Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-04-03

The Bill OF Rights so declares; and until lately,
X mas never been questioned-indeed. it has been
freely admitted, even by those moet strenuous for
Freehold Suffrage. II cannot now be questioned,
by any one, who admits the authority Of the Bill
OF Rights, which was framed by the same band OF
Patriots, who adopted the Constitution, and who
declared it Che Bin Of Rights 10 be 'the founda-
ton of Government" But, notwithstanding this
declaration, there some, who have the temcr.
ity to deny its authority, and TO pronounce il to be
tissue Of &c mere distractions, not intended for
practical USE We confess, we are alarmed at this
and other political doctrines, which are becoming
but too prevalent. We feel sincere devotion to
the great principles Of free government, proclaim
ed in the Bill Of Rights" We can forgive the ty-
rant, who forced such holy truths from the li;s OF
suffering people," We have ever viewed thai
instrument as shield, which protected our natu.
raj, inherent, end unaonab.e rights, against any
| entertainments of the Government. We have
looked to it as the Chart, which was to guide us
safely uiro' this great work OF reforming the gov
eminent. We are safe, so long we hold invio.
liable the fundamental principles" which il
contains, and 10 which il recommends Z" a ire
quent recurrence" But, il we desert those prin.
cples, the people will be left to struggle for po,c-
er, without any thing to guide restrain them
but poiicy-and power, when acquired will have
| nothing 10 keept within due bounds, but the same
| selfish motive.
We are not prepared TO abandon those principles
nor to sanction violation OF the Charter, which
contains them; but, il we wore, it would give
| no advantage over US. We should still deny the
validity of any compact, affecting US and our pos
terity, unless we had voice in framing it. And
we do now emphaticaliy deny, that the Legsla-
ture, or any other tribunal under Heaven, has the
right to deprive us of representation iu Conven.
ton, called for the purpose Of reforming, Altering,
or a5olishng the Constitution of this State.
The Non-Freeholders of Virginia, have ever
borne their full proportion of the burdens of Co
vernment in peace; they have never shrunk from
any hardship, peril, or danger, necessary to its de.
fence in war. They have acknowledged the au-
thority Of, and paid taxes imposed by, a Legisla-
ture, in which they are not represented. They
have, in all respects, been governed by laws,
which they had no hand in making. In short, they
have been compelled to support government, in
which they are denied almost every political privi-
lege.
The present limitation of the Right of Suffrage,
was derived. in the first place, from King of
England The trainers of the present Consttu-
ton, did nothing than leave it where they
found 1t; surprising that it would be better to wait
until the termination OF their Revolutionary strug-
giles, before any change was attempted. We have
the high authority of Mr.. Jefferson for asserting,
that those venerable Patriots expected and wished,
that the Constitution should be re-modeled, so soon
as tranquility should be restored. But we deem
| 1t unnecessary to enlarge upon these considera-
| tons. We have no doubt, that they would have
! their due weight, upon Convention, in which
| the whole people were represented. We had sup
posed, that they never could have been disregard
ed, even by those in power. But the doctrines
now prevalent, and the utter disregard of princi-
piles, which we have seen manifested, adrnonish
us, that unless we attend to our own interests,
they will not be attended TO at ALL and that the on.
ly effect of our continuing to waive the exercise of
our rights. will be finally denial of their exist
ence. Whilst, however, thus deny that we
are under any obligation to waive the exercise of
them, and whilst we thus express OUT honest fears
oil the bad consequences OF continued forbearance;
yet we will take no step, which might jeoparize
n Ia 70 nd Of tha To
that argument and remonstrance have entirely
failed. Relying, therefore, upon the Justice of our
cause and appealing to the justice the candor, the
common sense Of the liberal part Of the freehold
ers, we have come to the following Resolutions (:
Resolved, That that part of the Law to organ
i2e Convention, which restricts to Freehoiders
the right OF voting for Members to that Body, is
direct violation OF the fundamental principles of
free government, and of the indubable, unalien-
abe and indceasible rights OF at least one half of
the free citizens Of this Commonwe alth.
Resolved, That it is usurpaion for the Freehold
ers, to assume to themselves the exclusive right TO
| go into Convention, and enter into compact,
] binding the whole Community.
Resolved, That Thos !. Green, Jeffrey d. Pal
| mer, Dan'l L. Dunscomb, Thompson Baker, Jos.
c. Terry, Stephen Cook. FAC. Rice, Thos. H.
Averett, Allen Tuck, and Benjamin Hunt, be and
they are hereby appointed Committee, to draw
up and address Memorial to the Convention, stat
ing suecinctly, the rights, interests, and wishes of
| the Non-Freeholders of this county, and others
| friendly TO their cause That the same be circu-
lated amongst the people, until shortly previous to
| the meeting of that body; and then, by the said
Committee, be forwarded to the said Convention,
together with all the signatures that may have been
obtained.
Resolved, That Thos II. Averett, VIM. Belts.
| Paul Taylor, Barzillai Graves, WIN. C. Ferrell
Thos Johnson, James Faulkner, WIN. c. Tucker,
VIM. Fitzgerald, James p. Hill, Beverley r.
Fleming, Thos. c. Whitworth John Britton, Philip
Johnson, Joseph c. Terry, Jeffrey d. Palmer,
Dan' l.. Dunscomb, Benz. Hunt, Thompson Ba-
ker, Thos j. Green, Stephen Cook, SaInl Is Rice
| and Allen Tuck, be and they are hereby appoint
ed Committee Of Correspondence, 10 commune
cate with other like Committees, that may be APP
pointed throughout the State; and thereby, to en-
sure far possible, unanimiiy and concert
| amongst the Non-Freehelders in every part OF the
Commonwealth; and that this and the foregoing
Committee have power to add TO their numbers
On motion made and seconded, Resolved, That
these proceedings be signed by the Chairman and
Secretary, and forwarded to the Editors of the
Richmond Enquirer and Constitutional Wing, with
| request that they publish them in their respec-
tive papers; and that all Editors in the State,
friendly TO the objects Of this meeting be aso re-
quested TO give them an insertion.
The meeting then adjourned until the 4!h Mon
day in April next.
JNo. s. LEwELLEN, Chr'mn.
THos. II. AvERETT, Sec'ry.
To the Freeholde,s of The counties of Mathews,
| .Jfiddicser, .fccomack, NORTHAMPTON, aud
Gloucester.
You will in short time be called upon to vote
for persons TO represent you in Convention. The
vote that you will then give, is Of the create ST
importance: il is not the common election Of men
to the Legislature, but for persons to frame and
ne W. model Constitution, which Is either 10 be
benefit or injury TO yourselves and your posterity
Let Inc caution and beseech you, to be mindful