Page:Federalist, Dawson edition, 1863.djvu/526

 more ready defence? We have hitherto proceeded on the idea that representation related to persons only, and not at all to property. But is it a just idea? Government is instituted no less for protection of the property, than of the persons, of individuals. The one as well as the other, therefore, may be considered as represented by those who are charged with the Government. Upon this principle it is, that in several of the States, and particularly in the State of New York, one branch of the Government is intended more especially to be the guardian of property, and is accordingly elected by that part of the society which is most interested in this object of Government. In the Fœderal Constitution, this policy does not prevail. The rights of property are committed into the same hands, with the personal rights. Some attention ought, therefore, to be paid to property, in the choice of those hands.

"For another reason, the votes allowed in the Fœderal Legislature to the People of each State, ought to bear some proportion to the comparative wealth of the States. States have not, like individuals, an influence over each other, arising from superior advantages of fortune. If the law allows an opulent citizen but a single vote in the choice of his Representative, the respect and consequence which he derives from his fortunate situation very frequently guide the votes of others to the objects of his choice; and through this imperceptible channel, the rights of property are conveyed into the public representation. A State possesses no such influence over other States. It is not probable, that the richest State in the Confederacy will ever influence the choice of a single Representative, in any other State. Nor will the Representatives of the larger and richer States possess any other advantage in the Fœderal Legislature, over the