Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1828-02-09

although formed according 10 the incest princvlc, o.
abstract eGualt, aud proved by to the rules
OF Cookers Arithmetic.
f1n Inv humble estimation however, our constitution
is based upon principles best Calculated To impart pc,
ncy it, and secure happiness To the peonIe The
foundation of our evil nsti,uiion laid deep in m,
'efha' maxins o scerce, OF truth, and of bunan na-
tnre The object o! wise cove nrnent is the pro,ec
ton Ut person aud property| In the establishment of
fGhdane tai laws 10 pei feet this e. up nos.
the consideration OF and property must ncros
sariy be included. Election and Representation are
the cous uonal means Of prov Jing this security. anil
therefore in regulating the elective fra ncise AMI IN
sitning ratio of iepresent atom, popu,iinn and
wealth must be -combned--nuiher he i;,s,, .x
Guided. admit that .he right of suffrage for reason
pcious 10 human reedoin ous ht TO be extened 10
the greatest possible number consistent with soc;,,
order and security OF property. IL is amnp-ourbe,s
that the sacred fire of liberty readily enkindle5
and kept alive Each inhaes from lie Other the bre,
Of freedom; each insprits the other with fearless conf;
dence until one general emo.:O ofrnany in.penJnr
perv AIDES the hearts of all.
Conscious of numbers and of strength the electors
are unsesraned in the assertion OF their opinions sn,
bold in the maintenance Of their rights Ru, Mi.
spirit Of freedom. generated by numbers and inter
course, has constant tendency 10 wax waoton to
orereap the bounds Of wisdom and proprictv and To-
"rnn ric In the paths of RIGHTEOUSNESS Ii sometimes
maniiests inclination spuin the prudent checks of
moderation, TO iberae itself from the salutary res
traints CT reason and 10 exchange the order and firm
ness of enlightened liberty for the upbriJleJ frv of
the passonH.A History records many woeiuI instance
81 the gradual progress fr" popular agitation 70 cvo
luton and anarchy. Civil tranquility may Weld 10
The empire Ct faction. and tunuluous discord ms, F..
upon some occasions, characterize the assemblies of
the people. The memorials of the French revolution
warn of the laHC rlv fact that men in soma Sc
tustions may lose the Influence of celebrating reason
and become the needless agents Of whence and enor
NIFTY Then sir Int occasion arises FOR the
-"Fac'ious mou;her OF imagind wrongs,
To sting and soad rhe u,a'dening multitude,
And set the monster loose for dvsuialiun."
Domestic teuis and civil add Continue until
The conending parties s,ok inaction fiom mere
exhaustion. The cessa t.T oi such conflict III,
Inc calm which succeeds the Storm Of desoation The
retain at peace brings not with restoration OF right
but GeS aiding submission To absolute degpotistn
NNl1ence results the necessity Of Introducing some
principle IN order 10 counterfeit this tendency Of nun
bers 10 fall into confusou and chy and which On,
tor tins counteraction would ~ eHtaaN rue.
ave OF Civi nberiy sumo governments have rcsur-
ted "a ;oice aud to penal enactniens which willis,
u'ey have restrained cClnoon, have elected their
object at The price vi too great gnut of t!
freedom o tue ciiiEsa. Ii ed our eed-
ike FHsinian ancestors 10 have the glory and the
honor oi introducing principle, Inch would tf.ctu
ally correct the anarchica propensities of the pcopl
not by Cur failing their freedom cndangerI,p tri,
rights but by appealing directly n their interest and
unde standing. Til, principle consists in the intro
duction of property n.o the System uf election and
representation. The anthor of uau e has wisel,
implanted in the breast of desire of acuuriur
addition TO The innate of
exercising exclusive control, portion worldly
goods Is Indispensable to BILE existence Their
is no subject which constantly employs the faculties
OF The rnind VI sch ELECTS so much and re
hecon' and which tends lii so great degree sub
ute sober calculation the place of wild and ru,
Gus speculation. The Of property feels donb,e
interest IN the preservation of the government; lie is
urged by Tie strongest motives 10 desire eouai and
impartial laws and to advocate moderate taxaton TO
have justice administered impattally to aii aud to
naintan internal quiet among his lelo.g ci;izens-
Person aud property are most secure when least $40
sed 10 al revolutions. and all are concer
ned more especially the holders Of property TO irpaI
respect aud stability political institutions In
this State nu'noess and property, (Which sustas the
Whole bnrIbei' oitaXaion, intimately ntcigo
ven as to ensure universal security. We have all
the patriotic fervor OF a EeInocrac aad all the sys
teH"ic regularity appera'ning to property. ii is re-
MAJ keu by writer OF some eninence, llat numbers
are necessary To spirit of liberty and that property is
productive Of spirit Of order. have the more mar
ticularly examined the subject OF election and rep1e
senation, because upon these topics the advocates of
reform are mast cianioruns hope have succeeded
in showing that in their regulation propetty cannot
'n Justice. be wholly d,sregaded. ii principle and
poCy feqhire that property should enter into the qua
LITIGATION OF voters 1t becomes mere question oi
expectancy with the government what species of pro-
perry, and what amount ought constitute this ouaIjf
Ca ton Natural rights rot Involved; for The whole
elective s. stem springs Of site ofsocicy and IS
unknown IN a stale OF nature.
| Considerations OF prudence and ,xpedieucy dictate
that the value OF such property shoud no, be great,
nor lis acquisition very difficult. Being regarded as
The evidence Of permanent IN interest and attach
Hent, ii ought 10 be both visible and durable The
soil upon which we reside, and and from which we
draw he absolute necessares OF existence more thar
any other species OF property, combines community
anu generality of interest," with facility Of acquisitions
and real permanent duration. The POSSESS on Of land
and tenenients, contributes than any thing to
produce manly Independence, and eiev of CHAR
acter. II prevents that serity and pancy Of dspo-
siiIon which TOO often nia;k the conduct Of those who
are dependent upon others for food and shelter.
speak OF genera! rule know that there are per.
sons without the qualification Of voters, who are actu
a ed By feelings of laudabe independence and pa,ro
t!stn; aud there others who, with all the legal re-
qnsions traitors al heart. ii would be an easy
matter by DsitutiDg comparison dcnonsti ale the
superiority OF land over every thing else tie qua
cation OF voters, as the Sufficient evidence of perma
nent commop interest with, and attachnen, the com
munity.n "
MIR Speaker, let US pnrsue the examination Of the
rule, which have endeayored in