The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1810-02-21
RifrciIatlp.
To the Members of the Honourable
General Assembly OF the Stale Of
Rhode Island.
LEGISLATORS,

LEGISLATORS,
THE revision of the Election Lago of
this State having been frequently the theme
OF conversation in the circles In which am
conversant, and hoping it will be made part
Of the business of the ensuing session, at
least SO far as to appoint committee to en-
quire into the expedency of altering and re-
yisng it as far as il relates to the qualihca-
,ion of voters, | take the liberty OF offering
few remarks on the subject. l blush when
! reflect that ! enjoy privilege which is
not common to all my fellow ctizens-a
privilege to which all are entitled by nature
and by right, and from which one part of the
citizens cannot be deprived, but by the usur-
patton Of the other part or which is the
same thing IL effect, the continuance of that
which was in the first place AN usurpation
And am astonishcd at its continuance when
there cannot be found single man in the
State who will advocate it upon any other
ground than that of erhedience, without the
least ray of Justice. And in this State, where
civil and religious liberty is so pre-emncnt-
iy established, it is astonishing, that the first
principle upon which these inestimable priv
ileges are founded, should be so far departed
from, as to deprive nearly one half OF the
citizens of that Iseht, which is the boast OF
freemcn and the only foundation on which a
rcpublick can rest secure-that is, the equal
ity Of the right J Suffrage.
Permit me to call your attention to that
part of the election law which requires the
possession of an estate of certain value as
| a qualification for voter, and admits the eld-
/ est son of such voter to all the privileges
! of. the father, as soon as he becomes-ote age,
! and excludes all the rest. Is it not aristo-
| cratcai, ridiculous and unjust Does 1t not
| permit hundreds of foreigners who have
come among us with money sufficient to
| qualify themselves to all the privileges OF
| frcemen ?(many of whom, within my own
knowledge, bore arms against these very lib
ties). Does ii not exclude many who fought
! and bled to acquire the liberties which this
| law denies them ?---Yes,I know one who
| was at the battle of Lexington-one who was
| at the battle OF Bunker's Hili--four or five
who were at the investment of Boston-one
who detected the letters of Col Church, and
riskcd his life, and lost his property, by car
| rying them to the commander In chief,
| (WashiDgton)-and hundreds who waded
] through the revolution, who are, under this
law, deprived of the elective iranchize--of
the privilege OF choosing those by whom
| they are to De taxed, and who are invested
with that government which they haze been,
and their sons are obliged to support. This
law, which is the offspring of that spirit of
monopoly which always accompany the min
| ions OF aristocracy, ought now to be revised
this is the proper moment to " render equal
| and exact Justice to all men," Some obser-
vations on the first principles of governmen
by one of the sages of our revolution, who
is now at rest with his fathers, are very ap.
plicable to my purpose. will lay them be-
fore you, because they so to the foundations
and are more convincing of our errour than
any arguments could of myself introduce.
In contemplating government by elec.
ton and Representations, we amusc not oui.
selves in cnquiring when or how, or by what
right i, began. It's origin is ever in view
Man is himself the origin and evidence of the
right it appertains to him in right Of his
existence, and his person is the title deed.
Z" The true, and only true basis OF repre-
sentative governments, is equality of rights
Every man has right to one vote, and nc
more, in the choice of representatives. The
rich have no more right to exclude the poor
from the right of elecling and being elected
than the poor have to exclude the rich; and
whenever 1t is attempted or proposed, OH eli
thcr side, it is a question of force, and not ol
| right. Who is he that would exclude another
that other has the same right to exclude him
ss That which is now called aristocracy,
implies an inequality of right--but who are
the persons that have right to establish this
inequality will the poor exclude them
selves! No. Will the rich exclude them
selves No by what right then can any he
excluded 1t would be question it any
men, or class of men. have right to exclude
i thc.a,sclres Lirf he fhis as IL may They cln-