Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-05-01

ana your pubic SERVICES, and
still more from the purify OF your republican prin.
ciples, and the tried fidelity you have constantly
eyinced in your official department.
win you be pleased TO inform Of your de-
Termination. thatmyseif. as we'll as the public,
may be advised Of your disposition to serve it. in
the present important crisis OF public affiirs
in order that friends in other parts of the dis
trct, whose cooperation most respectfully so.
licit, may not remain in any doubt or suspense
Upon that subject?
Very respectfully.
WM. o. CHARIBLISS
Gen. RICHARD EPpEs, Palestine.
ANSWER.
PALESTINE, April I, 1929.
DEAR Your polite and very friendly note
OF to-day, informing OF my nomination as de-
legate from this district TO the Convention, 'sby
numerous assemhage OF my county-rnen, and de-
string TO be informed If disposed TO serve If
elected" deserves my grateful respect, and alds
another to the numerous obligations i ain under
to them for their kindness and confidence.
This additional testimony OF their confidence is
the more gratifying to me, because a difference of
opinion has existed between us, upon the subject
OF Convention; and hope to be excused for a.
raving myself OF this opportunity, 20 express We
ry briefly the general views entertained, in re-
ference to the duties which the Convention will
have to perform:-And while am no, in the hab-
it OF concealing opinions of my own, am always
unwilling TO have ascribed TO me any, which are
not really my opinions.
ltelerrlnE 10 the OIJectS Wnicn arc sought To be
attained by the Convention, the general character
OF its duties may be readily inferred. These, are
trst the extension o! the right of sufrs gese coud
some change in the mode Of representation, with
view of reducing the number of the House of
Deiegates-third, some reform in the executive
and, fourth, q modification of the judiciary.
Suffrage in Virginia is exercised alone by free
holders; and whatever the practice may be, is OBJ
yious1y founded upon the title 10 the property.
should be disposed to substitute for this, an inter-
est in rhc cultivation Of the soil; by admitting eve
ry free white male citizen, twentyonc years old,
who resided upon and cultivated the land to vote;
for, while interest in the soil has generally been
regarded as the best assurance for pcrmanency S.
usefulness, in political associations, the principle
OF election and representation, has been extended
much beyond it. in almost every state in the Tn.
ion, without any political mischief. How far e.
lection ought 10 go, is question of policy, not of
political or natural right, and is founded upon the
safety and prosperity OF the public, and influenced
by the local situation Of territory, habits and pur-
suits Of the citizens. In manufacturing States,
it ought not 10 be so difflsed as in commercial
States. In agricultural States, it ought to be more
restricted than in either.
You will perceive, thatI have taken az granted,
that suffrage will be enlarged l suppose this O..
pinian ought now 20 be generally entertained. 1t
appears TO necessary inference from the
passage Of the law providing for the assembling OF
the Convention.
Suppose, however, that suffrage is so enlarged.
as TO admit every free white man TO vote, without
TO consider, whether any, and what restriction
ought TO be applied, to those who have TO lands
Is IL good policy 10 admit non ireehoders 10 vote
for Senators and Representatives, and be eligible
10 those Offices? think not. II they are admit
ted TO the elective power, Gas think il probable
they may BEL the non-freehoder should not be
eligible, and should only vote for members of the
popular branch Of the Legislature. Every man
who cultivaics the land, has personal estate also
Many men have personal estate, but no land, II
tie man who has no land, can tie elected also BY
those who have no land, TO make laws for society,
he Is directly in 0 situation, where his cupidiiy
may be excited and lis interest is 10 guide HE
legislation, he will take tine land or what is worse
his interest will prompt him Constantly TO burden
il with taxes, and exempt his own estate This
cannot happen in the other case. The cultvator
of the soil has personal estate also; and il he re-
duces the taxes upon one, he must increase them
upon The other, and, therefore, canno; escape Nor
iJ he under any temptation to make the expert.
n.ent. Political power can only be controlled by
political power. And man reasons badly, whe
slIpposes himself secure in his rights, when THEFT
security rests upon the moral restraints upon hu
man action. The fresiold qualification should bt
retained for the election Of Senator'S; and boif
Senators aud Representatives should be ffeehoid
ers.
The civil divisions Of the state Unto counties
10 the present mode in which the principle Of re.
presentation Is applied. qualities in the popu-
Iation and terrific lad arc believed 10 have
an iufiuence IN ktslation Of the State. Two
modes Of remedy tliis inequality are TO be con.
fidered: one is b. ting the smaller counties
(about twenty Of them 10 different parts Of the
state; the other, by taking the population and dis.
regarding territory.
The smallest counties nre generally contiguous
20 each other and so situated TO be readily uni.
ed. without Injustice TO the public or TO the people
. 'oa-strr' 7! 'hsT '-r-s nr''ei ,nH iheii