North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1839-05-01

ne energies OF mighty klngcom nave
been wasted in building up the power Of
selfish and ignorant men, and, its resources
squandered for their aggrandzement.
The good OF a party has been advanced
To the sacrifice of the good Of The nation;
the few have governed for the interest Of
the lew; while the interest Of the many
has been neglected, or insolently and iy-
rannously trampled upon.
1t was the fond expectation Of the peo-
pie that a remedy for the greater part, il
no, for the whole, OF their grievances would
be found in the Reform Act, OF 1882.
They were taught to regard that act as
a wise means to worthy end as the
machinry of an improved legislation
the will Of the masses would be at length
potential.
They have been bitterly and basely de-
ceived
The fruit which looked so fair to the
eye, has turned to dust and ashes when
gathered.
The Reform Act has passed a transfer
Of power from one domneering faction to
another, and left the people as helpless as
before.
Our slavery has been exchanged for an
apprenticeship TO liberty, which aggra-
Yates the painful feeling Of our social de-
graduation, by adding to it the, sickenng OF
still deferred hope.
We come before your honorable House
to tell you, with all humility, that this
state Of things must not be permitted 10
continue; that it cannot long continue
| tvithnnt cnr,nnel,, ha
stability Of the throne and the peace Of the
kingdom; and that if, by Gods help and
| all lawful and constitutional appliances, an
end can be put to il, we are fully resolved
that it shall speedily come to an end.
We tell your honorable House, that the
capital Of the master must no longer be
deprived OF its due profit; that the labor OF
the workman must no longer be deprived
Of its due reward; that the laws which
make, food dear, and those which, by maxi
ing money scarce, make labor cheap, mus,
be abolished; that taxation must be made
to fall on property, not industry; that the
good Of the many, as it is the only legli-
mate end, so must it be the sole study Of
the government.
As preliminary essential to these and
other requisite changes; as the means, ny
which alone the interests of the people can
be efiectualIy indicated and secured, we
demand that those interests be confined to
the keeping of the people.
When the State calls for defenders, when
it calls Tor money, no consideration of po-
verify OF ignorance can be pleaded in reins
al or delay Of the call.
Required as we are, universally, to sup.
port and to obey the laws; nature and rea
son entitled us to demand, that, in the max
ing Of the laws, the universal voice shall
be implicitly listened to.
We perform the duties Of freemen; we
must have the privileges Of freemen.
WE DEMAND UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE.
The suffrage, to be exempt from the
corruption of the wealthy, and the VIC
lence OF the powerful, must be secret.
The assertion of our right necessarily
involve the power Of its uncontrolled exer
|cise ''
| We ask for the reality of good, not fo
its sembIance.
WE DEMAND THE BALLOT.
The connection between the representa-
lives and the people, TO be beneficial mus
be intimate.
The legislative and and constituent pow
ers, for correction and for instruction
ought 10 be brought into frequent con
tact.
| Errors, which are comparatively ligh
when susceptible of speedy popular re-
NEEDY, may produce the most dsastrou
effects when permitted to grow invetcrat
through years Of compulsory endurance.
To public safety, as well as public con
tidence. frequent elections are essential.
WE DEMAND ANNUAL PARLIAMENTs.
With power to choose. and freedom il
choosing, the range Of our choice must b.
unrestricted.
We are compelled, by the existing laws
to take for our representatives, men VIII
are incapable oil approaching our Difficult
; ties, or who have little sympathy witt
= them; merchants who have retired from
trade, and no longer feel its harrassngs
proprietors of land, who are alike ignoran
its evils and their cure; lawyers by whom
: the honors of the senate are sought ate
only as means of obtaining notice in IN
, courts.
The labors of representative, who i
sednous in the discharge of his duty, ar
numerous and burdensome.
1t is neither just, nor reasonable, no