The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1844-03-27

4 cratic State OF New damp8hre ~ seeniSs
from their constitution, that ono Of the most inn
portant qualifications is wealth. According to
their " Democracy" the poor should be excluded
from Office, and the rich alone should be allowed
to enjoy it's benefits. Not satisfied, either, with
this odous property qualifications Notwithstanding
the flourish in their bill Of rights about the lber-
ty of conscience, when carrying out their Demo-
cratic notions in their constitution, they exclude
from office those who are not Of the Protestant
| religion. This kind Of = Democracy" may suit
the people of New Hampshire, but assure you,
sir, it would not suit the people whom represent.
1t is kind of Democracy which we do not desire.
1t does appear to me, Mr.. Speaker, that the gem
tleman from New Hampshire had better blot this
stain from the constitution of his own State, be-
fore he attempts to interfere with the institutions
| of other States. isa s5a it3p4i liffe
| sions upon different subjects in this House to
refer to the opinions and actions Of prominent
political men in relation to such subjects. shall.
upon this occasion, refer to the opinions and votes
| of Martin Van Buren, upon the right of suffrage,
about which so much has been said during this
debate. He is the chosen champion Of Democ-
racy, under whose banner the faithful about to
rally in the political contest now about common
cling, and it may not be amiss to examine his
claims to the title Of " Democrat"
In 1921, convention was held in the State Of
New York, for the purpose of amending the con-
stitution Of that State. Martin Van Buren, was
member Of that convention, and participated,
| throughout, in its deliberations. The question
as to how far the right of suffrage should be ex-
tended, was one which occupied much attention.
and elected considerable debate. A portion Of
the convention desired that the right Of suffrage
should be extended to every white male citizen
Of the State, above the age Of twenty-one years.
| This was warmly opposed by Mr. Van Buren,,
who contended for restricted suffrage. 1t has
been denied by Mr.. Van Buren's friends, that he
opposed universal suffrage in that convention,
| and am happy on this occasion to have It in my
power to present authentic evidence Of his course,
which will not be denied by his friends in this
House. will read some extracts from his
speeches, which may be found in report Of the
proceedings and debates of the convention, be-
| longing to the Congressional Library, and which
| have now before me and / challenge contra
diction from any gentleman upon this floor, OF the
i correctness Of the extracts which shall read
On page ia may be found the following:
.Mr N Sanford from the committee appointed to con-
slider the right Of suffrage, and the qualifications Of per-
be elected reported That the committee having
considered the subjects referred to them the
following amendments to the constitution, to wit:
Every white male citizen of the age Of twenty-one
years, who shall have resided in the State six months
next preceding any election and shall within oRe year
preceding the election have paid any tax assessed
upon him. SHALL within year preceding the cleo
ton, have been assessed to work public road and
shall have performed the work assessed upon him. or
shall have paid equivalents in money therefor accord
ing to law, SHALL within oneyear preceding the cleo.
ton, have been enrolled in the militia of this State, and
shall have served therein according law, shall be emit
he shall reside for Governor Lieutenant Governor, Sen
ators members Of the Assembly, and all other officers
| who are, or may be. elective by the people"
"WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10.
aMr Sanford moved that the convention go into COM
mittee Of the whole his report relative TO the right of
suffrage and Mr. N. Williams was called to the chair
See page l7S ..;.;,, H., !. :, ...,o, -
gpay reported by the committee, Mr. Jay moved that
i the word Unite DO striken out. Page 100.
The question striking out the word Ehite was then
taken by ayes and noes and decided in the affirmative
as follows: " Ayes So, Noes 81 Among the yeas is
corded the name Of MIR. Van Buren,. Page 400.
ways" Page 275
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 81.
Seen. Tamadge withdrew his motion of yesterday TO
strike out the words on the hghways and offered the
immediately preceding the elections have rented
therein Of the yearly value of five dollars and shall
have been rated and paid highway tax either by labor
The following is extracted from the debate on
| this notion
"Gen. Tallmadge explained, at length his views
in making the motion he had yesterday submitted and
the reasons which had induced him withdraw and Of
fer the amendment which he had Just presented to the
committee He took occasion say that he was opposed
| to universal suffrage. asa 50as
"Gen. Root said, the amendment Of the gentleman
from Duchess providing for the Acknowledgement Of
class Of citizens The renting Of tenements
had become odous the people, and led 70 many auds
He enlarged upon the remarks of the gentleman from
Niagara, Mr Russell) who mentioned two instances in
his town where two revolutionary patriots and solders
Of whom foughr with Montgomery under the walls
Of Quebec and the other under Wayne at Stocsy Point
would be dsfunchsed if this provision stricken out
"Mr. Van Buren, felt himself called ON to make few
remarks in reply to the gentleman from Delaware He
observed that it was evident and indeed some gentlemen
did disposed to disguise it. that the amendment
proposed by the honorable gentleman from Delaware,
contemplated nothing short Of universal suffrage Mr.
" b. did not believe that there twenty members OF
that committee who, were the bare naked question Of
universal suffrage put 70 them, would vote in Its favor,
and he was very sure that its adoption expected
and would not meet the views Of their constituents
Mr.. Van Buren, thenroped 70 statement maae yes
terday hyhis honorable and venerable friend from Erie
Mr Russell IN relation TO the exclusion Of soldiers who
nes Of montgomery and Wayne. And he felt the
sy Of doing this because such urged by such gen.
Al - Il