Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-06-14
NO. 90

BILE, with single exception in favor
Of the proprietor of slaves, is called to
work upon the public highway; at the
discretion of its overseer, can it be a
matter of surprize that the sons ofpov-
erty in Virginia migrate to the West;
that old age is often seen to totter on
its unstable crutch, without the hand
Of filial piety to steady its trembling
footsteps. At the periodical return of
that census, to which so many other
States refer, with exulting pride,
whole counties of this commonwealth
mournfully turn, for the measure of
their sensible decay. Two Of those
bordering on that of your memorial
ist sustained together, the loss of three
thousand souls, by the last census OF
the United States. And the common
wealth herself beheld result not less
affictive-the relative increase of her
black, by ratio greatly exceeding that
Of her white population.
Your memorialists are yet proud OF
the land Of their nativity, and would
conceal, if concealment would not be
criminal, on such an occasion, their
sense Of these common ills, which they
cannot but attribute, in part at least, to
the defects Of their political institu:
tons.
For like reasons, they are led to state
that they feel themselves peculiarly ag
greived by system Of unequal repre-.
sentation.
To travel no farther back than to the
last session of the General Assembly,
they feel no little uneasiness in observ-
ing that a simple act of incorporation
for canal company, received in its ia
vor, exclusively of the country border
ing on the river, the navigation of
which is sought to improve, the entire
votes Of but FIVE counties on the tide
water, while it encountered the undi-
vided opposition Of no less than nine
teen Of those counties added to all the
boroughs ofthe commonwealth.
Two other votes Of the same session
corroborate the painful inference dedu-
chile from this.
Although facts are not wanted for the
purpose, this humiliating topic shall
not be enlarged. Some reference to it
is, at present, extorted from your me-
morialists, by the presumption, so oft
en- urged against any amendment what
ever, Of the constitution, that no injury
has resulted or can be apprehended
from the inequality Of the present re-
presentation.
Your mcmorialists confidently be-
lieve that, however local interests may
oppose the measure, a majority of the
people of this commonwealth will con-
cur with them in opinion, that proper
season has at length arrived, for en-
towering convention to amend some,
or all the defects, which time has dis
closed in their constitution or govern
ment. They trust, indeed, that the
body of the people in the least county
or borough of the State, cherishing as
they must, an attachment to the great
principle of representative government
will scorn 10 retain political power to
which they are not Justly entitled.
Your memorialists have approached
their representatives, with respect, but,
at the same time, with the frankness
and candor of freemen, who both know
and value their rights. 1t is in this
spirit they ask, not your consent, but
your aid to redress their wrongs.
They mean not to advise how this
relief can be best afforded, but they re.
specially intimate their wish that the
sense Of the people may be taken, at the
ensuing spring elections, on the ques-
ton, whether there shall be a conven-
ton for the amendment OF their State
constitution; that provision be made,
by law, in the event that such is the
pleasure Of a majority of the people,
for he choice, assemblage, and accom-
mediation Of such convention, and for
the submission of its acts, when COM
pleted, to the same majority for their
ratification or rejection.
Extract from the Resolutions adopted at the
Loudoun Election, on the 18th of April,
1925.
81. Resolved unanimously, That the
Sheriff be requested to open poll at
the approaching election, to ascertain
the sense of the qualified voters Of Lou
doun, on the question, Whether there
shall be Convention called to submit
to the Judgment of the people OF this
commonwealth, such amendments OF
g. C.;,u,;on thereof. as 10 the Con.
vention may seem expedient; the a.
| mendments, or any par, fthem, when
| approved by majority Of the people,
| to become part Of the said Constitu-
ton"
[The above papers ought to have accompa
| MED the Memorial of GA Freeman of 1885,"
and were omitted only fos want Of r00m'l