Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-05-28

that the people of Boston threw the
tea overheard because they hated the
plant, or felt that, as a mere matter OF
calculation, duty of one or two pence
per pound was to them buydens0me
euil. 1t was rather because this tax was
laid by parliament in which the peo-
pie of Boston were not represented.
Now are we, the descendants of the
men Of that day, adhering to their
forms and disregarding their princi-
ples, to be content with one third of
our rights? Accomac, Augusta, Shen-
andoah. Northampton, sc. sc. enjoy
in fact about one third Of the political
power to which they are entitled
Loudoun is in the same situation. Can
those who are thus bereaved and de-
graded silently and forever submit !?
Will not our fellow citizens who hold
our power surrender it to US? The evil
is continually growing. Every year
adds to the irregularity. Each return
ing spring furnishes us with CALLING
proofs of the truth of the assertion
The village from which write con-
tains nearly 1000 souls, with go free
holders; when our constitution was a.
dopted it contained half a dozen log
houses. The county in which it is Sit
uated has population Of 5000; half a
century since a few scattered individu-
ais were beginning to subdue its forests.
Are the seven eighths Of our population
added since our constitution, hastily
adopted by the ordinary legislature, to
be political outlaws? Look to that re-
gion from which population has rece-
ded, but where political power is to
reign forever amidst physical ruins
You may find counties whose popula-
ton is greatly less than that OF the vii
lage of Leesburg, where voters are lit
tie more than half. Is not this griev-
ancc? Why shall man who is unre-
presented by those who tax him, fight
his oppressors, shake off their yoke,
and crown himself with immortal glo-
ry? while one, who holds but poor
third Of the same inestimable right,
for calmly and temperately claiming
the other two thirds, is branded as vi
sionary, a fire brand, disturber of the
public repose? Names do not illustrate
principles. Pursuing the latter, in the
consciousness of the rectitude of our
views, we shall bear the taunts Of our
opponents with moderation which a
cause so noble is calculated to inspire.
We have yet to learn that one section
is to give up two thirds of its rights in
order to conciliate another. Will any
rational man give his neighbor two
thirds Of his farm to put him in good
humor? Is our political inheritance OF
less value than the dross our fathers
gave US? The opinion of the Ioudoun
Committee is, that man may be sore
ly aggrieved with warm back, a full
stomach, and body unbeaten with
stripes. Suppose free citizen of the
state held in slavery by another against
all law, were to be told by his lord and
master you have plenty to eat you fool,
good clothes, dram every morning,
your regular holidays, and | never
touched you with cowskin, remain as
you are What would be the answer
of man worthy of the name? "God
made me free. He infused the spirit
Of liberty into my heart, and chartered
it on my brow. 1t is my right. l will
have it, SO say we TO our masters OF
Warwick. In peace we pay some
$4,000 or $4,000, while Warwick
pays $1,000. In war we place beside
her 100 bayonets, 5000. Shall we have
no greater share in the government than
she Are we not aggrieved? Shall we
be silenced by the cry that we foment
sectional prejudices? Ours is the lam
guage Of justice. 1t is held equally
by Halifax, Northampton, Kenhawa,
Fauquier and Caroline. 1t is the Ian
guage of Virginians discussing their
rights. They are proud people. In
looking back they have right to be
so. All our sympathies are with them.
We would say to them that the Eagle
pines in that confinement which the
Thrush enlivens with his note, and ne
yer RECEIVERS his spirits till permitted