Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-10-15

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tice they would approve, and substitute the expo
ded theories OF the wisest statesmen the purcs pat
rots and the sonidest republicans, who ever adotn'
Cd any age or country
But not To the authority Of great names merely,
docs the existing restriction upon suffrage stand OPP
posed; reason and justice equally condemn II. The
OBJECT 1t Is presumed, meant To be obtained, was as
Tar as practicable To admit the meritorous, anu re-
jcct the unworthy. aud had this object, really been
attained, whatever opinions might prevail as to The
mere right, not murmur probably would have
been heard. Surely It were much tu be desired
tina, every citizen should be qualified for the p u
per exercise al all his rights. and the due pcrtor-
nance of all his duties. But the same qualifications
that enttle MN IL assume the mana cement of his
private Affairs, and TO claim all other privileges OF
citizenship, equally cntitle him. in the Judgment OF
your meinorlaliSts, To be entrusted with this. the
dearest oil all his privileges the most important OF
all his concerns. But If Otherwise still they cannot
discern IN tEc possession of land any evidence of pc
cular merit, superior title To ascrjbc to a land.
cd POSSESSION moral Intellectual endowlncnts,
would truly be regarded as udicrous, il not for
the gravity with which the proposition Is mentioned
and still more Tor the grave consequences flowing
from II. Such possession proves him vino
has 1t wiser better, than it proves him taller or
stronger than he who has MOI. That cannot be fit
criterion for the exercise of any right, the possess
slol OF which does not indicate the existence, nor the
want OF II the absence, Of any essential qualifcd
ton.
But this criterion it IS strcnuousy insisted though
not perfect, Is yet the best nan wisdom devise.
" strongest, IL not tue OuV evidence OF
the requisite qualifications particularly Of what
are absolutely essential pernanent common interest
with aud attachment TO the Community" Those
VINO cannot furnish this evidence, therefore de-
scrvedly excluded.
Your memoralists do not design to institute Il COM
pariSon they fear nom that be fairly made. be
tween the privileged aud the prescribed classes They
may be permitted, however without dlsrespert ITO re.
mark. that OF tiC latter, not few possess lands many
though not pToprietors yet cultvators Of The soil
others engaged in avocdtions or different no
ture, often useful. presupposng less integrity,
requiring us much intelligence, and as fixed resi-
derce as agricultural pursuits Observation-Disclosures
arc not among the products OF the soil. Attach
ment TO property, often solid sentiment, is not to
be COMPOUNDED with the sacred flame of patrotisn.-
The love OF country, like that OF parents and Oft
spring, is engrailed III nature. 1t exists in all
climates, under every possible form OF government.
Riches oitener impair 1t than poverty Who has II
not Is a monster.
ourmemorid1ists fecltle difficulty Of undertake. g
calmly to ropei the charges and insinuations uvolv
ING la lnfamy themselves, and arTe portion
OF their fellow citizous. 10 no neprivcG " eir right
fu equality, and 70 heara an apology That they are
too ignorant and vicious 20 enjoy it. is no ordinary
trial OF patience. Yet they viii suppress the indig.
nant emotions these sweeping denuniltions are well
calculated TO excite. The frecho!icrs themselves |
iao. item 20 Ic unouaded why, else arc arms placed
in the hands OF body Of dsaec ed citizens so g,o
rant, 50 dcPravcd, aud so numetous In the hour of
danger they have drawn nviiOus distinctions be |
tween the sons of Virginia. The muster rolls have |
undergone no scrutiny, comparison with the land |
books, with view 10 eEpunga those who have been
struck from the ranks OF frecmen. Ii the landless
citizens have been gnonniouSy driven from the polls
IN time of peace, they have at last been generally
III war, 20 The battle field. Nor have
they disObeyCd the summons or less Droflse, Than
others, po.rcd out THEFT blood in defence of that
country which Is asked 20 disown thcci. Will il be
said they owe allegiance to the Government that
givs Item protcctlon?-Bc It and If they acknowl
edge the obligation, II privileges really extended
TO them in defence Vi which they my reasonably be
required To shed their blood have they no motives ir-
rcslstabie motives Of attachment to the community
Lave they not an interest," deep interest in perpet
uatlu5 the blessings, not from foreign aooressio1
merely, but from domestic encruacbmen,?
But 1t is said, yield them this right and they will
abuse IT. property, that is landed property, Will be
rendered nsecure at least overburtened by those
VINO possess 1t not. The fFeeholders, on the contra
~, can pass lax to the injury of aiTv other class
which VIII hot more iniuriousy affect Themselves
The alarm Is sounded too, OF danger from large man
uiac'uring institutions, where one corrupt individual
may sway NE corrupt votes Of thousands. 1t were
vain task to attempt u meet all the hinsy prceyts
urged to aDay all the dpprcensons felt OF feipned
by tie enemies OF just and liberal policy. The dan
ger OF abuse is dangerous plea. Like necessity tue
detesed plea Of The tyraDt or the still more rnsl
pea OF the Jesuit, e92eteacy il serves As an ever
ready apology for all oppression. II we are SINGER
| y republican, we must give confidence to the
principles we profess, We have been taught by our
fathers that all power is vested in an derived from
community, in whom sbides the physical force have
also the political right Of creating and renoiclnr at
WI their civil institutions Nor can this right be any
where safely deposited The generality Of man
Kind doubtless desire to become owners oproperty: left
free 10 reap the fruits of their abours they wl seek
to acquire 1t honestly. IL can never be their interest
To ovcr6utben render precarious what they them
sevs desire TO enjoy IL peace. But should hey ever
Prove as base as the argument supposos force alone
arms not votes, could effect their designs: and
Wiseii that shall be attempted, what virtue is their
auary tetntU-9l restrictions in mere wax and paper
Wv tnat copy6 70 deny to the great body Of the
oJ"ic newspaper pie government. on ssp con that
% TOT TWO months svs OF their property 10 rob them
1n u"or OF The cHRrgh's To look TO privileged or
q copy. Jain aud depository Of oil power: is to
fRaISfrOm the fundamental moXims, 10 destroy the
Tc6cf beautyth Characteristic feature ndeed of re-
publican government. Nor is the danger Of abuse
Hereby diminished but greatly augmented. No com
mnHiy can exist, no representative body be formed in
wAca some division Of person. or section of
country or some two or more combined may not
/ prcpondcrate and Cypress the rest. The east may