Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-02-17

l7i men, that this caSno, be done but by tue in
tervention OF Convention, and that il Is ncom
IPetent for them TO exercise the right until liberia
tel oy the provisions ofa new Constitution. W.
cannot yield our assent to tho truth Of this view
OF the Case. IL is a characteristic OF our State
Constitution, that whatever is not prohibited by
u, may lawfully be done by the people, acting
through their ordinary Legislature and as the
constitution dcprivcs the nom freehoders Of s,,f
irage, only in the election Of members to the Gen.
crai Assembly and of Congress, it results, that
not being forbidden, they ere entitled TO il, in all
other Imaginable cases. Even had the Consli-
tuition denied TO nom frceho!ders the right of Ia
KING part IN change Of the fundamental laws o!
the country, the provision would have been void
ana nugatory; but as il makes no such denial and
on the contrary asserts the opposite principle will
u DC contended that the ordinary Legislature has
Tue right to disiranchise more than half of the
iree men OF the Commonwealth II the Legis-
6ture can do whatever is not Prohib by the
constitution, will it be pretended, that the pcopie
40 not possess the same right. And as the Con-
sttu'ion, no where prohibits the non-free holders
from voting Tor members Of Conve nton will il not
be said that the People less sovereign than the Lee
gisiature, cannot do, what the Legislature daily
does: =
Viewing the question in every light in which
tbs presented to our Understandings we arrive
sun al The some conclusion, that the nom fire. hod
ers oil THIS Commonwealth, have a perfect and in
uspueaoe right to take part in the change of gov
eminent, to vote for members OF the Convention
and to be represented init.
Resofre1 therefore, as tbs opi,,ion of the cir
izens Of Richmond here assembled. That tI,e
non-ireeholders possess this right, and cannot be
ueprifed oil it, bur by their own express act and
concession
ResoiOed, Thst at the approaching election f,r
members oil Convention, we will i'm n ne ce f,l am,
orderly manner. attend the polls, aud solicit the
oHceFs OF government TO receive our votes as free
citiIens o. The commonwealth, entitled to an equal
voice IN the change OF government.
neSofUed, That II the officers conducting the e.
iectons refuse to receive our suffrage, I'VE will pro-
ceed to vote at separate polls, having in tue first
pace appointed and procured the qualification of
TWO or more citizens TO keep the said pol s. receive
our votes; and transmit them to the Convention
before which body we will contend for the right
OF their being allowed equal weight in deciding
elections, with the votes OF frecholders.
Resotred, That the non freeholders throughout
The State, be respectfully invited to in
this our purpose.
Resoired, That common sense and custom. i'm
pose limitation upon the right of suffraye-and
that we will countenapce its extension no farther
IMAM TO JTeeUhtfe men, who are2i years of age and
have resided at least II months in Virginia
ReSofoed, That the act OF Assembly to organize
convention, in restricting suffia age 10 roeholders
only, violates the imnuable principle that a ma
Jority OF the Community has right to alter, a.
end or abolish the eristing government, makes
nvidious and aristocratic distinctions among free
men possessing equai rights anu Is uncoustitution
al and imperative.
ResoiUed, that the proceedings be signed by the
Chairman and Secretary, and published in the ma.
pcrs OF the city.
When the reading of the preamble and resolu.
tons had been finished by the Secretary MIR
Mayo moved in Difference 10 the majority of the
commmitee, that a select committee be appointed
TO report to an adjourned meeting on "Wednesday
evening next; at the same time EXPIRE ssing his
own satisfaction with the preamble and resolu-
In, Al.
tee, and hoping that they would now be adopted
by the meeting.
Aud this motion was decided in the lucrative
The question then having been put on the adop.
ton OF the pre- amble and resolutions il was Carl
ed in the affirmative by very large rnaiori,v
And then the meeting adjourned.
III. PEASANTS, Ch'rm.
JOSIAH b. ABBOTT, Sec'ry.
To The Editors Of the Richmond Enquirer.
RICHMOND, Feb. Is, 1929
Genflemen:--l was surprised, in casting nv eve
over the Wing OF this morning, to observe INV
name among the members of a committees an
pointed TO report preamble and resolutions to the
meeting OF the nom Freehoders and other Citizens
held ut the Capitol on Saturday evening last-It
is true that | was present at the meeting: but
like many others, as a mere spectator; and not in
any manner participation of the proceeding. of
the meeting and had no idea that was named as
member Of the Committee Had L known i, I
should have Immediately refused TO act I do not
mean to express any opinion with regard to any
measures which the non Freehoders inay be dis.
posed to adopt, to enforce their right to vote for
members Of the Convention, and certainly do moi
intend to take any part in those IN easures
You will please publish This note in your next
paper, and will thank you to request such Edi-
tors Of papers "a may publish the proceedings of
the meeting, to publish this note at the same time.
] am, gentlemen,
Very respectfully,
Your Obd't Serv't
J. u. HARVIE.