Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-03-27

than go through the empty and humiliatine cere-
mony OF raiiiying the decree of the sovereign
caucus.
The proposed plan is odiaus also, because it de-
MES the capacity Of the people to manage their
own concerns; while we contend that the people
of all free countries have been found competent
TO the selection Of their highest functionaries.
The splendid talent that has ruled England and II.
rected her destnies, for the last half century, in
spite OF her artificial and o,lious distinctions a.
been elected by the people, and has forced its
passage TO power through 90 the House of the PEG.
pie" Pitt, Castlereagh, and Canning owed their
political elevation TO the people; and, Whether for
good for evil, few, il any, Statement in modern
times, have eyerted greater influence over The
current OF human affairs. And, if we consult our
own experience on this point, and refer to James
Madison, we mus. Omit that he was monument
OF the capacity of the people 10 choose public a.
gents, and OF the frai!ty %! any other reliance.
Resoired, therefore, That the appointment of
Deputies to recommend suitable persons to repre-
sent this District in Cow ention is despotic in il.
tendencies, and involves an ndrec; disavowal Of
the Peoples capacity TO govern themselves.
Resoired, That the people are competent TO the
management OF their own matters, without the
Intervention OF directors.
NON-FREEHoLDERS.
At most numerous and respectable adjourned
meeting OF the citizens of the Town of Peters.
burg (Freeholders and non. Free holders\ fr,endlv
to an extension of the elective franchise, a, the
Courthouse on Saturday evening, March 81. 1929:
Major Daniel G. Butts Chairman, and Edward
Pescud Secretary.
Mr. VIM Robertson, jr. from the Select Com
miuee, appointed at the previous meeting, made n
report accompanied with several resolutions,
which, having read, he proceeded to support at
considerable length, and with great earnestness
and ability.
lie was succeeded by Mr.. Robert Gillian, who,
although he objected to one two of the positions
lcrtt mad ft.,r e
lures with great fervor and enthusiasm.
MIR. Gillian having concluded, he was followed
by Col James Robertson, jr. at considerable length
MFRS views were different from those of the Com
mlttee. lie was Tor running d separate ticket for
the Convention, favorable TO an extension of the
right of suffrage; but time did not admit OF
putting his plan into operation, and as unison
among the friends of The non freeholders was alb
soluiely necessary, he waived his own particular
views on this importsu, subject, aud supported, in
mos, auimsted and logical manner, the plan
proposed by the Committee.
Mr. WIN Robertson, jr. again addressed the
It setIns tor ] few moments in support and expla
uson Of that portion Of the report and resolution.
which had been objected to.
The question now called for from various
parts OF the house, Tin consequence of the laeness
OF the hour and the further discussion OF the
question being thus overruled, the vote was la
ken on the passage OF the pre- mble and resou-
tons, and carried in the affirmative by an unan-
NOUS vote, Win a SOiltafy eXceptlOn.
The following is the report, with the accompa-
nying resolutions, agreed upon by the committee,
and adopted by the meeting:
We have been taught to believe. and do believe,
that freedom is the natural and inherent right OF
man, of which he cannot be deprived except by
force or fraud; and that in our country boastng OF
its republican institutions and principles it is NOR
tifyinS to that large portion of this commune
ty have been deprived of its political rights by ano-
Their portion of the same community, (without the
least shadow of jusice,) in an equal participation
in the government under which they live, for
which their ancestors offered up their lives and for
tunes, which they have at all times defended when
necessary, and which the non-freehciers. ag welt
as ireeholdeTs, have equally nheTited.-We have
been taught TO believe by the Bill Of Rights that
to preserve the government in its purity, fire.
quent recurrence to fundamental principles is high
ly necessary-and the same invaluable instrument
has instructed us, that majority of the cOmm,,ni
ty, not of freeholders, have an acknowledged and
indubtable right to alter, amend, or abolish their
form of government. whenever il shall be found,
not to answer the object for which it was estab-
lished. majority OF more than five thousand
freeloders of this commonwealth have declared
that IFS constitution ought 10 he amended This
meeting declare it as their opinion that, III .ts pre-
sent situation the representation in the Legislature
is grossly unjust, oppressive, and unequal. That
large portion, if not majority, OF the free white
male population totally unrepresented.-That
the powers Of the Judiciary ought to be limited
as to make them more immediately responsible to
those (the people) from whom they derive all the
power, and for whom they are mere agents. Non
freehOlders, az well as freeholders, are presumed
to be people. That the Legislature ought to be
greatly limited and reduced in its numbers; being
under its present organization oppressive and bur-
densome. That the grievances above enumerated
are some OF the many by which the people of this
commonwealth, non-freeholders, az well as free
holders, are oppressed That Taxation and repre-
senta'ion were declared by our ancestors to be in
dispensabe to freedom. firm and steady adher
ence TO this principle produced the revolution by
which they established their independence. This
meeting therefore unequivocaIly and publicly de-
clare il their opinion, that the principle which
they contend for with the ireeholders, is den-
ticaily the same. That they are taxed without
being represented, by which they are deprived of
their political right in all respects and 10 all intents
forefathers were, by the British government.
They also contend that the political truth, that
all men are, by nature, free and equal, and which
was great principle of the American revolu-
lion, is at war with the principles OF despoism and
the pride OF aristocracy, and ought to be the foun
dation of all our fundamental institutions. This
alone can unnerve the despot's arm, and stay the
cupidty Of the aristocrat. 1t places a check on
the proud wave Of usurpatioD, limits the evil aims
OF ambition, and intuses yigor & enterprise into the
body polite. Its sautary energies lift the poor man
from state Of vassalage into political being, and
clothe him with that majesty which the God OF
nature gave him, and of which, il man divest him,
it is tyranL'' and sacrilegious. 1t is, therefore,
that they peeceabiy, but firmly, urge their just
claims TO an equal participation in this govern
ment. That in thus urging what they conceive TO
be their just claims, they seek no more than the
recovery of those just and equitable rights, which
they humtly conceive to be fairly and explicitly
delegated TO them by the 9th article of the Bill Of
Rights, which by the operation of unjust legisla-
ton, has been so long and prejudicially withheld
from them-,yhat l0as odious and oppressive to
their ancestors. Is n0tp by the same rule odous {.