Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1816-08-13
ALEXANDRIA.
TUESDAY, Aveusr IS.
ths Lesstarg Washinstonian.
vNIsrrsr.

~ IN one Of your late papers,
seem ssss. A. L. Afascn had declined at
By ~, os as delegate from Loudoua, a
t ..t;,,5 proposed to be held IN stanton,
n ssss.Isssatss from different counties of
sa ss.fe. the object Of which is to get
% oral Convention called, for the par-
y III i amending the State Constitution,
III romy recollection an Grafton
iin ,ssIs;ye,ed al Williamsburg, where he
@ l Ss one Of the great Subjects of
dl'1a l.;at against our constitution of Go
soIp ~snt: namely, the restriction Of
ssla ;;rbt ofsuifrage. [ have now fartu.
as .'s laid nv hand on the pamphletcon-
n ls;.o this Grafton and again read It
w ~ eleasure. tits a manly and able
'.nae,tioa Of a principle much abused,
, vans. 100 little understood. lament
ys'4 Ne size of your paper forbids the
u u'D.rtatiion of your publishing the Ora
ssp entire and lam sensible that par
s.i W. from IT viii not convey,
;'.,ly the opinions and arguments of the
a,,tS. I propose to sketch, herein,
.onsorthe general outlines of MIR. Ma
' '.r,s views of the subject treated on, 4,
,srscommend peiusal Ct the phasnphlet
nsrch as can yet it.
Nj Madison sets out with his posi-
~, { that there are times which call
g. unitical reform" bat aIfrms :: that
eR,5gss in the fundamental principles
d,sOyernmeaf, tho often Necessary s
opneScial. ARE delegate and dangerous ex-
,sriaents, which should not be resortel
hunon lieht and trivial occasions-that
aeg are a!wags hazartons. frequently
lprtuI and some times fataln He warns
,,a;;ust S restless meu" g who Withheld
bynolessons of prudence, constantly
prge U, to pursue that wild career ofia-
ropation which, whenever Its effects have
been fell, has led every country to ruin
and ever people to misery and c. who
asail with unabatiag yirulence the best
nazias Of our Government" :. sad none
noefewently than the restriction Of
he right OF suftrace--This restrict lion be
Arms is g just and polite" Mir. Mar
an then lays down this other position
Shafts necessary for the better psctec-
Ton and security Of the more important,
Satthe exercise Of some sab9rdinate
right aud privileges, should be modified,
abridged OF suspended as the eSigency
OF circumstances NAV dictate" Eie
contends that the right Of suffrage is no
more an uualieaable right, than the light
harOmmunity of goods and that the
laws tha, limit suffrage, abriage AMI sus-
penda natural right, they, have their in-
eSnseniences as every thing htMan has,
but who, he asks, does rot foresee the
consequences OF complicated and indis-
crissbIe horror which would ensue upon
their Acknowledging shewn thai It is
not contrary to right, 20 restrict sui rage,
teargaes at length the expedieney Of
doing it
6 True policy (he savs) forbids thaf
men should participate IN the enaetio9
dstatates affecting prope ". who have
Improperly to be affected by these sta
stes" and asks would not thar voga-
ouus democracy Of which Arjstot e
peaks, soon GS It's taipas on that qra-
Fgty which the hoaest Industry OF o,he 3
AslacQqired ~
ur. Mason then sbc~s that Merchants
md Manufactures, tno' posesed otaslpie
sealth. ought to be denied this privilege,
because they haze n crest in The esta-
slsaneat Of Monepolee, bognies, Sc.
I opposed to the permanent and imptova
Nsnerest of the country :" they fre-
9uently 6aA It their interest to Involve
Ie country in destructive was" 1t is
aTals in tae power OF such men TO pur
Nase freeaoids and if they donot become
FopHetors Of land, they discover con,
ssnpt for that privilege (tbe right Of SUI
s'e] and an Indifference for the con-
%'as Of society. which furnish an addl-
saal argument for denying them their
sat to vote men who betray such I'll
@.i9slorioas apathy, deserve not the
Saadence of that Countrv-ThoSe to
suOM poverty denies this ability Ito pur-
S ,sS treehold) constitute vsrv incon-
ss'aole portion Of the cdmmunity-
s,y want the intelligence and informa-
~ ~ % discern y comprehend the interest
Community, their poverty has pre-
81 sssa from the advantages of educa-
~. In their actual condition it woQld
sasereus aud Incompatible with pub.
,@srest to commit the functions OF
4 g,e,eneat TO their exercise :tney shcald
=, rs'sio'e be excluded from so momeatoas
- % sacred a trust, besides it should
49, ,,Ncolected that men who are thus I'M
s nsfsAed and possesses not prudence to
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