Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-11-14

The Constitution Of New Hampshire, as altered and
amended by Convention Of Delegates in February
1892, airms in the first part OF the frat article, near
y in the language Of Massachusetts,. that all men are
born equally free and herefore, all GO
vernment, OF right. originates from the people, is found
ed tt consent, and Instituted for the general yood
art. 2 All men have certain, natural, e-se ntal and
inherent rights-among which are the eni ,ying and
defending life and liberty: acquiring, possessing and
protecting property: and in word, Of seeking and
obtaining happiness.
Art. B. When men enter into .ta,e Of society, they
surrender up some OF their natural rights. to that
cety III order TO ensure the protection Of others; and
without such an equivalent, the surrender is void.
Art a. Among the natural rights. are, in tn cir
very nature, because no equiv aent can be
gwen or received for them. OF this kind the rights
OF conscience.
Art. IL. All elections ought to be FREQ. and every
office"
1893.
The first chapter Of the first article, declares:
| That all men are born equally FREQ and iniepen.
have certain natural Inherent, and unahena.
BILE rights among which the enjoying and defend.
ing lie ana liberty, acquiring possessing and prote
safety"
! The charter Of Rhode Island was granted nv KIM
Charles III. in the fourteenth year Of his reign
Tho inhabitants OF this State now, according to
the argument Of the gentleman from Che In
reply to that OF my friend from Brooke the subjects OF
George w. since he contcnded that the Constitution
OF Virginia. be vod the people of Virgin. are so hav-
| that OF their ROYAL Charter.
From this dilemma. however. if the Declaration Of
Independence did not relieve them. presume the tres-
~ oil peace did, which ended the the Revolution
with the admission of that independence by the only
nation mat had an interest in denying it.
Tha Constitution Of Connecticut also contains one of
those silly instruments called Declaration of Rights
IL begins too in a most xceptionable manner for II
uses IN contradiction of all the arguments we have
hearu 10 prove that theirs principle. of cove
ment the following language preamble to its very
fret article: " " ''
Tina, the great and essential principles Of liberty
ana Tree government be recognised and establish
| sd-we Qhe people Of ConneccuO decIare-That all
men, when they form social comp,ct, are equal in
rights" What rights! Rights antecedr to the com,
pact, presume. "And that no man. or set of men
are entitled to exclusive public emolumens or prive.
ges from the Community" The following section OF
have already notced,-" That all political power is
inherent in the people, and all free governments are
founded on their authority, and instituted for their ben
ell: and That they have, at all times, an ndenable
and ndeteasble right TO alter their form Of government
In such manner as they may think expedient.'
Both branches oil the Legislature Of this State, cou-
sst OF members chosen annually, by the electors who
may be any white male citizen OF the United States a.
oove twenty one years OF age, having gained settle
men in the State resided six months before the cleo
uon AZ winch he oi,rs to vote in the town, in which
such election is held and shall have paid if liable there
to, State tax within the past year.
The Senate con lists Of IL members elected bv tho
greatest number OF votes OF the whole people or by
general ticket -
The constitution Of Nsw-York contains M hin ~
declaration OF rights; but it ajrs practical exempli
hcaon OF all the greater maxims OF natural liberty
serted by the States Of New. England from which
the far greater part of her population has been
| rived
1t establishes and appropriaes certain taxes on salt
and certain auction duties, that then yielded the state
more than hal, the annual revenue but it allows no re-
pres enta;ion for either.
1t establishes the right of suffrage on very broad
basis, requiring freehold qualification only in persons
oil colour The Senate which creates consists, of 80
members for the election OF whom il divides the terri
Tory oil the state into eight districts with reference
ciusivey TO the number Of their Inhabitants be as
cer'dhed oy an enumeration 10 be made in overy
ten years.
The assembly consists of l2s members to be appor-
oned among the several counties of the state accord
ing to the number of their respective inhabitants /,
moreover provides that Gerry county heretofore estab
ished and separately organized shall always he entitled
to one member of the assembly; but no new count,
shall hereafter be erected unless popu ation shall en-
lille 1t to member. This is rather an apparent thar
real, and at most but transient qualification of equal
representation will be SEEM by recurring to the ac
ual population OF the smallest county in this state and
comparing the extent of its fast peopng territory with
that OF the oldest and most populous counties.
The Constitution of New Jersey was made while she
recognized her colonial dependence on Great Britain:
and the only subsequent alteration of il has been effected
by law, substituting in its language where the word
"cOfony' occurs, the word State
II Is very nearly ancient, that of Virginia But
although ratified two days, only, before the Declaration
OF independence by Congress- texpressy provides that
1t shall be void in the of reconciliation with
Great Britain BY her perservering struggle through
| the calamites OF the common war waged in sunnor
oil the principles, for which contend in debate
this gallant State, manifested the value which she SCI
on those principles by her Deeds if by tho terms OF
her Constitution.
The Constitution of Pennsylvania made in 100
is obnoxious both in its principles its details to the
criticism OF all the gentlemen who have advocated the
basis oil taxation and numbers the proper ground OF
representation. The 9th article has the following re-
markabe preamble, That the general great and es.
sentia principles of liberty and free government NAV
be recognized and uaterdbly established we declare
J.. "That all men are born equally free and indie
pendent and have certain inherent and indefeasibIe
rights, among which, those of enjoying and de.
lending lie and liberty; of acquiring and protecting
property and reputation, and Of pursuing their own
| piness. ~r
H. That all power inherent in the people. and all
Tree governments founded their authority and
instituted for their peace, safety and happiness For
the advancement OF those ends they have at all times
an unaenabIe and indefcasibo right TO alter reform
or ABOLISH their government in such manner as they
| may think proper"
In giving effect these principles the constitution If
this State, provides that the number of
oil the popular branch Of her Legislature shall be an
porhoned according to the number of taxable inhsbi-
tans, without respect to the sum of tax paid by each
among the city of Philadelphia, the several coun.
ties oil the Commonwealth, in conformity with an en-.
amir auon TO be made once in years.
The Senate consists OF members to bo chosen i'm dis
tricts after periodical apporoDment the number OF
| taxable inhabitants in each district.
While the population of Philadelphia is not denied
its proportional weight in the Councils of Pennsylvana
no respect is paid TO the superior wealth of that citv
which yields full moioy Of the revenue of the State in
the shape of taxes.
To this State, belongs moreover, the glory of having