Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-03-24

a a numerous meeting of the non-ifeelolders, and
leeholders friendly to the extension Of the right of
'ssuffragc, holden at the Franklin Hotel in the
flown Of Lynchburg, on the l4th of March, 1929,
{for the purpose of consulting, to the means ofres
'toring to the former his civil and political rights
John Hancock, Esq. was,callcd to the chair, s. s l.
Wiatt appointed Secretary.
The following gentlemen were appointed COM
mtee draft resolutions expressive OF the sense Of
the meeting, to wit, j. ID. Urquhart, Richard II. To-
Ter, d. r. Edley, Samuel Schooield, NJ. Il. Lynch
and +. T.. Bowen, Esqs who having retired, re-
turned and offered the following preamble and rcso-
1utions, which were unanimously adopted.
7'he non-frceholdcrs and aporsion of the freehold
crs of the town Lyuchburg and ITS vicinity, assem-
bled to take into consideration the Lazy passed at
the late session Of the General Assembly of Virginia.
for the purpose of "organzing convention" deem il
unnecessary to make laborcd attempt to aem,r-
strate the injustice OF that provision which excludes
nonrcehoders from the polls, and confines the seec-
lion of the individuals TO whom the renoddelling OF
the fundamental law of the State is to be entrusted
10 "priviteged class of the community It needs
nothing like deneidfon, to kiudle i'll the bosom Of
every man who recognizes the political equality of
oil CLASSES Of his FELLOW itiscas, feeling OF indgna-
ton and resentment, which nothing but strong and
confident hope that the question may be settled,
wthou. disturbing the public tranquility could res
train from mancsting itself in acts OF open violence
Such feeling springs spontaneously III the mine,
at tho bare mention Of the degrading fact Yet the
non feehoders will continue, short time longer,
they have heretofore DONE to bear patiently the
wrongs ofwhch they comploin.-The wise men 70
whom the destincs of the State will be entrusted,
wllhaye too much penetration To be alarmed by the
shadow dangers which tr1id minds have conufei
up as the inevitable offspring Of the extension Of the
ridht of suffrdge-and it is to be hornd, thcy will
be too prudent needlessly to eXasperate majority
Vfthe fse white population vi the State,b denial of
4 clam, founded in propriety and justice that they
shay thereby crafty the lust Of power which long pos
session has only ncreased Of the landed arstocracy Of
the ConInonwealth. The non-freehoders possess the
sgh-a right ofwhich they cannot be deprived by the
Legislature, to mako their voice be heard in the for
tnation of constitution destined TO endure for ages
and By which, il they be not heard they may be depT
we'd forever Of the power TO exercise privilege which
rs incsthnabe to thom, and which be formidh-
bio 90 tyrants onl J."-m conserving therefore, to
abide pcaeeaby tho issue OF tho effect about 10
hs made to give TO Virginia constitution which shall
DO republican in practice VOL in McJryia fact
as well as il mo, tho nonfreeh0ldcrs do not
der the opinion that they have an indubtoblG right TO
act otherwise. They anxious, hove 5er, TO alay
excitement rather than to produce Ito preserve
the public tranquility, rather than TO tr seeds Of
strife. In exhibiting this spirit Of moderation and for
bearance tsey furnish the strongest evidence of the
patriotic motives by which thHy are influenced and
rive triumphant rehukc to the aspersons Ufthoso
who denonnec tho extension OF tho right Of suffrage
asb cling faugh with the most injurious consequences
las leading inevitably 20 corruption and turbulence
In orr elections, and, whit is still more be depre
tsted ton sacrifice Of the permanent interests oftho
State. This calm temper, Il Il fondly hoped by this
1ncetfnr viii continue be displayed at least until IL
shall have boon demonstrated that the noufrccholdcrs
have nothing 10 expect from tho deliberations Of tho
Convention Impressed with these sentim ,nts, this
inoefing do Rcsoive,
IL, THAT glrn commonwealth determines N "ehsneo
alter or abolish" ne Fundamental aw, every man, Vho, IN ho
lanzmgc anal the meaning Of our l o rshs has given evil
dcrcc frtnncl' iscrc', " and aaonne 20 I've 'o poe
IA, scsses udspuablc gt 90 voice w tho selection
the agents whom that change 20 be entrusted
Jsy rha reasonable tern % residence within te State
amvug the militia, the paymcn' 81 iaxeN an th'
,ncc Of snch ohor duties may hr raq'iired by Tho