Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1827-03-13

numerous assembage we have ever seen in The comfy
on any similar OCCASION The resolutions we're recei
we'd with acclamaticns and the most marked senti-
ments of Indignation pervaded all ranks and classes
The cause daily gaining throughout the state ard in
another year Mcpcoptc will triumph without resort ing
10 violent measures.
FREDERICK CONVENTION MEETING.
AT meeting OF the people of the county of F.ede-
rick, held pursuant TO public notice, in the pubic
square IN iuches:er, on Monday the 5h day of March,
1897 Doctor JunN Il. TuLDES having been called To
the chair, and SAMUEL H. DAVIS appointed secretary;
the following declaration OF the feelings opinions aud
views OF tie people Of Frederick, presented to The
consider alton OF the meeting BY JonN f. CocKE ESQ
vas, after Tree discussion, adopted, without tile dis
senient voice OF any citizen Of Fredeticb.*
The people Of Fl ede:ic!l county in Virginia assem-
bEed III county meeting, the fifth day of March,
1877, {" take into consideration the of the com
'nonweaiti and To devise for obtaining redress
OF the grievances under which they dor have deter.
mined To convey to their ru crs, and to their fellow c-
teens through, the medium of the press their opinions
and views Gu tiuse important subjects.
l. And FIRST, as their political creed. in general thew
declare That they believe representative democracy
in the government OF which the people are fairly and
eqUniiy REPRESENTED, be the best form Of govern
incnt which human wisdom has vet devised
| 9 They consider the existing government of this
coHmonweaih to be any thing husa representative de,
nocracy tor tie rcpTestnation in the house OF dele
gates, which, under the existing constitutions enrroses
almost all the powers % government, bein e,7itoriQl
and not l'A0rtr, The gov eminent is, in effect and so
ar tie ltptist OF Delegates concerned
'It0a ~ counties, uneq"t IN size mi 1irtluti0n IN
''tic eRch niajer " IKE ?6lcyaey has equal ,cegi
! rnd po5cG32
j. Moreover, they consider Tie lio republics hic
constitute this conedGracy be, themselves ariso-
cracies not ofhe worst Kind, it is true but still arts
ocraces in witch lie right of suffrage is wrongfully
I" 'ihhehi from !atge portion of the people, havn.
suit lent evidence of permanent common interest with
aud attachment to tie community.r
l. That the inequality of tie population of the coun-
ties aud the accidtnia contiguy OF many Of the small
Ter ones, naturally suggesting 10 them the idea of
COMBINATION TOR local on sectional PURPOSES have actu
ally Produced combination OF these small count les
not 10 eject local sectional objects only but to lord
1t over and control the great body lc uqpic inhah
ting the larger counties.
D. That the snail counties have long since attained
Their object and thai minority cfsle ueople OF t!e
commonwealth, inlahtng those countless have fer
many years past, held, uncontrolled, the rens OF COY,
crnment, contrary 10 the will OF the majority
8. iiat majority OF the people has lonE desired TO
arnend the constitution, which, by originally distributing
political power among the people III different sec ions
o! the state in shares grossly unequal enabled The
smaller Counties to combine together and usufp the
whole powers OF government.
:! That they have long considered the domination OF
tins sectional olga rchy nsuppotahle grievance and
that protests without number, and every shane have
been made against its continuance.
o. HAT the actual administrators of this olgarClc
government, during the present session of the le@a
tHre' have treated HE known and clearly expressed
'sit OF 2Ti0U0 o! the people of this conmonw eah
constituting large majority ofe entire population
/ thereof, with COntempu0us disregard.
I B. That, by this bold and higi>handed measure
thc} nave according TO the PRINCIPLES of the revolutions
dissolved tie social compact, given TO the people tie
IeYsd right 10 treat them usurpors and tyranis
and made the question of uued submission 10 their
"Pfeendcd acts OF Iegislaton,' question Of mere
10. That is not ,tsupeiion ony Of which the sec
tionai oigarchy that rules The has been guilty.
but OF m'srae--gross and palpable INSTRUMENTATION
and that for so long time and 10 great An extent
4 4 nd
! happy commonwealth.
~. That ths is seli.Uus AMI uUGounIed c!arlour
but serious and mOst alarming truth is prov ed y the
!aci Jat while The wise United States increased in
population, The thirty years that preceded the last
II per cent, the white population Virginia
increased bit 3oand by The further fact that, in the
same period, the population of New York increased
times Faster than that of Virginia. In short the DOM
inant faction may read the history Of their mraie in
the fallen fortunes OF the commonwealth.
u. That it is not tie object or wish Of The people
OF Frederick 'to stir up they blood TO rnutiny -
or arouse the angry passions Of thciF fellow citizens
throughout that part Of he state which is aggricy cd
insuite and trampc by the ioland Oligarci.s; HAT
thcy therefore refrain from all attempt to enuucrate
the grievances they suffering from the folly
ignorance arbitrary caprice Of heir rulers. Suffice
It 10 say, that they great and numerous, and thai
tue people Of Frederick neither ask eEPsct yedyeSS
from their present 1u'cys.
I Is Bat bey do ask AMI demaui, and. if the PEG.
pie Of te other western aud Midland counties contain
ing large majority fihe citizen, Of this commonwealth.
are Of the same mind with themselves, they ask and
demand for ne iSt time, that facilities be afforded.
IN JlU for tic assembling Of lu AID free convention
OF inc good people Of dis commonwealth, with view
10 the establishment ola Representatives dsmocrtcy on
tue ruins Of the os4rcFjc GramHy which prevails.
The 5ji5winc resolutions, proposed by Wuau NJ
Barton, Esq. we've then adopted;
! Rcso}cei, That committee of five be appointed
whose duty IL shall &c 10 draft remembrance to he
submitted 70 lLc people for their Signatures, and
hlnded to the delegates from dis county, TO be by
them presented 10 the legislature.
I WhereuPon he following gentlemen we're appoat
: ej:---5m. ~. Barton. john X. Cooke, Alfred H.
Powell, Alex S. Tidbali and " ilIam L. Clark
Res3ircA, That The thanks of this meeting be pie
/ 1t may be proper 20 state By wnv Of explaining
toe phTaseology here usoI that some four or Eve
Young gentlemen from otier p1riS IF the st9fe voted
m tie negative throughout, nearly so. This sq5iy
produced 70 u b;ogI aal oXcteA 10 comment,