The Northern star, and farmers' and mechanics' advocate. [volume] (Warren, R.I.) 1830-1834, 1834-08-09

Sf
| From the Address ofthe Constitulonai csnten<
toni
Those who cali Ia qoestion ~ nG(ural
right Of suffrage, lay grest sefpsc bpon
the fact that in so many Of these codsti-
tutions* the qualifications OF peroons sIi-
gible to the Offices Of government are 6x-
ed much higher than those Of the electors
themsslves. - they cay tbst .thsse6ese %.
lnical rights are not sslcsUbsistent, but
are deprived from an arbitrary appoint-
| ment Of the law-Eiver. We do not con-
slider any such distinction 10 be necessary
in this State, nor do we contend for il
and il is sufficient answer to the object
ors 10 say that where the distinction ex--
lists, i was made by the people them
selves, in their original, sovereign cspa-
city. The constitutions Of all the States
proceeded from the great majority ofths
people, fairly represented In Convention.
These constitutions were laid before them
for acceptance or rejection. They could
and did define, limit and settle their own
rights as they saw fit. The fact above
stated 30 far then from proving any
thing against the rights Of the people,
proves another thing conclusively il favor
Of the people, namely, that in manifest
ing SO much solcitude that oil places Of
trust should be filled with those most COM
petent to discharge their duties, and in
thus foregoing an equal claim to them in
all the voters, they have shown them-
selves the state depository Of political
power, and eminently worthy Of republic
can Geemen and lt-eovernment.
We do not ask for a change here, merely
because a restitution like ours has been
abolished in other States but because
such change is right. Still the fact
that twenty-five, out Of twenty three Of
the other States, have no such exclusive
landed qualification as that now insisted
upon IN this, ought to 60 far In overcon-
ing any doubts or scruples On the subject
Of an extension Of suffrage. Are not tho
people OF the other States our brethren
are W. not all bound together a. one peo-
pie, under the glorious Constitution of
the United Siatesi Can the people Of
this State be expected to entertain any
less liberal ideas Of Republican freedom
and government then the vast majority of
their brethren elsewhere, who are united
to them IN interest and feeling, and sepa-
rated only by the outline Of State bounda.
ries: Such an expectation is unrcasona-
BILE and contradicied by all observation
and experience. Are not the people Of
other States, who have adopted the plan
Of the extension, as enlightened, as capa-
BILE Of understanding the greatest good Of
The whole, as much blessed with sound
avs and the wise execution Of them, az
ourselvesi Arc we indebted to landed
suffrage for any decided superiority in
,ur civil and social condition. Have we
gone farther than all others, in proportion
o our means, in providing for public in
'truction, aud public charitiesi We are
obliged Reluctantly to admit the contrary.
Not to pursue this part of our subject any
ur,hei, ut presented any man point to
my one practical result in this State.
which give an advantage TO landed quail
fication for vsters over that Of the pay-
nent of taxes, and we shall be happy 70
1--WE il fair consideration, and allow to
I all the weight to which it may be enti-
led.
One OF the reasons offered IN favor OF
reehold qualification 10 that it tends to a
greater division Of land and 10 check TIE
Increase Of great landed estates. Even
this to be true, the remedy 10
lot wanted for it has already been suppli-
d by the statute Of distributions. Tho
light Of primogeniture as il respects prop
'rty has been done away. An equal di-
ision most commonly takes place at the
eath Of parent and il 10 perfectly we'll
pown that the third, or fourth generation
t most, In the country, scstters the great
st accumulation that the industry and
economy Of the ancestor N ever able to
make. Property is divided and equaliz-
d in our country TO an extent ever known
n any other. And in property, Of
ONE kind or other, thus created in tho
majority Of the people 10 one reason, and
strong oue, for believing that our form
c government will be pcrinanent. In no
State, which has exchanged the landed
or tax qualification, has there been the
lightest complaint Of too grcst nm sccu-
Of land in few hands rom this
;ause. The argument 10 evidently more
or the benefit Of the present suffrage law,
han for the benefit Of the people.
What then is the object Of any property
qualification at sll for voteri The only
ust object 10 to raise presumption Of his
honesty aud Intelligence. Where this
honesiy and intelligence can be ssccrs
lsined, Independently Of pariiculas
uu n lifcsfioo. fhsvs ihe nee eooifv Of II ces<