Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-08-07
CONTENTION OF STGU.NTO.N.
PROPOSITIONS.

We lay down these preliminary PROPOSE
TONS:
1st That the Constitution of this Com
monwealth is defective because the Rrh-
resentation in the Upper Counties. and
more especially in the Senate, from the
West of the Blue Ridge, is uneguol-being
in no proportion their population.
Cd. That they have, therefore, room to
0mplain-though no great practical evils
have hitherto arisen from these defects.
Sd. That the lower counties have also
cause of Complaat-because the land far
is unequal, being in no proportion to the
real vaiue of the land
9TH. That both these defects ought to be
removed-by amending the Constitution,
so as To bring representation more on a level
with population, and to keep the eguaiza-
zion of the land-ta.r more on a level with
the vaiue of the soil.
5th. That both these measures ought to
be contemporaneous- neither of the
sections of the state ought to wish to sepa-
rate them, but to carry them through to-
gether.
9th. That to amend the Constitution in
these respects, it is desirable that Con-
vention should be called but that no Con-
vention should be called for framing a new
Constitution or amending the old one,
which is not 7vished fer by the majority of
the people, and which is not attended by
deputies from every section of the state
If it be called without the consent of the
majority, it is against F" the fundamental
principles" of the Republic--If it be not
attended by all or an immense majority of
the people, there is door opened to let
in, perhaps oppression, at all events, COM
plant and disafiecton.
These propositions being granted it
may be enquired ho7U can Convention be
called upon these principles, unless the
Legislature, by SOME regulation, co-ex-
tensive with the state, should appeal TO
the people for theU consent TO assemble a
Convt ntion?
Will any private individuals undertake
to open the lists in each county, upon the
question of Il Contention ?-or, No Con-
Uention ?-to do it with the formality, CAL
culated to give confidence in their re-
port ? Or,will all the people be persuaded
to register their votes with these self-con-
stituted agents
If the Legislature, then, be the best and
the only efectual resource for making
such an appeal to the people-how
can they be moved to give it their sane.
ton s--Is any way so proper as to address
ourselves to our delegates by every means
ply by petition, remonstrance, & instruc-
tions
But it is said bythe Convention of Win
chester) that this mode has been tried, and
tried in van-that from this quarter il is
idle TO hope for aid" But why has it { Ill
ed Because the voice of the people has
nof spoken-for when their wish is expires
sed, it will no longer be idle to hope for
aid"
How then can this point be gained p
Will self-constituted Conventions bring us
any nearer to it j.? IF they are expected
to combine the peoples SDiN, to- give this at
ready erisfirg mil new mode Of express
sing itself, it will not avail Us at all be-
cause the people Of five counties assembling
together, or by deput ton, ought to weigh
no more with the Legislature than the five
separately takeu.--If It b. to change the
viii of the people, by cont,iving the means
Of dJffusing new GrgumentS over the public
mind, certainly no mischief can ne wrought,
but little good done, which might not as
well be done. in some other way, By the
citizens Of Virginia. Such organizations
can only be wanting among people, who
are deaf to the voice of justice, and Oh
stinately blind to the rights Of each other
when the usu-l means Of obtaining Justice
had been tried in valn.--But such are not
the citizens Of Virginia--such is not the
crisis to which we are brought.
But there are particular reasons. Why
we think that little good can Come out Of
the Convention Of Stanton.
Isl. II was invited by the small Couven-
ton OF Winchester--who were the agents
and deputies Of those unchartered banks,
who live in the very teeth ofthe law--Com-
ing forth under such auspices, will not the
Convention insensibly pa-taSc Of their IN
iuence For instance, these banks want
immediate aid 10 save thembr Wili they not
therefore be anxious to prass precipi.ate