Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1825-08-13

Resoirerf, also, That in our opinion il is inex-
peoien, and unwise to law to take the sense
of the people on the proprety OF calling conven-
tion; because such measure can only tend 10 dis
turb the settled order Of things, happily exist
ing in the commonwealth, to generate heats, con-
tentions aud factions among us, and to lessen, or
perhaps destroy, the veneration of the people for
their institutions, so essential to the dignity, au-
thorty and stability of free governments; ana be-
y cause, in truth, the experiment recently made at
Staunton, (however otherwise intended doth of
itself evince that the great body of the people, far
from being DESTROYS OF any alteration, amendment
reform, are perfectly content with the consiitu-
lion. and opposed 10 all having the least
tendency to such ends.
Resoiped, therefore, That John w. Jones,
Samuel Taylor, Lawson Buroo,, John Burfoot,
Parke Poindexter, Archibald fhweatt, Edward III.
Boisseau, James Elan, James Henderson, John
Archer, Charles F. Woolson, Edward ii. Nose
ley, James Hewlett, David H. Branch, Allan
McRae, and Edward Anderson, be appointed a
committee to prepare counter memorial to the
General Assembly, expressive of the sentiments
herein above declared and TO circulate the
among the people OF this county for their approba
.ion and concurrence.
The following papers were sumitted 10 the Saun-
ton Convention, among those of a similar cha
racter published on Thursday. They w ere UNI
clusion fell upon them. because they occupied the
2 exact space overrun by the proceedings. In the
Journal they come Immediately after the paper
presented by Mr.. Thompson, of Fairfax.
MIR. PERRow.
To the General .iSsen,5iy Of Virginia.
The Stanton Convention. composed of
delegates, from the friends OF Conven-
ton, from Counties and Towns
-;.i,. ~
table, and enlightened portion of the State, beg
leave to represent that not content with all
the provisions of the present Constitution of Vir-
gnia We believe it can be altered or amended for
the good, the honour, and the glory, Of the State,
without danger TO The body polite, aud without
ng the seeds OF discord and disnion in the repub-
lican ranks. We well satisfied that there is
very large majority OF The population of this State,
who would be willing, and even anxious, to amend
the Constitution; provided they did not fear that
some OF its best features, might be destroyed and
Others adopted, which might not so well suit the
genius OF people This Convention, therefore
disclaim any idea OF running into the absurd ex-
trenles, which some OF the enemies of REFORM have
attributed TO them. We too, friends 10 Coun-
try; we have the same privileges, the hts,
and the same pursuits, IN common with the great
mass oil the population of our Common Country; il
IS, therefore, impossible, that we, those whom
we represent, entertain the most distant idea
OF breaking down the bulwark of our political SAL
Walton. We wish TO establish, and not 10 DESTROY
the great principles OF freedom and of equal rights,
We are well aware, OF the many evils which attend
too frequent alteration OF the established forms OF
Government; yet we immoveably fixed, and
established in the opinion, that when form of Co
vernment, does not firmly establish equal privileges
within the bounds OF true policy and equal and sub
staniiai rights, to tie whole; that it ought to be SO
altered, or amended, as To easure those ends. Be-
Ieving, then, that our Constitution is detective and
can be altered amended, with safety we respect
fully ask that law may pass, TO take the sense of
the people upon the propriety OF calling Conven-
ton tor that purpose, and that the law may be 40
framed as 10 make it the du.y OF the Sheriff of the
several Counties of the State to take the Votes OF
the freeholders IN one column the free white male
house-keepers who are not ireeholders, in another
and the Tree white male residents oflawful age who
are not'ireeholders nor house-keepers, in a third
Now, IN order to reconcile the fears OF many
and 10 establish unanimty among the friends OF re-
torn, as well as 10 multiply and increase our num-
oers and thereby to ensure success in the accom-
isnmenl OF The great end IN view, think il not
amss, to declare the state, and 10 the world that
we are opposed 10 any interference with the indie
pendence ofthe Judiciary OF our County, and OF any
material alteration in the ganizlon OF that branch
OF TIE Goyernment--tha. we are opposed 70 any
interference with the rights OF property and of per-
sons--that the federation OF all denomina ions of
religious associations ought 10 be established on
hfm basis-that the number of the house OF repre-
senta;ives ought 10 be reduced. and an eqlaliz ,on
oil representation in that body ought to be secured
that the right OF suffrage may safely, aud ought
10 be extended, within due bounds that the exc
cutive council, established, ought TO be
abolished.
BY Mr.. RANDOLPH, OF ALpEMAaLE.
RESOLVED, BY the Convention; TINT the denial
OF the elective franchise to such large part of the
people oil Virginia, patiently borne by them so long
Is grievance which ought to be redressed by an
amendment to the Constitution for that purpose
Resolced, That the present equal distribution
among the Counties OF the right to be represented in
the main branch OF the legislature is unreasonable
and unjust, from the inequality of their population
and that the injury long sustained by the larger
counties ought now to be remedied by an amend
meat TO the Constitution for that purpose.
4