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

uTla VIII NC SCicraIty ICSoS ihZCu 10 q Puoh~
blessing. Signed by order of the board.
JNo. T. WHEAT,
Corresponding Secretary.
PROM THE WINCHESTER REPUBLICAN.
To the Ereeholders ofthe State Of Vrginia
1t is alleged by some persons, thai
the constitution Of the state of Virginia
is so defective in many essential points
as to require the interference of the
people for its amendment. Others de.
ny the truth of this proposition, and tell
you that it is maintained by dema-
gogues, disorganizers, and hair-brain-
ed political fanatics. 1t is my purpose
to endeavor to prove to you, that you
owe it to yourselves, to the memory OF
those who have gone before you, and to
your children's best hopes, to meet this
great subject, to deliberate upon it
calmly and solemnly, and to make such
Improvements as the exigencies Of the
subject itself, and the wisdom of a free
and enlightened commonwealth shall
suggest. In doing so, I shall neither
waste your time by tedious disquisi-
ton, nor offend your understanding by
idle and vulgar clamor. My object is to
convince; my means shall be fair state
ment, open proof.
This question has been already suffi-
GENTLY agitated to make it almost un-
necessary to stop to demonstrate that
your frame of government is replete
with the most striking defects. This
is known to all. II is matter of con-
slant injury, of continual regret.
We learn, in imbibing the principles
of our political creed, that taxation and
representation should go hand in hand, that
tie po,oers and privileges of society and
government ought to be equally enjoyed by
the people. Is there in Virginia man
who will not call this creed his own?
Is it not consecrated by the voice of
Henry-by the sword of Washington?
Examine its application to the existing
state of things. Brief views, familiar
must suffice.
In recent and very animated con-
test, the counties of King George and
Richmond gave ,384 votes; those of
and Frederick about 1850.
Yet the two former, like the two latter,
send four members to the house Of de-
Iegates! That is to say, one man in
King George is equal in political pow
er to six in Frederick. | have not at
hand the means of ascertaining with
exactness the quantum of taxes, paid
by each county separately; but think it
may be safely assumed that the taxes Of
Frederick and Shenandoah are to those
of Richmond and King George, as
S25, 900 to 5000: that is to say, we
pay five times their taxes, and have
the same representation. Much strong
err contrasts, much more humbling pa
rallels, might be exhibited. Take, for
instance, Augusta with 1900 freehold
ers, Halifax with 1000, Williamsburg
with 3d.. Are you content to fold your
arms in silent acquiescence, while those
who hold in their hands the power
which of right belongs to you, kindly
inform you that this is mere specula-
tive evil; that England has her old Sa-
rum, in which political iniquity is rem
dered hoary by time; and that Virgil
MIA ought TO tread in the footsteps of
the mother country? Twill not appeal
10 the passions Of people illustrious,
at once, by the deeds Of their forefa-
Tiers, and by their habitual and scru-
pulous observance of the order Of So
ciety, even when its changed circum-
stances, coupled with its unaltered in
situations, spread oppression, and the
most Notifying injustice and inequa-
lily through the land. Is not the grie-
vance which l have touched enough,
of itself, to justify, and does it not in
fact imperiously demand, that prompt
and vigorous, but safe and orderly mea-
sures be taken to call out the opinion
Of the people!
Other topics crowd upon us, the
manner in which the elective franchise
is exercised, is grievous and absolute
ly foolish. A man who holds IS acres
ofland worth one shilling per acre, with
a cabin 10 feet square, by the tenure OF
the, life ofa old woman of 80, is good
and lawful political man; while another
who has lease of a fine farm for s99
years, renewable forever, OF the fee
simple in "a acres with a mill on it,
himself covered with scars contracted
in fighting the battles Of his country,