Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-05-22
CONTENTION

ht meeting Of freeholders and non free loiers,
friendly TO the extension OF the right of suffrage,
at Powhatan court house, Oh Monday The nth
day OF May, 1929, Doc, Francis Harris. was cali
ed 10 the chair, and William Pope, appointed sec
rotary.
The object Of the meeting having been explain.
ed by Robt. V. Montague, esq. on motion a com
rnittee was appointed by the chair, to report pre-
ambe and resolutions, expressive of tie Objects of
the meeting.
Whereupon, Rnbt V. Montague. II. Harris.
Col. j. Woodson,J c. Pc ter p Sublet, W Scott,
NJ. p Atkinson. c. Cooke, ID. Fuqua,J b. Davis,
L. }. Archer, r. ). Smith, and TheO. Robei ron
weie appointed committee, who having retired
short time, made the following report:
HeaSiiiy asserting 10 the doctrines contained
In the important declaration Of independence and
IN the bill OF rights, prehxed to the constitution
oil lrglnla, aud convinced that the maxiins there
| IN contained, are not "polical distractions" but
sound, orthodox principles, reducibie to practice.
we do not believe any good constitution OF govern
nent can bnd necessary for its security 10 doom
a part OF the people 10 permanent acknowledgements
/ We know from the earliest period of our revolu-
ti1.l, the principle OF Innovation OF more properiy
amendment has been practsed upon; and that il is
| III vain to. endeayonT> TO qualify the objections
| which the idea oil innovation raises in the minds
OF gone, by diminishing the extentand influence
! OF reforna'ion.A democratic government is always
IN slate OF gradual improvement, when expe-
rience comes to tie aid OF theory and speculation
ANY government wishing for true legitimate
| power, must look 10 liberty. III ever there
! moment when TINS maxim ought % be dear to US
! II IS the present Those opposed TO our claims
are using their utmost eXeFtons defeat our lust
pretensions. The whole system of suffrage. a, il
IS now exercised, is as oui: ageous TO civil liberty
as II is pernicious Just rovernment:--T'hai il
| gives scandal to our Character that degrades us
IN the eyes OF our sister states IL is the chicane
| OF tyranny aud oppression, 10 which we ought not
to submit. Ii has heen inyfliously objected TO us
by some, that it is not civil liberty, which we
wis l.lfit ig AMI ~,
and that our principles revolutionary To have
| just share in the burdens and emolumen,s of the
government, we do not deny, is our aim; but that
our principles are revolutionary, we utterly disa-
| vow. We say that civil liberty can haze no se
CURLY without political power; that 10 ask civil H..
berty without Political power would be TO act like
weak men; ii would be TO ask the possession of a
| right, for the enjoyment Of which we could have
no security We know that distinctions have been
made between civil and political liberty and we
admit that it is possible for whole classes and des
criptons OF men to enjoy the one without possess
ing the other; but still assert it can only he h,,
sGfferance; we. therefore, contend that political
power Is the only security for the enjoyment of
| civil liberty. We say that il il not this or tbat
concession that will satisfy US, but 10 grant ma
that which clone can give security for IDS con
tinuance. The right OF suffrage, tlien is az ne
cessary to our political standing and safety as the
master feather OF the Eagles wing, is 20 his lofty
| hight Our most iliustrious patriots, and whose
| memories are dear 20 Virginians, have long 400
pointed out 10 us this necessary reform. We need
not say that the venerable, the llustrious Jeder.
son, was through life the steady advocate Of this
measure. We are not ashamed 10 be found tread
ing in the footsteps, or TO adopt the sentiments
OF this venerable Apostle Of Liberty
Res olUed, That the Limitation of the right of
suffrage to freehOlders, is relict OF kingIv 90
vernment once existing in this state, imposed in
1877 to check the democratic spirit Of the peopIe
at that time, and that IL has too long existed "a a
badge OF aristocracy.
! Res0lDe9, That all white male citizens, of the
age OF Fl years, not convicted of any Infamous
crime, having resided in the county IL months,
and paid tax, do give sutfisient evidence of nor
manent, common, interest with, and attachment
| 10, the community, aud have the right of sufirsge
| Resoiued, That we view the act Of the last Gen
eTal Assembly entitled ''An act TO organize a com
vention' restricting the right Of suffrage to free
holders for the election OF members 10 that body
as oppressive, tyrannical and unjust
ReSOiDed, That the non free holdars OF Po1ba.
tan assemble the third Wednesday OF the pre
sent month, at their Courthouse, aud appoint two
discreet and proper persons TO take list Of their
names, IN order that the number Of non free hol-
ders III the county, deprived Of their political
rights, may be ascortained, and that such cizcns.
sign the same, and attach an affidavit there to GER
hfying before ainslce Of the peace that such poll
has besn fairly kept by them, which they shall
transmit to the president, or other presiding officer
Of the convention, soon may be- after the as
senbling Of that body IN October next.
Res0lUed, That committee Of FIVE he appointed
by the chair, TO draft memorial 10 accompany the
polls Of the nou-lreehOders 10 he taken on the -
Wednesday oithe present month"; as prescribed in
the fourth resolution
Whereupon, Robert. " Montague, Capiain
John T. Cooke, Doctor William Crump, Hilary
Harris, and John c. Porter, were appointed.
ReSoircd, That committee Of correspondence
be appointed, whose duty IL shall be to Comrnnni.
cate with ike committees in other couples for
the pDrpose o. c0Dcertfg meas res 10 accomplish,