The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1824-09-09

scros of land The principle that real estate
is the only basis of local ausehment, II correct
once, 10 no longer 90 and the ties which bind
the owners OF that property 10 tho soil are 81
cssiIy broken ss those which attach . mar 70
his home who does not Own spot OF earth.
Look OF tho fac, who 10 II that emIgrste from
your Stale Is IL your commercial men, or
those engaged 10 manufacture, No, IL is your
small farmers. Men who can readily dispose
of tboir little possessions snd seek thei' for.
iunes 10 more fertile regions, and while the
farming interest 10 % unptoductive rs i'll now -,
tho'e will be Q much greater inducemeDt Tor
that class 10 emIgrs'e, than for tho mechanic
or rsdef who he's established himself IN prof
table business that yields him o comfortable
support, though it does not snsbie him TO in
se., sny Of his little property in land.
There 10 clearly no foundation for tho argu-
ment that CONNIE ciaI and trading mon arc
not a. much 10 be replied on ioi pe'm msnent
inhabitants of the State 80 the farmers and
ysomanry.
Tho principles Of our elective franchise
were imported from England by our sncos
tn's, and grew out Of tho sdisunstons aud
grades which have been estsbljshed IN that
country. To provo this need only refer to
an English wrner Of uDdo0bted authority.
Exsmlne the i7ist psge of Blackstone, vol. Il.
end you will hpd that the principle on which
that system is founded is The exclusion from
a participation n the Gevctntsent, Of those,
who, by that s'istocratic doctrine, are ronsd-
cred IN a mean siiuaHon, persons IN the ioty.
~ grabs OF society. Tho svowed object Is
40 exclude ell who are not OF tho higher or.
dets, those who are not OF tho aristoc'acy, on
the preservation Of which tho existence Of the
government OF thar @)uDry depe0ds..-The
genius OF Cur government admits OF no such
distinctions. Eve'y ci,Isen 10 supposed 10
have au influence IN tho government, snd the
free expression oi HE opinions, and the choice
OF his rulers, sre hi, inalienabie right. And
20, how do you propose, II you. acopt the Ie.
port OF the commutce,t 10 preserve those rights
You arc willing 10 give the ciIiZen every priv.
i!cge o! !ieeman, excep, the 81 privilege,
the foundation Of ell his iights--,to right o!
voting io his rulets
Mr. Z. proceeded to read some sst'ac,s
from Blackstone, IN which, he seIf be W.,
happy 10 6od 'ha, author supporting IN The
main, the same p',nciples he advocated
The true roason of requinng any 0usi'h
cation, with regard TO property, in voles, u
70 exclude such persons US are IN so mean
situation that they are csteeuIed 10 have no
will Of their own. II these person, had votes
they would be tempted TO dispose Ok them IN
d. some undue ,0Ruence or other. This
would give great, an a,tful, or a wealthy
man, q larger share in elections than ~ con
sls,ent with general liberty. II il were prob
able that every man would give his vole tree,
and without influence Of spy kird, then, upon
tho uue iheo'y and genuine principles Of !ib-
erty, every member OF the community how.
sver poor, should have Q vote in elect,ng thooe
delegates, TO whose cha &c is coMmilted the
disposal OF his properly, his liberty, and his
lite. Boz, since that can hardly be expected
IN persons OF indigcn' fortunes, o' such as ere
Under the immediate dominion Of others, all
popular states have been obliged TO establish
sertsin qualifications whereby some who ave
suspected 10 have no will Of their own, are cx
Sluded from voting, IN order TO set other naI.
v'dusls, whose w,ls may DC supposed inde-
pendent more thoroughly upon u level with
each Other.
"This Is the spirit Of our Constitution : not
that assert IL Is IN fact, quite so petiec, as
have here epdeavoted 30 describe IL /; tor, !!
any alteration mighf DO wished or suggested
IN tho present f6amo Of pafasmeDts, IL shouio
be IN favor oI moe complete rep fesentation
OF ibe people"
The reasons which exis, for this law in Eng.
land, It hey eyer exised here, ceased to do
so in l7T6. Since that period, We hsve no .
policy among Us which requires the pteserva.
tioo Of distinct g'sdes and deis, ell meu ste
alike, free IN principle, and ough, they not to
be -quaily so 10 ptactfce The operation OF
The Report Of tho Com mit,ee Is calculated to
keep up those distinctions, and denies the ..
quail rights Of tho citizens, The msn who is
liable TO do military du,y. has no choice 10 Sc
iecting his Commando III; ;Chisf, and no may
be called upon 10 render personal services,
without the least power Of selecting those
who shall contr ol those services.--ls he moi
liable TO be sfied ond matched to the con.
fines OF his coootry TO tcpel INVASION, and yel
he has no voice IN tho choice Of those who
have power 10 declare war, and he esnuo,
raise his voice in the election Of the President,
h.. h,,.k .k.,r ~ A.