Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-12-01


the elections to this boys,Qrehastednto sentiments
hostile their trie interests, After atttbnting to
them the suicidal folly of calling this Convention,
not in terms but by the tenor of all his arguments,
it was indeed the most hartable suppositioh, to
them, to suppose them to have been rnisguded-j
The people m my district venture to say ere not
chea ted--i caanot say how il was IN others.
: Mr.. Chairman cannot seewhai the ballot boxes !.
Tor Pantoras, if it bet please the gentleman and
the constabe's advertisement sent by some anony
mods correspondent from Maryland, have to do with
the subject ofthis debate. The gentleman very con-
tdertly expresses his preference for the
lection, reprobates the mode ofvotug by ballot, then
gratuitous!y assumes this latter mode to be the
ccssary consequence OF extended suffrage. and by
Inns assumption he readily justifes his rcprobatoi of
Fle cause OF this consequence. agree with him in
preterring the viva. made of yoting-but am
nat prepared confidently he seems TO be pro-
nounce an anathsma upon the other-we should at
least pause and reflect well before we condemn
practice adopted by many Of our sister republics and
so far as am informed to the contrary with good
effect, practice the adoption of which is now ad-
voca'ed by some OF the Wings of England, the
ry pest guareniy OF independence in votcrs-but
not mean to argue this question at this time would
be travelling out of the record-All intended to
say was that there affinity between the uues-
ton Of the extension of raue nd tho ,noIe III vo
ting
Aud as little, it Sc ms to me is there between
the Maryland advertisement and fhis question, the
gentleman did not even attempt slew how the
supposed cause produced the supposed efcct.-If
universal suffrage produced the passage of the law
that subjected land, however large the tract, to
the payment of its owners debts, however small, it
Is my humble opinion an eulogy universal suf-
fraec. 1t proves that the voters instead of being
lawleSS free voters, lovers of Justice Mr. Chair
man, my it not be that this COZ respondent is the
debtor and the owner of the land, aud that it is be-
cause nc Is made TO feel the operation of whole
some law, that he feels no very good opinion Oft
according to Hgtibras:
l. "a thief meier felt the halter draw,
with good opinion of,he law"
But told the rIUht of hp
the rights of property will be invaded we shall have
an aquarium law, umults confusion, civil discord and
finally despoiism-The only answer have to make
to arguments so derosatory to the dignity of hu-
man nature IN these United States is that % ont of
- sister republics, many of them situated precisely
as we are in relation to slave populations have this
tree Suffrage called by the gentleman universal and
none these results have happened, or likely to
happen there, so far informed Virginia
and North Carolina the only states that adhere
TO the freehold test and the latter only in one branch
or the i-rglslaure.Nhat length OF time the gentle
man requires for the fulfment of his luoubrious
prophecies, he has not informed US. Believe me
Sr 1t is all speculation and theory, against the rights
OF man, and we have this advantage if we are theo-
rsts d. specnat ors-we speculate u teorise i'm favour
OF equal rights IL theories and vagares have been
reduced to successful operation They have been cal
led on end cannot shew one case in point: on the
contrary we can triumphantly point to the example
OF % Republics, sisters in this great confedera
cy OF states have now gentleman in nv eve
who has Informed me, that he owns large real es-
tate In Ohio, and that no where are the rights of
property more securc-IIis language was that
twlg could not be cut from his premesis, without e-
posing the ransgressor to reparation in damages
During the session of this Convention have: con-
WIN oas'sislled funconary from the State of Mis-
STATE the Legislature the hands property hold
of popcry-their civil actually betrayed by oapaton
or poll tax During the past summer by cit
property and west slaves welded power of legislation
SITUATED as TO slave property the East of this to the
west and yet that no abuse had INTERVIEWED and that none
was apprehendedle eyes the States north
west east and south of and look for any of the
the other side of this question Liberty law equality and
justice peace prosperity and good order
dent TO and nseparabe from all free under the
sun Alr Chairman, the little temporary free
people must be borne, the evil nseparable the good
there human good without alloy of evil prefer even
the hurricanes and the iemPe of liberty the calm des-
potisn.
And is Virginia less fit for free government than her sister
States Would the produce different here-
In poor judgment better situated the prnci
pie of extended suffrage than the free States according 10 the
gen.Lemei's own theories The of upwards of
100000 slaves entitled political power and excluding
perhaps as many of that class denomted gentleman
OF dangerous by that amount dangerous the ema
ton of others, in mine. In addition this we have no
overgrown cIes-no ovesrown nanrac,ory essishmen,s
With population provebial for their attachment 10 law order
and public tranquility boldly say any State this Union
The extension OF the right does endanger the tranquility of
eecton-as the experience of the eastern States has concu
Sty II we ADOPT IT, and pursue the policy nov
dam these assemblies OF any dangerous tendencies to
express, which they may be supposed 10 have
Have not tie nonfreehoder of the u States sbewn their
capacity for self government the election of Con
gess Your Presidents from Washington down present
say the present incumbent whatever
may be my opinions he the choice of Virginia. the
delegations III Congress from other States less and re-
specie than own? dspafagement when say
So And non fehoder discreely federal and
not for State officer? Look le New York Convention of
1871, the first fruits of this general suffrage which numbered
among lis mem'er Kent, Spencer, Lansing H1,fus King,
sanford and others, though less known fame not the
less entitled to distinction Here have body of men
erected by general suffrage. AComparson with INV own
humble opinion whatever be the opinions Others 10 the con
tray would not dspargc this freehold Convention of ours
talented as am willing admit Look too To The
Bench the Bar the Legislative Halls of New York. you behold
blaze OF talents constellation Of great unsurpassed by
Mr. Chairman tine onfecholders told they are con
tending for shadowa right if extended them would be
OF no great lmpoHancethat under the old state of hinpe
every thing has gone wellwe have lived happly-a1d
hat Their complaints are unfounded and their grievances
imaginary We told the of country should
fE1yev st,.~ H., ,aC 1T