Rhode-Island constitutionalist. [volume] (Providence [R.I.]) 1834-1834, 1834-04-07

There Is only one criterion Of this cement suspension
Of the rights Of our which have frequently
ferred and II the greatest good ohe greatest number do not
require the exclusion Of from political assem-
bies 10 accordance with the decision of those countries
where they most honored and esteemed then tins ex-
clu,on unjust The inquiry, in each case strictly cues
ton Of fact Any other exclusion OF individuals OF classes
Of persons must be tried and decdedb by the same rule
But TO proceed-Politics Liberty not, them we hear
sometimes said the aiergrowb Of refined and cultivated
ages but Is the spontaneous offspring of natural sense oi
right and justice and though harsh In Of It's Features
in uncylred age, may still vigorously exist aud even
then contain within It's rude forms the germs Of those inst
utons, which shall become the boast and the glory OF sub.-
quent and more enlightened generations. To him who
studies the philosophy Of history, Is matter of surprise
and pleasure TO d'eovo in the Of the ancient
Germans, the ele nts and principles Of liberty which make
the most valuable portion Of the Constitution Of England,
and which have been carried out and greatly improved
In our own admirable form Of government.
II all successful in our investigation, we have arrived at
the conclusion that government designed for the
tecon aad perpetuation Of rghno derived from itself,
but natural aud nherent-in such to promote the
greatest good OF the whole and that the question be-
fore US not what right Of suffrage the government ought
to grant, gin, but with what restrictions required by
this greatest good, suffrage may be claimed right by the
people Of this State. Is il consistent with this general good
that the present landed qualification should be any longer
continued as the exclusive condition Of exercising the priyi
| lege of an elector
| As addressing Republicans, who believe that
publican government the only one which truly ecn,uts
The rights and happiness Of the people, If should show
that the present restriction Is, in its operation, inconsistent
with republican principles then shall the aid Of
ali those who consistently hold those principles in having
| this restriction removed.
While the general welfare Is the great aim aud object Of
the American plan Of government most Of the governments
OF the old world constructed and operate for the benefit
Of the few at the expense Of all the rest The original prin-
cpe OF equality Of suffrage at the formation OF political
ciety has been set entirely at nough and you will see
depo whose remote elected TO the head OF
state, of his vaor and claim
ing TO rule over their descendants by divine right, and TO
exclude them from political privileges. The effect Of this
kind OF government and Of the artificial condition Of society
connected with it, place all the wealth and power Of
the country in the hands Of the intelligent few and beyond
the middle classes at the other extremity OF the body poll
TIC to create Of poverty, ignorance and degradation,
which incapactaed TO participate to its good in the
government Of the country, and unfit 10 accept OF better
government If Il should be offered. This is the most dread
iul effect OF longanding despom. In such state OF
society," where the vast majority are taught to regard the
lew who rule them higher order Of beng-are mbued
with feeling Of entire servy, and have lost that Of person.
al worth and independence, true lover Of his fellow
may well hesitate about the proprey and the safety Of sud-
denly introducing Republican system, and making them
voters all once, without the preparatory of eu
cation since the good Of the WHOLE including the oppressed
themselves, might require their exclusion Such man, II
in his heart Republican would notwithstanding his hesi-
ation about immediate emancipation still acknowledge
their natural rights lie would feel that the poorest and
most degraded subject OF the most despoc monarch yet
brother othe human race and has within him the capacity
Of better things all who wear the form Of humanity
are entitled TO the hopes and privileges OF human nature
lie would therefore be anxou, to qualify the oppressed
soon possible and raise them TO the privilege Of self
government But whatever course true patriot might feel
himself bound 10 adopt in Of the corrupt monarces Of
the Old world such can be given for postpone
ment OF political rights in country. No privileged
orders have ever existed it, to create the inequality
which prevails elsewhere between the many and the few
spirit Of freedom brought with them by ancestors
and has ever snbs.ted among us There very general
diffusion of useful knowledge The great majority also,
otherj and thus strictly bound together in interest
support the gouernment The only exception to this gen.
eral equality b in the Slave States where large part Of the
The