Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1850-08-01
STATE MISUNDERSTANDING De
pARTMENT

PARTMENT.
We now come to the Legislative Department.
and shall present our views under the following
heads: lst the Right of Suffrage. ID the basis
Of Representation, and 80. the duties Of the SEN
ate.
RiGnr or SurrRAGE.--The object Of legisla-
ton is 10 encourage industry aud protect its fruit.
Hence, the doctrine, that the people form the
grand source, from which power should now.-
The interests of the people are all comprehended
in the protection of their power 10 labor and the
fruits Of that power when employed. II is for
THIS reason, that the basis Of suffrage should be
the possession Of some interest requiring protec-
ton. The present qualifications OF the voter,
rests in some degree, upon this basis, but not
withstanding the law, defining the qualifications,
Is obscure, and needs much remodclling. As
The law now stands, all white male citizens, over
twenty one years Of age, possessing freehold 10
the amount Of S2j, are entitled 10 vote. This
qualification is small enough and might, with all
proprletv, be increased moderately, Every yo-
ter should pay tax, and that tax should entite
him 10 vote. The principle Is obvious. A tax
must be levied upon some property, IN the actual
possession OF the individual paying it, and from
the holding OF which he derives some bencii -
This tax government levics for protection of
property. which II cannot afford without incur
ring expenses it, Therefore, lcyicS "A tax proper
uonablc to the amount Of property requiring pro-
tcchon.
Government is the entering into of a com
pact, by which the people agree to abide Ger
tain regulations and laws, made in a prescribed
form, which regulations and laws are designed to
protect the people. In order that government
shall SubscIyc these ends, ii has been deemed
wise and expedient 10 constitute the people the
source of power, and To cndow them with the
power TO name those agents, who shall make all
provisions for proper regulation OF government,
this power forms the Right of Suffrage
Now the question is, shall those who pay moth
ing INTO the State Treasury be entitled TO vote
The fact that they pay nothing to the State is
proof that they have nothing to project, conSe-
quently they have no interest at stake. II is re-
Piled To this that it is one of the objects of gov
eminent 10 protect life. Admit this reply, to the
enjoyment of any force and we will be run into
a most fatal talacy. Every creature has life. The
maniac has life the unatc has life, the infant has
life But our defence is not based upon this re-
ply. L'ie is a common principle, and the man
with or without property, enjoys IT alike; there
can be no possible distinction IN the protection OF
life. The man OF property is interested in the
protection Of life, his child has life, his dependent
life. and, as a natural consequence life will re-
ceyc, at his hands, full and competent proicc-
Ion.
III Is sad, That make The paying OF re vcnuctaX
one of the qualifications for vote Is maknga dis
uneton in favor oflhe payer of taxes II is the re-
cognition OF distinction, bat not the making of
one. The distinction is made by the parties
themselves. The tax IS upon an amount of prop
crty within the limits OF every industrious, eco
-, nomlcal man reach. lie prudenlly, wisely and
economically, saves bis earnings, converts them
/ INTO that form, winch either adds to his ease OF
i yields him revenue. But a man of different char.
acter, ahors but little, saves less The law gives
the first man vote to the last refuses one In 9th
or words, both men come before the Government
The one points 10 his labor, and the Government
decides that he, having been prudent in the man
agcmcnt OF his own affairs, is entitled to a voice
IN the affairs OF government. The other has moth
ing to point TO, and the government SAYS, since
you have done nothing fer yourself it is not rea-
y sonable that you will do any thing for me- The
, distinction is made made by the man, and onl,
y recognized 10y the Government.
% The Government, by recognizing the distinc
= ton, which men choose 10 make between them
selves, is making IFS influence rebound TO the en-
II couragemcnt OF industry and the cautious hns
If handry OF the effects of industrial effort This i
wise step. II encourages industry, gives TO tho
, industrious standing calculated to animate hin
aud stimulate the young. What, then is the re
a suit The people grow more plentiful in posses
t SONS, they become more prosperous, consequent
II " more happy and contented. In short, govern
ment is efccting IFS aim by the RECOGNITION an,
J. adoption of principle. There are other ant
strong arguments in support of our theories, I,
which we may, in future, alude