The Illinois free trader. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1840-1841, 1840-10-09
NUMBER 81,


the apprehension that the persons en-
ployed in the manufactures which now
were, or which, in the progress Of time,
might be established among us, would
be influenced by their employers. So
far as it respected the question before the
committee, said Mr.. V. B., it was sufi-
cient answer to the argument that, if they
were so influenced, they would be en-
listed on the same side, which it was the
objection Of the amendment to promote,
on the side Of property. II Motif they
were independent Of the influence of their
employers-they would be safe deposito-
ries of the right. For no man, surely,
would contend that they should be de-
prived of the right of voting on account of
their poverty, except so far as it might be
supposed to impair independence, and the
consequent purity of the exercise of tina.
invaluable right,
"The honorable gentleman from Alba
NY (Mr. Spcncer) had next directed thei.
attention to the borough elections Of Eng
land, as evidence Of the consequences
which might be expected from the nom
adoption of his amendment. Mr.. v. B.
said he could rot, in his view oil the SUBJ
Ject, OH the most mature reflection, have
selected an argument better calculated TO
prove the amendment unwise and impro.
per. than this one, on which the gentle
man mainly relied for its support. What,
sir, said he, was the cause Of the corrup-
tons which confessedly prevail in tina,
portion of the representation in the Par
lament of Great Britain? Was it the
lowness of the qualification of The cleo
tors, in comparison with the residue of
the country? No. In many of the bor-
onghs freehold qualification was reouir-
ed in most that they should be burgare
holders; and in all, that they should be
frecmen, paying scot and LOT. Compare.
said MIR. V. b., these qualifications, with
those required in Westminster, and i,
will be found that the lowest of the for
mer are equal to the latter. 1t could not
be necessary for him to say, that if the
will OF the people prevailed in any elec-
ton in England-if patriotism and public
spirit was sure to find its appropriate re-
ward any where in that country, it was at
the Westminster elections. The qualiii-
cations of the electors. therefore. were
not the cause. except in some instances
where the election was confined to few
as, for instance, 10 the mayor and COM
mon council of borough. But will
tell you sir, said Mr.. V. H., what is the
cause! 1t is because the representation
IN question Is representation of things,
and not of men: it is because it is attach
cd to territory, to village or town,
without regard to population-as by the
amendment under consideration it is al.
tempted here to be attached to territory.
and to territory only. Suppose, for
moment that the principles on which the
report of the select committee is based,
and which the amendment opposes,
should be applied to the representation
in the Parliament of Great Britain-that.
instead of her present representation, it
should be apportioned among all their
subjects who contribute TO the public bur-
dens' Would you hear any complaints
in that country on the subject Of their
rotten boroughs No, sir; but, on the
contrary, that reform in Parliament would
be at once obtained, for which the friends
of reform in that devoted country have 20
long contended, and which they probably
never will obtain, except 10 use the lam
guage of the gentleman from Albany at
the poin, Of the bayonet. He could not,
therefore, but think that the Illustration
resorted to by the honorable mover of the
amendment, was most unfortunate to his
argument, nor ought he to withhold his
thanks for the suggestion.
IF he could possibly believe, added
Mr.. V. H., that any portion of the calamit-
Gus consequences could result from the
rejection Of the amendment, which had
been so feelingiy portrayed by the honor
able gentleman from Albany, (Mr. Ken,.l
and for whom he would repeat the ac-
acknowledgement! Of his respect aud regard.
he would be the last man in society who
would vote for il. Blu, believing, as he
conscientiously did, tina, those fears were
altogether unloundcd, hoping and expect
ing that the happiosi results would follow
from the abolition of the freehold qualifiS
cation, and hoping, too, that caution and
crcumspecuon would preside over the
settlement of the general right Of suffrage,
which was hereafter 10 be made, and
knovino b,sides that this STATE in obo-