Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-09-11
RtgtssauoesU 9atDtU.
FRIDAY NIORNING, sEPr. 1I. 1876.
For THE WIG.
Proposition for military arrug ea,ent Of the RICH
Of Suffrage
EoR TIE WING.

Of Suffrage.
To CHrrF JusrtcE MARsaAII
S1: In addressing you individually, on n subject
designed Tor the consider alton OF the approac ching
Conventin OF Virginia, am acluated by considera-
tons OF respect, for your profound literary acquire
meDtS, and for that sound ana discriminating iutu-
ment' you have always displayed great political
qurstons and OF veneraton for your long experience
aud well tried integrity and repubcansm SO striking
ly exhibited in private, we'll as in your public life
Permlt me then, my dear sir, through YOU. todrect
the attention of the Convention to basis for reprc-
sentative republicans, founded upon defensive pre-
paratiun.
Although no commonwealth as far as can learn.
mas ever adopted fundamental principle of the kind
| would recommend, the project can nevertheless
scarcely merit to be termed political experiment.
For all commonwealth that have attracted the histo
rams attention, so fnrcibly aud i'll many events
illustrate such important effects and consequences to
be expected from armed community, favourable 10
liberty that with it is matter of SURPRISE that no
republic observan of those effects, has heretofore
constituted the right of suffrage, (Which is the sheet
anchor of popular power conditioned upon the indi-
vldIal possession of armour.
In every form of government, it has been found
eXpedlen Tor dispatch and energy in business to del
egatc the ruling power to few individuals who
generally selected for given term of service, by the
people, from among themselves, by the exercise of
suffrage. And in this to effect the end of good 90
Vernurnt, Legislators have generally deemed it
sry Ill some degree to restrict the right. Graiuatinu
It, to some adequate test of patriotism or evidence of
permanent Interest in the commonwealth: it being
received principle in all government that some share
OF natural freedom must be surrendered in exchange
for safety, order, and stability, in its civil aministra
ton 1t is also deemed essential Freedom not onlv
that all power should emunate from the people; but
that those to whom it is given should he kept in
state OF dependence on the donors; holding their
power only IN trust and returnabe limited periods:
And governments held more or less democratic in
proportion to the greater less restriction of sn
rage, and to the longer shorter time for which the
ruling power is delegated. To regulate and control
hn nnin ci,t,I Ill,
as the will.
The proper adjustment Of the right Of suffrage,
and the term and degree OF power to be delegated,
mas IN all ages constituted main difficulty with law
gVers but more especially the former; and the re
mote cause OF those endless dissensons and comrno-
tons, that the opprobium of commonwealth is
generally to be found in partial or irrational inita
tlon the popular privilege Amy restriction, which
is not founded on principles adapted purely for the
public good; but calculated only to create or support
distinctions or classes in society, as at Rome of
patllcan and Plebian, or of Mobiles and Commons at
Venice and Holland &c; engenters the Ground work
or an endless series of trespasses and retaations;
arising from entertainments of priveded classes or
OF the few, upon the natural rights of the manv or
rom the trespasses of the many, the fundamental
principles of the few. Nor does it appear from, his
toy that in those struggles either faction fonce on
Vehoined by contention) was ever contentcd with
aequisuon; whilst the form of government which en-
gendered their dlssensions continued to exist
al Venice and Holland the Mobiles or Arisocracv
nv gradual encroachments on the people and more
anu more restricting suffrage among themselves cot
ut last to conceive offices of power and emolurncnt
INC exclusive property of their order, and inheren,
III ihelr FAMILIES; until in the end, the Venetian Go
Vcrnment became an Oligarchy, Holland Monarchy Y
the Stakeholder, by help Of foregnt aid nsurpnr the
stye ana prcrogatvcs ofsuch 1t is remarkable that
nose Cornmonweaths prosecuted of their wars
W'th hired mcrcenaries. The Venetiais particular
~, never trusted arms in the hands of the peope
ana such was the jealousy of the nobles that thew
would not even trust the command of morcenaries
TO one OF their own order.i
With the Athenians and Romans the y,arlika cb,
fdcier OF the age, compelled frequent recourse to
armlng the people. In these governments, the en-
cFoachTnents were uniformly favorable to liberty; lut
mere the people IN their turn, carried the principles
OF natural liberty to excess. BY not reUuirinn of
partcipators In government, sufficient evidences of
Pa'rotlsTn and not sufficiently guarding suffrage from
corruption, peculation and popular phrenzy presently
us'rpeu the place OF wisdom and justice in their le
9sIative assemblies until Athens such pot to be
The Jealous madness and prohigacy5 Of the people
That TN the plenude of their misruel to their Gene
Ieis ana Statesmen, success fatal as defeats
PUNISHMENT or death were equally the consequence of
distinction or disgrace. The consequence was when
thcir country became involved in difficulty and tbrea
tened with destruction they too ate discovered their
error IN having destroyed the only men who could
have cxtrcated them.
AZ Rome, after many encroachrnents on the pnrt
OF the people, and many ADVANTAGES raned Favorable
10 natural freedom, the contests between the Patri
cians and Pieblans grew so heated and discussions
arose 70 80 great height, that armies were brourht
III as arpers between the partics and rliifnrv dos.
potlsm thence became tue order their government
ior more than fourth of century Whole parties
rannIzed over one another by turns as fortune chan
ced TO turn the scales until all classcs yycaried and
narassed with this turbulent state of affairs, Mt last
Tor the sake Of security and stability cour,ed the fv
Tanny Of single dcspot
and be 1t remembered, particularly by the adyo-
Gates ct unlimited suffrage. that the military was
nrst invited INTO Rome by the people, to help them to
controui the aristocracy and that too, after they
n ,ad gained all for which they formerly contendcd
ihey were equally with the Patricians eligible 10 the
highest Offices of the commonwealth, and were in The
unlimited enjoyment OF the right of suffrage. The
privilege was extended too far, which unfortupatcIv
,or the nation brought into power men, who were
ny nature or by habit, untitled for its exercised
In every country, there IS to he found considerable
portion or class OF people, who accumulate no proper
~ make no improvements and seem TO have no res