Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1861-1862, 1861-12-18

relative of old George rs fsbu servant IN l77e proves
himself the appropriate instrument q King Abraham
In 1851 while the patriotism OF Virginias lustrious
champion of the old Revolution s reproduced In the
manly conduct Of his worthy descendant.
OUGHT TAXPAYERS ALONE TO IxER0IsE suF-
FRLGE9
To tie Editor of the Wig:
Though am citizen Of another State, paying con-
siderable taxes venture to remark upon your views
because this Is time Of revolution and change, and
the example Of Virginia will iDfusnce other States 10
the establishment of organic laws.
believe it Is proper and republican to reoogur, poll
cal power residing in the whole people; and would
establish this m the unchangeabs b,ss Of all con-
sttuons, all voting and all being represented bu.
rearing the supersructure, would carry out the pDc
pie subnod with the view Of obviang the evils you
justly speak o. For instance, while all should vote for
Governor and Representatives taxpayers alone should
vote for Senators. Thus all wcu'd be represented evil
tendencies guarded agsns and property secured from
agrarianism Judges sheriff. district attorneys clerks
and magistrates, should not be elected by the people,
bu; appointed by representative representatives of
the people and where questions Of taxation are SUBJ
mitted to vote tax payers alone should decide For In
stance, IL 1t be to impose the real estate Of
county, for railroad or other improvemement, only
freeholders should vote. This justice and
In stort while recognizing and establishing
the fundamental idea that sovereignty Is 10 the people,
We. the said people, in establishing constitutions should
restrain ourselves, remembering that otherwise We
might in exercising our powers be as harmful steam
not ''harnessed down with iron baIdi"
Your derivation Of the right to vote, Mr.. Editor,
rnan
virgnia-say all the inhabitants of any Eve coundes-
we're to emigrate, masss, to and uninhabitsd
territory, and Of their own notion and in their own
right form State. Would not the consent of non.
propertyhoders 10 necessary that of property
holders? Would there be, repuolicanly speaking any
other Of binding the former class to new com.
pec.' How could their col sant be obtained without
their vOtngi Could you expect them to vote 10 estab
iii fundamental law DISTINGUISHING themselves and
never vote AGAIN.
The truth Is the very establishment Of republican
compact puts all on equal footing to suffrage. It
is no natura right" bu. it Is political one, founded
tie necessary equality Of all the parties to tho CON-
pact
Your argument seems TO ignore the fact that by far
the most important rights that governments and fune
uubs couoofFc upon are uOt pfOpf1e-
tary but personal such those connected with life
liberty, many rights privileges, and immuntes that all
czans are interested preserve aud which should be
secure against change or deprivation 10 q Republic
Why should not my life, 10Y liberty, and all those per
sonal rghts, g., give q voting interest In the Gov
eminent as much as your property should your
There is another point on which beg leave to differ
fom you Ii Ia to the lesson 10 DO derived from the
American revolution You say that we vsrred With
England because she taxed without allowing % repre-
sentative votes In Parliament but that We avoid not tho
evil oontendsd against in that war II We allow the
large cas who pay no taxes TO impose taxation 90
others; aud you conclude that the man who does not
pay taxes should be uded from all participation n
the elective franchise. Arguing from the same Revcu.
tiou, should say tina. the rebellion of the fathers
against taxes they debarred from voting on Is
precedent for the son to rebel against Governments
which imposes any kind Of legal burden or restraint
pom which they have representative vote Again,
must observe that fall TO any analogy between
the relative position Of the parties to the Revolution and
those Of the parties to this internal controversy about
taxation.
Oae remark more. In American republication the
ctz n Is in DIAL condition. H. Is sovereign and
sub ,ct-governiDg and governsd-liwmaker aud law.
obsyer "Ss.f government" expresses 1t ALL The p:o.
pie, al Of them the Erscutvs-thst department only
welding the power delegated by them so with the
Legislative and Judicial departments. This true theory
OF our institutions does proven, checks balances
and restrictions to prevent abuses aud dangers, and to
encompass the very objects you have in view. At all
events, do no: thick that suffrage should depend upon
the mere changing and adventurous circumstance Of
property-holdipg. 1t elevates property to absurd
consequence, which amusingy illustrates by
the query If man votes bseause he owns j,cksss,
IL it the man the jacksss that has the voter In
many that one would do we'll % the other;
but suffrage in Incompetent persons Is necessity that
we must gradually remove by removing incompetency-
by spreading virtue and intelligence guarding against
efforts meanwhile by conservative restrictions. We
must keep always in view human improvability and tie
c ipacty Of our men for se'f.goyernuent
Your paper, Of which an rtqlsnt reader, ranks
very high with and my conservative friends for its
ability philosophy and disposition to seek aud tell the
truth about the sal popu and would hence be much
gra ID il my hasty remarks should appear In your col
umns
Yours Go b. J. G. Of La