Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-06-06
,''Thc Richmond papers, especially the "hls) are re
cues ted To copy.
REMARKS OF MR.. BENJAMIN RUSH FLOYD,
on THE RIGHT or SUFFRAGE,

(Deiesred IN the Firginia Reform State tonrsn:i0a0
understood the gentleman from Hardy. Mr. Seymour to
say he regarded payment assessed against me
citizen the highest most honorable and best evidence m could
give of permanent common interest III ana attachment
To the community regard ii, Mr. Chairman ns the lowest
eanrst the least honorable criterion by which t worn! I"
The citizen Judged II proof the wealthy traitor may
readily give whilst the poverty ol the patriot may prevent h
from iurding il. that man moral worth
shall be ruaged his money The payment Of taxes Is
proof the possession ol property aonc and nothing more
have observed when the burtens OF government are 70 DC
borne there is perfect equality ot night but when lis
privileges be distributed when It's inn"ics are 10
be enjoyed when lis blessings 10 be dllsed non: but
the money dealers deemed worthy OF consideration
hen roads are be Constructed DO not exclude tc
labor Of those who have not paid their taxes hhcn militia
nv duy required you ask he has pad MS taNes
When dangers threaten, when rel war RACES when The
fidelity the brave is necessary, when The hand ot te pa
ol and the head OF the statesman are required you 90 not
ask the deserving ii he has paid his ax Then SIR the 'lal
not the money is sought for. We have all witnessed i'c
aacry with which of all conditions OF HE sep i"f
ward 10 serve the country when there Is need :" service
When the flag Of the State lately un!ued ana III: pco'
pie called 10 peril ic in ccnc" I" tncr country! m
eress and lis honor who rallied 10 il! IL was the needy
the INDECENT, the brave and the patriotic mo men en-
qucd had their taxes been fai VINO measured Tie chEa'
city of the soldier by the aona o! his tax tcHet When
Mr. Chairman when will SiTgnia dircst herself oi 'ls %
socc and unworthy idea, tina, money m"> 'r men. IL
ingraned, part and parcel OF The poicil teachings
OF some gentlemen ought |" be permitted |" en-
ov the blessings Of civil liberty unless he has wtalih-a
thing that he may gain to-day and lose c-m1rF"w. Nhsn
sir shall appeal the moral and intellectual iGnli.
tns ynap nont5 iSaaru lin TIL tAas 4 safe 10
to lift him Il, dignity Of free citizen -! tree and wise
uovernn.t When shall We learn that man can only be
wisely and securely dealt WITH when appeal 10 his al
ctionsw cultivate his social relations, ana chain
his heart by The ties OF elevated devotion 10 his country
and his country! Cannot the humble man love The State
with the same HIGH pure, noble dsntsested and generous
affection if he worth millions? Can lie not 1--we for
he die :ur the Republic we'll when he Is uraoe 10
pay his when he is Why. then. exclude iiI from
the benefits and the privileges and isac! hin ,a lie only
has government because he has 10 bear lis bueHS =
When dangers abroad in tho land, hear nothing vi
field is won, and the warrior rests upon MS sword the mo-
dealer CLEANS the Battlefield strips the dead, and piles
up the spells Of victory He would be able to pay his taxes
in time of peace the MANNED ana disabled and lurecd hero
would be excluded from the polls because he had been more
mindful Of his counys glory than his own einoiuNeniS
Let property be content with the protection OF 9oTcrnnci
the inherent power of money is already great enough II
mistaken Mr.. Chairman it constituent Of the
gentleman from lcnrco (NlI. Bots-a man OF elevated
honor unsuncd integrity, learning. patriotism, manly dar
ing chvaTuus spa VINO bears upon his pers9" me
wounds upon bloody ami stricken zelda man "h'
first reached the dangerous heights OF thafhl'erec-"nc
who the appreciation OF the State by his CALAMITY ana
green aucls for himself: mean him who every one AREA
d? knows, MAJOR Joseph Scdcn And vet S believe ne
is indebted nothing nr his fame but the heart q" Viz
gn!an md soldiers sword. Who would dare 10 diS!'n
chsc sach mar, il he poor 10 par his taXes'
But there is still greater objection, possible, than this.
is impossible distribute the burhens Of taxation equal
~. You will find that the ;aA you viii, 1t Is IN
possible 10 make il operate equally Il II bea capI'atlon
tax and equal in amount, still il i. heavier Orten upon
than others Hit be county and State ia% Il Is sti
objectionable for county assessments are higher IN some
counties than in Others and the citizen could :ote IN one
county by paying less than another. mus CON
stlIuoaal right would be enjoyed by some o: inc pe" :"
the State different and better terms than others There
would be uniformity in right and hold adhere IN
teXbl any thing it ought hc in requiring ;c ConSt'
tuonaI law be fixed distinct and immuihc 50 long
Is law BY striking oil all the restraints ana Inc coich
ted restrictions with which the right ot salirase - ledtd
round, extend the right each citizen upon inc same
terms ard you of all the OF contested elections
with which the State has been 20 much Disturbed. 10" WI"
avoid the objection that the citizen has 10 buy MS sht !"
ION will confer great and lasting benefit upon
number citizens the State whilst deprive none
of single right thew now possess YOU do not nbtdge my
right 10 vote b. Comforting The priicg" upon aao'ci;
what reason have t'Icn In complain Is mol me isaucs
as valuable me- when shared with all my eiow-c!%"nS,
as when il is ENJOYED only with r" To generous eari
II would sect 10 me, the wider blessing can be d'".e'
the greater would be liz enjoyment. Why withhold thai
which does not cnlPovc'Sh us, but enTches them
But il Is said h who does pay the tax oIsht MOI 10
have voice in assessing the those who d. pay ms
argument might avail much, ii il certain, at ne VINO
pays nov" would always pay ami he wh" cannot NO." pa
never would But fortunes change The lAs tpi inns
year may be the rich man OF next; ana me Fc man .! '-
may be the poor man u Is either better or worse
by the change OF condition! We ought u remember nat
these changes are moi always the results 81 our lhns we
al! know that msuriunes overcome us like IA summer
cloud, when springs ~ wncn all quiet and Peaceiu sun
shinc and that .ic:es take themselves wngs and r
away. Oh no, Mr Grimm rather chain the hearts
0i the citizens 10 the State by making hun eei ma! under
all the rlcisudes u! 'e veal and in IN prosperity
or diversity sun lie Is citizen, entitled I" an me iinni-
lies and all The privileges Of man Make him feel that in
TRUTH III: government IS paterna Tia! II greats all aiEc IN
The accents OF cladncss If they be in prosperity and fosters
them alike III tic hour OF adversely Give the citizen NJ
ground 10 complain OF harshnesa the part Of the State
and be assured The State will have cause to complain
of the want OF fidelity the part OF the citizen. lie;
rise above this groven idea that HE citizen is TO be va
ued according 10 the weight Of his purse. IL is Mr. Chair
man. the last INK in the long Chain which has bound the
strong arms OF the many; let us have the resolution 10
break II and cast II away forever.
THE KHAISI CATTLE.
We had an opportunity says The CharleaOwn pitt OF
Je'iersoc a! seeing exhibition Bcrryvic. Mon
day wee i!- coirt da. f.: Cinc beautiful khaii Cat
tie brought 10 IN. country 5y Lent Lynch n:.,cn,! hy
hin 10 !ie Governor q. Virginia and oc the s year under