Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-10-20

That there are many individuals in the
community, not free-holders in the con,
stitutional acceptation Of the term, who
are nevertheless fully qualified, as well
from their character and intelligence
as from the independence of their cir.
cumstances, to exercise the right OF
suffrage, is readily admitted; and were
a new constitution about to be adopt
ed, and provision could be framed,
having for its object their admission
only, it would hardly be proper TO de-
feat it by rigid adherencet to the terms
of the presen. qualification. But your
memorialists are of opinion, that it
might very safely be left to men Of that
description to determine, whether, stu
ated as we now are, it would be prudent,
merely for the purpose of admitting
them to the right Of voting, 10 expose to
the dangers Unpopular excitement, & to
the destroying influence Of ambitious
demagogues, those features Of our con-
stitution, not less valuable in their es-
timation than to free-holders them
selves. Nor can they permit them
selves to doubt, that if the admission
of men of this description to the right
Of suffrage, drew with it, as necessa-
ry consequence, the introduction OF a
mother description of voters. possessing
neither their intelligence, their integri-
ty nor their independence, they would
prefer their own continued exclusion,
rather than submit themselves and their
property to the government OF men,
having neither inducement nor ability
to govern them properly. And yet
saoh would be the case under almost
every mode of extension that has yet
been suggested. Whether embracing
house-keepers, the sons of free-holders,
o. the residents of year,
the effect would be the same. While
some would be admitted, to whom no
one would object, thousands would &C
company them, whom, individually
considered, all would pronounce unfit
of the political power Of
the state.
Your memorialists, therefore, believ-
ing that the restrictions Of the right of
suffrage to free-holders only, is in strict
accordance with the principles of JUS
tice; and knowing no other general pro-
vision on the subject, less liablero OBJ
lection, than that which has been adopt
I'd in the present constitution, consider
the declaration Of the Stanton meeting,
indefinite as it is, a serious and all-suf-
icient objection to convention, or to
any measure, having for its object, in
he most remote degree, the call of
convention; and they accordingly pro-
est against the proposition TO refer the
question to the people. They do so,
because they do not believe that the
people themselves desire it-bccause
hey believe it will furnish an opportu-
,ity for defeating the wishes of an &C
ual majority OF the free-holders, by the
Of illegitimate voters
md, finally, because, as part OF the |
people, they do not think it prudent,
partaking as they DO of the frailties in
,eparabIe from the human Judgment
o expose themselves, without suffi-
;ient object,to the necessity of deciding
IN great and fundamental principles,
INVOLVING the future as we'll as the pre-
sent welfare of the state.
We believe it is not generally known
hat the Committee of publication Of
he American Sunday School Union,
nave offered premium ISIS, to the
person who shall write the best Essay,
Or series Of Essays, Son the Nature
md Design Of Sabbath Schools, the
Persons who ought to attend as Pu-
,ils, and those who ought to attend as
Teachers" also, a premium of SIS, to
he person who shall write the best es-
'ay or series of essays, "On the Quail
ica,ions and Duties Of Superintend-
,nts and Teachers, the best means of
these qualifications, and the
,est means Of securing activity and
in the discharge Of those
luties."
The following gentlemen have been