Norfolk Gazette And Publick Ledger

A circumstance of a singular feature has occurred in the Legislature of North Carolina, during its present session. A person of the name of John Clary, had been elected a member of the house of commons from the county of Pasquotank. He was much opposed at the time of the election, on account of a crime alledged against him, of a nature too indecent to be here inserted; he was however elected. The house of commons, conceived that body degraded by such a member, and by a resolution expelled him; of course a writ was issued for a new election, and strange to relate he was re-elected, and appeared again in the house on the 20th of this month; on motion he was that very day again expelled from the house, 68 to 28!

To those who regard republican institutions, such an exercise of the right of suffrage is painful. The only advantage which an elective government has over others, is the opportunity which it affords of selecting the most virtuous and wisest of the citizens for office; but if ignorant and immoral men are elected, the advantage is lost, and it moreover is an evidence of the want of virtue and intelligence in the people, which are the chief supports of a republican government; other governments can be supported by power and force, but a republican government depends for support principally on the virtue of the people.