Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-01-26
From the Richmond Wing.

10
day brought to close, and the question sue.
+cessively taken on the various plans proposed
tor organising the convention.
By reference 10 the Legislative head, il will
DO seen that Mr.. FIlzhugh's, Mr.. Doddricge's,
Mr.. Nelson's, Mr.. Rutberfoord's, K Mr. Zinn's
plan was each negatived by decisive majority.
Bv these successive votes on pi propositions
suggesting every variety Of organization, it is
eyiden, ,ha, the House OF Delegates are resol-
we'd TO have equal county representation, and
nothing else. The opponents Of a convention,
possessing from the superior number Of small
counties, the strength on the floor Of the House
of Delegates, have determined that the con-
ven,ion shall be so OF ganised, as 10 secure in
it q county majority, in eontradis,inc,ion 10 a
majority Of the people; and thus necessarily 10
defeat, that equalizing Of representation, the
desire Of which has principally contributed to
the call Of convention. And as The small
counties have all slong been opposed TO any
convention, or any reform, the same organiza-
ton gives 10 them the absolute power OF ar
resting, OF limiting it to such trifiing and i'm
material subjects, as the counties aud not The
people prefer.
BY the vote Of yesterday, il is apparent tina,
that is about to be realised, which we some
time ago predicted: namely, that the conven-
ton will be passed by its enemies, and rejec led
BY its friends; for we take il for granted thai
the real friends Of the convention will reject
with indignation, bill upon county represen-
ta,ion, which keeping the word Of promise to
the ear, breaks il 10 the hope.
The little interest that we havs--osr associ-
tions and relations are all in this quarter Of
the State, and We may IT least be supposed
! dIsin:e rested, when as citizens of the common
pn1r fho
trous injustice Of placing in convention viii.
liamsburg on an equal footing with Richmond,
& Warwick with Loudoun, Frederick, Shenan.
doah, Bedford and Pit,sylvania. To give one
man on the Chesapeake, equal political power
with t,ceniy in less favored part of the COM
monwea lth, is a new species Of Republication,
upheard OF out Of Virginia, and neither better
nor worse, than putting Old Sarum on equal
ity with Liverpool. II is the peterborough
system Of England, against which the friends
Of reform in that country have struggled un-
rrmitingly with the aristocracy, for the last
hundred years, with this only difference, that
our system substitutes counties for boroughs.
If this bill shall finally pass, will any man,
then have the hardihood to deny, that Virginia
is ruled by an aristocracy? Will any man have
the hardihood 10 deny tina, the political power
Of the Commonwealth is in the hands OF a mi
noriiy, who have substituted a majority Of
counties, for majority Of the people, and that
this power cannot be wrested from them but by
force and revolution. What is an aristocracy,
but the few governing the many? And can any
man say, tina, Virginia is no, now, and has not
always been, governed hy minority OF her peo-
pie, residing in majority Of the counties!
How this result has been brought about, we
will not now stop 10 enquire, but when the pro-
L.I 81, lac. 81
people, our opinions Of tho causes which have
produced it. As a s,eadfast friend Of a cou-
vention, and as one WHO espoused il at its most
desperate need, have continued faithful through
good aud evil report, we may be permitted to
express our sorrow, that the great ends expect>
ed from il, have been put in jeopardy by its
friends.
An important question remains: Will the
people accept convention upon the terms ins
dicated? Will the great majority who called
il, permit, unjust and iniolerable conditions TO
be dictated TO them by the minority who hap
Den to have the power Of prescribing terms!-
Will Loudoun, Shenandoah, Frederick, Gull
pepper, Fauquier, Augusta, Pii,syivania, 60 m
| TO convention Of equal terms with Warwick,
and there have form Of government dictated
to them an1 after ages, by those who have no
Legitimate power to do il!
These are srea, questions which The people
will answer. We do not doubt hotD they will
be answered.
Another generous but unsuccessful effort was
yesterday made in behalf Of the non freebolders.
Is it not time for this despised and degraded
class, to be looking 10 their righ.sl Is it not
enough that under the existing Government,
they have been disfranchised but must :hey
in an original question o! government, in
which their natural rights rever, with full force,
be denied the great, inalienable and indefeasi>
bic privilege of Republican man, Of participate
ing in the formation Of The government under
which he and his children are 10 live!
Friends of convention! Non-freeholders |!
Call primary meetings of the people, and guard
your rights.
We are unable to-day. to give the ayes and
noes on Messrs. Rutherfoord's and Ziun's pro-
jscts.