Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-03-20
POPULAR RIGHTS.

fOPULAK RIGHTS.
AZ numerous and respectable meeting Of the non-
freeholdcrs Of the county of Loudoun ut the Court
house in Leesburg, March o, 1920, to take into con-
alteration their political Acknowledgement, q large
and respectable number of the freebolders of tho
county also attended by invitaton-took part in the
discussion Mt the meeting, and cordially CO.
with the n-freeholders-Albert G. Waterman was
called 10 the chair, and George Richards appointed
secretary.
On motion, the chair appointed the following gen.
ticmeu committee TO prepare q preamble and re.
solutions, expressive OF the Of this meeting
Saml b. I. Caldwell, WIN. II. Gray, Hcrod Osburn,
David Ogden, James H. McVeigh.-Thc committee
then reured and, aiter short time, reported the
fblowing preamble and resolutions, through Dir.
slaidwoh, which wcro unanimously adopted-
Whereas, it is an axiom in all republican govern
meuts, that all mankind by nature equally nee
and independent they possess certain inherent
unaenahle privileges, OF which they cannot right
fully be deprived without their own consent either
personally, or through their represcntatives:-And
whereas, large majority Of the free citizens Of this
commonwealth, arc unustly deprived of the exercise
Of those political rights which they inherit from the
God Of nature, by the provisions of the present con-
stitution, which .hey Ind hand in forming and TO
winch they meyer freely assented:-And whereas
that instrument which ought To be the charter of cur
liberties, has become unjust and oppressive I'm It's
partial bearings upon the privileged few whom it
recognizes as citizens, that they }nye raised
the majesty OF their voices against, and proclaimed
totally untt To govern free and enlightened COM
munfy. They have, 1t is true, through courtesy
appealed to the lcgislature-the dcformed creature
az the constitution but not the legitimate child of the
psopie-to afford them facilities of calling conven-
ton to alter and amend that constitution which thew
tn fechoders pronounce too unjust ard oppressive
TO be longer tolerated:-And whereas, the legisla
fure, under pretended compliance with this appeal
at ther Inst session passed an act organizing con-
vuntion 70 utter or amend the old, or form new
constitutton which Is to be bndinn upon the whole
community, in which they have thrown barrier a.
round the elective franchise, ,pst us thd basis
upon which the convention Is TO oe reared is teeDunI
viz the population of l8lO:-And whereas, being
excluded by this act from participating in the formn.
ton OF constitution whose provisions will be bind
ing upon MS, upon orr property, and posterty the
only privilege left us is peaceably to assemble us
trccrncn, and consult together upon the nature Of
our invaded rigbts-frecy 10 express our opinion of
those measures which deem arbitrary and despo,ic
boldly to assert our claims to a voice in the cause
OF reforn-and soleIlny 10 enter our protest against
that usurpation of power by which we are disfran-
chised. These are privileges that will not cannot
: dare not, he denied us.
]. Therefore Resofced, That we doom the prcsan,
limited suffrage as unjust, Oppressive and tyrannical
because it deprives than one half of tlc free
white male inhabitants Of this commonwealth who
are oflawfu age and liable to paw taxes and bear
arms, OF those political rights which, in republican
government, are inhernet, unnlenable, and indcfcn
sible.
q ResoiUeG, That we ho.d those self eyiden,
truths assorted in Bill OF Rights. and recogpi-
Zeh in our Declaration of Independence as sound,
constitution can rightfnly be made, and therefore
none ought to BE- made, that not based upon those
everlasting and immutable principles.
J. Resotced, That we most conscientiouslv believe
that tue same principles which justified our fore
fathers in 10, to make the memorable declaration,
I" WE AaE AND OF RIGHT OUGHT To BE FREE" would
Justify us, at this time before Goa and man in ma
king the same declaration, with the same dcternn-
ed spirit.
a. ResoiUed, That the Nox-rRrEnor. prns tl,rouol
out the state be invited to Cooperate with us in
such course as may be deemed most polite and ey-
pedicnt' IN ehsctng our political emancipation
that we endcavour TO rally our slumbering energies
om the torpor OF half century, and stand forth as
inGn, who, Mt lsast, WISH TO nv FHEr-that we Look
upon the present important crisis in our polti-
cal existence; crisis which demands prompt am,
energetic, fir and unwavcrinp declaraton nF our
rights.
3. Rssoired, That committee of CORRESPONDENCE
he appointed, consisting of thirteen members and
That they ascertain, far practicable the ultc-
tiOr Vows OF our brethren In the respective counties
--Hnd that they be ALI bOri2cd TO communicate any
Information relative tO concert Of action which they
may receive, and consider of mporiancc TO the pub
Ice, through the medium the public uapcrs or
should the exgencvs OF the case. in their opinion re-
cure 1t, That they be authorized 10 call public
meeting, Mt such time and place rs they may deem
most expeticnt.
G. Resoieed That commttre OF five be apnoin-
ted TO prepare an address to DISTINGUISHED fellow
citizens throughout the state. and TO recommend she
course OF action they may consider most efIec.
five.
q Rsotreof, That our unfeigned thanks,bc rendered
fdal Those mvH5ers Of both branches of the crdsla-
tire, who have raised their hanfs and voices in our
dcience-We hail them as noble, generous, and dis.
interested statesmen, above the grovelllnr selfs,
smimeut, that rcehodcrs ulonc re entitled 10 oxcu
privileges; d. that our grateful acknowledgement
are also duo to our numerous anu respectable freehold
friends, who have chccriuly given cUuntanence ON
this occasion.
b. Rosoired- That the foregoing prcumbe and rcso-
Iao1s BE- signed by the chairman aud secretary, and
published IN the papers of this place with request
t,st o the editors in Vrgniu, friendly to the CAUSE,
viii give them circulation.
On motion, Resolved Tina, the committees mar
IN the 5th and 9th resolutions be appointed by tie
Giuir - '"'
NirereuPOn tito following gentlemen were sp,,iot.
oJ-- 800 "Fr''''''
Cpapt,ee n Corpe,J,ndepce
SAM. b. r. Calvc Iicrod Osburn, Usher gt,n,or
Burr Weeks. VIM. n. Gray, John Penrco. r. " Go
yrr, lamcs " McVcigh, Sam. A. jackson. DR. ~.
i. Ohutt, Benjamin L. Taylor, Presv Saunders
al