Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-03-27

sum oil SO oV, whose number Is
not less than 10000, and you have
the sum Of $4,000 90
Making balance Of S62,s96 so
The increase in the militia being more than
10000 since 1920, fully justiies this statement.
Mr. nj. said this calculation was carefully
made, with a view to ascertain the truth as near
~ as practicable, and he believes it might be re-
lied on. That a class of the community, the
non. eholders and others not authorized 10 vote
by law, and who ought to be allowed the privi-
ege, actually pay in money, and contribute in
vices to the public good, by taxes, SC. levied on
their persons, more than the voters do, a class,
including not only all these same services and le-
ves, but also the taxes levied on their lands and
terements Where then is the propriety of ex-
clud:ng these men from the polls in any election9
If you go upon the proposition, that those who pay
the taxes and bear the burden OF the government.
shall have the control of the Legislature, then
these men have right to demand the privilege at
your hands, upon your own argument.
1t may be said that The taxes raised by licences
for various purposes, and which are levied on per-
sonai property, must be taken into consideration
to enlarge the amount paid by the voters. Not
so. All the taxes levied Oh personal property are
paid by the users or consumers; and the only diff
ference between the rich and the poor, is that the
former that which is most costly. but the lat
ter being most numerous, consumes the greatest
quantity. But this calculation is made 10 apply
10 the tdres on lands and op persons. The item
of land tax is the smallest ON the voters them
selves. and Gis inequality Of taxation follows the
practice OF the English government, where the
system OF voting is nearly the same of our own.
In England the land tax was fixed in 1892, at
shillings IN the pound on the value Of the rents;
and has continued the same without any change
in valuation or taxation TO the present day. 1t a.
mounts to 81 ,l27 1929, while the property tax a.
mounts to GlI $50 $50, aud the whole revenue to
s57,360.69i. Thus the land tax is less than
I-50th of the whole revenue and less than l. 10th
of the property tax. The property tax in England
has been frequently increased for extraordinary
purposes during their wars, but no change in the
land tax. This has not been the in this coun-
try, it is true, but the las: valuation of the lands
was made not with view to relieve the non-free.
holders from any OF their burdens, to equalize
the taxes among the freeholders: it was made ex-
pressly for the purpose of changing and equaIiz-
ing the representation on this floor. The nom
treeholders have contributed by their physical
power vastly 10 the aid and welfare the State and
in truth the whole power Of the country is main
ly sustained by them.
Mr. M. said, that many persons think i. danger
Gus to the rights of property to extend tho priv-
lege OF voting to so numerous class of persons as
embraced in the amendment. But he thought
not. 1t is laid down by a-writer on political econ
omy, whose authority would not be doubted here
by some gentlemen, (Alr. Say,) "That the poor
man who can call nothing his own, is equally in
terested with the rich in unfolding the nvolabiIi-
ty of property" The experience Of nearly all
the States in this Union has shown. that the nom
reehoders feel the very interest here spoken of by
Mr. Say; and that they are prepared 10 maintain
il. If We consul, history, we shall find but few
instances in any civilized nation, where govern
ment was recognized, in which either the poor or
those who held no title to the soil, vol ted
the principles here laid down. The division of
property in Sparta may be quoted as instance,
but certainly cannot be maintained. The division
was made by Lycurgus from motives of public po-
Icy, with view to establish and perpetuate a
better system Of government, by which the rights,
not only OF property but OF persons, might be bet
ter secured, and liberty preserved to the people,
Ii was rot scheme OF The poor. Lycurgus first
gained the favor OF many OF the rich and most OF
the poor to effect his plan, and by their power
compelled the balance to yield their objections
The Agrarian laws Of Rome, although they may
seem to be very striking instances, against
the principle Of Mr.. Say, yet there is no
doubt these laws were foundedIn policy and had
a tendency to preserve the empire from division,
for many years longer than it might have been
preserved without them. The poor have seldom
ever taken upon themselves 10 Cypress the rich OF
deptive them uDjustly OF their estates. Oppres-
sion generally comes from the other. side. Gem
temen need entertain no fears of the non-free-
holderseven If they shall get the privilege of vot-
ing in the new government. Several States
in the Union of much more political consequence
and physical energy, have the right of suffrage
huIheTsd!lJ1 OF pro-
perty are as well secured as in Virginia. They
possess much more wealth, are more advanced i'm
the arts, and they are prosperous while we are
not. Several other States not far behind Virgin
Ia, based on this principle of confidence in the
people, will soon DO far before us in power and
wealth
No man can believe seriously that the non free
holders Of this country would either divide the
property change the title TO II, IL they had the
power. 1t would be system OF robbery; and this
notion Of holding property by individual force, can
never be feared. The reasons why every man
3 equally Interested in the inviolabiiity of the
tights of propery,are, that he who to-day acquires
thousands, may tomorrow lose IL with his own
life; and without the title be preserved the proper
ty must perish.
MIR. NJ. said he must call the attention Of the |
Senate to the opinions OF some OF the wise OF
ancient republics upon the equality and propriety
Of The rights OF all the free men fthe community
10 vote in popular elections; and he thought their
opinions ought to have great weight, and be re- |
,eiyed as adinonilions and examples Of republican
doctrines TO guide us when celebrating on 80 i'm /
1ortant subject. These arguments and opinions
lave always been looked to as good rea-
IONS in support OF republican governments
md as worthy Of being cherished by republics |
Plato, in speaking Of the government Of Athens, 1
ays, "The original Of our government was taken |
rom the equality Of our race. Other States there
are, composed Of different blond, and Of unequal |
nes tho consequences Of which are, disporona- |
bic sovereignty, tyranny, Of oligarcbical sway;
under which men live in such manner az TO es-
leen themselves partly icfis srt 1arlc saYes 81