Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-02-18
RIGHTS OF THE PEOpLE!

quarters
and shall receive an early attention. Meanwhile. we
insert the proceedings ofthe meeting in Louisa. I,
is not yet too late for the Legislature to pass supple
mental law, and we implore them in the name of Con.
cord and Peace TO repeal the clause in the
Bill by which they have deprived 90 600 free-men Of
their natural, inherent and unelenub,e r;rh.s
Let them repeat hateful the aristocraic the des
potic provision excluding free men WHO hannen No,
to have rs ocres oflsnd, from voting for members Of
Convention, and all viii glide smoothly and harmoni-
ousy along. If there is excitement let the respon-
sibiy be on them, who first depriving free born men
OF their natural rights, then complain that those whom
they have injured should seek to redress themselves
by peaceful and orderly means!
At respectable meeting Of the non-freeholicrs of
Louisa county, convened ut the court-honse on Sn
turday the l4th February 1929; for the purnose NJ
asserting their rights Virginians and as freemen
William Stout, was called to the chair, and John NJ
rherson was appointed secretary, when IT, following
ted "u0p-
Whereas that portion of Vrginans now known ms
non-freeholders, composing a majority of the FREQ
White men OF the State, and embracing large share
OF responsibility, intelligence and patriotism: and
although most uniustly deprived of the invaluable
right OF suffrage for the last 30 years. vet under tho
calling reflection of being disfranchised thov have
continued To oDeY the laws imposed them with
ont having vice themseves-as their acts have
tested on all occasions; they have se,vn their ar
tnchment To the old dominion by paying taxes accor-
ding to their ability and they have proved themselves
patriots in the hour of danger by riskinp their
sons IN the tented ield-they have obeyed the call
OF the assembly that told them 90 forth drive out tho
enemies OF your country forth and shed your blood
IN the field, but you shall have voice in the CONN
olLs;-and many of them have returned home with
scars of honor received while fighting in the field.
have been told by the sheriffs while surroun.'uv the
pol oil elections stand back, have no vote:--all
ans they have borne pcaceaby under hone thar
those In power would, of their own accord and in
justice, extend to them that right which they arc
entitled by nature, and by natures God-an6 now
When those In power have said, the government shall
be changed, the Bill of Rights surely recognizes us
as portion OF that community, which sho ud have
voice ~ the formation Of the new constitution
Which Is TO bind us, and our posterity--nor is i
Just that we should he bound by any constitution
when we are deprived from representation and look
ea over by the present agents fhc people In their
present recommendation to organize the convention
ond treat Ndns though did not belong to tho rom,
munitv; as alons and lot as the freeInen of Yieri
MO:
Therefore, Rss2lssd, That we eonsdc, tho RIGHT or
suffrage,a RIGHT inestimable. and the boast of r,oo
men; and t"t those excluded from that privilege arc
but slaves Ut the Will of the rest, ani such rights
should never be withheld from The free white men Of
Virginia, who are Of age, and who bear arms or nav
taxes to the government. ~
<'eSotUe9, That representation should be based NJ,
the Tree white population, and that representation
Should be IN proportion to popua ton and taxation
as far as practicable in proportion to valuation.
ReSoiUed, That the non frccholders in everv conn
t., borough and city in Virginia, be invited and re-
qussted to meet and organic themselves to assist ms
~ the great cause calculated TO equal rights 70
ourselves, and millions yet unborn
Resolved, That John Todd Quarlcs Ellis Juan
Caswcl Winston, G. b. Winston Richard Joncs
Capt. 'ohn w Taylor, Jno. y. Grubbs John n
Jackson, Archibald Thomp on, Robert Cross and
Wln Iettus, De appointed committee TO correspond
with other committees throughout the State of Viz
ginia, to adopt such measures as NAV ensure tIe
success OF our lust rights
Resotred, That we return our thanks TO General
Dade, our Senator, for his frrnncss in cspolsno o,
cause in the Senate, and TO William f. GorJon rs
Albemarle, the old champion of the east md MIR
Brown OF Harrison the champion of p west
anu oil who advocated our rights in both branches of
the Asa, ,nbly touching the right of suffrage.
PesoLped Tt oil the non -Grcehoders in Ioulsa
county, and the freeholno.s disposed TO assist us in
obtaining just rights meet ~ the court house at
March court, whom the committee WI nakoa final
report Oh this subject.
Res0fUcd, That we will use every ieg2l, fair and
honorable means III our power TO carry these Reso-
lutions into effect.
chairman and secretary, aud be published 10 the
Richmond Wig and Richmond Enquirer, and that
ell the Editors ia Virginia friendly to our cause are
r"4ucstcd 10 give these Resolutions an insertion in
th'ir respective papers.
RccoiycH, That the vote Of the frcchoders now
present be also taken these Resolutions. which
dOne-and unanimously adopted by them
WILLIAM STOUT, Chairman.
JoHN MCPHERsoS, SecrCi1Ty.