Here their arithmetic came to bear upon their juridical
metaphysics. Had they stuck to their metaphysic principles, the
arithmetical process would be simple indeed. Men, with them, are
strictly equal and are entitled to equal rights in their own
government. Each head, on this system, would have its vote, and
every man would vote directly for the person who was to represent
him in the legislature. "But soft- by regular degrees, not yet".
This metaphysic principle to which law, custom, usage, policy,
reason were to yield is to yield itself to their pleasure. There
must be many degrees, and some stages, before the representative can
come in contact with his constituent. Indeed, as we shall soon see,
these two persons are to have no sort of communion with each other.
First, the voters in the Canton, who compose what they call "primary
assemblies", are to have a qualification. What! a qualification on the
indefeasible rights of men? Yes; but it shall be a very small
qualification. Our injustice shall be very little oppressive: only the
local valuation of three days' labor paid to the public. Why, this
is not much, I readily admit, for anything but the utter subversion of
your equalizing principle. As a qualification it might as well be
let alone, for it answers no one purpose for which qualifications
are established; and, on your ideas, it excludes from a vote the man
of all others whose natural equality stands the most in need of
protection and defense- I mean the man who has nothing else but his
natural equality to guard him.
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