Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-11-12

w
mg have repaired inalority of two tlilrds to the
iccisu, OF any question: for the election of Presi-
lent, OF select Committee. But even the rule of
.wo-tilirds, ABSURD as 1t would be regarded, would
!crive its sanction from the will of majority Of this
body. Tins doctrine Is interviewer in all our
thoughts, habits OF political action, and modes of
Judging, that To deny it, is to wound the common
sense OF every pariom of the American people. Let
us return, for moment, 10 the Island of De Foe .
and the newly formed society we Lett there Suppose
they desire to establish political government 10
organize It's legislative, Judicial, and executive de-
parinIcnls, would they adopt amy other rule of pro-
ccedlng than by u majority? 1t has been contended
that in our bill of rights, the power of majority to
change the Constitution is limited to wherein
the pubic good requires such change. But, who
Is to Judge when the case occurs? The pubic rood
is made up of the good of all the individuals who
.mposc the public. Each man Judges for himself
and tho community, what is best, ANA the majority
mist consequently prevail, it being the majority of
all the JUL smrnts so formed, aud having the sanction
cf majority for It's execution THIS sanction is there
fore, moral well physical Suppose the settlers
on The Island OF Dc Foe, to have brought their res
pectlve families with thcnt, Consisting of women and
children. Count these, not, i'll tie division by
which the majority is asccrtaincd, and the ratio Is
unchanged. For Ii, from ANY two numbers having
given proportion TO each o,hcr, there be taken other
nrnlhafs bearing to each other the same ratio, the
former remains undl'cred. And SD will il be, If, in
like proportion, you augment those numbers. Wo-
men eddy add to the physical force of society
and do Infants | have voted in New-Jersey
under constitution Of government, which does not
exclude females from the right Of suffrage; but the
Constitution has Undergone 10 change in this State
bat the society has. No woman votes at present,
because no lady Will go to the polls.
C"sulstry and sophStry may perpleX the doctrine
OF HE natural freedom and equality of nan, and Of the
consequent right Of the majority of society," already
formed, TO govern it, where positive agreement
has otherwise ordered; but The common sense of man
KIND will indicate their essential and natural rights
The disorders of that Partisan mob which over
.i,f doll,
OF France Ill the early stage of her late revolution
'"cre Tue abuses OF liberty by mere brutal force eXer-
ted against The principles by which its leaders pro-
f,:s,ed TO be guided
ihe abuse OF truth IS no argument against its exs-
tence. What h not been abuscd'-A cloud is now
passing over the but is that glorious uminarv
eXtlngulshed. The Gospel Of peace has been buried
in superstition, after being shrouded in blood But
Is our rchsa"n iulse? The most precious things are
abused, and for the very reason, that they are so
They interest the passions of in the same pro-
portion, that they essential to his happiness
Rejecting the authorities relied upon by the mem
bers from Northampton and from Chest ertield I
lurh to others IN favor of human liberty, which |
deem pertinent to my subject. Since the Bi;l
Of Rights pretXed 10 own Constitution is deemed
eqrIvoca III Its language by some of our opponents
and denied the validity of law, by others, I ask the
indulgence Of the committee, while look for author
tiles, less questionable in the Constitutions of our
sister States, TO sustain the natural equality of man
and tie rights Of majority, in the language of my
*, 10
bate, the jHs DiGjo1,is
Before l consult the Constitutions of the New
England States, must be allowed to express TO the
gentleman from Orange Mr. P. p Barbourl to whose
lucid style OF reasoning always attend with pleasure
my SURPRISE as we'll regret that he should have
so highly comp!iuenled the political institutions of
Massachusetts, and have the same time denounc,d
50 unaP"ring' y those which have been planted lin
the wId5 IL Tic vest" by the cmigrants' descendants
OF this same hardy race Of ireeu.cn.
Ohio, lndinna and Illinois, are Lut syVarms from,
the fruitful northern hive as Kenuncy, Ten
nessee, Alabama and AIissSsipp are descended from
our oW;! soUthefh STOCK; AS they have recedad
farther from our royal charters, and framed their
institutions at greater leisure, with the advantages of
the same experience and untranmel!ed by pre-exist
l3g disabilities so they have carried out our principles
with equal truth and greater simplicity.
But Will not offend the any gentleman who NAV
however, astidiou,y prefer the East the West
aassachuseus formed her Constitution as our fathers did
ouS " cEo OF war; nut after eXPeng the enemy from
osom and the leisure with which she proceeded is manifested
was begun IN September 1779 and ended in March 1890
Her Declaration OF Rights is expressly constituent
Part OF her Constuion-and the first article Of ams
AN men are porn ree and equal land have certain natural
essential and unaienabe rights among which, that of seek
ing and obtaining their happiness"
The preamble forth "he end of the institution main
eance and administration of government beo secure the
existence OF the body polite to protect it, and furnish the
and tranquility, their natural rights"
1t asserts that The body is formed by voluntary associa
on OF individuals IT is social compact" And in 7rl
article of the Declaration OF Rights doctrines repeaed
ana fortified after solemn assertion, that "tiovennlent is
instituted ior e protection safety, prosperity and happiness
d: the people, by declaring that the reope alone have
nconestble, "naenabO and neeasbe right to institute
and to REFORM alter totally change the saurc
and farther, that
A elections ought TO be Free and all the inhabitants of this
nnonweaih having such qualifications they shall esta
6s by their frame of government have eq,al ,h 10
officers, and to I've elected for public enploymen,s."
Ace 10 asserts that each individual of society has
right to be protected by it, in the enjoyment, of his life herv
land property according to the standing laws lie is Obliged
consequently to contribute his share expcuce of their
projections TO his personal when
necessary" Here the origin oflaxaton Its oual1f
caion comes next 3D.. ITO part of the property of an indiv
Gna can with justice be taken from him, or applied to Inc
public Use, without his own consent That inc representa-
tive body Of the yeope."
Again we rcad-fhe people have right in all orderly and
'"Ieaoc manner 10 assemble to consult upon the common
5oo4 give instructions to their representatives How is such
INSTRUCTIONS 10 be g'ven by representation propcrtyy
." the principles Of niixed basis by majority Of those
authorised to give IL And Il the majority of lie voters NAV
oTcHuc ie representative by Instructions becomes Of the
SVnoscd majority of Interests of property legislation
The Constitution Of New HAMPSHIRE as altered