Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1840-09-26

undertake the consideration and discussion Of any
subject belonging to our State policy, embody our
sentiments in the shape Of resolutions or petitions
aud in the event Of supposed grievance, present
them to the appropriate State authorities for re-
dress. As citizens Of the United States we are
competent to consider and discuss any subject Of
National policy, and by similar process submit
the result of our declarations if should choose
to do so, to that Department of the Federal Govern
ment which possesses the power TO give us relief.
But in which of these characters, either as citi-
zens of Ohio, or citizens ofhe United States could
we, consistently with the theory and spirit Of the
Constitution, discuss a subject belonging exclu-
sively to any other State!
There are many principles to be found in the con-
situations of some of the States (other than the toll
Grafton of slavery which very much unlike those
of Ohio. The property qualification Of voters for
instance. This is a restriction upon the right of
suffrage to which personally am opposed would
accord this important privilege to every citizen.-
Having ascertained that he u citizen, would
not proceed to- enquire the amount of money he
had in his pocket, or what other species OF proper
ty he might possess. With these sentiments |
might offer for your adoption resolution declaring
that the restricted suffrage in some Of the States
was an arstocratical feature in their systems OF
government and should be abolished Such pro-
position could not fail to create much surprise and
bring 10 the mind of every man in the assembly that
neither in his capacity as citizen Of Ohio nor of
the United States, could he interfere with the peo-
Pile of Massachusetts, Virginia and Louisiana, in
the management of their domestic concerns. Should
be asked if thought that any harm could arise
from such discussion, answer decidedly in the
affirmative. Harm in more ways than one. II
would tend more perhaps than any thing else to
destroy the idea of the perfect individuality and
dstinctness Of the State governments which has
ever been considered one Of the most important
features in system And prepare the minds of
the people for the prostraon of the barriers which
have been erected with much art and care be-
tween the General and State Governments, and
those of the States respectively, and finally lead to
that dreaded consolidation which, in the opinions
of our wsest and best statesmen would be the i'm
mediate precursor of the downfall Of liberty. II
could not fail, also, to impair, if not entirely de-
stroy those feelings Of confidence and affection be-
tween the citizens of the respective States, which
| is the only effectual bond of our Union.
| From the discussion of any question in an alb
stract form, no possible injury could arise.
| conclude with the repetition of my opinion thai
the right of the people to write on, speak on, ant
discuss, any subject which may they deem worthy
Of consideration, and that Of petitionng for the
redress of any thing (which they may consider a
grievance" are secured to them both by the Federal
and State Constitutions and that these rights can
neither be impaired nor restricted The abuse o.
these rights Is no argument for abolishng them
In the forcbe language of the late distinguished
Chief Justice of the United States sit is an evi
inseparable from the good to which it is allied, q
shoot which cannot be stripped from the stalk with
out vitality wounding the plant from which it i:
torn"