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

dependence, with an appropriate speech,
on the Sd Inst. at the Presby terrain church.
roR THE vtRoisIAs
TO the People Of Pugiaia...".No. 7.
One of the NEST striking FEATURES IN a
free government, founded IN the equal
rights of men, distinguishing II from others,
is, that the efficient physical means of It's
support and defence, are placed III the
hands of the great body oC the people, in
stead of an organized body of saldi"ry.w ho
embrace no other profession, but compose
permanent military force, intended Ia
strengthen the arm of arbitrary power.
standing army has always heen the means Of
protecting those in power in their attempts
T. subyed the liberties of the people, aud
of protecting the former from the Just in-
dignaiion of tie latter: A state Of open
hostility, or secret hatred aud medllated
revenge on the one hand. and OF fear and
tlislrust Oh the other, viii al all times exist
between The few IN power and thr niuy
on whom IL is exercised. In a republican
government which knows no distinction
betu cen freemen. and recognizes al! their
natural rights, the citIZrns nj latge are the
natural protectors and defenders of those
rights, and also of the social compact foam
died thereon and the agg esiIons which
affect the government, either by "A foreign
power or domestic faction, are conse-
GueuHy extended TO, and fell by, the PEG
pie, therefore, the MILITARY powef IS pro-
pcrly placed in their hands, when, and
when only, it can safely be entrusted. by
this system, every honorable principle, and
the virtues, together with the best feelings
Of the individual, are brought into active
operation in supporting and protecting the
government aud laws. This admirable
plan has been fully tested, both in the tiHte
ct peace and war and the result has stri-
klngly shown It's good effects and II ap-
pears to have been founded on Il Thorough
knowledge ofthe character of man his 10
nor, his Interest, and his natural love oi
power aud distinction, all bear directly
towards the support ui government HI,
labarious and pcrons services IN that ca
pacity, are not required To support arbitra
~ powor, and add toluxury and pampcrcd
pride, or TO destroy the liberties of his ftl
low men but they are rendered for tn,
good of the community of which he is !
member, possessing aud enjoying an equa
right with others. Therefore, Il government
oflhis character denying Ia one bali of tn,
peoplethe exercise of thr elective franchise
while il requires of them these importan
services rendered BY the militia, is radical
" defeciire, and in an important point
which, If otherwise, would be the best cal
cula,ed 10 perpetuate its existence, for
defect Of this nature, (Which is undeniablr
the fact IN regard 10 our constitution i
calculated to produce dissatisfaction on III
part of those DISTINGUISHED and as tim
progresses which IL supposed To sircngihe
the government, this u&casiacss will proba
bly, Increase, together with an increase q
their number and must, sooner or later
produce reaction, which, in its progress
may oyerwhclm the bulwarks of our liber
lies. The love of power IL go predoninan
IA the breast of man, that sall those VIII
possess II, are unwilling 10 part with an,
portion of II, and will USE all means in thcl
power to retain II in their hands and tn
like propensity viii operate on the mind
OF those not possessing II, AS well as otle
considerations, To induce them 10 use ever
effort tn obtain II. Consequently, the pre-
sent contest between the fItrh1ders am
non ireehoiders, must eventually he deter
mined in fay of the latter, az the phi, sea
power VIII soon be IN their hands an,
every wise and rejecting man should brin
this first lnto consideration, and let il hay
its full weight, when reasoning GA the sub
1ect before us the Improvement can no.
be made with perfect SAFETY. What can |,
done an age or t~o hence, cannot be d,
MED, and, AS the perpetuation of om pod
tcal institutions is an object worthy Of TN
attention of every honest citizen, the uIeau
by which it must Ibe effected should not b
neglected. long period must elapsp h,
fore this force would he used but the iii.
lance of the evil does not materially Jesse
the danger Of il. To continue the preset
regulation in rcgaid to the elective Crar
chiSe. ~ to entail upon Our posttrity a
e'il which must saon.'r or later be caIln
tous IN the extreme therefore wa do bt
an hci oi justice to them, as well as II,
present generation, 10 remove this odiau
feature from our constitutions, and nv $
doing the wound already made in the bod
polite will he healed, and the two gre,
parts knit tngrther in firm union. whic
viii probably serve more than any 9th,
measure Ia perpctnate Our hbetiea A wor
OF this character may well be deemed ,
the like nature with that Of the establish
ment of our iodrpe ndcnce, for to ENJOY th
blessings of liberty in our 'fime,cnly, is +
do but small Thing, in comparison vii
mat OF transmitting that birth right To f,
ture ages The right or pri, iiegr Of brin
cnnstltnti6nally capable of being elected [
Dill an office under representative govern
ment, IS coequal 10 the right of delrgatin
power TO those persons ia Office, ard III