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

I cordancc waK thosiy principles against which an
forctathers rebcle,i Is it consistent with modera
| ton! The answer is in the negative; for as mo-
oeration I'm measures implies that they shall no
transcend Or come too muci, within just and rea.
sonable medium, the present restrictive system i
not couforinable with because il fall,
lar short OF this medium. Lastly, is il concordanl
WIN JUSTICE II II be just that one portion Of PEG.
pie should be taxed, should be compelled 70 figh,
our battles, to undergo every peril and privatjpn,
should De forced to perform the same service as
those VINO have the privilege OF suffrage and vet be
inhibited from this privilege, if his be lust then
justice has acquired new dchmirion.
IL has bcen often contended for as an arg,,pen,
III iavor OF the restrictive system that il checks cor
ruition. The argument has been upheld In this
manner; that those who landed frechoders
are generally snch as can be bribed of their vocs
ny drink ewhiskey some such trivial consider
alton. II the peasastry of our county were ignor-
ant and uenliyhtened, if the avenues TO informant.
on were blocked up difficult of access if the
disseminat ton of knowledge were checked if the
press were restrained rs in the despotc countries Of
Europe then might such an argument a puear sou,c-
what plausible but II loses all its force when IL is
rejected that Gus yeoinany too culightc,,d too
independent, too hghm inded, too Jealous of their
liberties thus to sell their surfaces to be thus in
cautious in selecting their representatives Such
an argument Will nor apply A,nericans the tim.
mas not yet arrived when il may r said of them as
OF the ancient Romans; " Habenf on,,,ia renai;o.
But lei 1t be examined whether the argn,e pt docs
not apply in manner dramatically opposi,e-,ha,
U.s. whether OF not the extension of the right of suf
irage to more liberal limit, will check corrp,ion
AS, when governments are instituted, thew are de-
signed TO be permanent and temporary, 50 il is
an object Of primary importance that as little room
as possible should be left for intrigue, that rreat
pane OF peinanency in governments. Hence, that
government IS safest which is inpervious TO the
efforts of the nirguer. Landed aristocracy i, is
contcndcd, leaves much room for corruption br
cause the number TO which the liberty of choosing
representatives Is given, being small the possibility
OF corruptinS that number is proportionally great
Extend the number which the RIG Int is given and
the possibility of corruption is proportiomally less
In support OF the position, the opinion of the SAGE
OF Monticello adduced. He remarks (in his
notes OH Virginia, p. l59) The influence overco-
Vefnment must be shared among all the people If
every individual which composcs their mass partici-
pates of the ultimate authority, the government will
be sale; because the corrupting Of the whole mass
VIII exceed any private resources of wealth: and
public ones cannot be provided but by levcs on the
people. In this case, every man would have to nav
his own price. The government of Great Britain
mas been corrupted, because but one man i'm ten has
Il right To vote for members OF Parliament. The
sellers OF the government therefore get nnc-,euths
OF their price clear. 1t has been thought that cor
ruption is restrained by combining the right of suf
fragc but it would be more cifectually restrained
by All extension of that right to such numbers nc
would bid defiance TO the means pfcorruption :"
EQUALITY