Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-02-21


those great principles upon which free govern.
ment is founded: Principles, which can lose
nothing by investigation. Like links in chain
Of pure gold, the they are rubbed. the
brighter they become.
Sir, could but contrast the arguments of the
supporters and opposers of these principles. l am
bound to presume, there was an equality OF talents
arrayed on each side. Had there not have been
inequality in the business of the relative PROPOSE.
tions-could there have been such disparity on
the part OF the opposers. Let the debates be tluiv
weighed, and the advantage on the side of the
supporters are decided and conclusive. He who
mas good cause is douby armed. The advocates
OF the right oil suffrage to landed qualiii-
caion, by way OF bolsterng up bad cause, and
reconclling the people, TO one OF the most aristo-
cratic features OF tte present Constution-upder.
take to say, tina: the stability Of our government
tue tranquility and happiness enjoyed under it.
were asctiblhle to this particular restriction oil
suffrage. That we have enjoyed uncommon tram
q"ihty and happiness, and acquired high political
reputation am of the last TO question: but 4
cannot admit the assumption The happiness of
. the people, the stability OF our Legislation, and
the lame oil our Statesmen proceed from other
causes. he virtue, the intelligence, the Justice.
me patriotism OF the peope,he republican spirit
winch mas SO happily pervaded the great mass Of
the people.
Nay, sir, the law Of descents, and the act Of
religious freedom, have done more than every
provision in the Constitution to advance the cause
VI Tee government; and but for their counteract.
ing influences, together with the love of liberty.
inherent in the bosom of most mcn-tbe a rb;,rar,
and atisocratc principles of the present Consti.
tu'ion would long since, have disclosed their de.
formity.
Let us examine the History and condition of
those States, where. landed qualification is not re-
CURED, and whers The right of SUI fTrage has been
EXTENDED. Look 20 Pennsylvania s. Ohio, are thew
not as happy and prosperous as wei are not the
right oil person & OF property well secured there
a. mere! Look TO the Safe OF Connecticut. proven
blaily called she iani OF steady habts-Q am not
much in the habit OF driwing presidents from that
quarter, altho' douh not might derive many
valuable ones.) Are rights of person, or right,
oil property, less secure therehan here! Certainly
not On the contrary We night lose by COMPARE
son. Yet they have the right of suffrage extend
ed, beyond wha, 1 believa is contemplated bv
any member of his BODY
with view 10 secure u Convention i'm the mode
proposed by the people; am willing to concede
much-but il this point is conceded in tho choice
oil Delegates to the Convention will not that BODY
consider the question yielded, and disregard il
IN the new constitutions.
Sir, we daily hear of crusades fitted ont in the
cause OF religion, humanity and civil liberty; we
near oil missionary societies, colonization enamel.
patton, abolition socetes-but no effort to release
these people from their political bondage WHY
TINS political apathythis total disregard of equal
rights and equal privileges?
Let us not fancy to ourselves they are needless
or indifferent TO their privation Let us not pre-.
sumo too much upon their torbearance. The dav
may come, when reused by an indignant sense
oil their burdens and their privations thew NAV
rise IN the majesty OF their strength, burst the
letters with which they are bound, and convuIse
this ancient commonwealth to its centre l will
not detain the Senate longer at this stage of the
discussion, and trust that the amendment offered
by the member from Monongalia will be rejected,
and that mine will prevail
Mr. Dade having taken his seat
Mr. Nj gan proceeded 10 advocate his amend
ment. When he closed, the vote was taken: and
Mr. Morgan's amendment being rejected
ME- Taylor moved 10 amend Mr.. Dade's amend.
meht' by striking out the ID section; which mo-
non he supported by argument
In opposition to which, Mr.. Dade submitted the
remarks.
Mr. Speaker,-Havng introduced the section
proposed 10 be stricken out, | feel myself called
upon 10 defend it ! do not rise sir for the nur
pose OF measuring strength with the member
from Observation-Disclosures would be vain indeed
know too well, from his forensic skill. he con-
rasted with me could make the worse appear the
better side. j, however, RELY upon the ;ns,;ca of
the cause espouse. Should fail. il will not be
lor want oil weapons, but dexterity in the use of
them. $40 VOC "
The member from Chesterfield, denies the right
Oh 'he Legislature to authorize the taking of the
votes oil non-freetolders Sir, | had considered
that the Legislature had right to do. whatever
IL was not expressly prohibited from doing. Itis
Iue, 1t could not extend the right of suffrage in
elections Tor members of the Legislature, for in
49, '"'o VIC constitution mas SAID who Uniy shall
vote, and the Legislature can pass no law in CON-
travention; but where the people propose in their
original sovereign capacity TO elect Delegates To
Convention, to alter, reform or abolish their Go.
Vernment, where is the article in the Constitution.
prohibiting the Legislature from granting them
facilities? Ii the Legislature have not the ,ower
to authorize its agents. (or the sake of peace and
harmony,l to receive the votes of the cou,u,uui
~, whether freeholders or not, they certainly
nave no right TO authorize them TO do a,,v fhinS
else required in this bill; and yet the gentleman
hdkeS no objection TO other provisions in the bill
claimed ''o Po"ef
lie says he was sworn to be faithful and t,,,e
70 the commonwealth granted; but if il is a for
lecture OF his oath TO vote for the provision. he
wishes TO strike out it is no less so to vote for anv
provision in the bill al all He is certainly mista
ken; and if his be his only difficulty. he need
have no qualms Of conscience
gentlemen appear TO view tn exsting govern.
inent IN the character of king, Of whom char.
ter OF Lib"rty is asked by the subjects of tho
crown. Let them not deceive lhemselves--it ia
a majority OF the People from whom their G,nn.
chise is Uithheld. They may demand in voice
OF thunder their rights--and will not be appeased
with "a little as the subjects of the timd
JOhn For the sake Of order and concert of opera.
uon The friends Of convention have asked Of the
existing government the agency of the sheriffs
and other officers, who unless especially autboti.
sed, could not take the votes of freebolders. and
why not permit them to take the votes of nom
ireeholders as well as freeholders?
III is objected TO allow non -freeholders 10 vote
Ior members to Convention, lest il may be insist
ed on IN the new Constitution; and that il IL inex.
PeuIeh' ana wrong IN principle, now or then 10
ehtehd 'he right oil suffrage. Why is it inexpedi.
ent 10 extend This important privilege 10 all who
give sufficient evidence Of permanent common in.
terest in, and attachment 10, the communitv,-
snail man bear all the burdens of Government,