Virginia advocate. [volume] (Charlottesville, Va.) 1827-1860, 1828-03-22

according to the provisions OF our government
that they pay taxes, aud perform militia duty.
as the freehuiders. themselves do. The terms
do mol appear unreasonable. For the same r.a-
sou, the ireeho'ders may make laws that con-
eern the personal property or others, while
within the limits of the state. lfihey have a
,'Sh' prevent o,hrrs from trespassinS on their
lands, except on certain conditions, they may
impose conditions on the introduction of pros
peTty.
But this matter may be viewed i'm another
light. Though the rue be otier wise in ethics.
'here IS no doubt, that in the organic alton Of
government, whatever is sexpcdient is richr.
rxpediency requires, that none be permitted to
NEEDLE with government, but those that have n
permanent COmmtn interest in the welfare Of
The country. None but land -Owners can have
inns. The merchant, the stakeholder, the me
chan'r, may remove from one country TO another
as speculation, or fancy. or necessity may in.
vie them but the laudholder is SUBSTANTIALLY
a"d permanently interested in the welfare OF
OF The state where his capital is fixed. Besides,
very large portion Of the laws Of every couu->
try must operate exclusively oil land; the avn
ers only, are interested in their excellence. In
a country Ike Virginia, there must be n land
TAX land owners alone should impose it.
Some prejudice has been excited against this
restriction OF the right of suffrage, by represent
ting the frceholders as an Aristocracy; and
much idle defamation has been uttered against
the injnstice that the rich practice OH the moor.
NO accusation can be more unfOuuded. In point
tf fact, the government Of every country is ad-
m'n'stered ny minority; aud the larger this
minority can be made, the more equal must be
the operation of the law on all the individuals
oil TIE community. But the permanence Of re-
publican institutions must not be endangered by
VISIONARY project of attaining perfection. The
minority that now governs Virginia, is too large
t" permit injustice to any. In truth it is larger
than ii would be, If suffrage were universal.
wealth has mach more influence over paupers,
than over those who are independent Virgil
GINA Is, and long must be, an agricultural
country Permit icssees of land TO vote, and Il
great land holder may coniroui an election: for
t, nant will scarcely disobiige his landlord.
Mnnied men, fading ,ie Importance TO be uuqn-
red ny Large landed possessions, would soon
swallow All the small farms, and the poorer far
mers must rent iaud for their support A part
of Tie consideration rendered, " ouid be the alb
suiuie surrender 10 the land lord of all cIioieo
81 the selection Of representatives. Ii is so in
some OF the states ut this time; it must be SO,
IN any aSricltur al state, where Hand is cheap,
&ihr right OF voting is not confined TO freehold
ers. Thus the limitation of this right by our
Constitution, is calculated tn guard The poor
against the rich, not 10 exal. the rich above the
poor; and this was the design of the trainers Of
that compact.
Many reasons, drawn from the we'll known
prOpcnsiiies OF human nature, and peculiarly
applicable TO the circumstances of virginia.
might here be introduced, 10 prove the policy
of This par. Of the Constitutions There is NO
doubt, that many nou- freehoider. are prudent.
saSacions and patriotic, & IL is equsliy trne
that many freeholders are Individually unwor-
Thy Of "a voice in the government. Hut rules
mus be general, 81 the task ofdeterminc the ill.,
ness OF any one man for the exercise ofths priv
iegc, IS Tar on delicate TO be entrusted to any o.
Their. Ii Is sufficient that the constitution has
provided test, practically adequate TO the OBJ
jeet IN view, the assurance Of an independeLt
electiun.
In a country where agriculture is the employ
ment OF d vast portion Of the inhabitants, and
where land Is cheap, the wages of labsur and
The profit Of stock are high, il is scarcely sun.
posabr, at man, industrious and prudent
IN the management of his own affairs, will LONG
remain non-freeholder, If his ambition promp.
him To aspire 10 "a voice in the government The
quantity of land too, that is necessary for vo-
lug is small enough. II is no obieclron 10 say.
that IT 20 acres with house may enti,le iIe
owncf TO vote, ~ ought to do ti,e same other
wise one mere makes the difference of votiue:
or Mt voting he same sort of argument
might be used against any positive test, be il Of
ps"per'y. OF age, or OF residence.
IL Is TO be regretted, that serious objections
| are made TO The part Of The Virginia consiitu-
tion, now Guder cOBsideraiiUn 1t is not pre-
| ended that he fieeholdrrs have abused their
power, or exercised ii indiscreei!y; or that the
safe "nuih have been better governed, under a
dii''eh' aTrapeemcn. L Ire privilege oil voting,
Tho sometimes desirable is frequently a puin-
ful ttsk,Hnd many who possess The kower, often
decline IT'S. exercise.
| fin"iiy, htany n-frcch6der, who thinks
that lie pereeives mi Justice in ibe restriction,
calcniae the quantum Of power that he would
gam by the change. Restrict the privilege of
| .oin9 t. white males over FL years Of age, and
| the" calculate the gain. lie woala get the one
lnndrcIh 'housandh part OF tie privilege Of
making law. aud he would cn,lapgcr the per-
manf"ee of orr political happiness. Can any
Patriot wish such an event?
BDEFHITS,
SThc General Court, have in ;hc Of the Com
| o'oowcahh IS Gaines, , Vng Cases) decided 9th
riw'sc But The correctness OF t'c judgement IS
questionable The authorities OF Tie District Co.
iunbIa may az any time demand the prisoner Of the
Executive oi We alter the tcrr,iuaton OF HE
erti ude, iudci aud punish him for tho offence commit
| ted within their iuri>d ton
| BIRDWOOD JOCK Ely CHR