Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-04-21

John Moore, 12O
NathanielB. Tyler, II
George NJ. Chichester, "a
Alexander Waugh, 50
Augustine B. Williams, %
Soon after the poles were opened, Major
Alexander Waugh introduced the subject of
THE CONVENTION.
He suggested to the freeholders the propnety
of calling Convention to amend the Consti-
tuition of their State, and, as candidate for
the suffrages of the people, he candidly a.
vowed his opinion in favor of the measure.
He then proposed the following resolutions:
Resolred, That the Sheriff of Fairfax be re-
specially requested to open poll at the ap-
proaching election, in order to ascertain the
sense of the freeholders on the question
Whether there shall be Convention called,
with power to prepare and submit to the Peo-
ple of this Commonwealth, such amendments
to the Constitution thereof as to them may
seem expedient, which amendments, or any
part thereof, shall depend for their final rati-
fcation, or the assent of majority of those
to whose judgment and decision they may be
submitted.
Resolved, That if majority of the qualified
voters of Fairfax shall be found in favor of such
Convention, that the following persons, John
Chapman Hunter, Eli Offutt, Charles Radcliffe,
William c. B. Butler, Robert T. Thompson,
and George NJ. Chichester, or any one or
more of them, shall be requested to attend
the meeting proposed to be held at staunton,
in the county of Augusta, on the 25th day of
July next, in behalf of this county; and that
the said Delegates, together with James Sang
ster and Alexander Waugh, shall constitute
standing Committee of Correspondence, to
promote the object Of such meeting.
When the resolutions had been read, Mr..
Mercer addressed the people. He said that
having proposed similar resolutions in Lou
doun, and supported others in Prince Will
liam, he felt himself called on, as a represen-
tative, in whom the voters of Fairfax had so
often manifested their confidence, to urge the
adoption Of the resolutions, and to assign his
reasons for doing so. He explained, in a con-
else, eloquent and convincing manner, the
glazing defects of the present Constitution; the
causes which led to the adoption Of the fea-
lures complained of; and the suitability of the
present times ofpeace and political harmony,
to examine those features deliberately, and if
found inconsistent with justice and enlight-
ened republican principles, to expunge
them and substitute others, which e~Peri-
ence and progressive reason had long since
dictated. He dwelt, particularly and forci-
bly,, upon the anomalous feature which gave
to Warwick, and King and Queen, an equal
influence in the Legislature with Friedrich,
Shenandoah, Loudoun, and all other large
and growing counties. He boldly declared
his conviction that the right Of suffrage ought,
and could safely be extended to all free white
citizens who had permanent interest IN the
state, Notwithstanding their poverty or their
vocations, might deprive them Of the freehold
qualification; and he explained, we thought,
with sufficient cleaness, that this could be
done without subjecting the state to the in.
conveniences, and the people to the coriup-
ton which were said to exist through some
what similar extension in Maryland, N. York,
| and elsewhere.
Messrs. Mason and Thompson, the late dc.
legates, explained the motives which governed
their conduct on the same subject in the last
legislature Mr.. Mason declared himself who'll
" opposed to the resolutions, and to propo-
sition for a convention in any shape. He
spoke with great animation, elegance, and
ability used all the arguments that his sub.
ject would admit of, and was listened to with
great attention. Mr.. Thompson justified his
vote in favor Of ascertaining the wish of the
people, and added several powerful argu-
ments to those advanced BY Mr. Mercer in ia
vor of convention and of the resolutions
proposed. Mr.. Tyler, one Of the candidates,
acknowledged his hostility to any change in
the constitution, but expressed determine
ton, if elected, to be governed by the VIII
of the people. If the people by their votes
that day called for convention, as their rep
resentative, he would support them by any
necessary legislative act. All the other can.
didates, made the same declarations.
The resolutions were adopted, and when
the polls closed there were found to be
For Convention III.
Against IS.
So the freeholders Of Fairfax have followed
the distinguished example of Prince William
and Loudon, and the representatives Of the
county are pledged to further their views.
From the Nashville Whig.l
A SINGULAR MISrAKE-CoRREcrED.
We have seen in the Wing and En-