Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-11-21

motive to promote the good government OF tho State;
and this arising from interest and attachment. as
strong as that OF the owner OF property He would DO
anxious 10 have protc Tor whatever property he
might aequire and this he would know, be could only
have under a good government and equal laws.
But, Mr.. Chairman, not only does the present lim-
a'ion oil tho right Of suffrage prevent the increase OF
population by migration from other states, bu, IL drives
iron the bosom Of the Ancient Dominion many of her
mos, valuable II may not be known 10 the gem
i-inen OF the East, but ii is fact well known to those
from tho western part Of this State, that many valu-
able ci'izens have left their native state, and avail
ing themselves Of the facility of emigration, presented
by that great river wh,h washes the greater part Of
western border have departed 10 those splendid regions
OF the West, where, in addition 10 the eXuberant fert
~ OF the SOIL and other physical advantages, they can
enjoy the tights oil reeuen. Yes, sir, your govern
ment banisIcs vast numbers of our young to the
western states, where this odous restriction does
exist. Those States, in general require little mors
than residences as evidence OF attachment and interest,
so as TO enutle persons 10 the right oil suffrage The
consequence Is, that many OF our citizens, vtuous. i'm
teiigen,, industrious men, 60 all their attachments
to their native SOIL their house and the scenes OF heir
youthful sports, aud pass away into OF those west
ern states, where they eroy the privileges appers
tanning TO reemen. by right of nature, not by purchase
Although a freehold may be chcapiv bought they Dis
dain to purchase that which is of right their own.
Sir, there Is continual, & an extermna,ing warfare,
carried OH throughout this wide extended common
wealth She blscds at every pore And who are tho
Partesto this desolang war? IL is the government
gains, the people. most unnatural war Every menu
Der OF the community driven out from us by the opera
uon OF an unjust constitution, is ;uch Lost TO
the bayonet cannot ball. had done it's wogk upon him,
Yes sir, it il cruel and eSiermnaiing war sneak OF
western Virginia when sag that IL the State were
called up9n furnish annually her quota of troons 10
aid the General Government in resisting the attack OF
all Europe continued IL would not consume strength.
nor retsrd our population c, than do The restic-
uoas imposed by her laws upon tho tight Of suffrage
Many soldier goes TO the battle held and returns a.
gain 10 his home with its comforts and enearments-
but the voluntary exilehe, who is compelled for
science sake, 10 rcnd aus3sr all the ties which bind
himo his naive country and like the pilgrim fathers
of New England, seek liberty distant land, never
returns. Sir, have known respectable, intelligent
viruous men,-n,en who had been honoured with
on the benches Of our County Courts-to whom their
ieliowcizens cheeIuily coule the proec Of their
rights oil property, aud their personal rights. who were
regarded as the efficient guardians OF the public psaco
ami w-lfre-l have known such, sir, prohibited by
there not thing wrong in all this! have seen he
respectable young men oil the couuiry-the mecha mic.
the merchant the farmer of mature age, OF Intelligence
TO that cf half the freehciers and glowing
with patriotism which wou!I make them laugh az
death in defence OF their country:-I have seen such
commanded to sanl back from the polis-o give way 10
the OF petty freehold. who presses forward say
ing 10 him in effect. away am holier than thou
tins Is sacred ground, which have right
tread Ought such things TO be! Is il for the good
oil our country that such things should be- Surely not.
Mr.. Chairman, ] shall not C end my remarks any
farther IL was not my intention 10 enter into detail
ed enumeration OF all the evils of the pre- system of
suffrage or OF the advantages of that which have now
the honour 10 submit 10 the Committee. My present
remarks only intended TO call the attention of tho
Committee to the plan have proposed. IL is broad
one admit. submit this project TO gentlemen as n
base Upon which they build their schemes of suf-
mage Ii is open TO amendment, and | have no doubt
requires anne ndnent Such il is submit my SUBJ
stiiute TO your consideration.
Debate TO be continued