Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-03-24

suffrage should bee extended. 1t is a subject lie.
quifns time, and cool aud attentive nvestipation
But It may safely be asserted, thar the right Of
las at present exercised, is far, very far in
deed, from according with these principles. and
we do not hesitate 10 denounce il as ant.republi.
can and aristocratic. We believe il NAV he safely
extended Tin addition to those now authorized TO
vote) TO all free white male citizens over the age
OF II years not soldier or mariner in the service
OF the United States. who shall have paid taxes
and resided within the county or borough, where
they shall offer TO voe at least one year previous
to the election, and shall not have been convicted
OF any infamous crime. Whilst we agree in
some things, with our DISTINGUISHED brethren of
Richmond, we do not think it expedient, indeed
it would be useless to present ourselves, at tho
approaching election for delegates to the Conyen-
ton, at the polls and solicit the officers of Co.
cernmenf. to receive our votes. These officers as
such, are not authorized by law to receive them
and are compelled, TO return as elected those who
have received majority OF the votes of the free
holders. Neither do we think il e xpcdient to vot,
at separate polls for deleg to the Convention
anil contend before that body, that our votes
should he allowed equal weight in deciding cleo
tons with tue freeholders. For il the same per.
sons are elected, whether tho votes of the nom
ireshoiders are received or not, then our voting
cannot be material. But il on the contrary diff.
ierent members would be elected. our votes
would be received or rejected it would produce
such scene OF discortf and anarchy as ali lovers
OF peace and good order should deprocate. Moro
especially do we not think this course expedient
lor the non-freeholders OF Shenandoah, because
we are well persuad al that the republican free
holders OF Shenandoah are not only willing, but
anxious TO extend to us the right of suffrage.
Let At be remembered that altho we think il er-
peoGent to abstain from the course recommended
| by the Richmond meeting, we do not admit the
right OF the Legislature to confine the choice of
delegates TO the freeholders alone.-On the con-
trary, we pronounce il bold and daring ,isurpa-
ton. Upon mature reflection and due delbera-
ton we think the best course to be pursued, is,
for the non-ireeholders throughout the state 20
prepare memorials to the Convention to be assem-
bled, demonstrating against the law calling Con-
venton, as derogaiory to their rights presenting
10 them their views and wishes in relation to the
prominent defects in our present Constitution,
! and appealing TO their justice and magnanmity,
to guarantee to us in the new Constitution the
righs and privileges TO which we are entitled
1t this course be pursued throughout the Com
monwealth, we are unwilling to believe, that the
Convention viii turn TO us a deaf ear. A major
ity OF the freemen Of this Commonw ealth, rising
in their majesty, to demand their just rights can
not be denied with impunty.
It's no valid argument against the course re-
commended by us, that our rights were disregard
ed, when our present Constitution was formed
The then Convention had little leisure to adjust
with precision, the privileges of all the members
OF the body polite. Wars from without and wars
within, they could but assert and recognize, tho
true principles of government, and leave IL to
their successors in more peaceful times to carry
them into practice.
RfSoIred, That Committee of three persons be
appointed TO draft memorial to the Convention 10
be assembled, expressive of our views, to be sub
mitted at our next meeting. for approval.
ReSotped, That a Committee he appointed to at
tend at each separate election district on the
day oil election, with such memorial to receive
the signatures of those non holders who accord
with us in opinion.
Resoived, That the non-freeholIers throug
out the state be requested cooperate with us in
asserting and securing our Just rights, in such
| manner as they shall think most expedient.
Whereupon, in pursuance Of The first resolu-
ton, Robert Turner, Henry ) Wundar, and
Lorenzo Sibert, were appointed Committee to
DRAFT memorial to the Convention to be assem-
bled at Richmond in October next, to be submit
ted for approval at the next meeting
And in pursuance Of the second resolution the
| following persons were appointed Committee to
| attend at the places designated by law for holding
separate elections in the several districts in this
County TO receive the signatures of the non free
holders OF Shenandoah, to such memorial as may
be adopted viz: at Woodstock, DIR. Henry $. Wun.
der and Robert Turner-at Newmarket, Derrick
Pennybacker and Jacob Strayer-at Lury, DIR
w NJ. Robertson and Capt. Thomas Brittan-al
Col. BoyGs, John r Robertson and Jeffer.
son Wiliiams-and at Strasburg, Joseph Watson
and Thomas Irvine.
ings OF this meeting be signed by the Chairman
and Secretary, and that the Editor Of the Sentin.
ell OF the Valley and the Editors Of the State gen
orally friendly to the rights of the recho!ders
oe requested to publish these proceedings i'll their
several papers.
And then the meeting adjourned to meet again
at the Courthouse in Woodstock, on the MONDAY
OF the Election in April next.
GEO. A. HUPP, Chairman.
ALEXANDER ANDERSON, Secretary.