Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-11-21

point any mutton ofantiuui:y except the Grecian
and Roman republics. There man attained to great
er excellence arts IN literature, and in arms than
under institutions less free Greece the mention or
whose NAME awakcns many classic associations
and the memory of whose recent woes makes the
heart bleed with sympathy can afford us no ma
terlal aid The subtitle, but versatile Athenun, Gu
gerly catching the strains of that elouucncc the
charm OF succeeding ages and deciding by accarna-
tion an proper person, great questions of public
concern, is no example tor us.-k laid the foun-
datons of her power in violence, and completed il
by nce>sant war. Her victorious generals, laden
with the spois of conquered nations and dragging at
their chariot wheels the kings of the EARTH afford
poor illustration of the principles of representative
government. And the American turns with disgust
from half civilized people, who sported IN the
groans OF the gladiator weltering in his blood, while
he bent his sinking eye towards his native hills
The able and eloquent gentleman from Chester
field MIR Leighl referred us, the other day in the
discussion of kindred topic. France ans, ENGLAND
we were counselled by that gentleman to take war
ning from the French Revolution; and the govern
ment ot England was eXtailed Is resting an Lbes,y
and law.-Law, Sir, is to be found every where
No country in Europe exhibits the dsg picture
OF property insecure. The spirit of the age forbls
1t. The revolutionary horrors of France were set
before US in bold relief and we We're earnestly pre-
monlshcd not TO act them over again.-Let follow
out this pnralel-The kings, mobiles and priests of
France, for successionof ages, governed the people
by an oppression intolerable that thcy rose at
length, in their strength, and shook off their detestcd
tyrants as the lion does the DEVELOPS from his NAME
l-dTic anu Tage drove tnem to excuses rcyOltlnU
to humanity. Now, Sir what is this but social CON.
fusion, and misery produced by the injustice and
cruelty OF the Aristocrats of France?-Had they
occn just and moderate. these horrors would never
have occurred We seek to confer upon the body of
the people their rights; and are gravelv and most
pathctlcaiy urged not to do it because the tyranny
OF the fe1c IN France, and the suerngs of The m ny
led to social convulsion. That is as take it onno
site causes produce like effects do not relieve the
people OF Virginia because the oppression of those of
rance led 10 blood-shed. To this logic l cannot
subscribe And after all, what is the situation
of that beautiful country? representation of the
people, the establishment of the trial by ury a free
press, and vastly more equal division of property
proclaim that, in the great temporary evil much las
ting good has flowed from the Revolution-The
jesuit no longer tramples on the Happy
change Tor this gallant people! Let the brilliant
and ravishlng description which Burke gives us of
the unfortunate Marie Antolnette begue US into the
oelei tnat any argument against our principles can
be founded on the story of her Sorrows or of those
OF her country.-.For England, said Mr.. H have
great respect She is crowned with too much glory
not to awaken our admiration; and has too much
IN common with us not to attract our sympathies.--
But Is England in truth, land of liberty? Are the
people happy? is her government fit model for our
lnitation! Do not those who WELD the power of the
country, the priueged fetc lavish its resources with
Wanton prodlgalty, willie about two millions of the
people are on the poor lists, and as many more on
the confines OF pauperism, exc out bare subsis-
lance by degree of toll which makes life itself
burdenA single ecclesiastical character IN Ireland
receives annually and chieay too from those who
differ with him in religious belief more than five
times much the salary of the President of the
United States, while hundreds of thousands OF the
people are huddled, like beasts, mud nuts, half
naked, and subsisting on potatoes, often, often
scautlly suppied!-A man dares not in England un-
less he is worth fIo0 year, shoot hare on his own
land. Yet England, renowned ard dreaded, has
power beyond any nation which the Sun holds
ms course; glory which Princes and Potentates
may envy. But his power belongs to the few; his
glory is the property'ot her leaders, and she
u mn of flpllap
Union OF wretchcdnesS and spendor, of Injustice
and oppression Heaven preserve the land of my
nativity!
| Let u.s. said Mr.. H.. turn our ewes towards our
own country.-Of the % States that form cur Fed
era Family Virginia alone has the freehold suffra oe
throughout. In North Carolina fi-eehoEders alone
vote for Senator'S but, if to for this political
SIN she permits freenegToeS to vote for members of
the "liouSe Of Commons. in New York also
there is a singular anomaly for the free negro there
Is the only man OF whom the freehold qualification is
rcquired.-Every other citizen, without pecuniary
qualification, is allowed to exercise this privilege so
dear to freemen.-The effect is that, of "a States
spread over the wide bosom Of our happv country
Virginia, and pirginiG alone, p,escri5es and brands
to1 utter pGI1ttcnt opprobTiuD9 the f oreate, Dn1t
| y her sons In Massachusetts, New Jersey and
connecticut, moderate pccunary qualification IS
demanded and in S nth Carolina tax of three
shllmgs Is required. In the other 0 States no pc
cunlary qualification is established, although some
two thirds OF them impose prerequisite to the ex-
eFcIse OF suffrage, the payne of such taxes as NAV
be assessed appeal to the members of this com
rnlttee to the American world, If property is not as
SAFE and social order eectually aimed in the
other States in this Union as IN Virginia? Look 70
D. carolina, to Louisiana, every where around you.-
Ask Ohio the daughter of yesterday now an empire
in herself, if property safe within her cofnes? II
social order be not nv!olateSHer population mean
MT CHAIRMAN, her white population is now greater
tnan thct OF the renowned and once po1ccr7u Com
inoRwealth of Virginia.
After all, Sir, what is required of the voter? Sim
ply the capacity and the will TO choose good public
agents The gentleman from Chesterfield before
alluded to- in treating by anticipation of the question
now under debate, denied that men who Iaboured
were able to perform this duty; and intimaed that
even he acute and accomplished as he is. was SO Ell
crossed with professional pursuits as not to leave him
esure for the study of political science Surely the
same remark would apply TO the other classes of so.
ci'ty; Tor, by the fiat of overrung Providence
we are doomed to earn bread by toiling in our
several vocations. Shall we cast the government,
then, into the hands of the idin LII IT,,