Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-03-15

| 'he Shah, anu unanimously adopted
| SAM'L WINFREE, Choir'n.
| WIN. CLARKE, Sec'ru
| CONVENTION MEETING,
IN FREDERICK COUNTY.
AT meeting OF the people of the county of
Frederick, held, pursuant to public notice, in the
public square In Winchester, on Monday the 5tb
Gay oil March, 1927, Doctor John b. TILpEN.
having been called to the chair, and SAMUEL II
DAVIS appointed Secretary, the following decla-
ration OF the feelings, opinions and views of the
people OF Frederick, presented TO the
OF the meeting by John r. Cooke, E.o. was. af
Ter Hee discussion, adopted, without the dis
sentient voice of any citizen OF Frederick.s
| Inc people ii Frederick county in Virginia, as
semoied In county meeting on the 9th day of
March, 1897, TO take into consideration the stat.
Oh 'he commonwealth, and 10 devise means for oh.
tainins redress of the grievances under which
they labor, have determined 10 convey 10 their ru.
ers and to their fellow-citizens, through the me-
dunn OF the press, their opinions and views of
| these important subjects.
l. And hrst, as to their political creed in gen.
eral, they declare, that they believe represents
tive democracy, in the government of which m.
people are fairly and equally represented. 70 he
the best form of government which human wis
dom has yet devised.
| - Ahey consider the existing government of
this commonwealth TO be any thing but a repre-
sentative democracy for the representation in the
House OF Delegates, which under the existing
constitution, engrosses almost all the powers Of
government being territorial and not popular
,he so'ernment, IS, In effect, and so far as the
House OF Delegates is concerned, a confederation
| OF counties, unequal in size and Dopulafio,,.
~ tohich each member of the confederocv bo,
equal ,ceisht and potter.
$. Moreover, they consider the little republics
which constitute this confederacy to be, them
Selves arIstocraces, moi of the worse kind, it is
true, but still arstoc 4cies; in which the riebt of
Suffrage Is wronsfully withheld from large por-
tion OF the people having sufficient evidence of
permanent common interest with and attachment
TO the community"
That The inequality of the population of the
counties and the accidental contiguity of many of
.ne 'maier one, naturally suggesting 10 them the
IDEA OF combination fer local or sectional purpo.
ses, have actually produced a combustion of ,bos.
small counties. not to effect local or sectional
objects only but to lord it over and control the
great body OF the people, inhabiting the large,
counties.
o. That the small counties have long since at
tanned their object; and that a minority of the
people oil the commonwealth, inhabting those
counties, have, for many years past, held, uncon.
"omea. the reins oil government, contrary TO the
will Of the majority.
q. Tha.ea majority of the people has long de-
sired to amend it's constitution, which, by original.
~ distributing political power among the peopI.
IN Inherent sections OF the state In shares so eross
= Unequal, enabled the smaller counties TO com
btne together and usvrp the whole powers of gov
eminent.
q. That they have long considered the DONNA
na'ion or TINS sectional ogarchy an indispensable
grievance, and that protests without number
and L" every shape, have been made against ia
continuance
o. That the actual administrators of this olipar-
chic government, during the present session nj
The legislature, have treated the known and clear,
Is expressed will of 371 900 OF the people of tbi,
commonwealth. constituting large majority of
ms eh'"e population 'hefeof, with contemptuous
disregard.
o. That, by this bold and high banded measure.
hey have according to the principles OF the revo-
luton, dissolved the social compact given 10 the
people the perfect right to trea. them an usu,
pers and tyranis and made the question of COM
tlnued submission to their pretended acts of Ie-
gislation," question Of mere erpedieucv.
III. fha 1t Is no,usmpation ooly of which the
sectional oligarchy that rules the state has been
guhny;-out Of mlsrule- gross and palpable NAL
administration, and that for 30 long a time and m
so great an extent, as to have well nigh ruined our
once hourlshiog and happy common " ealtb.
H. lhai this Is no sedltious and unfoundeIl
Glamour, but serious and most alarming truth. is
proved by the fact, that while the whole United
STATES increased In population, IN the thirty years
that preceded the last census la per cent. an.
white population OF Virginia increased but 36: :
and by the further fact, in the same period. The
population Of New York increased 8 Zines fss
Ter than that of Virginia In shsrt, the domioao,
faction may read The history Of their misruIs in the
fallen fortunes OF the commonwealth.
IL. That u IL not The object or wish of the
people ofFrederiek 'io stir up their own b,oo5
to muinr," or arouse the angry ps.sions of their
fellow citizens throughout that part of the state
which Is sggrieved, insued and trampIed on INV |
The ioslsnd olgarchs; that they therefore refrain
IRON al attempt TO enumerse the grievances ,bev
are suffering from The folly. or ignorance, or ar
b'irary caprice Of hen rulers. Suffice it to ssv
thar hey are grea and numerous, and tba, ,hs |
people OF Frederick neither ask nor cancel re- |
dress from their present rulers.
IL. Boz they do ask and demand, and. IL IN. |
people OF The Other western and midland coun,iss |
containing large majority OF the citizens Of ri.
are Of the same mind with them
IL may.b proper TO stste by way of explaio.
.ng the phrsseology here used, that some fonr q, |
hye young gentleman from other p0rfs of ms |
state voted in The negative throughout. or nearIv
50: This sally produced no III bloood and excl. |
lei no ccmnsrt