Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1848-03-29

the world! All was patriotism and all was paper
and with patriotism and with paper it went out on
the 9TH ofNlay, admitting itself to be, all must
regard it, a contemplate Skam!~
have now done with the principles involved in
this case.
In regard to the other case, / have but few words
to say. And first, think it is to be regretted tina,
The court below sent up such list of points on
which it was divided. shall not go through them,
and shall leave it 10 the court TO say whether after
they shall have disposed of the first case there is
anything left | shall only draw attention to the
subject of martial law and in respect to that, in
stead OF going back TO martial law as it existed in
England, at the time the charter of Rhode Island
was granted, shall merely observe that martial
law confers power of arrest, ofsummary trial, &c.:
and that when 1t has been proclaimed, the land be-
comes camp, and the law of the camp is the law
Oh me land Judge Story defines martial law to
DC tho law OF war,-a resort TO military authority
b IN cases where civil law is not sufficient and il
coniers summary power,-not TO be used arbitrari-
~, Tor the qualification OF personal feelings of
hred or revenge but for preservation Of order and
OF The public peace. The officer clothed with il is
to Judge of the degree of force that the necessity of
the case may demand and there is no limit to this
except such as is to be found in the nature and cha
racter Of thetexigency
ROW take leave Of this case. That it is an in
Ieiosnae ncident in the history OF our institutions
-t lree,y admit That 1t has come hither is sub
seen nothing to complain Of in the proceedings of
what is called the charter government of Rhode Is
land, except that 1t might have discreetly taken
measures nj esriy period for revising the consti-
tuition. II in that delay it erred, it was the error
INTO which prudent and cautious men would fall
AS 20 the enormiiy Of freehold suffrage, how long
Is 1t since Virginia, the parent of the States gavo
up her freehold suffrage? How long is it since
DtuIf
freehold qualification? There are now States in
which no man can vote for members of the upper
branch OF the Legislature who does not own fifty
acres OF land Every State requires more or less
cl property qualification in its officers and cleo
tors and ii is for discreet legislation TO determine
what its amount shall be. Even the Dorr consti-
tuition had Z property qualification. According to
IT'S provisions, for officers of the State to be sure
any body could vote; but its authors remembered
that taxation and representation 90 together, and
therefore they declared that in any town,
should vote 10 lay tax for town purposes who
had not the means to pay his portion. it said to
him you cannot vote in the town Of Providence, 10
levy tax Tor repairing the streets Of Providence;
but you may vote for governor and for thirteen re-
personalities from the town of Providence and send
them to the legislature, and there tax the people OF
Rhode Island at their sovereign will and pleasure
| believe that no harm can come OF the Rhode
Island agitation OF 1871 but rather good Ii will
clear the political atmosphere of some of its noxious
Insis, and hope IL will clear mems minds from
some unounded notions and delusions | hope i.
will bring them 10 look at the regularity, the order
with which we carry on what, il the word were
not so much abused | would call our glorious re-
preventative system Of popular government. liz
principles will stand the of this crisis as they
have stood the test and torture Of others They
are exposed always, and they always will be ex-
posed to dangers. There dangers from the ex-
remeS Ot too much and TOO little popular liberty
This always will be the case The classical ma
vigator had been told that TO must pass narrow
and dangerous strait -
"Dextrum Soylla latus, luyum impcate Cha
~ bds, Obsidct''-
Forewarncd he was alive to his danger, and
knew by signs not doubtful, where he was when
he approached It's scene
''I:t gcmitum ingeniim pelagi, pulls ataque saxa
AudimuS ionge, iraeiaslrc al littora yoces;
g NimirGnl h;ec lila Chary bdis :"
The long seeing sagacty CT our fathers enables
as TO know where we are when VIC hear tho voice
created by numbers meeting and acting without the
restraints Of law, and has most wisely provided con.
means Of escape and security. The prl-
dence OF tho country, the sober wisdom of the peo-
pie, has thus FAR enabled to carry this consiiiu-
ton, and all our constitutions through the perils
which have surrounded them, without running up
on the rocks eithor side. And trust that il
will continue and that our children after US will
exercise similar prudence and wisdom and Jus
tce, and that under the Divine blessing they NAV
continue 10 go Or, with equal prosperity, TO The end
Of time