Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-04-14
COMMUNICATIONS.
CONVENTION.
QUERIES ON SUFFRAGE.


TO the Editors Of the Richmond Enquirer.
GENTLEMEN-I should not ask place in your
paper as an old subscriber, if did not think the
merits OF the following Queries demanded the most
earnest consideration of the public. The subject
Of them is the ground work of our government; un-
der which the people have lived for half centu-
ry, enjoying perhaps as great degree of security
rational liberty and happiness any other people
on the globe. But this rational liberty which our
fathers won Tor US, Is not sufficient for their chill
dren; they have now grown up s. become great
politicians, vastly moro wise than their fathers,
and by the lights of science and progression of
knowledge, claiming to have found out We
ry wonderful things which our fathers knew
nothing about; and proposing to tear up our
present form OF government, root and branch,
and to plant one in its place, by which thou
sands will make head without work, and meat
by talking politics, but which, l fear, will at
last lead tolicentousness and ruin. Verify, some
OF these young politicians remind me Of the wild
tornado in its mad fury, raging through the woods
and tearing up root and branch of the sturdy pines
which have for many ages been ornamenting the
forest.
Query 1. Would it not be highly proper to re-
duce the freehold down TO 20 dollars worth Of land,
or house and land together, so that all prudent
industrious men OF good understanding, might
thereby prove their love of country, and obtain
the privilege Of voting i'm elections? and if a man
has not enough love Of country, TO induce him to
possess himself Of small part of il, is il not
evidence that he ought not to partake in the regu-
lation OF the government.
e. II our non. freeholding brethren are this great
majority which they claim to be, and this MAORI
ty is 10 rule, by extending TO them the right OF
suffrage. will they they not have complete power
OF controlling the government?
g. Are not this great body of our fellow citi-
zens, the sinew and the muscle of the land
the mita--the trained bands of the countryside
military strength Of the state? and is ii Just and
RICH that they should be the source of all law; or
should law emanate from the aged, settled.
rejecting and experienced owners of the coun-
ry'
4 II the militia--tbe trained bands OF the coup-
try--are to rule, wouldJhe gov ernment and people
be sale under their couroul! and would not the
land tax, the slave tax and the land and the slaves
aud every other species of,ax, property and right,
be within their power? and il il Just or right that
any body Of men should have the whole control
Of country, and all the property and rights there.
in, when the whole Of that country, is the proper.
ty Of other people earned in great measure
by honest industry?
8. Is it not an axiom as clear as day, that tho
owners Of a country ought 10 have the right Of con-
trolling tie government
s. Are not the non-freeholders, for The most
part the youth, the children Of parents living,
who will one day in their turn make them free
holders and is il not reasonable that they should
defend the country OF their parents, their rela.
tves, the beauty Of the land, and that property
which they naturally inherH even II they do pay
small tax for the protection OF those sautary
laws, under which they enjoy the blessing Of ra-
tionsl liberty
T. Is il not a received opinion, that no law ought
to be made in opposition 20 the law Of God and ma
ture' and would II not Violate the fifth command
ment;. and be in direct opposition 70 reason, God