Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1851-05-06
sPEEGEE OF MIR. FAULKNER.


The structure OF a representative republic.
there were but two modes 10 which you
can give any eifectual protection 70 pro-
perry.
lst. in dcfiee or positire poger Of pro.
lection By restricting the right of suffrage
10 those who are the owners Of property.
II this is not deemed expedieni then
End. II defensive pover Of protection by
limitations embraced 10 The constitution,
withholding from the agents created by
universal suffrage, the power 10 iniure or
Cypress The interest Of property.
said that an examinations OF all the con.
s,itu,ional systems Of which we have any
account 10 hisiory-whethcr in ancient or
modern times-demonsirate the fact tha,
where the end to be accomplished--;s not
sectional power-but bona .jidc, the pro-
lection OF property, they are the only
modes known 10 the wisdom and experi.
ence Of mankind. and dehed the pro-
duction OF any accredited fact in which
II had ever otherwise, been efeciuaIly
done.
| endeavored to show that as rsDresea-
tdfion is but the product OF suffrage, il
must Of necessity. conform in all It's quail
ties and characteristics, TO the source from
which it emanaies. II it springs from a
suffrage restricted to the owners oil proper
ty it will have in il all the elements con-
sentative OF property. II ii springs from
system which rejects a. the very source
Of power all regard 10 the influence ofpro-
perry, it matters not in what form you
may subsequently attempt TO infuse il as
positive element into your government,
the attempt must be vain, idle and deu-
sive. These are propositions which il,
would strike me, ought to command the
assent Of every gentleman who reflects
upon the organization OF Government
endeavored further TO show, that by
the universal concession o! every gentle.
man who bad yet addressed this body, II
was lis purpose and determination, TO re-
ject all property qualification upon the
right Of suffrage, and that property and
power being thus divorced at the polls
could never again be reunited as an &C
tive element IN our representative system.
II then, property requires any protec-
ton in the commonwealth OF Virginia by
your organic law. IN what form can you
afford il that protection?
Maniiesiiy you can do it only by that
defensive armor, which is to be found in
wise and wholesome limitations upon the
powers of those agents who may be en-
trusted with the exercise OF the powers OF
government.
This, sir, is the system which | advo-
ca,e--it is the system which met the ap-
proval of my intelligent constituency IN
the month OF August last, and which l
feel instructed 10 maintain upon this floor.
The gentleman from Halifax (Mr Ed
MUNDs) the other day, over and over again
repeated the remark. that the east did not
want power--al that it desired was pro
teciion-some defensive armor to guard
its interests from injury and oppression.
Mr.. EDMUNDs. The gentleman mis-
understands me perhaps. We do not ask
for the power OF aggression through repre-
sentation, but the power of protection,
through representation in the constitution.
Mr.. Faulkner. Iperiecty understood
the gentleman from Halifax. He dis
claimed that he wanted power for the
sake OF power-what he wanted was pro-
lection.
Mr.. EDMuNDs. BY representation.
Mr.. FAULKNER. Undoubtedly the
gentleman is seeking what he calls pro-
lection, through representation. Bot is it
not power, and not protection that he is
really in pursuit OH If protection as an
end, be all that he really seeks--if de.
fensve armour be all that he really desires
against any assault upon the interests CT
his people, propose to afford that defen-
sive armour, propose to extend 10 him
a protection that Will be eifectual, aud in a
form which cannot be impaired OF dsiur-
bed without the concurrence Of his consti-
tuents or those in whom they repose con-
fdence. as5
Sir, whatever may be the views of other
gentlemen. regard the system OF limiia.
tons as amongst the highest and most
valuable advances made in the science OF
government. 1t is in this, that the supe-
ror excellency of our Institutions is exhi-
bited over the celebrated republics of an.
cient days. II is only in comparatively
recent times, that the true scope and Just
limits of government seem to have been
perfectly understood, or ii understood, thai
they have been made to conform rightly
TO their legitimate purposes. Sir, the true
object OF government is Proiecilon-pro-
lection TO the persons and property of lis
people. It's highest duties ere Of deten'
sive character. To gnsrd the citizen
against violence and fraud, aud to secure
10 him the undsturbed enjoyment OF the
fruits Of his enterprise and labor. II is no
great parens patrr~-no Zee simple owner
OF the soli-no proprietor OF the property
of the State, to collect adj lQ6itam in the
shape OF taxes and TO distribute a, its dis
cretion in the shape of appropriations, its
bounties over The commonwealth. Ii best
performs lis functions by abstainipg from
all interference with the labor and proper
ty Of individuals; and that government IN
my Judgment is best. which is least seen
and felt in the pursuits OF life.
Sir il there be any one fact more than
another which satisfies me of the capacity
Of man tor self government -ofais fitness
10 fulfil the high destiny which awaits him
on this continent--of his growing aud IN
creasing improvement in political science
lit is tie number and character Of those
limitations upon the powers Of govern
menl which experience is every day dis