Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1824-06-29
FOR THE spFnrIrnu

iDc pcriou approaches which is 10
determine the fate Of our free institutions,
and whether our equal rights shall give
place 10 anti-republican systems, to an
unequal distribution of property, and the
restriction of the right of suffrage.
A country is most likely to be free and
happy, where property is most equally
divided: where great estates arc accu-
mulated, there is proportionate accu-
mutation Of power, especially if the right
OF suffrage is restricted, and high quail
locations are requisite to the RICH, to vote.
In the broadest sense have we, of the
state OF Illinois, practised on that great
political text of freedom found in the
Declaration Of Independence, and in our
Constitution "That all men are born
equally free and independent, and that
elections shall be free and equal :" In
Illinois every citizen has an equal right
to vote; property is nearly equally d.
vided we do not behold enormous es.
tates, but our citizens are generally set
tied each on his quarter or section of
land. Thus under the most free cons,i
tuition we know of. under circumstances
the most propitious to public prosperity,
and private happiness. are situate the
people Of this state. But restless band
! IS amongst US, conspiring TO undermine
and destroy, all tba, is valuable in our
government. aud to change, entirely, the
character of orr free Institutions.
Here it may be proper to designate
the parties in this state; large portion
OF the party opposed to slavery are men
who from principle have left the slave
states, and other parts of the Union, un-
der the faith of public assurances, to en-
Joy the freedom arising from our happy
constitution.
The opposite party are DESTROYS to IN
troduce nnqnali6ed slavery, and all the
despotic badges of aristocracy which ac
company it. "
That | may contrast the slave and free
| states in relation to the qualifications of
the electors, and the elected, propose
TO draw a comparison:
In the states of Vermont, New-H amp.
shire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New
York, Pennsylvania and Delaware, the
right to vote is free and unrestricted,
but by citizenship and residence, or pay
ing taxes and the performance of militia
~ duty. The mode is by ballot. The
elected must be citizens, must have re-
sided in their respective states limited
time, and in most of the above states
possess only the qualifications Of cleo
tors. In'the states Of Ohio, Indiana, and
Illinois, every one has the right to vote
who is a resident citizen, and may be
elected to the highest offices.
But how is it in the slave states Al.
though many of their Constitutions, like
those other sister states d,clare allmen
free and equal, and elections free, how is
it in practice?
In Mary land, the most northern slave
state, the electors must have a freehold
of fifty acres of land; or personal estate
10 the valpe of thirty pounds, and vote
| viva Uoce. The elected TO the senate,
or assembly, must have resided one year
in the state or district, and possess a
freehold estate of the value of five hun
drcd pounds. In Virginia, with the same
declarations offreedom, and equal rights,
who however in her people under the
ful benefit of slavery and limited suf-
frage, is abou, to call convention to rid
herself OF its evils, and be truly free the
electors mus possess SO acres freehold,
or twenty-five acres and house. In
Norlh-Carolina, SO acres freehold is me-
cessary to qualify electors to choose Sc
gators: TO chouse representatives resi-
dence six and twelve months, and pay
taxes. In Georgia, qualified electors
must have residence SIX months and
paid all taxes. The elected for the Sc
nate must have a freehold of the value
OF 500 dollars, or taxable property to the
amount OF $1,000. Members OF assem-
bly, must have a freehold Of the value OF
1880, or taxable estate rated 10 $500
In Kentucky, two years residence quaiil
hes the electors, and SIX years is the
lqualiica alton for senators. In Tennes.
lsee, quaii6calionsref members OF assem-.
tbly are three years residence, and the
possessionsin their ownright OF 200 acres
Of lands Electors musi have freehold
estate, and reside siS months in some
county in the state. =
| Whoever will beat the pains to con-
sultthe constitutions OF the several states,
will find the above statement substantial
| ly> correct.
That the principle of slavery tends
to aristocrary, no one will pretend to de.
ny. Where one has, from his, infancy,
been accustomed to absolute rule and
aufhoritv he q isr.,s, nacae,ar;,,, ha,r,,> a.