in
representation such wealth; talent, concentration
of population, and various other agencies, which
should be brought into consideration, and have
their due weight, ia the apportionment of repre-
sentation. Taking these into view, is there a'man
SO insane to suppose that Boston, with thirty
ve representatives, AID six Senators under the new
Constitution will not have even influence than
the same amount olpopulation in aRy other section
ofthe State!
Ii should be constantly borne in mind, that, by
basng the Senate population, instead Of legal
voters, Boston gets great advantage over other
sections Of the STATE. About one half Of her popu
laton is foreign, or transient, having political
power under he Constitution, and right to vote
The consequence is, that the other hall, which
wond, il located in the country, have the right 10
but three Senator's have the right To vote for and
elect sir; thus giving them twice great repre-
sentation in The Senate the population in he
the country partions Of the State have. This
Is inequality in their favor, for which the
country portions are justly entitled 10 equivalent,
.I.l.. a
iy there may be, in favor Of the small towns, in the
House OF Representatives, sufficiently great TO
render such equivalent. Ia opinion, if there is
any advantage in this compromise, il is in favor Of
Boston. A similar Of things prevails, in reIa.
ton TO the other cities and large towns, though not
ia all Of them 10 the same extent
There is another view Of this question, which we
have not seen presented at ALL bnt which, in our
opinion, is veiy important aud should operate with
great ogce l. is ths, hat every v9icr Is specially
represented By as many representatives as his to~n or
city is emitted to. Thus, every ulan ia Boston
cluding Abbou Lrwrence, Who sa, that he shall b.
disiraachised under the Constitution, wlll have
ta,ty representatives whose special duy il is to
look alter their interest, and maintain their rights,
the seat Of Government, that he pay personal
attention TO any claim, other matter, that he
have before the Legislature, will have but rep.
resentalive FOR six years ont OF ten, and at all
the other four years. Yet, great hue and cry is
raised, that Boston has too little political power in
the Legislature, and New Ashford, and other small
towns, too muehl This assumption appears 10
the most baseless, not say absurd aud Ridiculous
that pressed upon intelligent communi-
ty; and cannot account for it, consistently with
both the honest and sound Judgment Of those who
press it,
The inequality Of political power, in fact, under
the new Constitutions, will still remain, though in
diminished degree, where il always has been, in la.
vor OF the cities and large towns and Of these,
Boston will still have the lion's share. The revised
Constitution has somewhat limited and restricted it,
and will prevent that total absorption Of il, which
must take place under the present Constitution.
Ii also provides other necessary and useful reforms,
ia support Of which, all parties in the Convention
cordially united. II appears to US, then, that it is
lule less than madness, for any citizen of the coun
try towns, Of whatever political party, for any
true lover Of his State. whether in the city
try, to give his against the revised Constitution.