Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1835-03-12
TxYURSD.4I, MIX CVI9, 1888.

direct and tina, the right in its abstract quality and cha
racter as SUCH in respect dependant upon
or other external circumstance connected with its exer-
else Resting upon the discretion of the voters them
Selves the form OF reducing it to practice is mere ai-
air OF voluntary arrangement, which may be changed
or varied at pleasure Just prudential regard TO the
safety of the right, from fraudulent abusive applica-
ton considerations of public veniencc shall de-
eide. The right then is uninpcachablc the
manner; and the manner whatever it he, is but the
rcoice OF those who have tie right to choose Analysis
this subject you may and you will bring il this
pie proposition at last.
lit be objected to any who has exercised this
right, that the mode selected by him is unfit and mad
missblc il is enough for him to answer, if he to
persist that il is his choice. The objection avail
farther The judgment Of every man, in such case,
The measure of his right: the r0i0 with him, and
not with another for hni-this royal prcrogatvc of
Kings in other countries because the prerogatvc of
vcrcignty upon that principle the common one
of every voter in this And the right in the case put
being sovereign, you neither limit graduate it,
nor destroy that equality OF ercry with any
which it produces. As sovereign right, it is exerted
and whenever il is cxcrtcd the judgment and dscre-
ton Of has precisely the validity with the
judgment and discretion of another though
they should differ wide as the poles in their relative
degrees of moral or of mental value. If fall into
errors from incaulous from a ardent pur-
SUIT oil an object which can only be attained through the
instr umentalty of this right, their reason, fairly
enlightened and corrected, and any exclusive
standard of action set up by others is the
tribunal TO which you appeal them And there is
other long the right remains where it is. Change
the basis of il, indecdct the constituent understand
rived from the very nature of his government but de-
ponds upon the suieance and favour of public opinion
and like other pensioners npon public bounty, he will
take It, in form and measure tue bumor of this capri
cous master shall prescribe As long however il is
right and not boon, the understanding of that
tuent must be his guide, and if guide him capriccus
ly it is at least Invaluable comfort to him TO know
that that caprice is his own
The proprety of exercising this right under such safe
guards shall prevent fraud and abuse clear the
consequences Of such fraud and abuses should they
cur, would be nischicvous and unhappy. Every man
will perceive and feel this; for there who sub
ec to the action of the government if he has any just
idea of his real interest but desire that the right
which is destined, at critical periods sway the
cils OF the country with so overmastering controu
should itself be eAcrtod with every practicable de-
liberation and fairness. The proper means however
of accomplishing this end, is matter of consent No
plan of cficcling submitted the BEST enforced
upon the neutrality-suspicious. and force impossible
Still, though opinions as to another mode may
vary the interest of all the and is to this
mon interest OF rather to the deep sense OF 1t which is
entertained by our people, that the safety of the right
must be finally cominitted and committed it may be-
with the most entire confidence, IN ls security If the
wsdom virtue, and interest OF the people the natural
guardians Of the right cannot be trusted what can be-
These the very qualities upon which whole sys
tenn Of government is built and fifty odd years of
perience have not yet taught to regret dsirust
the foundation. The trust and the hone of our
country, is, and must be, that they viii go forth
with the voter to the polls and to the act of in
sruction-that they will elevate him, in either case,
above the control of all pary passions, and inspire him
with an ardent and loyal of the high function
which he executes for the good Of the Republic
Onelman exercises tins right in the quiet of his
dwell4g where ofal places he the of his
thoughts the fccst from external CONTROL and the
best enabled to and to SETTLE upon the uninu
cnccd suggestions of his mind whatever subject
may be submitted for his decision Another for rea-
of convenience for other satisfactory
himself chooses 90 into public meeting for this bur
posc-chooses to confer with his neghbors, when as
scmbcd together before he takes any step chooses
seek in public debate for he facts and information which
he feels the want of and which lie desires guide him
his decisions and them after conference and debate de-
eide his judgment and views of public expcdiency
shall warrant. Now, does the difference of form, in
these examples affect i'll any Sort the right the autho-
ry of the instruction? No not in the least whatsoever
The decision in each case both the right TO make
it, and TO its obligation upon the representative when
made has authority perfectly equal, because in each
il proceeds from WILL which, in reference to the
subject decided could be restrained and bound by
law bnt its Besides this, the right instruct is
personal trust it results from the Constitution the vo-
ter individual, abdes with the and not with
his locality and can be neither larger less whether
exercised at spot at another-wheher at pri-
vac dwelling, at the Court House of the county
Then why This Glamour about iirc-side instruction p
The right thus to instruct cannot be questioned
But the instruction itself it seems deceptive suspi.
cious, doubtful And will YOU upon this pre-supposi-
ton of its character undertake TO set il aside
by how numerous class of your citizens it may be
adopted? DO this, bowcvcrsct it aside and admit that
which has cmanaied from public meeting, and how
stands the question of equal rights upon this subject with
these cltzensf why, you preserve them by receiving to
the full the will of class of them and by rejecting
the will oan adversary class You preserve these equal
rights by 'alotting, in question of common concern
power to side and inpotency to the other -
bring tie public opinion the admitted law Of
egsatonto bear upon great cxigcncy Of public af-
fairs not by encouraging its fullest and rccst express
sion, but by giving TO portion c IL only and by
sitting another and differing portion You under
take in effect, TO declare 10y this discrimination, that
class Of your citizens though perfectly indcpend-
cnt, Sbat regulate the exercise of important of
their rights according TO the form pursued by another
class, the exercise of it shall be Of avail to them
selves Sir wilany Delegate undertake TO declare this
No, sir, viii or dare do it in many words This
community would not brook il from him for moment
lie IN i'm HE vho lioat Inc 40
Of the rich blessing of freedom which he is born would
rise up and resist The proud spirit and the buoyant blood
cf cOuntryncn unfit them for a fettcI: try upon
them, and you will find il the green wthc To- the power of
Sampson. No discrimination between the citizens will
be avowed certainly win be but all the substan-
tial effects of such discrimination TO the subject in
hand may nevertheless be accomplished, and without
structon may be rejected the score Of prccauon on
the plea of deficient evidence II may be urged, that
unacconnpanied in its exercise by suitable openucss
and publicity, IL would be, in high degree. inexpe
dent, hazardous, and unsafe, to adj IL il that it offers
upon IFS face sufficient assurance Of firncssbut
the contrary, offers Of unlarncss and
thorzes the belief in the very Of IL, that il
ycrs over and conceals mistake faschood, and impos
ture and that it intended to and conceal them
Hence it may be argued, that n sound regard n the
public interests requires Of faithful Delegate that
lie should reject such instructions This s the con
cluson. supp0sitious characier-nay, a downright
vilainous character, is first given 30 certain mod,
Of instruction, and then the authority Of it, mat
Ter how pure The individual instances embraced by II
may be-, is questioned and resisted Yoa FIRST make on
Of unfair and deceptive instruction, not upon the
testimony Of facts but upon train Of inference and ge
neral reasoning and then deny obedience it, upon the
ground Of duty and prccauon You will not discrimi