Portland Gazette, And Maine Advertiser

Democratic Logic.—It is very liberal in the great states (said Mr. Willis Alston, a clear headed democratic member of Congress from North Carolina) to agree on a large number as the ratio of representation. For although the small states (Rhode-Island for instance) may lose one out of her two representatives, the large ones (Virginia for instance) will also lose one out of her twenty-two. On what principle Willis makes this calculation is not known. In order to induce him to "rise for explanation," we will take the liberty to state a case, and enquire of him whether it is in point. There is a little animal called Centipede, which has a hundred legs—Mr. Alston, (we will suppose for the sake of argument) has but two. Now, if to oblige their fellow animals, each of these creatures should consent to lose a leg, which would act with the greatest liberality, Willis, who would have but one left, or the Centipede, who would have ninety-nine?