Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 182?-183?, 1827-04-13

VINO acts from proper motives, and
OF sufficient authority ior such a call, we
can see no adequate reason ne could have
for withholding his name.
CONVENTION MEETING.
Pursuant to Adjournment, very large
and respectable meeting OF the Citizens
of Augusta took place al the Courthouse
in Stanton, on Friday last, to adopt
such measures IS might be deemed ex-
pedient ia Relation 10 the question of Con
stitutionaI Reform. JAMES CRAWFORD,
Esq. was again called to the Chair, aud
THOMAS ). Micu!E, chosen Secretary.
The following preamble and resolutions
were then reported by WIN. KINNEY,
Esq. Chairman of the Committee APP
pointed at the meeting OF the 21st nit,
and adopted, mem. con-, with the excep-
ton OF the second resolution, TO winch
there was but one dissenting voice =
The Citizens ofAugusia County friend
iy TO reform OF cur present Constitution,
in common with large portion OF the
Citizens of Virginia, have heard with re-
greet, OF the rejection OF bill, at the last
Session of the Legislature, having for its
object the ascertainment, merely, OF the
viii of the freeholders, upon the proprie-
y CT calling convention. -Fhey regret
II, because they consider the rejection of
a proposition So reasonable in ITS charac-
ter, coming as il did, from a. least a res
pectable minority, il not majority of
the free white inhabitants ofthe common-
wealth, calculated 10 excite and spread
discomfort throughout the Iand-to pro.
duce intestine feuds-to ALLEVIATE the ai.
fections ofthe People, and induce them to
render less ready obedience to The
laws.
1t is a fundamental maxim in Repub-
ican Government-that the will of
the majority shall govern,-yet under
the change of circumstances, which
has taken place since the formation OF
our Constitution, we STE This sound max
im grossly violated ia the fact, that one
man in the COUNTY Of W4gw!cA has
as much influence IN TIE GoVernnlent
as fifteen men in the County eli Augusta:
and tue late vote in lie House oil Del
ega;es, on The bill above referred To.
proves incomteS!abiy the fact. that the
Government Of Virginia is actually in
the hands OF minority of the People
thus; the Delegates who voted in favour
Of that bill, represented in that BODY
$4,000 or upwards OF the free white in
haoi!antS OF The sIate,-while those vino
voted against it, represented but 100000:
and yet the bill was rejected.
The Legislature, III according 10 the
People, this reasonable request, cannot
be considered as departing from their L.
gltmaie iunctIons.-Ciher Legislatures.
equal IN wisdom and devotion to liil
pubic good, have iuit them an example
AN example which would nave author
ned them to 90 much farther than they
we're asked to go.--tiow was the con
veniiun called, which formed our present
Constitution BY Legislative aci.-
How was the convention called, which
framed our present Federal Constitution?
Ia Constitution " hiCh made the most I'M
porlaat changes Ia Tie I1ghls ol ibe States
and People? BY Legislative acts and
resolutionsl In these instances, the Pso-
pie were not even called upon TO say.
whether there should be d convention or
not; but convention vas mad, amend
ments 10 the constitution proposed IA me
latter instance, ana lac People leit to
say, whether Iney would adopt them or
not. but the present Constitution of
Virginia was never submitted TO the feo-
pie 10 say whether they wound so APP
prove ii.
Ia whatever light this subjec. is view
cd, 1t is conceived ~ this meeting. that
the dictates O, Policy second the claims
OF Justice, Ia demanding oflhe LegIsla-
Iure that ihere Should be no further de-
lay,In according to the friends of reform,
Legislative iacllues for asceriamlng the
will o! .he People, on subject v bich al
iects SO ESSENTIALLY their rights as free
men-'and perlinac!ous adherence On
the part OF Tue Legislature 70 the refusal
OF SO reasonable request, vii, i, is fear
ed, produce 10 Virginia. state OF things,
wnicH every wise, prudent, and yltuons
nau, must dcp.Oie.
Ihattberc are defects in our Constifu-
ton has been admitted by ali-and this
meeting without deeming it necessary to
enter into Il detail Of its defects, hesitate
not, nevertheless to declare:
l.. That tine inequality OF representa-
ton u the III. " Dpicgalgs is Of iispIl so |