Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1805-05-29

Iennessee--freeholders
Kentucky-frec white males.
The governor is ele6led in
| BY CITIZENS.
New-Hampshire-w pay taxes.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES of 81. in.
come, or estate Of COL.
| Rhode-lsland--no constitutional quail.
| fcation.
Conneelicut--possessed Of 4os. free
hold, or estate of 4ol.
New-fork--posscssed of freehold OF
1901.
New-Jersey-by the legislature.
Pcnnsylyan;a--who pay taxes.
Delaware do
Maryland--by the legislature.
Virginia. do.
North Carolina--do.
South Carolina-to.
Georgia-- do.
Vermont--no constitutional qualifca-
ton.
Fennessec-freeholders.
Aeniucky--irec white males.
When we perceive the opinions of our
purest patriots, whose integrity in most
instances had gone through The crucible
OF revolution, SO discordant On this inter
esting point, we are irresistibly led to the
conclusion, that the discovery OF political
truths is So arl.uous, and the lights of hu.
nan wisdom so imperfect, that no COM
mon unyarying principle is yet 10 be found
cy which We shall decide peremp,orily,
! without liability to error, what plans are
the ~ises' for securing ends on the impor.
lance OF which we are al agreed: or we
! are led to the conclusion that different
COMMUNITIES, however alike in their ha,
DIS and their wants TO the superb cial oh.
server, require for the accomplishment,
OF the same ends the application of very
| different meaGs.
I The writer of these remarks is FIRMLY
Impressed with the conviction Of The su.
perioriiy of those political structures
/ which rest on the universal suffrages of
treemcn. He believes thai time will not
oHiy dsVelope the expediency, but the ne
cessity OF universally adopting this prin-
cipie. lie believes that IN the inevitable
approaches OF our communities to luxury
and an unequal distribution ofriches, this
right will be found to be the only palladi-
um OF liberty. But, however enth usiast.
&c his veneration FOR this principle may
be, he is no, SO blind to passing events,
nor so insensible TO the prosperity of ma
ny OF the states, in which different prin
ciple prevails, as not to allow that good
and wise men may differ OF the subject
and that they actually do differ most wide
~ and that consequently there is no
reason 20 distrust The genuine republicans.
iSm OF either description of men. From
."e view we have taken, it appears that
I'D many OF the most republican states
'he right OF suffrage is very differently
modified that, for instance, in Pennsylya.
ma taxation is the only requisite, while in
| Virginia, certain portion of prooerty i
necessary; and yet the politics OF both OF
these states are decidedly republican. II
also appears that in some of the states,
whose preventing politics are considered
antl.republcan the right Of suffrage is as
little restricted as in those states whose
politics are republican.
The same remarks may be applied
with equal force to the degrees ofrespon-
slbilitsspf rulers to the people existing in
the different states. This responsibility
depends upon the manner in which OIL
GERS arc appoiniedj upon the periods for
which they are appointed; and upon the
mode of removing chem.
Let us examine each of these points
independently Of the use, proposed to be
here made Of this inform7JioDi the intel.
ligeut mind will derive from il interesting
materials for reflection.
Firaf, with regard to the mode Of ap.
pointing officers.
From the view we have Just taken Il
appears that the chief magistrate, in
whom is invested The executive power, is
lchosen in the states Of Newt .rsev, Ma.
ryisnd Virginia, NJ Carolina, s. CaroIioa
aud Georgia by the legislature ,i,at in
New'Hampahire, Pennsylvania, Delaware,
Kentucky, and Vermont h. is elcc,ed b.
The gsea' body Of the citizens; ,ha, i,
| Massachusetts, CoaneS,icg,, NJ Y, =,