The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1824-06-18

mind, an absurd.y Too glaring 10 be dwelt
upon, rs unphiosoplrleal as IL IS UNJUST
and equally lllibcral and oppressive
privileged pprlion Of the community "Fh
naturally feel sup, riority over the oflIer
classes, ahtl To suppose that they VIII he' ~
exercise IL 10 opprrssion, is 10 disregard the
experience or al men, 10 conirAd'ct tue
/ whole history of mankind in all ages OF The
word, and to overlook the prnpenslt'es Oh
! human nature. Therefore to he deprived
of In. exercise Of this right. while others
enjoy it, is to be exposed to insult, abuse,
aud oppression, which are dsincomPatihle
With tie eaual rights of man, as they are
with ci,ility and good manners. IS pro
per ~ enquire by what means citizen can
be- deprived of this right Not by the mr.
biirary will Of a few, or of u greater number.
Not by neglect Ia exerciseit for long
period oftime. A right may remain dor
mani, and yet tire claim he valid II Will
not BIZ contended that there is any 'llmlta-
ton as il regards lapse of time, ~ this
high and indrfrasibIe property-Nor oen 1t
he lost by the absence of any gwen or pc
sitive qualilicaiion--fD rto admit this would
br to qualify the highest gift Of fecmen -
Nor can any thing short of some act oi the
party, fbDSlnHlll1S al filSb oh'Htf VI 81 -
mina nature, be considered rs Justly taking
it from him. Should this be called nnlrer
sal suffrage, and alarm mann prudent mfn,
we shall moi be disappointed But we can
never allow their fears, or the opposition
ofany one, To supercede the proprlrty oil
0nrenquiries, or prevent the fullest inNesti
CATION Of the subject. The arguments
which NE use, appear to us naturally TO i"l
low the positions which we set out with,
and conceivlng them To he founded III
truth, they will consequently be entitled TO
the consideration of all men. We will not
say that the full extent of this doctrine may
be- proper To introduce into practice but
Those who would reason well, must carry
their conclusions To the extent of their ar
gnment, and then wise and good man VIII
not deny'thrir business, but viii enquire as
to'tht expedieucy of adopting them To that
extent and on this point there is room for
an honest difference of opinion. We are
sensible of the advantages there may BIZ in
fixing ON some tangible substance, AS an
evidence of Hn attachment The common
wealth, but IN many cases that Is found 10
be AN uncertain criterion, therefore, that
alone does not appear To he sufficient, nel
thcr does II appear necessary 10 adopt It
The natural ties which bind man TO his
native country, are undoubtedly the stron
grSt bonds which are known in relation 10
this subject, and when he is incorporated
in the national militia, aud is adnltted to
all the itilrgrs IF citizen, II will natu
rally he il sufficient proof of lls attachment,
and he may then safely be entrusted with
the exercise of the ri Ght of suffrage. This
qualification appears is well calculated to
insure the honest exercise of IT, us simply
that of Il. s-rssine tn" soil besides, there is
something much more cdlcu lated to keep
alive the remembrance of our first struggle
Tor liberty and independence, in thus rcsar
ding the claims of thai class of men who
contributed the most laborions services
aud underwent the greatest privations in
that war, as VIII ms in the last. We see'no
good reason, therefore, why this useful
class ofprrsons should be excluded from an
equal participation with others, in the TX
erclse of this important right The pro
lection which the citizens receive from tile
laws, is equal, and the burthen which all of
them bear towards the expense, should
ALSO he equal, and we see no good reason
why those who contribute in any degree
towards this expense, should LOt be- allowed
their voice in choosing their rulers. Tins
far, we can say, that qualification appears
proper, If not necessary, and higher or
greater standard, we think ~ ould be I'm rst,
and infringing too Ear on those natural
rights mentioned, and would consequently
be- oppressive.
This part of the sub ect W i'll be continued
n Citizen Of CunpJeM
-