The Ohio Democrat. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1840-1900, 1844-04-11


which govern them or the will OF him or them who
makethela laws Such a people may bear, in their ex'
terpal form; the mageof their Maker for time, but
have the soul of Balaams ass; and in time will become
asses both in soul andbody Amonarchy and an aris7
tocracy may both assume representative character BY
delegation Of the prerogatves oflaw making law ad
Indication, and law execution whichis most generally
the case in extensive monarches and arisocraces but
representative chahgedoes notchange the character OF
the government il only operates to the ease Of themon
arch holding an arsocracy; noltothe
reefor enfranchsement Of the people Those who're
ceive the delegation ofsuoh perogatTes are the repre-
sentatives of the original power and tits hisw power
andinerests they are bound to promote notthe inter
ests Of fthepeope. Anditis most generally the case
that representative monarches and afisocacies aehe
most oppressive ofall governments they ncreasetaxa-
lion and oppress slmore by means ofcolectonr with
out in any particular eevatng the character condi
tion ofihe subject But | have neither time nor space
10 pursue the investigation in deta issufcient say
they are boh1heir nature and practical operation, cal
cuated looppress the subject, and are worse than no
government would prefer anarchy; would rather
die in defence ofmy natural rights, than live slave.
A republican government Irepeat is government of
the people, Thepeople and the government in poit-
ica sense, are the same i have:sadin all republics,
alpoltica peregatives belong to people hisis lit
eally}true. Thougkeur goverEment is representa-
tive democracy yeallpowe is the hands ofthe peo
ple aud errepresentaives are but their agents bound
bytheir will responsible TO tem and removable their
will 1t was impossible, at the commencement, that
ours could be any thing hut Representative democracy
our population was too great and our territory was too
wide spreado admit Of a simple democracy The fra
mers 5feur government were compelled to give US re-
pTesentatlve democracy that is, 10 authorize us TO ap
point agents to dothat for us which we according the
fundamental prncipe democracy should have done
ourselves Our ancestors in the formation of our gov
eminent, provided the means by which we shouldfap-
point our agents, The power and means by which we
appoint our political agents or representatives is called
the elective franchise. To define all our free institu
tions Which make upour proud and glorious political
fabrc is foreign to my yPesenpurpose nordoes the sup
ror Of the present bill require such range There is
one Of our free institutions which propose very briefly
10 discuss mean the elective franchise. That's one
which Of all others demands our attention. Our consd>
grafton, and our especial guardianship Of all our
proud Institutions thatis the proudes Of all free ns,
lions that isthe most valuable 1t Is the soul and body
oiourTepublic tits the basis OF our political fabric il
is the foundation oa our free institutions. Destroy it,
and our government loses itsname and all our free in
stitutons are annihated They become in an instant
part ofthe dust Of other republics and with them,
must be numbered among the things that are not The
elective franchise Is not only the arch Of our own ant
every caterpillar temple oflbery, but it is the
rule BY which freedom is measured forjust in proper
lion othe exercise the elective franchise so are any
people free and sovereign Freedom and the electiv
Z franchise aresynonomousterms and handmaidens. Th
ronehas no abiding place wiihoutthe other TheywalI
hand in nand together, they live together they dNose
er. The framers ofour government were so conscious
the vast importance ofthe elective franchise that hel
Intervene tinthe political institutions OF our country
in such amanner not be destroyed withou
bringing ruin upon all others Our ancestors had ;
right oexpecttbaihs franchise, which was purchaset
with the blood thousands, and with the treasure
millions wohld be appreciated as archl legacy wout
never squandered They had right to suppose tina
those moral political and patriotic obligations and sa
cred covenants which descended upon their postery
would forever be secure guaranty against all niova
tions upon thatsacred Institution They had right
suppose hatno son oftheirswoud be 50 prodigal anc
reckless astosquander thatlegacy which was toprovd
peace happiness, freedom and independence tomilion
and for all time They had a right to hope that n
wretchwoud be found base enough to corrupt thatfran
ehise upon whose purity depended the duration ofalh
free institutions purchased with their blood and thei
treasure. But not cohten1eith that hope 10 indulge
not conteht with lbe obligations patfiosmupon hos
who wereto nheritthe rich legacy teistoil they su
.uersededreligiolan morality They ntefwove, ihih
official duties Of who were TO hayethe safe keepin
of dc elective franchise solennoat They require
The heindvidual whom choice or the lawwss to selectt
guard The purity elective franchise, 10 appear
he throne OF the Judge Of living and the dead, an
in His presence and His name bind themselvest
permit ACKNOWLEDGEMENT diootolre lreadupon thatsscredf fra
chise Suchis the vaue Of The elective franchise an
4 "A.