Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-10-15

sinctpl,, and sacrifice without both Jasuce
and truth on the altar of eSpediency. Would it not
be well they should en!iCLten the would with sys-
ten OF their own which should confirm tn the prac-
tIce they would approve. AMI substitute the exr1-
ded theories fthe wisest statesmen the pures pit
riots, and the souidcst republicans, who ever aorn
cd any are country?
! But not to the authority Of great names merely
does the existing restriction upon suffrage stand OBJ
posed reason and Justice equally condemn it. Tho
object it is presumed, meant to bc obtained WAS as
far practicable to admit the nerioro,,s and re-
| ject the unworthy. And had this object really been
attained whatever opinions might prevail as to the
mere right, rot murmur probably would have
been heard. Surely it were much to be desired
that every citizen should be qualified for the po
per exercise OF all his rights and the due peror-
nance of oil his duties But the qualifications
that entic him t. assume the management of his
private affairs, drd to claim all other privileges of
citizenship equally cnttie him, in the Judgment of
your meI'oraiiSs, to be entrusted with this, the
dearest OF ali his rriviiegrs the most important of
all his concerns But if otherwise, still! they cannot
discern in tic possession of land any evidence OF DC
ctar merit, or superior title. TO ascribc to land
ed possession moral Intellectual endowmcn,s,
would truly be regarded udicrous, were it not for
the gravity with which the proposition is mentioned
and still more for tho grave consequences flowing
nom II. Snoh possession no more proves him who
has it wiser better, than ii praves hin, taller mr.
stronger than he who has not. That cannh be q,
criterion for the exercise of any right, the possess
sion OF which does not indicate the existence nor the
want OF 1t tue absence, OF any essential quaifica-
| ton.
But this criterion. it is strenuously insisted though
not perfect is yet the best human wisdom can devise
affords the strongest, if the only evidence of
INC requisite qualifications: more particularly of what
are absolutely essential peru,lnent common interest
With and attachment to the co,nn,tiniy" Those
who cannot frn'h this evidence, are therefore de-
servedly excluded
Your mcmoriaIists do not design to institute com
paTIsol; th"y fear non" that be fairly made be-
tween1he privileged aud the prescribed classes They
may be permitted, however, without iisrcspec 70 r..
marx that OF the latter not few possess land: rnaI,
though not propr'coTs yet cultivtors of the soil
othert are engaged III avocations of different ma
ture often as useful, prcsuppospg less integrity
requiring rs much intelligence, and as fixed resi-
dence, as agrcnlturaiPu Virtue-inic re nc.
ore not among the products of the soil. Attach
ment to property, often sordid sentiment not to
be contounded with the sacred flame Of pa riosln-
| The love of country, like that OF parents aud off
spring,is ensrated III nature. Il exists III all
CLIMATES, Iinher every possible form OF government
Riches ottener impair 1t than poverty. Who has j,
not is q monster.
Yourmcmoriaists fccthe difficulty Of undertaking
calmly to repei the charges and Gsnuations nvolv-
ing In lnfamy themselves, and so large Il portion
OF their fellow citizens. To he deprived OF. their rut-
tu equality, and to hear apology that thew are
too ignorant and vicious to enjoy it, is no ordinary
tri OF patience fet they will suppress the indig.
nant emotions these sweeping denunoiatiops well
calculated to excite. The freeholdcrs themselves
kno" :hcnr BE- anfoundcd why eseere arms pla ced
In the hands OF body Of isaifaced citizens so irno.
rant, SO depraved, and so numerous, IN the hour of
danger they have drawn no nvidious distinctions be
tween the sons of Virginia The muster rolls have
undergone no scrutiny no comparison with the land
aooil', with view to eXpunge those who have been
struck from the ranks OF freeman Ii the lanilless
citizens have been gnom;niousS slsiycn from the polls
IN time OF peace. they have asAast been general,
summoned, III war, to the battle field Nor have
they dsobeYed the summons, or, less proIsely than
Others pn.rei out their blooli=lr defence of the,
country which is ashcd to diSown them. Will IL be
said they owe allegiance to the Government tina;
givs them protecton?-Bc it SO, and if they acknowl
edge tine obligation, if privileges are really extended
to them in defence IF winch they may reasonably be
requred tosed their blood have they no motives ir
resisahie motives, of attachment to the corununity
Lave they not an interest," deep interest," in perpe
Mating the blessings, not ftom foreign aggression
merely, but from domestic encroaclmcnts
But 1t is said,- yield them this right, and thew will
abuse IT. property, that Is landed propc:y, will be
insecure, or at least ovebrhened by those
who possess it mt. The rcehodcrs, on the contra
ry, can pass law to the injury of any other class
which will not more inuriouSly affect themselves
The alarm is sounded too of danger from large man.
niacturing Institutions where one corrupt individual
may sway the corrupt votes of thousands. /: were
vain task TO attempt to meet oil the fiinsy prceXts
urged, to a!ay all the apprchensios ict or eigned
by the enemies of just and liberal policy. The dan
ger of abuse is dangerous plea. Like aecessty tic
oeested plea vi The tyrant the still more etestable
plea OF tho Jesuit erzdisncy j, serves az all ever
ready apology for all oppression. IF we are SINGER
| " republican, we must give our confidence to the
! principles we profess. We have been Taught by oul
fathers that all power is vested in and derived from
the people, not the reeholdcr that the minority of IN,
community in whom abidcs tile physical force have
also the political right Of creating and rcmodeug
will their civil institutions Nor can this right bean,
where more safely deposited The generality of man
KIND doubtless desire to become owners Of propertv lief
free to reap the fruits of their abours they will seei
to acquire it honestly. l; never be their neres
to overburthen render precarious what they them
sevs desire to enjoy in peace But should they eve
prove as base rs the argument suppuscs force alone
ARMS, not votes, could effect their designs: an,
when that shall be attempted, what virtue is thci
in constitutional restrictions in mere wax and paper
to wlthsfandi? To deny to the grca, body of The
they may deprive others Of their property 10 rob then
IN advance, Of their rights to look to privileged or
der as the fountain and depository Of oil power: is t,
depart from the fundamental maxins, to Destroy thu
chief beauty, tic characteristic feature indeed Of re-
rt,hIinnt. :. L.. -