Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1842-09-15

eentatlon provided by the constitution, they deem
II que to truth and candor, frankly to declare tina
tnoy cannot sanction any apporiionment of repre-
sentation which is not based on white population
or lite equivalent
No one as yet, in the States Of this union, has
oeen bold enough to avow tho sentiment, that the
accident OF individual wealth should enhance the
political power of persons--so here,cal u senti-
ment would incur universal reprobation. We,
such IL the power and influence of combination,
and the Inherent love of authority, giving di-
rechon and tone TO the opinions OF men, that the
same principle, without censure, may be approved
and applauded by the persons, when oper-
aung oy communities, and at tho same time,
promptly denounced and repudated when brought
into action through the iustrumentaty of iudivid-
uals. This fact is well illustrated by the late his
tory Of our own State. The people residing east
OF the Blue Ridge of mountains, have declared
through their representatives, with almost unan-
NIFTY, that the true basis of representation is pop
ulaton and wealth combined.
=. our Petitioners, would incur little hazard in
The declaration, that am attempt 10 apportion rep
resenta'ion among the counties Of that district,
upon such 4 basis, would be generally, and earn
'estly resisted. But should the Unprecedented at
tempt be made, to apply the same principle to in
dividuals OF the same County, and to apportlon
political power among individuals upon the com
oned basis OF wealth and numbers, it would shock
she moral sense OF the people and if persisted in
would produce such commissions, as hitherto, have
bcen wholly unknown 10 this state, or any other
portion OF this Union. From review of the
whole subject, your Petitioners have reason to
aPprehcnd, that many will be found, who, regard
less of the odous character of the combined basis
OF wealth and numbers, when extended to its le-
Emale results regardless Of its aristocratc ten
oenc'es, and it's total departure from the princi-
pies and genius of Republican Government, as re-
cognized by the States and people of this Union,
whtie protesting the doctrines ofrepublican equal
'iy. Will readily and tenaciousy adhere to that
basis, which assigns to 1000 people west Of the
Diue Ridge OF mountains, the same amount of
political power. which is claimed. and exercised
oy 1900 persons east of that ridge.
our feutoners, calmly, yet firmly declare
tua. they cannot acquiesce, in any constitution
which subjects them TO such political degradation,
ana mat they would hold themselves as unwo, ,hy
TO enjoy the inestinable privileges and rights of
'ree'nen, were they quietly to submit to 20 une-
quail distribution Of power.
our Petitioners object 10 the constitution be.
cause the qualifications it prcscribes for voters are
10 unskiiiuly or neggenily defined, that it seems
almost impracticable 30 ascertain with reasonable
certainty the persons who may be entitled to the
right OF suffrage. In proof Of this, the history of
quo legislature In regard to contested elections,
furnishes HE most ample testimony. IL is well
known that much Of the time OF every lcoisIatpre
IS occupied with animated contests with respect
TO elections, to the exclusion of other and iunor
.An' business at much expense TO the state
rha greatly 70 The prejudice Of the public interest,
members and although almost eyery question
mat can aEse, under the constitution has been the
subject Of consideration and discussion. and has
been decided by the legislature, yet from the con-
'fare'y OF decisions Ia that body the conflicting
opinions oil eminent men in the law, and The inner
ent difficulties of constituting the cons,itu,ion ,,eor
lew OF the questions which arise unon the ouali-
locations oil voters can be received as finally adj
Judged or settled. The consequence is. that the
sieh' OIL suffrage Is uncertain, and mainly depend
mi tnIO Of y
or It's construction and who may be, from time
10 Time, assigned 10 preside at the precincts of
Iheir county. From such causes it NAV well
happen that one class of voters may be rejected at
one precinct and The same class received at anoth-
er precinct of the same county.
The right of suffrage under the constitution NAV
pe subjected to Legislative Invasion and perysr.
'sion. Should the landholders IA, any time get
the ascendency in Tie legislature, and conceive
me design OF eilecting any common purpose by
single enactment, directing the entire revenue TO
DC raised on land, they may limit the right of sua-
rage 10 landed qualification entirely. Should
,"d' shistef purpose, make it necessary, they NAV
fevy revenue from negroes also, and thus conline
the right OF suffrage to the holders of land or ne
groes. This valued privilege NAV thus he ex
tended or withheld at the pleasure of the leoisIa
ture. oy the increase or elimination of the subjects
OF taxation. In times ofhigh politica, excitement,
those who may chance TO have the acsendancy i'm
me councils oil the state, might be tempted to cx-
~'NoS Ho'ii VIC PoiiS, Grass OF voters, who had
rendered themselves obnoxious TO the ascendant
party. A power SO controlling, and SO liable to
hpuse, over the highest and most valued PRIVILEGES
OF the cltlzenought not be confided 10 the eGis
ia'ure, but should be defined with certainty and
precision, and hedged in and amply protected by
the constitution itself.
There is another feature in the constitution in
regard to the right of suffrage which ought not to
be tolerated i'll Republican Government. No
one one should be permitted TO vote in than one
ELECTION District, whether for Congress or mem.
bers OF the General Assembly. This vice in the
constitution has not been regarded as a practical
e'ii IN those parts of the state where the counties
'are large, the Intercourse dfcul,and the election
Pfecincts remote from each other; but in the
heighoorhood of large cities, where the counties
are small, and the facilities for rapid intercourse
eAlst, the intrusion of voters from adioininu conn
ues' may often change the political character of
"hoie county. The principle itSelfis aristocratic
In giving an undue influence to wealth over the
personal rights and liberty of the citizens and
ought therefore TO be abolished i'm every repubIi-
can form of government
Ahere Is one other subject to which yonr Peti-
ohers cannot orbear to invite the attention of the
Eenerai Assembly, and that is the provisions of
'he constitution in regard 10 the election of the
executive branch of the Government. During the
past as well as the present year, the state has
oeen deprived of the services of Governor chosen
10Y the organs Of the Constitution, TO perform The
functions OF that office. 1t is true the Office has
oeen castup other gentlemen BY that instrument.
OUT not on account oiany qualifications they NAV
nave been supposed to possess for that station.
An times OF peace the mischief may be nconsider-
anie, put In time of war, when the state should