The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1840-07-07

went the whole lAngth of constituting every citizen
II voter do not contend TINT acctdentaL residence
confers the right of suffrage; but that every man
born in this country, who oompliesswith the reg
uldtions established for naturalization, and who
contributes TO the support and defence of the gov
ernment and liberties of the nation, " and is Of n
quiet and peaceable behaviour" is entitled TO that
privilege, whatever otherwise may be his crcum
stances.
also remarked that attempts had been made AN
that those attempts had been, to some extent suc1
cessfil, 10 deprive certain class Of individuals o.
this right; and that among those who were disfra,
chsed were be found soldiers and patriots of The
revolution And now ! ask attention to the facts
Let me observe, however, that Il is not my incn-
ton to mako invidious distinctions between indi-
viduaIs parties. do not assent that either par
ty arc, collectively, either guilty innocent Of
opposing universal suffrage. What do say is this,
| that whoever is opposed 10 it, whoever is unwi-
ling to yield TO everyaIonest and pntrroc citizen
the privilege ofexercisng the right Of freemen it,
unworthy OF place in the government Of a rcrub-
lican and democratic people. lie is disbeever
IN the first article in the republican creed, as pro
mns ated by fathers and acknowledged by Us,
"that all men created equa;' and however
worthy in other respects, however talented he
may pc, or 10 whenever party he may oe"'hS, NC
is utterly disqualified Tor administering a govern.
ment founded on that basis.
That Mr.. Van Buren, dsbeheves It, and is oppos
ed to granting the right Of suffrage to honest
and faithful citizen, is known the world, and
has been so long and 80 well known that it
may appear superhuous to ask attention the fact
Still il is an important one, and one that bears di
rcc,iy upon tho v'al and heading principle of the
| nJ h. ba rod mr.
fTgotson.
II should ne observed in regard to the opinions
! and conduct Of Mr.. Van Buren, in this particular,
that he acted at time and under circumstances
calculated TO call the full ripe. and settled con
victions ofhis mind. 1t was not a Chance opinion
that he offered ltwcs an opinion gwen after full
review of the whole subject in all its bearings,
con uexions and consequences. He discussing
and settling The fundamental principles Of gov
eminent lie was adopting the constitution Of a
republic and that republic his native Slate of
! New York.
| In August, 1921 a convention was assembled IN
Albany to revise and amend tho Constitution of the
State of New York. A proposition was offered
which went very far towards disencunlbrring The
right of suffrage OF property publications; and il
was urged that lift was not adopted, a numerous
class of citizens would he dsfranc hsed and among
them certain snldiars of Tie revoiution-nen who
had Tough, with Montgomery at Quebec, and
I Wayne at Soney Point. These Arguments had
been dwelt upon by General Root from Delaware,
and Mr.. Russell from Erie. Mr.. Van Buren, made
reply as follows:
"He said he felt called on TO make few remarks
in reply to the gentleman from Delaware. Tie oh
| served TINT il evident, and indeed some gen.
| tlemen did disposed disguise il, that
the amendment proposed by the honorable &c n,le-
man rcm Delaware, contemplated nothing short
Of universal suffrage. Mr. Van Burcn did not he
lieve that there were twenty members of that com
mttoe, who, were the bare naked question of uni
versa suffrage put Them would vote in its favor;
and he was sure that its adoption was not expected
and would the views of their constituents
MIR. Van Buren, then replied to a statement made
yesterday by his honorable and venerable friend
from Erie, (Alr Russe,) in relation TO the exclu
sion of soldiers W no had fought 1t Quebec and al
Stoney Point under the banners Of Montgomery
and Wayne. And he felt the necessity Of doing
this because auch cases, urged by such gentlemen
as his honorable friends, were calculated To make n
deep and lasting impression But although a re.
gard for them did honor 10 that gentleman, yet il
was the duty of the convention TO guard against the
admission Of those impressions which sympathy In
individual cases excites, where the law to be en-
acted is Ia have general operation. With reference
TO the OF soldiers. the people of this State
country &had certainly redeemed themselves from
the impuinon that republics are ungratetui. WIN
an he norable berality they had hesow ed the mil ia
nv lands upon them; and To gladden. the evening oi
their days, had provided them with pensions. Few
of those patriots were now living aud OF that few
the number gradually diminishing. In fifteen
wears the grave will have covered all those who
now survive. Was it not then unwise to hazard
n w holesome restrictive revision, lest in itSopera-
lion il might affect these few individuals fora very
short time? He would add moro. His duty
WOULD not permit him to say less.''t g5a
I have made this long cxtrac, from alr Van Blu
ren's remarks upon this subject that tho whole
ground may be- seen, and that every one may be
able TO form correct estimate of his opinions upon
this interesting and vital question: do not com
plain of Mr.. Van Buren, for entertaining them any
moro than would Of the Emperor of Russia He
doubtless has a right to them. But they are al
war with the first principles Of the government
at war with democracy and with human rights
say, and every real democrat and republican mus
say, that the patriot Of the revolution, as wei
as every other citizen, who fights or pays
ought exercise his just and equal right in the Q