The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1840-12-16
For the Republican

.
that The subject Of Free Suffrage" or an ex-
tension Of the privilege, is again in agitation,
and that you have laid your columns open, in
viiing free discussion Of the subjrci; which
am very happy TO see and embrace this OPP
opportunity of stating my VieEs OF it 10 the
public, If you think proper TO insert thes.
have for many years wished TO see This Stale
adopt Constitution, and sincerely hone the
time IS now near at hand when it will he effect
ed. But as various means may be proposed,
some Of which may not be The most amicable,
to effect thai object. will state my ideas of il,
and lei them 60 for ~hsr they are worth.
1 would first propose 10 call a general Con
yenlion Of all the Freeholdcrs, and non,free-
holders" in favor OF adopting Constitution for
this State, and then appoint commuters ia ev-
cry town, TO call on every Freeman, aud take
the names Of all those who will pledge them
selves TO support such measure and il there
is a minority OF them, (Which no DOUBT there
will be) then to make up the deficiency from
amongst the - non-freeholders'' who will Quail.
iy themselves expressly for that purpose, by a
PuiNH"Sc w ohV uOIIdrS
worth Of real estate, or property that will bring
seven dollars per year income. ] think this
might easily be done, from among that sumer-
ous class, said to be three-ffihs OF the popula-
ton of The males 10 this State over 81 years of
age. think when every " FreehoIder'i is
thoroughly advised on this subject. tha,lhe
deficiency will mol require many 10 make a ma
joriiy. Could this be done every Thing would
90 smoothly without civil revolution between
Our,present Lordly Freemen and their vsssals,
and save deal Of time and political scrimony.
But as aPrelihiuary. the'Convention should
agree upon how far this extension Of suffrage is
10 be carried, and d'aw plan off Constitution
for the State for The public 10 examine; so that
every "lreeholder" and non.lree holder" may
make up their minds, whether they will pledge
themselves TO support il or DOT.
As to myself, ] am " Fseshoder," and in
favor of adopting Constitution under certain
restrictions. would do away' with the prvi-
Iece Of promogeniture, or eldest son; | would
have overy male citizen, of 2l years and over.
(paupers, idiots and aliens excep,fd) vote for
General and State officers; l would, have no
man vote on State or town appropriations from
the T.rasury who pays no taxes. lNouId have
Kins Charles 2js Charter bufni by the common
haugman on tho 9TH of Juy l54l, o, by the
next anniversary OF American Independence
fol!o' ing, by all means.
am lor trying al poacea5le ,aeans first, by
the Ballot Box, to effect this object; and shou.d
that fail, (which may God, and every good citj-
zen forbid,) ul,lrn say, "we the People
uiH have Cons, ,urion for this State; and rise
in the majesty oi OF! 81 cngth, form ConstI-
tuition and estab sh n GO.ernHe ~ roG, our own,
admitting all the "ireeholdcrs" favotdbte,to it,
and let The others i've on under their nusty
old Royal Charter. (wirll ut the power TO mo
lest us, however,) until they get tired.of it,
! think We should be sustained in this course
by the Constitution Of our genera! government.
as well as those Of most other States i.tIe L a.
ion; and should think that every true~repub-
licau in this State would feel his face burn with
shame and indignation every time he hears that
old Charter under which we now act. mention
ed with all its pompous and kincly titles.
For what did our forelaIhers fight! Was
it not for Liberty and peuderce--Gor free
dom from he oppression OF British laws. and
Tor The privilege Of making laws for ourselves
Why should we. their descendants, any longer
submit to the British yoke Was this State
excluded from pariakng of the benefits of free
dom for any crime OF our forefaihers il rot.
and on the contrary, VIXEN so many OF on,
revered prosentors spiIt their lest blood TO
obtain it, why then cannot their desc epdanis
enjoy il ia company With our brethren in sister
States Let US then by ono mighty effort
(and not SO mighty either il we 60 the right
way to work atnpt it.) accomplish, our real
Independence as 4 people. and oblitera,e what
has so long been, and is, stigma on every
Rhode Islander in other states. Let us at
once adopt, Constitution and restrict the
power of our lawmakers, more especially as
there is 10 dependence, whatever, 10 be placed
in the present Legislature, For is il not a
palpabls fact, that they have only made laws
by their own convenience. without consulting
only the good. or the wills Of the people
Look at theW sets; and you will fnd them
replet- "kh Inconsistencies, and partial leeis-
ls,ion. Should we any longer live undersurh h
GovernmeD as this lie, every one who
likes to be governed by good and wholesome
laws, answer by their votes at the Ballot Box.
JEFFERSON.