Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-05-06

tn
crest oifh, anu attachment to- the comsnsify in such
manner as to guard against universal suffrngc"-
put what they would deem such sufficient evidence
lna' uooy did not attempt to define, nor what they
s oy universal suffrage, feeling no doubt the diff
hcuity ofcoming to common sentiment upon this
sub]ect.-The difficulty which they felt,
am persuaded pervades the community at large and
WIN not be found least with those who reflect most
occPy upon the matter-As TO my own opinions
Notwithstanding the insnuatons thrown out have
at no time made any mystery of them, and will now
state thcm with perfect candour, far as they are
dehnitey made up. The freehold limitation of suf
rage was derived from the country of our ioreathers
III ths elective francise belongs to the free
hoaers ana 10 the freemen of the corporations
1.-The House of Commons tsays the elder Pitt) rep-
resents the proprieors of the ands and those propri
etors rcehoders virtually represent the rest of the
inhabitants The theory then was, that the freeho-
ders were recogulzad perpetual body of electors
representing the whole community for the purpose of
choosing their representatives in the governments
hatever may be the beauties the defects of this
system tho people, the only legitimate source Of poll
tcai power, have certainly right to REFORM utter,
abolish 1t, nj their pleasure.-The recent manifesto
tions, TOO clear to he misunderstood, show that the
great body Of the community is longer content that
tins power shall remain vested, exclusively in the
frechoders; and Justice. policy, and tho principles of
tho age. now demand ofus chapgc.-To this change
then shall yield my cordial assent and approba ton
Whilst make this declaration | must say at the
same tlme, that when have contemplated the puri-
~, the ORDER and the decorum with which our cleo
tons arc conducted III Virginia. and contrasteG them
with the intrigue, tumult and riot exhibited in those
states where universal suffrage prevails, could not
out feel great upprehcnsions, that when the door
should be opened to admit those the exercise ofhe
right to whom it might safely be extended, that il
might be thrown wide to let in those also who
feeling interest in the result of public measures
and knowing little of their operations and caring lit
tic, would quickly assimilate elections to those
we have spoken OF III other states. Whilst feel the
taDn nr,e,.., ,,t., I, 49, q
rction that there large portion of non frechol
ders who had cause to complain OF their exclusion
who might be admitted to the polls with safety and
10 whom have ever believed that the privilege would
be, and ought to be extended, whenever the matter
was acted on IN convention. Il am here asked to
whom OF the non frecholdcrs, being free white male
chizens above the age of 2l years, would be will
ling to extend the elective franchise would answer
that' after the most mature reflection which have
been capable OF giving the subject have been unn bic
to devise any better test of the claim for admission
than reference to the time ofresldence and the tax
st leaving however the precise limits TO be adjusted
upon the fullest consideration, s consuta ton of these
whose duty 1t may be 10 decide. That the claims of o
nonfrceolders will be, as they ought to be- respcct
fully considered and admitted to liberal extent
have no doub but that they Ought TO be- or will be-
admitted to the extent of what generally under
stood universal SUFFRAGE I do not believe Js il
right or proper, that hanging loose upon society
who have no ties that bind them down to the coun-
t5y, who are here to day, and gene Tomorrow should
coutrouI, by their votes, the property and personal
rights OF those to whom the country belongs, and
VINO belong to the country Suppose the Potomac
canal to be brought into the county of LONDON
or OF Fairfax, and that three or four thousand In
borers brought together by oil the winds of heaven
shall have resided in such county twelve months en-
gagged upon that work, and having been subjected to
the payment OF county levy, should present them
selves at polls, led by some influential con-
tractor andcect the candidates of their own choice
Tor the county, or the district, what, would ask
tl,yh n t,,rlf Of
TO such absurd results Tt is true such thing is
not very likely to occur, but that it might possibly
ipPcn, is enough to test the principle. That such
decterous influence IN smaller degree, will be expr
cscd when large manufacturing establishments shall
grow up, and where universal suffrage shall prevail
there can he no doubt, well as in other cases
where the population may be dense.-The wealthy
employer Will there be found, on particular occasions
ca"ne ms hundreds TO the polls and directing their
votes by his single will.-Can such things assure per
lancncy to free government; rather are they not
he most fatal enemies its existence by the corrup
ION TO which they lead both in the electors and the
'andIdatcsa
Having said thus much upon this nil pcrvodinr mai,
81 tho subject, shall briefly tomch upon the other
amendments contemplated, and to which vour oue
ricS direct my attention. Amongst the wrongs claim
ms redress by amendment of the constitution no one
IS more prominent, than the highly uneCual and con
'equeny unjust, representation in the House of Del
gates, so offensive to the feelings and SO injurious
% inc interests, OF large majority of the people of
OF representation 90 the
numbers Of the free white population, will be the
cinedy for this evil and the only proper basis upon
rhch that matter can be placed.
The House of Delegates, ] have long thourht
night with great advantage, be reduced TO half
- present number. From this reduction would re-
uit not only great saving of public money but also
| much moro efficient Legislative body.
in the general sentiment in favour of reforming the
Executive department Of the government, | entirely
onctir The council Of state, presume will fall oil
curse, as an unnecessary nppcndugc. NV imprcs
lons are in favour of the election of tho govern
n by the people, and, l would confer upon him.
nIcr the constitution, some augmentation Of powers
rs to the judiciary, no man estimate more bioh-
r than myself, the principle Of its independence.
must believe that some saInary provisions may be
dopted 70 secure further responsibility; and IN Ger
an cases OF disability to effect removal from Office
nave, myself, long thought that our county court
ysten required some important notifications
And 70 your last query, reply that am in fayour
Migrating INTO the constitution provision for such
amendments as may, from after experience, bc found
necessity.
Having tIUg, with the utmost candour ynnIicd D., |