Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-11-21
RIGHT OF SUFFRAGE
SPEECH or MIR. WILSON OF MoNoNGALIA.
U.In

JVednesd0y, November 18Th.
After the resolution of the Legislative Committee
had been read il Committee of the Whole, Mr.. Wilson
submit his Substitute, charging great extent
the Right OF Stuff age.-IIe addressed the Committee
follows
Mr.. CHAIRMAN-As there can he no dinerenc. OF o.
pinon about the prepri-ty of my presenting th. time
the utiJn which offered yesterday hut subse
ly Withdrew; now submit 10 the ration of tho
lion Of the Legislative Committee. (Here Mr.. w
read his proposed resolution the sujvct OF the right
Of suffrage, which being reported by the Chair he re-
sumed, in substance, as foiows)
Ii must be evident sir. from tho various objection
which on yesterday came from every quarter, TO the
resolution Of the Legislative Com;ni,tee that il me
the views OF very small portion Of the embers of this
Convention. have therefore, thought il proper TO rid
the Committee at Of the labour aud trouble of in
cradle amendments and notifications OF that re-
solution, by placing before it, tho subject OF the right
Of suffrage on its broadcast ground | wish TO march
boldly up 10 the and meet at once, and pre-
'ent in such shape that there will be for the
mpua alton OF ambiguity or Dsncerity. The substitute
propose is short plain simple, and easy be under
stood Th. proportion, at least not liable 10 the inn
pu alton uttered Yesterday, by the gentleman from
Charlotte, (Mr. Randolph) OF being "a snake in the
grass"
The scheme here proposed for the regulation of the
right Of suffrage, IL not open TO the yeser
day, by the gentle fro IN Chester field, MIR Leigh
10 the resolution of tho Legislative Committee doe. not
exclude from the polls the owner. of small freehod.
whilst admits The payer OF four hors. tax " no.
although he might be lease holder under one of
those .nail ireehoders, yet would he entitled vote
whilst his landlord is excluded The substitute in.
cludes both these classes Nor is it open to The obec-
ton OF the gentleman from Charlotte, (Mr Randolph J
IL aims no fatal blow at the rights OF the frecholiers
for il includ them all. Nor is il liable 10 tho o;ac
ton- raised by the gentleman from Spot (Mr StanarD
yesterday against the resolution for which il is intended
10 he a substitute. He dwell; strongly and truly on r
difficulties attending any attempt to r'timate the value Of
mans property per annuu for The purpose OF me sr
ing his tight 10 yo,e The plan proposed look,
no, to property the test OF mans attachment TO
the community, and, therefore, avoids the difficulties
~ latte nj
bcaon. IL seems TO he admitted that the arbitrary
limitation OF the right Ct suffrage to the ownership OF
any ISed number OF acres OF l,nd is absurd aud I'M.
just, because OF the inequality Of tic vane Of land T.
is, therefore, proposed, that the property of the citizen
either real or personal, both, shall be valued and
his right to vote, he tested by that value This scheme
would indeed be iibl- to great objection arising on,
Of the difficulty of carry ing it into execution, aud the
fraud or negligence OF the vauers
Tive qualifications seem TO be required by the 9th
section Of the Bill Of Rights in person. before
he shall be entitled to the Right OF Snffig.. And not
withstandng, the decorations which this venerable in
'tfumeni has Undergone in the of our past -
bates, still feel disposed 10 take my text from IT, when
ever am about TO discourse upon political subjects and
ma tiers of government.
The LIT qualification required by that nstrune nj
that the shall furnish sufficient evidence of ne
nent, common interest with the coiBmuny-and 2Ily
tina, lie shall furnish sui cient evidence of attachment
10 the community In other words we should b- con.
vnced that his interests and his affections bind him 10
us, before admit him 10 share in the
OF our State The question then arises by what me ans
can we ascertain where his Interests and attachments
| are centred. What test shall wo apply! What re
quises shalI demand. without which The man
sha be excluded from the exercise Of this. the most
honoHrable and precious a. his natural rghis, AMI
here, sir, permit 10 observe that Notwithstanding
all the fidcue which has been cast upon the natural
TIGHTS Of man, by certain gentlemen;
The repeated denial of their existence except In the
brains Of struck rcformers still believe that Ma
iure Natures God rather, has conferred certain
original rights upon man an1 among these none APP
pears 10 more clear and undemsbe. than the right
OF appointing our own agents And this right may
t apart from, and anterior TO, any regular soci,l com.
pact The fact Of my having authorized a certain indi.
vidus 10 transact piece ofbusiness for me dnes moi
hscessary imply any social compact with him or any
other indvidus OF my But although ths riyh,
OF appointing our agents exists IN by nature vet
when he enters INTO society, that right become.
limited. and ought TO he conrDulrd by due regard IN
the interests Of that society or II the gentleman phase
by expedeBcy. Private and individual conyenicncy
must yield 10 the good Of the whole. We must g,ye mn
portion Of our natural liberty in order TO epiry the
advantages OF social union, aud be secured in e nds
Hrbed enjoyment OF those rights which are not u4ren
dered, anl which The necessity Ct tie docs not ro-
quire IA 10 surrender.
But, Sir, this surrender should not he reoutsd To an
extent greater than IS necessary and expcden for the
good OF the whole community. " You require the eli.
zen 10 yield up 10 the goyernfn nj larger norton Of
his natural independence and free sgrney thsn il ue
cesssty for the security Of she community At large and
it's membsr in particulars them sir you take from him
that, for which you reuder him 10 equivalent TIN
aoneD you say the cidzen-yied 10 the govcrto,rn,
0lre Of your natural liberty than il reoui,its for the
security Of The communityyou pass ont OF the sld o.
ire, DOM and enter Upon lhe dom ns Of tyranny This
i've, TO lie the true rule And the appiication OF
will produce very different results according 10 the
virtue intelligence, and paiIioisfn NJ The people In
whom il s applied. When applied 10 the corrupt and