Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-12-01


reehold'r According 10 what dictionary or mode o;
Interpretation, thi. aiming IA nNc out, have
yet leaned. words may he n'ed in an appropriated
sns-, own hut some proof OF this appropriated
mus, be prOjuced-a.ye have not hrard any hOr
uy Other than assertion Please oberv. tat the word.
common interest do no, mean equal interest That
they do NOT the single tact OF the inSqUdityo the free
holds from 20 TO 1000 in extent, and from 25
100 900 dollars in value, unquestonaby indicates
Common interest admits OF the greatest variety in the
extent and value OF that interest One gentleman had
spoken Of the Interest which one MN might have in
ship which Rad valuable cargo aboard, aud ano, her
who had only his person. They both had common in.
terest II was true. but lac might have given TO the II
CURE greater extent, and supposed that many indyid-
uais might have had different stakes embarked the
same bottom. Besides their persons, they nigh,
have great diversity OF interests, and though dspo
poruonei IN value, equally interesting them all in the
safety Of the ship No two interests are precisely equal
yet all have a interest Bat il il said thai this
common interest must also be pernare nt interest
This further dehnes the nature OF this interest
This restrictive term denotes that il is not to be a
'ient interest But still this word permanent i. only
comparative and necessarily lmitcd The various in.
'eres' which we iound embarked in the same ship, are
as permanent as the voyage from port port. II may
be long voyage or short voyage. So il may be- and
so often is the journey of human life Our interests in
e State are as transient and uncertain our lives
We all have common interest in the State. but h1w
pertnanet or how transient that interest may be,
not he defined. Besides may in any given instance,
be more transient than lives, lie who has freehold
OF any given extent may either sell or nd il ia very
short time, and 1t make his tenure oi that estate the
test this permanent interest in - State have fix
cd upon as great an uncertainty can he well concev
as h tenure oil e and not necessarily oil longer duta
ton than any other mans interest in society. The land
od anu The tenant may have, lar AZ law
determine, the sane pernanency iinere't.
But there is another consider alton mentioned in this
article 10 which presume this permanent, common in
terest subordinate and 10 which it stands rather in
the relation OF means 10 end. This is comprehendcJ in
the word attachment. This is tho desid0rauia. At
tachmcn to the community is the best guarantee, aud
in.eed The only guarantee. person may possess the
property OF freehold without the attachment and the
attachment without the property. No man can inten
tionaly, by his vote ujure that community TO which
he Ia attached And as property in the earth sup
plsej and Justly supposed in most instances, attach
persons to the community it has been selected
proof (aud il il but and the strongest proof Of
such attachment Nativity is stronger, much strong
cr, aud more invariable evidence of attachment to
community than wealth or any other consideration. II
Is upon this inconiroveriihe fact, which presume
person will impugh, that base my second re soluon.-
My first embraces all the present voters Virginia
Ani, taking for granted that the Bill of Rights makes
dtach"en TO the community the great consideration
which lifes elcctor, concn thu is the letter
and spirit Of this article to extend the right of suffrage
to every free white male of the aye Of twenty years
born within this Commonwe alth. The reason why !
fix upon the age OF t,O ntY.co years rather than fDea-
fY-o''e is TO meet fastidous objection which had
tciPated as possible 10 be presented upon very literal
Interpretation OF the text. 1t might be said and wh
some pIausibiy too, that young man Of the age OF
twentyone has by act OF his life afforded any
dence OF permanent, common interest WITH attach
ncnt TO- the community, who has just arrived at the
age oil twenty one, inasmuch he has till that
ment, been under the guardian and compulsory author
lty OF his parent or guardian His living year al
OF
and IN addition 10 his nativity affords all necessary evil
dence of his attachment to the community. This is the
rationale oil the second resolution
To forfy illustrate this POSITION Or in other words
TO prove that nativity is the best guarantee for attach
ment to any community, deem at this time, work
suPererogaon-l feel no disposition repeat arguments
ALREADY offered on this and other topics connected with
It, After the very able argument of the gentleman from
Loudoun Mr. Henderson, which, like tornado, left
hohng behind IT. think such effort my part al
together superluous True sir, oae gentleman from
southapton, (AIr rrezyanO called empty dccIaina-
f'oh, but would like TO huior any other gentle
man attempt by fair analysis prone it declamatory
aud not argumehtative. do think that gentleman
can reiute the arguments of the gentleman from Lou
doun They carried irresistible conviction to NV mind
AMI think it unaec ssary to repeat or defend them
untI they have at least been formally assaed The
memorials laid upon that table, sufficiently argue this
question.
My third resolution, Mr. Chairman, has respect to
another class OF inhabitants in this Commonwealth
And the only difficulty, indeed, the only question OF
much consideration, which in settling who shall
be citizens OF this Commonwealth is, what shall be re-
CURED OF those not natives of Virginia, embraced in
the present laws comforting the right OF suffrage? You
Sec prefer residence and moral qualifications TO
pecuniary or property qualification. The payment of
any gwen tax imposed on the purchasing of piece of
lana does not present to understandings according
my views OF human nature such evidence of common
interest with, and attachment the community that
submitted and certainly does present such tcInpa-
IONS 10 corruption, or TO that buying of votes of which
some gentlemen speak, the fixing certain amount
OF tax as the qualifying consideration. Where there
no price proposed, there temptation offered
therefore, corruption is rendered impossible the
freehold can be supposed make it, If we desire to
see men act digniicd part, must treat them ac-
cordins TO the dignity of human nature. If YOU nut
the tax at dollar you make the price of thousand
votes only thousand dollars. But according to the
principle OF this resolution every improper incentive is
removed out OF the way. person who becomes an
inhaOant oil this State and who desires to become a CT
HEch, permanent resident, not upon the excitement
oil an election Immediately approaching, calmly and dis
PaSSonatey goes 10 the court in the county which he
resides and declares his intention of becoming perna-
heht resident Twelve months afterwards he returns
TO the sam court and promises to submit TO- and sup
port the government of this Commonwealth Now |
ASK Is not this the strongest evidence which the native
his feeling a common interest with, the community?
thnk 1t must appear so to all, except them who think
that virtue, intelligence and patriotism spring I'M ont Of
the soil and grow like mushrooms upon its surface after
person has paid stipulated price for it, But in these
Ohcd states, the principle embraced ia ibis resolution
IS regarded as higher proof of attachment TO the com
nuy than the purchase Of any amount of real estate
When foreigner from any other country expatriates
hnse, and desires TO become citizen of these United
states, the purchasing Of amount Of real or personal
estate, VIII prove his attachment to the country He
must IL he will become citizen, 20 into court and make
solemn pronunciation of every foreign prince and poten-
tate, OF all allegiance TO any foreign government and
promise to submit TO, and support the Constitution these
OnIted States This, i'm the estimation of the good and
wise Trainers Of State and Federal Governments il
me highest proof OF attachment TO, and of feeling com
mon interest with, the community which can be afford
cd Now although would not require all the same
ornaliies contend that the principle Of the third re-
solution warrants TO entertain confidence ON the
person wso thus becomes citizen Than the mere poq
inn g E.l n