Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-05-04

anu the great disadvantages OF its present rcstrcti
ton 1t cannot be mace to appear that the inequality
is upheld by the common good The Importance OF
the principle of equality, and the intimate connec-
ton its rigid preservation has with welfn re and
our happiness being admitted, il be also con-
cedcd that every departure from it is dangerous.
Again; the restriction of suffrage that degree
to which il is restricted in Virginia, cncroaces up
on natural right. When the social compact was rst
instituted, Surrender of some portion of natu-
raj right made i'll order that might enjoy
| The benefits of laws and government This surren-
der extended only far common good AN,
safety required. When the point is transgrcsscd,
surpatiou is the consequence of such traussresson.
The question, then, presents itself, whether not,
the restriction OF suffrage its present excessive
limit, called for by public good. Where, il asked,
rs the policy? 1t is ccniendcd that freehold but
landed one, can create permanent interest. l.
| is disputed: the who rents farm, and relies
upon its products as his support and the merchant,
more especially when they additional ly interest
cdby attachment for relations Oh famikes, equal
| iy as much Interested in the prosperity of govern
rnent as the landed frceholIar But even Give this
argument all its weight ADM, the fact that th,.
| landed freehold Is the surest medium OF reating a
permanent interest, ana what it, when pu. in the
scale against all the arguments which eau be adj
| duced on the ether side: What is this single ad-
vantage, if indeed it be such, when placed in Gem
petition with the great disadvanas of the present,
| restriction! with the miserable arstacracy il pro-
notes, the frighlul principle it involves of taxa-
on without representation: Thus, the partial
good of restricting suffrage to landed fieeoliiurs s
! oyeroalanced by the snpaiior advantages which
would accrue from giving ii more liberal extent
Hence, public good does not call Tor the restriction
Hence, also, il is inferred that hc who, under the
presentsystcm posSesScsthe privilege of suffrage over
others, possesses 1t without any plausible ground for
such possession. Whether such a rest. lotion as
gives to any citizen exclusive privilege over an
other without good grounds for it, and exceeds the
iint winch our surrender of natural right defined;
whether such restriction is infringement of ma
tural right or not it is left to the people of Virginia
to decide.
Unjust be admitted every hand that the na-
tional pride must flourish, else every public virtue
must decline. To foster this pride, neGality and
injustice in their faintest semblance, must be done
way Unless justice and equality be extended TO
every citizen 10 the fathes possible degree compa-
tihie with policy, it must degenerate. For excm-
Phhcation, let reference he made to the ancient |
Spartaas 1t is known that national pride and its |
attendant virtues prevailed in greater degree a.
nons them, than perhaps any other nation that has
existed from time immcmorial IL the present day
AMI 10 what is il TO he attributed, To what can |
we attribute that universal patriotism which rerya-
ded the Spartan nation? To what can we ascribe |
that unanmity of sentiment, that mistaken devo,i-
on to public good that fearless intrcpidity which
characterised the Spartans, if not the great euua
lily and justice which were distributed amongst |
them: Before they were governed by the laws of |
Lycmgus, there was nothing like national pride |
the greatest dissatisfaction aud disunon prevailed
and for the obvious reason that neqality aud in
justice existed among them. But SO soon as their
immortal Legislator introduced code founded ,lD-
on riSid justice and equality, the evils which had
existed were removed, national pride and public |
spirit were aroused, patriotism universal in its ma
turc burst forth from dssatsfac ton and division
arose the utmost unity and harmony, and in the
words Of Zimmerman the s. government wa no lon
ger the soul of many bodies but the soul of one boz
oy In tins instance, then, are exempliied the hap
Ply ELECTS OF ardent national pride and Likewise
the means by which 1t was produced. But can we
not find like illustrations without travelling ba ck tn
SO ancient date? Look AT our sister states which
exercise more equality in the distribution of right
Look particularly at New-Yor National pride
and Its conconitant spirit, the highest
point. Let her vast her mighty, her unexampled,
and it may be added, her Illustrous specimens of
public Improvement attest this fact No sooner
was appeal made to her citizens to prosecute sys-
TEN OF Internal improvement, than by united euer-
gy, the waters OF Lake Erie, rolling through space
OF ooO miles by an artificial chanel, mingled with
those of the Hudson, Her extensive commerce, it is
conceded, has effected much i'll elevatng her in the
scale of national greatness, but her national pride
ana public spirit, and the virtues growing out of
them, have been much more instrumental in exait-
ing her to the foremost station she now holds with
her sister states. Let Us use the same mea:ts LET
US give every citizen his rights, let divide equai-
y and justice equally practicable let US place
before the eyes of each citizen his rights, his prvi-
SseS, HIS equai enjoyment OF them IN Common with
ms ieiiow-citizens and shall not be inferior in
the great national virtue, either to the ancient Spar
tans any of our sisser states.
But there is another public virtue the restrictive
system has tendency TO PROSTATE, which. is so i'm
porant, that although ii might have come under the
preceding argument, yet il is entitled to a separate
consideration and this consideration is patriotism
1t VIII be unnecessary to enlarge upon the agni-
tude OF this virtue, the intimate relation it holds
with the prosperity and the well-being of people
nut to the question: does docs the restrictive
system discourage it? The answer is Immediate in
the affirmative; for how patriotism flourish
when injustice and an Uni uSifable inequality rx-
list! when citizens are deprived OF incstimable
privilege without any good reason for being e.
prived when suspicious cast upon their integ-
rty, for suspicion is implied when it is cast into
their teeth that because they do not own a landed
freehold they are Incompetent to vote? The lam
guage ofthose aggrieved will be, "If we are patriots
we are competent to vote; and if we are inhibited
from it, the inference be derogatory to US; our
country is unjust and ungraeful to us she compes
us to bear arms ia her defence, and pay taxes in her
support, and yet dcprlveS us of Il valuable right
size does Hot recognise free citizens, and there
fore, cannot be attached TO her." This will be
their languages Hence, when i'll the hour of dam
ger we appeal to them TO assist uS5 their patriotism
will be lukewann; the cloud of danger in vain may
thicken; darkness i'll vain may dim your national
horizon, Indifference will be all we shall receive
from those whose just and lawful rights we have re-
strictcd Instead Of rushing with patrietic zeal to
the defence Of their country they will desert her in
the hour o! nccd instead of Immolatug themselves
nj the altar of her good, magtyrdom will appear in
gloriSus; instead of magnanimausly submitting to
every toll and privation for her rights they will see
the remorseless invader tear her destruction. But
now great the contrast when no citizen is deprived