Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-02-18


E.,;ou of this description oil citizens,
po.,,,J he excluded by the new rule under
~, term, fixed residence. "-lm the
~, Mace, that very few persons can be
eonnd with sound judgments and habits
nf;ndustry, who could not acquire
...nbold with the extra proceeds Ola few
,aonths honest labor aud IN all proba
Lily advance their interest by the ac-
',,,;.;i;on. But the observation most to
Ie re,ed on in the case is, that although
H.. description of citizeus should not
,.o,e under the freehold limit, they are
=, f,ct the favorites of the law: and the
freehold right of suffrage has direct
tendency 10 make them ,so.-Ihat such
;s the practical effect OF that principle,
from all experience under il, IS known 10
every observant man, acquainted with
the jurisprudence of this country. so
much so is this the case IN the general
administration OF Justice, that 1t Is deem
ed no small compliment TO County
Court. 10 have it ascertalncd, that rich
man is assured Of Justice therein. And
mall contests between delinquent over
seers. who form great portion OF this
descript on of persons, and their employ
ers the landholders, such is the tavorit-
lam fer the overscers. that iandhoiders
never hope forlustice and If they were,
thcv would often find their hopes delu-
sive. This is not only the known prac-
fical result of the freehold right of SUI
frage. demonstrated by long experience
hui ii is the Obvious theoretic result from
correct reasoning upon IFS general ten
dcney on society because Itis tie most
obvious interest of the owners OF The SOIL,
4lot universal Justice should be done
and particularly, that the rights OF per
sons Of wlatevers condition, should be
scrupuously respected and 1t a bias
should exist, itshould be intavor ct those
who mostrequire protection from inc law.
This interest is grounded upon convlc
tiop. that from the various relations OF
man. towards his fellow man III society,
the rights of private property should be
randrrrd the most secure, by the most
xrrupulous regard, and even preference
tn the RIGHTS of persons. Ii is believed,
that very few of these persons, complain
for themselves. They feel that no inlus-
flee IS done them and they know, that
they are in fact and in effect, the favorites
ofthe laws. as well as the administrators
ofthe laws; and under this conviction,
thev would care very little about eXerci-
sing the right of suffrage, were 1t not Tor
the tender sensibilities of visionary re-
formers. whose phiianthrophy sickens al
the fancied Injustice done 10 the natU7,al
,iohtS of any portion OF the society, ana
who are constantly employed IL remind
ing the supposed injured class, OF the
sufferings which they themselves never
felt, and but for this kind lnterposltion,
would never have known. Whilst IN re-
turn for all these sympathetic interests,
thus actively eXerled, these restless, zea-
Ions advocates, often find themselves re-
4 y
indifference on the part OF their unteeling,
immoveable clients, without once recoi-
lecting, that the clients are impeiled by
sense of their real interests, whilst the adj
yocates are in persuit of fleeing, iilusory
shadows.
But the greatimprovement to the Tree
hold limit Of the right of suffrage, is to
fix on some other standard of the right,
which would include all those WHO bear
arms, and who are by that rule excluded.
This, at first view, is the most plausible,
whilst in effect it is the lmost objec-
tionabIe of all the new devices. tire
ouires the more consideration too, be-
cause it has probably made more impress
sion upon the unthnking part OF The
community than any other. This has
arisen from the laudable and grateful
sensibilities of the people at the present
moment ldNuT Oi iHilit"iF f%D'ND-
sion, in consequence of their recent pat
rotic services during the late war, IN de-
fence ef their country. The great objec-
ton TO this principle is, that it is giving
military, instead of free and republican
cast and tendency TO the operations OF
the government A military test or
standard, is made The foundation of all
civi! and religious rights. 1t tends TO the
subversion of another old, stubborn
English prejudice, of fifteen centuries
standing, brought htherby oar ancestors,
although now nearly demolished in that
country by the potent influence of the
late political theories Of Europe, g that the
military should always be subordinate 10
the civil authority" But now it is pre-
posed to make military principle the
corner stone of all our rights, civil, reli-
gious, political and military. There can
be no sounder maxim, than that civil and
military rights should be kept entirely
separate and distinct in practice, as they
certainly are iii their nature and charac-
ter. No compound i'll any form, or for
any purpose, should ever be permitted.
Notwithstanding the watchful, Jealous
and scrupulous adherence TO this princi-
pie, in England so much so, that an
election to the House of Commons, is
always vitiated by the appearance OF II
company of regular soldiers, in view of
the place of holding the election yet the
military has fora long time, been gaining
ON the civil principle of that government !;
I'D I,o;,,, =, oc,,liarlxr faVnrod in lie oue,.a-