Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-03-03
VIRGINIA
HOUSE OF DELE.ti a IT,.
Ma GILEs ON tie Convention nan
J. z G. L S L n ~ = a


fUou,hj-dl
lear, Mr.. Speaker, that am faiiEueias
yourself and this hunorahIa House by ro-
i'g so minJiely into detail upon this srGisri.
II so, sir, let lis importance plea ms ex-
c1-e. Il hd before leave this part of the
subject, let me be permitted 10 presen,
comparative view between the freehold
right vi suffrage and another principle O.
limitation, said o be the most popular of all
the substitutes proposed, and The rather, a.
this is Mr.. Jederson's flvorie principle,
whose great name has served to ex end lis
popular infllence, i is laid down in Mr..
- eli -r>on's letter in The following words:
- Jet every man, WHO fights or paws, ex
e'cise his jVst and equal right in their
e.eciion.' Upon this Principe, we are
Directly al points. / contead that the mill
tary IS the very wort principle that can be
introduced. as fixing the qualification of the
voter IN civil iis'ituti1rs; and that il has no
c.aln 10 any sh 'Gow fright or pre;ext what
spever. IL IS fundamental principle, that
tHe military shall be sub ervient TO the ciyii
authority. What would be tie necessary
Tendency aad effect OF laying the founda-
t.on Of your civil institutions in military
Principle: And that too founded IN claim
o. riSht, Tor military services: Would
:; not tend directly to invert this order, aud
- make the civil! sibssrvient 10 the military
az ho;ity: II so, il is presumed, not a So
ldaFy advocate could be found in favour Of
ihis inversion OF principle. But, Sir,
con'end that there Is no ShadcD Of right,
nor ercr Pretert Of claim, grounded upon
rem F.st0n Of military services. To rem
DER tbs point perfectly clear, i. will be
necessary TO resort 10 original, or first
pfliclPies. In the formation OF all 6 cjsl
c7npacis, there Is RECIPROCITY of rights
md duties amongst all the tneubers form
Ing the compact. Il is the da;y of all per
eons, possessing the requisite physical ca
59aciGes for The purpose, TO render military
services for the pro &c ion OF the comnuni-
y. But, as in rendering these services.
they extend this pr Election beyond them
selves 50 those who do not possess ply
sicai capacities for that purpose, have al
sight TO a just compensation from the in
competent classes The government is the
ls' aIbiter between these differing interests,
and IL determines and DEGREES what rhail be
the jlst compensation paid by one interest
10 the other. The militia laws are intended
10 designate those who possess these physi-
Cll capacities, and are bould to render these
sation TO be pad by those who do no, pos.
eesS such physical capacities. When the
services are therefore rendered and the
US; compensation paid it completely obi
t=fstes all obligations and duties on both
rdes; and leaves the military without the
least shadow oil claim 20 any other com
psnsation whateyer--and less than all
others, that OF the right Of suffrage. This
point will be more strongly illustrated by
reference to the regular army. There thes.
military services and compen sations are SCI,
lied by voluntary contract; and when they
are mutually discharged, there is an end
OF all obligation wbaisoeger on either side.
Fay then your military, in military honors.
military Offices and money but never raw
them ~ your civil and religious rights. The
best way, however, 20 test the merits oil
;his military principle. is by looking 10 the
inod1s operandi. Being military primer
pie, II ought TO be carried into effect in a
military form, and the voter should be bound
TO exhibit himself in bis military Character
What then mast the soldier do TO en;ius
himself to the benefit Of this princples He
mist certainly put himself in complete
military attitude. lie must then first eoJip
himself with full suit Of rerimen,slq' 4
Iousket and bayone, glittering TO the sun. 4 |
caftouch-box, with four and twenty rounds |
OF csftridges complete. On the dsy OF eiec.
ton thus equipped, be should take his rro-
PER stand Y the ranks OF his regiment.
aud the regi inenf In due military fo,n. with
the colonel at ~ head, should move jntoI
the eounhou-e, dllios betting and coior
flying. Under such circumstances. Mr.
Speaker, who do yoJ suppose woulI ne
etecied for your civil representatives, E..
I,ecislly. If The colonel Of the regiment rad
been elected JUS before By general suffrage,
And what chance do you think, sir. those
who pay would have against those who
night, IN confessed election, under td.,
niiitsfy form Of conducting ~ Nv. err
what late 10 you think would attend an
old man, hobbling in upon a crutoh like
myself lof instance who, although not
J'ossessing the physical cspscilie, for z sol
der, migm have head upon his shoulders.
and might dare 10 vote sgsins, The colonel al
the regiment! Could he expect bet,e,
fate than to hod one Of these aliste,;,e
oayone's thrust amidst bic short ribs; whilst
rs vr'orogs sohi- WORT r'rr-, ti,so n