Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-10-15
TO THE NON-FREEHOLDERs.

tEe lrcid Mcalurial of their fcJw-UtiZens OF Rich
mJn', ,r I'D ~ thor rcqIce. by Attorney General
Robertson. Il was presented 10 the Convention OH
cuc5iay b. Gen. Marshall, listened to with the deep
es, aud Ha:,cring attention, and rce. cd to the
Committee the Legislature. The sentiment OF
friend foe, awards the highest rank among the
Political papers ofthe day. More genuine Republic
Canh;n, and more force OF expression, are to be
tumd nowhere. EDITORS.
1'ss .Hsmorial IF tie .S,o. Nrecholarrs Of the Cit,
~ Richmond respectfully addressed 10 lie Conrea-
tiun assembled, to dclberdie On amendments 10
kke St1te Constitution
loar ncrnorn!ists, Us their designation imports,
belong to that class of citizens, who, having the
good fortune to pOssess certain portion of land are
TOR that only debarred from the endowment OF
the right of suffrage. Experience has but too clear
~ evnced what indeed, reason had always foretod,
by hoy ttail tenure they hohi every other right
who denied this, the highest prerogave of free
pc,n The want of it has afforded both the prcteXt
and the menus OF excluding the entire class to which
your memoriallss helong; fg lparticpation in the
T1rent election of the body they Respectfully Nd
dress Comprising very large part, probably
orl:y, or the male citizens OF mature age, they have
bren passed by, like oiens slaves as if destitute
Gf interest unworthy OF voice, measures in
voiring their future political destiny: whilst the free
j. ers, sole possessors, under the existing Consii.u-
ton, of the elective franchise, have, upon the
fiilned IN themselves the exclusive power of new
Hodcn. the fundamental laws of the State: in other
words, have seized upon the sovereign authority.
1t cannot DC necessary, in addressing the Convcn-
t'on u6W assembled, to eXpatiate the monlentous
Importance OF the right OF suffrage or to enun,eratc
u; evils consequent upon its unjust linitatior.-
Were there no other than that, your incmorialsts
have brought your attention aud which has made
ttcm feel with full force their degraded condition
well might it justify their best efforts to obtain the
great privilege they seek, the only effeciuul
method OF preventing its recurrence. To that pryi-
lego they respectfully contend, they orc entitled
equally with iss present possessors. MANY are bold
enough to deny their title. None can show better
1t rests upon no subtle abstruse reasoning; but
upon grounds simple IN their character, intellgible to
The Pla!nest capacity, and such appeal to the hears
as Wen Us the understanding, of oil who comprehend
and duly appreciate the principles of free government
Among the doctrines incucated in the great charte,
handed down to declaration Of the rights per-
taimnS to the good people of Virginia and their pos
ee11ty, as the basis and foundation Of government
We are taught,
That all men by nature equatly free and indie.
pendent, and have certain inherent rights of which
When they enter into state of society they cannot
~ any compact, deprive divest their posterty:
E'nely, the enjoyment of life and liberty with the
rasans OF acquiring and possessing property and pur-
Ting and obtaining happiness and safety.
hat all power is vested in, and consequently de-
7ived from the people.
That majority of the community hath an ;ndaibi-
cable, unalensble and indeteasibe ririt, to rsiorn
alter, or abolish, the government.
tha1 no man, nor set OF men, entitled to cxclti-
se or separate emouments or privileges, but III Con-
sideratlon of public services.
That all men, having sufficient evidence Of Norma
Hent common interest with, and attachment to the
community, have right Of suffrage, and cannot b.
liked or deprived OF their property, without THEN
CONSENT or that OF their representative nor bound b,
any law to which they have not in like manner as
sented, for tho public good.
bow do the principles thus proclaimed accord will
the existing regulation of surage re ruiation which
instead OF the equality nature orlans, creates an
dons distinction between members of be same com
InnNity; robs OF oil share IN the enactment OF the law
large portion of the citizens, bound by them an
Vh.se blood and treasure pledged to na;r,taiI
them. and vests III favored class not i'm considera
ton OF their public sryiccs but of their private DOS
sfsois, the highest of al privileges: one which, as is
nov II fragrant proof If 1T does not constitute at least
Is held practically to confer, absolute soyereiontv
Le. 1t not be urged, that the regulation compliance
a. ana the charter it violates, sprung from the same
fonored source. The conflict between them is no,
Oh tSat account the less apparent. Nor does il dero.
gate from tho fair fame of the Convention of ,76 tbo.
they should not have frGued Constitution perfect II
n Its parts. Dsiberating amid the din of arms mn,
'hefeiy on plan OF government, but the nccess
~ means tor conducting most unequal strupole fo,
NATIONAL existence, it not to be expected that the
relative rights OF tho citizens could be aturelv CON
{idered, or adjusted in detail. From any chance OF
tie regulation in regard to suffrage s,biect nrofc
siWays Of much discussion they might have f.aTnJ r.
generate teud5 among those upon whose harmony nj
fcnS and concert of action depended the saIvotin1 NJ
LIAR country They left it, therefore as they found it
he non-freehoders, moreover, unrepresented in The
CcaVention, and for the most part probably enuaoel
in resisting the common enemy, it is fair to ;nfer u
ti'e actual condition of the coontry, had neither tn,
opportunity nor the inclination TO press their Claims
Nor should it be forgotten that the Convention hav
ing been chosen by the Freeholders whose pojtica
power was derived from the abrogated government
many OF our wisest statesmen regarded the Constitu
tfon Ief as wanting in authority, or at least ns re-
Yea!able by succeeding Legislature; and accordinrl
Ut has, in point Of fact, since undergone nateFia
change in the very provision in question touch
ing the right Of suffrage.
IL tho IF L;rI,t, $780,. -,
the Opinions of any individual. however eminent vii
DE still IN 'rc ightly regarded. Yet your memorial
lists canHot but exut In the counenunce their cars
'rS recelsca from num- who WIS foremost to as
sert the rights of his fellow mcn--tle venerated an
thor oil tho Declaration of Indopcndcnce ana OF tn
act Of religious freedom. When those riptta or
brought III question: they know of none whose genti
znCnts are worthy CT llirber estimation re- ~,
nln0ng The Iondrrs of our Repnhlic nc VIC indcl.