The Ohio Democrat. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1840-1900, 1842-04-28

siden OF the UnIled States' X
2nd. He may, on complaint Of any two
lreehoders be compelled to quit the State at
twenty -four hours warning; and If he refuse,
he may be flogged at the public whipping post,
aud the town council may b,nd him out to SER
vice FIR one gear, TO any citizen Of the Unit
ed States! And every tavern keeper, or any
person who shall keep stranger, or allow a
friendly Vsiler 10 stay week in his house,
w,thou, Notifying these bashaws Of the town
councll, 60 that lhev may turn him ou, if they
will, Is liable to fine! Aud thus The rights of
home Of large portion of The people depend
upon the mere caprice Of the town council,
Sd. He Is taxed for his personal estate; is
compelled per form mi aatys6un; is enroll
ed among the ftemen; and yet he has no vote
in any instance. But he is spared The duty of
a juror, because the law expressly provides
that he ls not competent to SIT in inquest be-
tween man and man, unless he be land
holder.
4,h. None but andholders can have access
to the courts of justice, unless they present
themselves endorsed by fteehOders; and none
but lanOhoders can become bail. But the ver-
lest vagsbond upon earth, he possess Free
hold estate Of The value Of one hundred and
thirty four dollars, or if he be the edes, son
of (reeholder, may become bail, vote, and
have access 10 the courts.
Theee are very slight specimens Of the laws
the Isndholders have made affecting The rights
Of non-freeholders. The whole system is as
marked between the Two classes az was The
line between the Spartans and their helois.
And the practice has confolmed 10 the spirit
Of these disgusting laws.
The people have borne this system of sla-
very for more than half century. IN hope
thai relief would coma from the Isndholders
themselves. but they have ever retained their
exclusive power with a tYranl's grasp. Re-
peated attempts have been made TO frame
constitution. But none but Iandhoders could
choose delegates, and lhev always preset-
we'd the odous feature Of landed qualification
and prmogenItCre.
The people at last took the matter into their
own hands assembled pesheabIy and formed
a constitution, which was submitted TO the
people for their approval and adopted by a
large majority. including even the landhold-
ers. The andhoders who had before denied
all rights TO the majority. now became alarm
ed for The uSurped powers they had so long
held. and affected 10 grant privileges 10 lhe
people, as king John did when he granted the
Magma Cbsrra, that otherwise would have
been wresled from him.
Thus The corporators the minorIv who
have hitherto given 10 the people OF Rhode
. Island hastenec therefore. 10 get up on their
part, q Constitution extending partially the
right Of suffrage, but still occurring 10 one
third Of the community, political power over
The other two. This ameIioraled form Of Cos
vernment was submitted TO the people, and
was rejected by majority, even of those
permitted to vote under The new legislative
franchise conceded by The privileged party.
THE result Of these tests OF the will of the CONS
munilv Is conclusive as 10 these points.
l. On all hands the charter Cove rnment is
given up. Those enjoying its peculiar pri-
vlleges have, in exeriiDg the legislative au-
thorlty which they claim as sovereigns under
it, felt the necessity Of surrendering It,
They have given proof Of this in the creation
of The new constitution, which was offered by
them TO, and rejected BY, the majority Of the
voleiS.
2. The Peoples Constitution has had
triple confirmation. 1t was adopted by a vast
majority Of the written and recorded suffisges
of the free cltInens of The State, who, ac~
cording 10 all the principles Of The American
Confederacy, have legal righ, 10 AID in the
establishment of The Republican Government,
which the union guarantees! 1t was also a
dop,ed by The votes of a majority Of the free.
hold voters, who are entitled 10 sufftage under
the charter-and a third sanction was indi-
reclly given to in The vote Of The majority
against The constitution originating with the
gLegsature, which constitution was present.
ed as the alternative Of that previously adopt
ed BY the people.
The Leg rsature me, last week TO count the
votes and declare the result. They were in
no good temper, and proceeded 10 pass law
Of such description, TO pul down The peo-
pIe's Constitution. This measure we'll de-
serves The title of Russian or an A|gerIne
cdict. II makes The blood Of every Repub.
licau who values the principles Of American
liberty, tingle in his veins, and has etfeCiual-
" reused in the State the spirit Of 76'. This
law punlshes with fine and imprisonment all
who preside al The peoples meetings for the
choice # officers under their constitution as
therein prescribed, and all who suffer them
/ selves TO be named as candidates.; and it con
signs 10 perpetual Imprisonment all persons
wbo are elected and act. The desgn 10 TO