The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1824-06-29

port of the latter, Apply win equal iofct
IN support Of IT.. former DOES II comport
/ with The principle of an equality of right.
! 10 designate u portion of the ciiizeus. 80
uhum this power eau be delegated, and
lannihrr portion 10 whom II cnnnot' Aud
more especially, does Il appear Just that a
Qualification efpropey'g rs necessary or pro
pr To- fuinia distnetIon "a favor OF tht
prl, LEGGED class And when this auallf
cation pl,eraits 80 rs 10 exclude nearly one
2 half of the people from the right of repre-.
srntinu their fellow citizens IN the legs
laiure, ia. injustice of Ibis distinction ma
nifstly appears. II is too paipable To re-
qnrc argument. The highest and best
gifts OF nature are not confined Ia one class
ofihe people, and much less are they en-
tailed upun freehold estate. The whole
number of citizens are not Too numerous 10
select from them men of learning, virtue
aud talents and those eminent for these
qualifications are The best fitted to serve
the people. Therefore, the avenues To- of
fee ought 10 be opened 10 all classes Of
people. Those who advocate a continu
ance olthe present system are probably des-
tltbte of sinister motives, but they may not
he sensible how f4l they subject themselves
10 this charge, since by doing so all of the
honofs aud cmoluments of The numerous
Offices under the government are confined 10
the privileged few who possess freehold.
And If we enquire who are men that up
pose the wishes ofthe people The reply
Is, generally, those Ia Office and power, or
who are Influenced by the operation Of il,
although there are many honorable eXcep-
tons. A general view Of the constitution,
a. r
has been taken aud so far as material
defect has been discovered, II has been
noticed, emitting those of minor lmpor-
lance although among these, one suppo-
sed To exist, (tlie want of an eiiectual guar
aniee in regard to the free exercise of reh-
gion,) has not been classed, but omitted, as
there Is no prest nj evil felt on The subJect
Should q convention be formed, the i'm
portance oft would undoubtedly command
their attention. In our enquiries, the ar
gnmcnts Of the opponents To an ani|0d-
ment Of the constitution have been partl-
cuiarly noticed aud among the different
publications we have seen ON that side the
question, there is but one in which any ar
garments appear otave been used, and that
Is moi free from sophstry ; lalthough some
crude ideas and loose hints have been pAb
lished, addressed tn G.. ]. esq. by an homo
rable member of congress, J. Il. now absent
from This country,) but the writer fBcnja
min Watkins Leigh, esq has labored with
some care, and considerable effort, To show
the present flourishng & happy state ofthe
country I; aud from that fact, draws this
conclusion, that a change in our fundamen
tai law is NOT desirable or proper. From
how many supposed /cctS such a conclusion
mlghh he drawn, we know not but should
his position lac considered tenable and the
conclusion drawn therefrom considered
just, by the intelligent and Fundamental
thinking men, we doubt not but il can be
shown with equal clcarDcss, that under any
government, however arbitrary il may be,
which ~ IN llOurIshlng state in regard To-
ITS improvements IN agriculture, com
merce, aud all kinds Of industry, the same
arguments can be uscd, aud with equal
force For 1t IL an undcniabe fact, that
France WAS never SO furnishing IN this
respect as during the reign of Napoleon
and did the people of France then enjoy
the right of self government, and were the
equal rights Of man recognised as IN
IA republican government This argu-
mcnt of Mr.. l.eighs is, then, MS good
rs for the frcchOlders of Virginia over the
non-treeholdors. The causes for the pre-
seat furnishing condition of the people oI
Virginia, IA pictured by that gentleman
are To be found in other sources than the
defects or virtues of the constitution The
active and original causes of this happ,
state Of things, are in great degree found
IN the establishing of our independence, and
IN the more firm consolidation of our u
mon by the formation aud adoption of the
constitution of the United States, aud the
uniform laws OF the country, regulating
foreign commerce &. domestic intercourse
These umstanccsscombincd, have invi
! ted IL our state, and permanently settle,
/ therein, much wealth, and many cnterpri
sing and industrious men, which, together
with the sober and industrious habits of tn,
/ people have produced such happy results
II is not that the freehuldcrs alone hay,
governed us, or that the militia have hat
no voice in making the laws Let US no
be deceived by this spccinus kind of rea
soning VIII the people Of Virginia b,
contcnt under the existing state of things
because such an argument has a tendcnc,
10 latter them IN pourtraying their happ,
condition Equally as happy as conscrp
Frenchmen This argument was used ta
before remarkably to prevent our disunitin,
from the power of England at the gloriou
era OF our independence and will tn
present people of Virginia be dipped witt
| such sophistry, and the like only, as wa
Insufficient 10 stop our fathers in that laud
able attempt, in the successful accomplish
ment of which, they have transmitted I,
rs the birth-risht Of freedom j.? Let Them
IN their primary assemblies, speak thei
sentiments, and manifest their willingness
and ability 10 think--to discuss-and to ac
for themselves-Wll they, then, o, ca,
they suppose, that in Virginia onig, out o
all the United States, the militia are not n
to govern themselves, or properly qualife,
10 vote Bat are only qualified for tn