Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1827-07-11
Gbs Gowatlsmtlaasal eagbts.
COMMUNICATED.
C0nreniion .uceting II. Nelson Coinlty.

being tie day OF the monthly Court Tor said county,
was resolved to akejnto consideration the eX;raordi
nary aud naccountab!e disregard of the last egisla
uc to tho viii of the majority OF the community, on
the subject of The call ul conventiou TO amend the
constitution OF Virginia; when John l.. Harris ing
called 10 the chair and Capt John b. Coles appointed
secretary the following preamble and resolutions sub
united by Capt Henry Rves, and by him enforced in
nrat and pertinent address, were adoped.
las meeting hold these propositions 10 be sell evient
and iIcontrogerbe that the people are the only lepr;ti
mate source OF political power; that government but
an e'ianauon from their so9ereignty that they by
sequence ought 20 be and surely capable Of mana
sing Their Own governmental concerns, and that the
sovereign powes resident in the ''maoriy of ,e-com
mnnty," WHICH originally framed and cheated this con
suton, has the "indubitabie, unaieuabie and indie
feasible right TO Reform alter abolish in such man
shall be judged mos; conducive 10 the pubic
weai: that that government is best, which is most eff
fecualty secured against the danger OF NAL admins
raton; thai all government is ought be iustitrl-
cd for he common benefit; finally, that according TO
ererycoreci theory OF The most approved presidents
furnished by the history Of political science rcpresgn-
taiiOr should be appotonsd populations AMI taxation
and representation should be nseparabv united: vet in
the face OF these incontIovertibie doctrines which do
form theory, though not practice the solid basis OF
orr political institutions III the midst Of our sister states
CT the unun, whose constitutions recognize and aopt
these fundamental principles in this land OF fair
science and liberty, so proudly and pre- einuenty dis
uG,u!shed 10y brilliant constellation political inl;i-
aries burning and shining Iighs Of the age and coun-
try in which they live, Outstanding with pits
aud humiliation constrained 10 behold the melancholy
and Notifying spectacle OF frame of constitutional
pohiy ncgig cUt!y and hastily planned and devised amid
the ''din Of arms adopted first through neccssItv
and designed By its patrons TO be merely temporary
(but if the viii of cur lords ana masters those men
clothed lin ga little brief authority who CONFUSED
our last legislature is Constantly prevail to behold
say this constitution thus hastily and I,nperloctv
sketchcd to tic now permanently imposed our ian
ceut and cnce renowned domiuionp by the rfiex,be
mandate and high becst of the po,yers that be IN.
of
ed legislation" dceming las they Justly may the social
compact 10 be dissolved shall rise Gen rssc', in the
majesty OF their strength and take into their own CON
sIderatlon without requesIng awaiting Legislative
cTpOsi;ion the necessity OF amending tier form, f
government, i'll The opinion oi this meeting obviously
detective IN toe most essena! attributes OF free cou-
sjituticn
J Wile efore, Resolved !st. That The necessity Of
''rocUrTence 10 fundamental prncip!cs' 40 earnest
y enlcned on the people in the sacred charter OF on,
rights, '7ith view e seeking ard adopting their own
remedy for all diseases oF the BODY polite Row resolves
Itself into mere question OF exncdicncy more espec
oily siUcc the TerotiIng mode OF legislation lately intro
cnced OF snPpFessing HE voice Of TIC people OF
the most Important and delicate subjects that has for
ages aated the public mind course OF legis at.o in
!!e deliberate, calm and dispasicna ilCeeneut Of
this meeting peculiarly fitted ONLY to the meridian 81
tyranny and desrGiiSrD.
Resolved @d. That il ie tie right OF tie peopIe 10
petition their leg ;sature for crcss Of a! grievances
and 20 DC heard UrOn the subject OF those grievances
that is be afforded all legislative facilities tbst NAV
he necessary for the full and fair Development OF their
sediments TO the question whether the actual one
ton OF those gric do Justify or demand ,hargo
! OF their fundamental laws; being tln1haicaly q
question OF right and exPedency IN which ttey aione
are GccpiU interested.
Resolved 3rd. That this meeting has witnessed ,vith
emotions of regret, in slight degree mingled also
with sentiments OF the deepest. ndianaiiGn and mos;
marked abhorrcncc the rejection Of BILL by The last
Legislature for su1n'Ttlng the question of a convention
to the test ct public opinion, lying want of
respect for the people belief OF their incapabiity oI
! se!f-govcrnmrn," and that il intended 10 des-,y
! in embryo measure called for if not by a maior,v
by respectable minority Of the Community far whose
! wishes some regard at least ought to be bad.
i Resolved lth. Notwithstanding the honest and Nm
Tea'ied Efforts OF Tie friends OF constitutional reform
IN this county have hitherto been unsuccessful and their
ouGcs and most imporunate petitions on the subject
oi convention have been rejected, still they are dis
posed 10 their efforts becoming spirit of che
dience TO the laws and III state Of tue most anxious
and trembling soiicitude, lest the public peace and
tranquility be disturbed by obstinate and perna
cioa5 adherence on the part of the legislature TO te
papahie error OF their at the last session which
whilst this meeting has again to expect eo
unhappy result feels itself nevertheless impced 10
denouDcc by anticipation and most sincerely TO depra.
cate. account OF lis manifest tendency da nreTo, I,
10 aRiiaie the state and Convuse The fabric Of social
order 10 sis centre, and ibis meeting do most crvcDtr
wish and pray, that such state OF unrholcsomo az
CIteDeut may he avcfled from our beloved Vjr~
! gina BY course of WISE legislation
I Resolved 5jb That WITH this view ibis meeting and
that portion of tie county generally friendly TO con
7enon, have uniformly fesortcd 10 all pcaceabe and
orderlv modes Of obtaining the public sentiment on
this all important subject The hands Of the legislature
but their humble and most respectful petitions have been
repeatedly rejected, and to this indgnitr offered ia
( The sovereignty OF the people, have they submitted
themselves with patient resignation. being most Grrn'v
persuaded Of the truth tia! il is ,ao9crofo5 and TEN
pea1co alone which U7os successfully promote the
great cause OF political reformation. Du This aoctirc
is free TO declare and therefore do 10 this T"sorc
Resolved 9Th That il is The Guty of every cnljrit
aned and high minded citizen in tie land, openly and
freely, but at the time mildly and TEMPORARILY 20
dououuCe all violent encroaChnents popular rights
and ni'erable expressions Pracscd under color of
lcSi3aiivo supremacy" and if possible 10 arrest the
high Carccrof legislative usurpaIoD By The norai in
Ecnce nj icJI Of his aos decided sentiment of urcna
fed disapprobaiion and marked till the force
. of public opinion Illus embodied and collected sIa
.r.-,... .. 81 L... L.,.. III n-.....L.-.,