Suffrage Commentary
2. July 25, 1805
“Ought the right of suffrage depend on the possession of property?”
Decided in the Affirmative.
The Philomathesian Society’s decision that the right of suffrage should depend on owning property reflects their views on the rights of men and who should be allowed to participate in democracy. With landowners being generally both white and rich, this sentiment by the society left no room for black participation in American society. By deciding in the affirmative, the Society condemned the black vote, reflecting the campus’ view of blacks being unequal.