Rhode-Island constitutionalist. [volume] (Providence [R.I.]) 1834-1834, 1834-03-12
THE ADVANTAGES OF LIBERAL
INSTITUTIONS.

| common people Of Rome made secession 10 the
Mons Sacer,* A. U. c. 259, and refused to re-
turn, till they were allowed to choose magistrates OF
their own. The number Of these magistrates was
at first two, but was afterwards increased to ten.
BY their intercession in any business, they could
stop the proceedings of the Senate and all the mag
, istrates. In process Of time their authority was
held to be sacred No man could presume to in
terrupt them in their harangues, and they could
command all to be silent They could stop all leg
islation, and also the execution of the laws.
new form was thus introduced into the con.
stitution, which threw the weight into the demo-
cratic scale; and this extraordinary power, Cicero
says, saUed the republic; because in the hands
of turbulent multitude, it would have been moth
ing but uproar and confusion.
We have here the first illustration which our SUBJ
ject admits of, proving that under the democratic
form OF ofgovernment, Rome attained pitch of gram
deur and exataton which was speedily lost, when
that form was merged in the monarchy, and no
trace of independence, the equal condition of Ro-
man citizens was left.
BY the equal condition of Roman citizens, says
the same author, we not to understand equality
of ranks, which never did and never can subsst in
any age or country. The equal condition of the
people consisted in their having voice in the ma
king of laws, in all questions about war and peace
| and in all affairs of moment.
This is sufficient to show that it is not the situ-
at,on in which men placed, but their political
Institutions which mako or mar tho;r La,o;,oss
And to make the position still stronger, we cite the
example Of the State Of New York which in some
manner we compelled to, by tile use which peo-
pie Of little reflection constantly make of the Gus
toms of that great State.
The first settlement made in New-York, was in
the year 1914, and Notwithstanding the difficulties
attending the alterations of government consequent
upon the change of masters from Dutch to English,
and from English to Dutch, and then back again,
until the Revolution settled the government in the
hands of the people, it has constantly increased in
resources and prosperity, and we defy the most Bit
ter opponent to republican government to show any
other cause than the Literally of its political inst-
utions. Indeed the most skeptica iIiregard to the
qualifications Of the people to govern themselves,
must admit, in the liberal provision which is made
for Public Schools, that all of alarm resulting
from the freest system Of Suffrage (Which we do not
advocate here) is entirely banished, unless he per-
ceives in intelligence and education the germs of an.
archy. We are free to confess that we always
feared ignorance and vice as foes liberty, but per-
haps it was an error.
I.at tisn fha of Erao
ment upon the wealth and resources of New-York
and we shall perceive that since the people have had
the management Of their own affairs the prosperity
of the State has wonderfully increased.
The revenue of the State FOR the year 1928 was
$1,93s s,OO6. 10
Common School Fund do do 1854 ,62S. 80
Literary Fund do do 256 1853. .96
Number Of Schools operation do do 5000
DO do do 1888, 894l
Do of Scholars taught same year,
instruction averaging mon,hs,} 45s,2O5
Do Of Ministers in the year 1882, I472
Whole number of aliens in the ,
year 1925, 40, 0,43O
Expenditures for Common Schools }
in 1882, SLIPS, ,4s2.45
With this last item staring them in the face, our
opponents still cry out upon the evils of extended
suffrage. What be thought of the motives of
those who endeavor to deceive the freemen in so
shameless manner ? And who hold before our eyes
on all occasions the great number of foreigners who
control the destinies of the State, although we find
of both sexes, old and young, less than forty-one
thousand in the year 1925. Certainly if aliens ex-
ercise control in State affairs, SO much for the
benefit of the community governed, it would be well
were Rhode-Isand to import few. But the fact,
fellow-citzens, is not so. ALIENS are not per-
mitted by la,o to uote in any State in the Union.
Remember that. 1t may happen that one now and
then succeeds in casting vote, but the penalty by
the laws of the State is fine and Imprisonment, and
instances enough can be cited to show that this
punishment has been inflicted upon those who were
detected in violating the law.
| If the election laws of our own State prevented
all abuses, and kept unqualified persons from vo-
ting, we might exclaim against our neighbors; If no
persons willing to perjure themselves for party pur-