Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-04-27
CONVENTION.
COUNTY.

The Convention SUBJECT, it will be seen by the
proceedings annexed, submit, ell to the peo-
i,ic OF Jefferson County ON Monday last Never
>~J-T we observe. upon any occasion, a gen.
cial feeling of interest than NANTES; ed on
thar day. The conviction of the necessity OF
convention seemed to be universal IL Il true
that considerable discussion took place, but that
discr;sion produced oniy by difference OF
opinion - to details, aud the best manner
Of Indicating The strong sentiments which prevail
ed ]! single voice against a conv eDou
that voice was no, even breathed at the meeting
The gentlemen who took part in the incidental
debate, were, Henry S. Turner, Robert Worhng.
ton, Moses T. Hunter. Carver Willis Andrew
Kennedy, John Peter, Btax'on Davenport, An
drew Hunter, Joseph L Dsugher,y, William
IIca-, and jacob B,ker, Esqs. Ali agreed upon
the necessity al speak, & in decisive tone We,
>-ra-,Iie language OF Reason and Moderation.
We are now persuaded Of the truth of he re
mark (nade in tn. Legislature las session, y tina,
IN. frequent rei-ction+ of The pe,rioas Tor a Con-
vention, have enlisted more friends in its behalf
shan any other circumstance. a large portion of
the people ak that the sentiments of the State
6e fniriY and iCgGiiy taiefi determined 70 abide
The will of ni'!joy1fY let that will be adverse
or favorable their wishes. The serviIe doc
irine that majprify cannot act, cvcn ,citsout
lesis,0iire all, he shortly exploded. Had
that doctrine prev ,iled in 20 instead cf the prn-
ciple- set forth in the - Bill oi Rights" we
should y-; haze been the crouchins vasssi-, lac
Il; graded and d"-Yi+cd slaves, oil royal master, or
- royal masters deputy.
The lrie.,IS Of reform willing TO respect
every law now ~ force, (even though they have
enanated from an unequal representation until a
heter system Of government can be adopted Let
them perscyrre, calmly but unwaveringly. The
public sentiment, ike the flowing tide, is rising
gradually, yet irresistibly. Its course cannot be
impede aud it needs not the spirit of prophecy
10 name the few, the very few, years " hcIi il
will require, to wash from e-cuicheon- those
ve-,ges OF royalty which have lons hung like an
incabns upon the State.
JCGcrson Re2osit0,y.
large and respectable meeting OF the CITIZEN
of Jefferson county was held az the Court House
oi sad county, on the l9th of March, 1927, when
Col. George ~. Humphreys called 10 the
Chair. and John S. Gaaher appointed Secretary.
The object of the meeting was briefly stated by
the Chairman, and enlarged upon by Andrew
Kennedy, Esq. Who submitted the following pre-
amble and resolutions, which, after free inter
change Of sentiment, were unanimously adopted
The citizens Of the couny OF Jefferson, seni-
bi-ed in county meeting fer The purpose Of consi-
dering, as well the present condition of the gov
eminent OF The state, the necessity of Con-
venion for The amendment or alteration of us
existing constitution, adopt the following propo-
sitons brief exposition OF the public sentiment
ON these impor,an, subjects.
ist They consider tina, The government Of ihis |
stafe was intended at is formation he and re-
main Representative Democracy.
2 That by an error n IT'S original consiitu.
fion, and by the gradual progress Of that error,
the essential and vial principles OF such form OF
have been 40 far overlooked or per-
vorfed 80 20 exhibit al this day the extraordinary
fact, th,t more than 10000 free citizens of he
upper and midland eounTy, being majority OF |
tire whole free population OF The state. Aciu-
ally governed and controlled by the representa-
tives of 220, 600 Of their brethren.
=. That such government is the government
Of = minority small, as TO be garng and per-
nicous departure from The spirit Of our institute
and constitutes an usuvpatiOI.
4. That by this usurfation the citizens Of this |
county, composing part OF that majority, have. !
with the deepest Indignation, seen and felt their
heat interests and their dearest rights wsntonIy
I,eg.ected and dsspised and have found themselves
excluded from that free and eq'sl participation in
ihs benefits Of the government, TO which they know
Themselves TO be entitled.
g. The people Of Jefferson have long been
sna are nov most thoroughly convinced Of ~,
n.peJious necessity Of convention FOR the pur
lose Of healing this unsoundness in the state, By
The amendment or sltmston Of The present constl.
iu.or.
g. Notwithstanding that The representatives. Of
tae lowIsnI minority, constituting, from the very
operation Of tsis unsoundness, majority in The .
DS1ss of 1Ssg7tes, have eor'rnrtuouS. rrecfed !