Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-09-17

tional policy, and by similar process submit
the result OF our deliberations, if we should
choose to do so. to that Department of the
Federal Government which possesses the
power to give us relief. But i'm which Of
these characters, either as citizens of Ohio,
or citizens Of the United States, could we,
consistently with the theory and spirit of the
constitution, discuss u subject belonging ex-
clusively to any other State
There are many principles to be found
III the constitutions of some of the States
(other than the liberation of slavery,) which
are very much unlike those of Ohio. The
property qualifications Of voters for instance.
This is restriction upon the RICH, of suffrage
to which personally am opposed | would
accord this Important privilege to every citi-
zen. Having ascertained that he was cit-
zen, would not proceed to enquire the a.
mount money he had in his pocket, or what
other species of property he might possess.
With these sentiments l might offer for your
adoption resolution declaring that the re-
stricted suffrage in some Of the States was an
aristocratical feature in their systems of gov
eminent, and should be abolished. Such a
proposition could not fail to create much sur
Prise and bring to the mind of every man i'm
theassembly that neither in his capacity as Il
citizen of Ohiono of the United States, could
| uCih.SiiSie Win 'ie Pcopte Oh massachusetts.
Virginia and Louisiana, i'll the management
| oil their domestic concerns. Should be ask
ed if thought that any harm could arise
from such discussion, answer decidedly in
the affirmative. Harm in more ways than
one. 1t would tend more perhaps than any
thing else to destroy the idea Of the perfect
individuality and distinctness of the State
Governments, which has ever been consider
ed as one ct the most important features in
our system and prepare the minds of the
people for the prostration ofthe barriers which
have been erected with so much art and care
between the General and State Governments.
and those Of the States respectively, and f.
nally lead to that dreaded consolidation which.
in the opinions of our wisest and best states
men, would be the immediate precursor of the
downfall of liberty. 1t could not fail, also, to
impair, II not entirely destroy those feelings
OF confidence and affection between the CHI
Zens of the respective States, which is the
only cffcctual bond of our Union.
From the discussion of any question i'm an
abstract form, no possible injury could arise.
conclude with the repetition of my opinion
that the right of the people to write on speak
on, and discuss, any subject which they may
deem worthy of consideration, and that of pc
tltioning for the redress of any thing switch
they may consider grievance" are secured
to them both by the Federal and State Con
stitutions. and that these rights can neither be
impaired nor restricted. The abuse of these
rights is no argument for abolishing them.-
In the forcibe language of the late dstin-
gulshed Chief Justice of the United States ii
us an evil inseperable from the good to which
II Is allied, shoot which cannot be stripped
from the stalk without vitality wounding the
plant from which il is torn.''