Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-02-25
coMMUMICATI0M.
FOR THE EN1QUIRER.


FOR THE ENQUIRER.
To the majority of Freehoiders ,oho roted at tn.
late Congressional Election, in the District
Of Prince Edloard, Charlotte, Buckingham
md Cumberland.
GENrLEMEN-The minority who voted in
the election aforesaid. beg leaveto address you.-
Although the course which we are about to pursue,
may he novel, and ther4 orc, little starle you, it
j. humbly believed 10 bs neither unconstitutional
contrary TO The representative system, nor indie
corcus. YOU or many OF you rather, have de-
nounced us, as UNIV orhy Of public confidence, be-
cause OF our vote in this election. You have told
some Of us, who you supposed were candidates
for popular favor, that had signed our death
warrants, that " had cut our political throa,s--
that we should no, be elected or ought not 10 be
elected, even 10 the humble Office OF constable,
hereafter' Now, with all Difference we ask, where
fore this excitement wherefore this spirit of pro-
-crip,ion, We will not say tirat euch spirit BELTS
only mob OF Paris, the Janissaries OF the Grand
Turk but may not be permitted In sober Sc
robustness, and with deep modification to enquire,
whether it becomes freemeu In the enjoyment OF
rational and constitutional liberty, established and
transmitted TO US by the heroes and statesmen Of
alie revolution, the wsest and most sirruous men
that adorned the history OF the world, either
thus 10 act themselves, TO encourage or coun-
tenance such conduct in others INLAY We not ask,
ii the unshackled exercise of the right of suffrage
moi tIe dearest p!LVHtSc Vi HeeHfeU-lEc SuO5lIa-
tum Of all free government? And, does it make
any difference whether this sacred right be put
downby force, or controlled and sfifled by de7au,-
ciQti0nl Let either happen, and In the bitterness
OF sorrow may exelaim-that Washington
] as fought, Montgomery has bed, and Henry spoke
in vain! But, gentlemen, purpose not 10 recr-
minae-No--our objec, Is far different. Now,
that your passions have subsidized; now, when the
reflection of twenty nights your pillows must
have restored reason benevclence and charity, to
the stations from which they were dethroneJ, We
inss; with fIankness, but not with Presumption
in the spirit OF f.eemen, nnmixed with acrimony,
o commune with you. We wish TO unfold TO you
the true motives and reasons OF conduct; and
we adop, this mode of doing so, as well because
il ensures more calmness of discussion, more per-
1nanency Of reflection because it is more re-
spectful, and may enable US to silence also, asper-
SONS which have been Cast upon us, out of the
District. We wish that all the good people Of
Virginia should distinctly understand, the motives
and considerations by which have been 60
ve.ned.
The simple charge against US is, that we voted
FOR Nj. Giles, gentleman who resided GU, OF the
district, in preference TO DIR. G. w. Crump, a
gentleman who resided within the district. For
this act we have incurred your high di-peasuEe-
for this az, ce are heneeforh 10 be put Under the
ban of The empire
First then, had we the right By the constitution
2dy. Was il sound policy SO TO vote. And
would interest, and the public good have been
most probably promoted by the ELECTION of MIR.
Giles? These propositions embrace the whole
matter in issue betweenus.
First. Had we the right usder the constitution
and laws OF our country, TO vote for MIR. Giles?
We will examine this subject somewhat in detail;
and although you may condemn Our proliIity, we
burnbly trust, that you may derive at any rate, a
portion of you, some instruction from our rehec-
tons
The Constitution Of the United States was franz
eJ by the Federal Convention in J7S7-adopted by
the States in Convention in l7SS, and went into
operation on the goth of April 1879; that being
the day OIL which General Washington, our first
President, met the representatives of the states and
of the people in Congress assembled-iook the
oalhs OF Office, and delivered his inaugural address
70 admiring and grateful nation.
This constitution TINS puts into operation, says
ar. ist.sec. 81. clause Is - The House Of Re
representatives. shall consist of members chosen every
second year, 10y the people Of the several states,
and tile cleo in each state shall have the quail
fcations requisite Tor electors Of tie most numer-
GUS branch Of The Stale Legislature That is, we
suppose, that none but electors qualified, shall
vote for members OF the House of Representative,
from the several states.
%. clause, same section The Constitution de-
cares, " no peIso" shall be representative, who
sitl iOt nave diidHtu 10 tlie age Oh years, ara
been seven years a citizen Of the United States,
and who shall not when elected, be an inhabitant
Of the STAKE in which he shall be chosen" That's,
presume, that any person possessing the sc qua
lifcstions may be member of the House Of Re
presenatives provided the people qualified to vote,
see ft 10 elect him.
The Constitution farther declares sec T. cJ. !.
same article, " The times, places, and manner of
holding elections for Senators and Representatives
,hal lie prescribed in each state, by the Legislature
thereof; bpt TIE Congress may, 0t aHy time by
iaU, mule or alter such regulations. except os
10 the places Of choosing SeH0tOTs.'' These are
all the provisions Of The Constitution that have the
east Leadng the matter before us. If there be
any other, confess il has escaped our sagacity,
and we invite your attention, gentlemen, 10 the
parts quoted, and particularly to that portion Of the
last clause pTiated in itslickg.
When The constitution went into operation, The
regulation adopted by Virginia. under The last clause
quoted, was, as to manner that elections should
DC BY districts, viva voce, &C.; as 10 places, that
rhey should be hed at the courthooses, Of the res
pectige counties composing each district; az 10
.imes--thatthey should take place on The respective
court days Of the different counties, in the mCnth Of
April IN every second yes- Bat this l5w wen