interests of the community, as he who is worth thousands of dollars. A
friend to the rights of man seems to feel no alarm at the idea that one
who exhausts his earnings in the grog-shop, should have an influence in
elections in proportion to strength of his lungs, or his activity in
intrigue, but he is greatly agitated from an apprehension that men who
have property to protect, will not promote the well being of society. A
juror who is to decide on the controversies of his neighbours--an
appraiser of land--a distributor of a deceased persons estate, must be
freeholders by a standing law which is the subject of no ensure, and yet
it is said that in the important transaction of choosing men to enact
laws, and to appoint those who are to decide on, and execute those laws,
no qualifications are necessary.

Again, it is insisted by those who oppose universal suffrage, and the
reader is desired to notice the remark with attention, that no community
can be safe unless the power of elections resides principally with the
great body of the landholders. Such an influence had this principle on
those wise men who formed our laws, that a mere trifle in real property
gives the right of suffrage, while a man may be excluded who is the
proprietor of personal property to a large amount.

Landholders have an enduring interest in the welfare of the community.
They are lords of their own soil, and of course, to a certain degree,
independent--they therefore will resist tyranny--they will equally
oppose anarchy because they are aware that in any storm which may arise
they must abide its fury. The merchant, with his thousands, can seek a
shelter--to the mere bird of passage, who has no "abiding country and
who seeks none to come," it is of little moment whether stability or
confusion predominate, but to the former who is enchained to the State,
peace and order is of inestimable value.