Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-01-30
Constilutoa w. II

but are not gentlemen aware, that (wEcn
once the boundary Is past when once
the monuments erected by our ancestors,
and which have heretofore grided Our
steps, shah be destroyed, we shall have
nothing To direct Our progress. No man
can toseiel at what point we shall stop
III Is not for those VINO give vent TO the
current, 10 say where It's course shall he
arrested. They VIII perhaps, not have
voice in Your councils, or il win he drown
ed by the shouts al those who clanor for
farther innovation. Any one at all con
versant with the nature OF the human
mind, ;,'ho will permit himself To reflect
upon the subject, Must acknowledge,
thatwEeu once The present barrier shall be
removed, the rigl, ofsui'rase viii quickly
lie extended 10 the utmost possible limits
The same abstract reasoning which will
justify any, will Justify every extension.-
There is popularity in the doctrine
which il is difficult 10 resist and which
viii always raise up advocates. Those
who would consent 10 partial extension
of The right, III the vain hope that the IL
mlts to which they would go Will not be
transcribed, will tind their only real secu-
rliS within the Entertainments of The eXis-
ting Constitution.
Others adv ocaie an extension Oftleright
militia and contend, with seeming propri-
eiy, that those who defend their country
by their service, Should have some CON
troll over its laws. If this argument be
conclusive, those who bear the creates
share OF the burthen who are the first 10
be called into action and the last 10 be
dismissed from IL the youths between Is
and 81 years of aye are more peculiarly
entitled to share IN your deliberations
Yes, Sir, the right of sunrage ought to be
especially extended to those who have not
by one, two or three years, attained the
age which, bv common consent, is consi-
dered as the are of discretion. Your laws
viii not allow them TO assume the directi-
ON of their own affairs, and it is proposed
TO give them Il share in the management
cfpublic concerns.
Sir, am opposed to the contemplated
change in your Constitution; because,
while it proposes 20 diffuSe the parlicipa-
ton ofajust right, it viii in fact give an
additional scope to the influence Of wealth
while it processes 10 increase the pow er
OF the many, il will add greatly to that of
the few. In every department of the
country, III almost every neighborlood,
there are some, regarded as The oracles
of the particular circles in which they
move. Their opinions are consulted aud
adopted by the ignorant and unlearned,
upon every question OF public nature,
and an augmentation of votes is but an
augmentation of their power.
Again, every manufacturer upon an OK
tenSive scale, will influence those in his
employment; and every large land-hold-
er IN the country will command the votes.
not only of those whom he actually en-
pioys, but of those who are the expectants
Of his favor. The influence of virtuous
talents will not. increase merit will be
kept III the back ground, while the sphere
oi opulence viii he greatly enlarged. The
plain but intelligent farmer, who, although
he cannot boast of wealth, vet not only
knows for what men but for what mea-
sures he is voting. will cease TO have his
just weight in the councils of the natl
on.
Lastly, Sir, l object to the proposed
change IN the Consultation, because be
live itwilbe the prolific source of every
other which passion or prejudice may
hereafter demand While the elective
franchise is maintained with its present
restrictions we have every reason TO cal
culate upona continuance OF the national
opinions, IN relation 10 those fundamental
principles which have been ut once the ba-
sis and The guarantee OF our institutions ::
but It that be enlarged So considerable
extent who can say how long these will
he preserved who can say what new OPT
mons and new principles will predominant
III the state Speculative doctrines viii
be reduced to practice-We shall hear it
declared, that as the people are CAPABLE of
self government, there should he but one
branch oftlIe Leglslat re, aud that mme-
diately responsible TO tie people Down
with the Senate-thaf odious check upon
the public will, must cease to exist.
Agaui-All appointments ought TO be
made by the People, aud TO them, the
fountain ofali power, should every Off
GER judicial aud executive, as well as !e-
gislative, be directly responsibe-Away
with tiiai badge Of aristocracy, the tc-
nure by which The judges hold their
seals.
From every view which can give tie
subject, Sir, am deeply impressed witt.
the conviction, that II viii be unwise 10
make the proposed change in The Consfi-
tuition. and that the House ought TO re-
consider the vote of Yesterday.