Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1824-05-08

every cncroachment upon this principle pre-
pares the way for farther eucroachments 3
that II strengthens the powers of the officers
of government, inpaiIs their sense of respon-
5'billly 10 the sovereignty of the people,
weaksns the influence of that sovereignty, and
tends finally To unnerve the vital energies of
that very sovereignty when il shall be prepar-
ed by insensible encrOacbmenis, tn yield itself
an easy prey 10 the deceitful soolhings of art
ful usurpaton. am not to tell you, fellow
citizens, that your galling Subsection to Great
Britain had continued down 10 this very day
aye-and Jorerer-had the right OF represent
tation been commended for oniy by those who
were destitute Of landed property, and wanted
the Sine,cS OF cdri but fortunately their inte-
rests were united with the interests of those
who held the terra .frmu, and could relax the
purse strings; IT was through their united re-
sIstance, that the sacred right of representa-
ton was preserved, as to united America.
say preserved, as TO the assaults Of England
but 1t remained for the owners of the soil in
the several states, after establishing the prin-
cipe as to England, in The penitude of their
republican feelings, to participate with their
fellow -cltzens, who, though less gifted with
wealth, honestly contributed their mite TO the
expenses of government, and more than par
ticipated with them their personal services
in the defence of their country. And this they
have done, To the mperishabe glory of Anne
ricaus be il spoken, in all future ages, and in
all civilized nations, swayed by arbitrary pow
er, as the proud example of disinterested re-
publicanism. This they have done, repeat
| II, in these wide-expauded and multiplying
republican states, In every instance i'm twenty
four, save only land feel shuddering horror
at the implied imputation, when | note the
exception, however Insignificant it be in the
great political baiance,l yes, in every instance
nf twenty-tour states, saving but barely the
dimnuiive minority of three, Virginia and the
two Carnnas. In dispensing participation
IN the right of representation 10 all free tax
able citizens over twenty-one years of age,
the other states have only acted in couformi-
ty 10 the principle for which they fodght and
conquered; under Tie pure dictates of ju-tic-,
they have only metrd out to others " hat they
claimed for themselves. And could they have
done less? Surely all voices would, with
one united breath, gladden. the ear of liberty
with the deep in,onation of an enthusiastic
no But refer you To your own native Viz
ginia and the two Carolinas they, with
cold, sophisiical calculation, will resolve you
diff rrntly. Would 10 God for the consis-
tency Of men who profess republicanism, ii
were not so
Yes, fellow citizens, | admonish you let all
these modes Of presenting the subject, pass
| for nothing let them have no weight With
| you turn deaf ear 10 every passionate APP
peal; they strew your path with danger; they
bind your senses captive, and lead you, una
wares. 10 the brink of fatal prccipce, If en-
| listed in the cause of eTrUr--f in the cause OF
trnih, there is occasion for their influence
! But. in the simplicity of truth and common
sense, | may say, that il was II most lucky
idea, for the better preservation of the lber-
ties of these States-so gioriously achieved
I through extreme difficulties priv aiious, hard
ships, and deeds of vaiour-that the Trainers
of their constitutions bethnught themselves
TO base them upon thar political adamani hap
PLY termed Bill of Rights. And, as if the
| better 10 insure the permanent security and
stability of these beautiful representatives, by
a due selection and proper disposition of these
! Fundamental materials, the great and immura
biz principle of freedom is most happily adopt
| ed as the corner stone of them all.
Mark me-, fellow citizens, eptreat you for
Iifl have cautioned you against the influence
of passionate appeals, | equally con iure you
10 weigh the facts. The Bill "f Rights pre-
fixed to every constitution of the states, and
To that of Virginia in particular, whose words
| shall quote, is usherpd forth with this lead
ing truth: THAT all men are.by natHre equal
/ y free and independent and have certain in
herent rights, Of which, when they enter into
q state of society, they cannot, by any COM
Fpact, deprive or divest their pOsterlly," &c.
/ Z" end That all power is vested in, aud conse-
I quently derived from the people that mdgiS-
trGies are their trustees and servants, and at all
times amenubie to them"-that is tn say, the
officers of government are the representatives
Of the people, and at all times amenable TO
them. seth. That elections of members to
serve as representatives of the people, in as
sembly, ought To be free and that all men,
having sufficient evidence Of permanent com
mon interest with and attachment to, the COM
munity, have right Of suffrage, aud cannot
be t0red or deprived Of their property for pub
lie uses, without their own consent, or that of
their representatives. 80 elected nor bound by
any toi0 TO which they have not, in like man
ser, dsStptcd, for the public good"
I The right of suffrage then, or a free and
equal representation, is declared by the united
wisdom Of these states, and Of your own ma
tive Virginia, to be the great safeguard of the
sovereignty of the people aud precisely in
the proportion that this right is impaired, is
the sovereignty Of the people subyerled usurp-
ed, or rescnded.
Now let us enquire, how stands this right
Of suffrage in the several states. In nineteen,
out of twenty -four, residence of few
months, and county or state tax, or service in
ths militia, are declared to be " sufficient evil
dence Of permanent common interest with,
and attachment 20, the community" for their
| constitutions declare every freeman possess
ing such qualifications, 10 be entitled 20 the
right Of suffrage and as such, may give hs
electoral vote. In regard To- the ether five,
New Jersey requires the additional qualfca-
| ton of $50 value - property Rhode Island
| has no constitution, except The charter Of
! Charles IT. which is invalidated by the pre-
atnble To the constitution Of the United States,
and ought To be formally denounced by con-
gress, and constitution required in its stead