The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1872-09-26

But manv differ widely in their VIEWS of nm
tional policy; and. unless there be some com
mnnity Of Interests among iudiyiduals Of a ma
tion L IL ouite certain that connection 70,
office will carry their opposite theories q
extremes In such a case. there are at leas,
eoual chances for the triumph of the obnox.
ions party. ensuffrago Is thus exercised
Il is clearly detrimental to the interests oi
the BODY polite. Observation and expert
ence teach that number of persons are eli.
tber eareless in regard to public matters, OF
are predetermined x, use their influence in
one direction. This principle will manifest
itself at tho ballot box, and the result will
be government in the hands of the pitiable
victims Of inordinate and inyoterate preiu.
dice 9,s!za1 ,g...sss. a, ,:,a 4, = ~
But it NAV be urged that q restriction on
the right Of suffrage wouid diminish the in.
terest in che nffairs.of government ON The
| part of those disfranchised; that the gov.
eminent depends for its existence and pros.
pcrity upon the loyalty Of its subjects, and
the hearty cooperation Of It's constituent
members md hence, that it Is good policy
| to extend the privilege Of voting to al per.
SONS. In repiy. il may be asked, who are
the people whose affections are thus easily
estrangeds Whoever they are, in Whatever
class Of society found, they deserve no pub.
lie confidence. Their boasted loyalty is
nothing more than selfinterest !; and, II the
restriction Of sufaagc is the meaus Of desei-
koping their true character, It is but ad sddi-
which rests upon a Foundation 90 slender d
destined to IAN. The success Of govern
ment does depend upon the loyalty Of its
subjects; but that loyalty has q better basis
thaa selfinterest. Tta a LOYALTY. which
eyokes self. lf.abnegat;on.. Patriotism alone In
sbiresthis - : .qe,s5
We sometimes hear i said that the fra-
mers, .oe the American Constitution ;Spre
men of prester i,rescience tbanl We can nos
sibly claim to be, and that, in that important
document is found recognition Of the often
quoted principle, that "ali men were bron
free and equal" There is no reason, how
ever, for inferring from this general ian-
guage, that all men are to be allowed the exer.
else the right Of suffrage; and even should
this be true, the fact that these men we're IN.
faIfible has yeti be established. -. "A
But the restriction Of suffrage would be
the means of turning man,ss' iiuordinate de-
sire 70 exercise it into: :e,1od account. We're
| Il decided TINT tha yilege should Be con.
fined to those capable OF exercising &c, and
of appreciating the responsibilities which Il
eep;;oins men would at once seek The nsces:
iNafy yV6EMcasi0Hsf Tor flsS 63EtFciDe 3, liat,
then, would be the result Of this course OF
preparation? Education would be more pop.
ular, and ignorance would no longer stalk
abroad with unblushing face. The govern
ment would be sustained iu its legitimate
and restrained in its illegitiinate proceedings
Society would receive an impetus which
nothing else could give it, and the benighted
portions Of the land would blossom as the
rose. .,.-,. .s
IF men are fond of this power, they should
mt object to the labor necessary o,
secure It. Tn regard to the proper limits Of
the nr;v;leqe. wise men may possibly differ
but that It should be restricted no longer
admits Of debate. 1t may be sufhcient u
saw that there are two or three things which
are absolutely Indispensable for any citizen
in order In secure blessing instead of 6
curse, from his presence at the ballot-box.-
Ii;s ;ntcrests in the first place. must be
identified with those ofthe government. He
mnst feel that any disaster Detailing hi
state would affect him, and anything tend.
;nq to the promotion Of the public good
won,d also be the means of promoting hi
ov,, nersonal interests. The object of gov
eminent is, among other things, to protec
the nronerty of its citizens; and, as the large
norton consult sclfish ends in their actions
+ is much the sounder policy, on the part o
a oovernmcnt To reouire some property quail
Scst;on Of ;ts voters But it is not enough
that one sbould possess property, even though
that should invariably produce the desire T.
nromote the nublic welfare. The desire,
trns ;s comrnsndable-pay Indispensable
hn. s tbs y ,srson mnst kuo,0 how TO reach hi
onJ I VIZ cpod dos;res without correspondin,
oo,;ons srs If m hens6t "a d nation. In or
I' ds~ ,han - ~ hsosms . qualified voter on