Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-04-17
CONVENTION,

AZ crowded meeting OF noneeholders of COUNTY
square in the town Of Winchester on Monday ts ,h dax of
APRIL George Reed Esq called to the chair and James
The following preamble presented, ami unanimously
adopted:
preventative democracy, for than halt century And
yet the members of this assembly and part
about thousand four male citizens of mature age
residing the county of Frederick alone have no voice
ecctng the Inagacy Of this pretended republic and
ee taxed and taxed at the will and pleasure Legislative
bodies in which they not represented.
When the British parliament 1854 claimed the right
exercised power of imposing taxes on the British Subjects
rcns thirteen provinces of North America the cry OF
eyanny and oppression Tesounded from Maine Georgia
frsm the foot of the Aiehay to the shores of the Atlantic
Ihe enlightened statesmen the distinguished patriots
memorable cra,ren whose consecated in the
collections of grateful poeryprocaimed with one voice
That taxation without representation grievance which
they could not and would bear The wises, and
tnsushed of the of England proclaimed the
opinion within the walls of the parliament house. and
justified the opposition Of he colonies Theyeven justified
open and armed resistance OF the colonies this vortr
sure of the weak aud infatuated ministry of the declaring
at on them would Ie the awful responsibility all the blood
that would be shed in the which they had wamtonly
provoked
long and bloody eusued in which the wachvod On
oye side of the Atlantic TYRANNY" on the
lc OF Virginia acted prominent and distinguished part To
the assertion of the Priscpe OF that she sacrificed many
SINS and unrnoved her trade destroy
c,cd, her towns reduced ashes in a word her whole
stbOar laid waste with fire and sword. The was a;
length ended, the battle won and the stern and stubborn
patriots of the revolution though, themselves well repaid for all
land by The successful the principle they could
not rishly he taxed but by their representatives.
But they left their work unfinished Sprint with TOLL aud in
1--we with eposr they did he leisure tina, was given
them for enremehng within good oms the rights which
feeble colony of Virginia 1917, the edic, Of prohigae
and underniue the strength of the glorious fabric they had
reared Their descendants have rcapcd bitter fruits Of this
their i'll timed relaxation from the labours of reform
An aris,ocacy, composed Of forty thousand citizens rules
tic great commonwealth oil Virginia One hundred thousand
'nen Of mature age have voice in the government Two
thousand four hundred citizens in the county OF Frederick
ENJOY tins day higher privilege than that which even
Yran,s conccrc ~ their Sueclse privilege of complaining
OF tpe wtorgs and danchiseme, while half the number
are exercising the right of saying who shall make laws gov
em them and who STALL
But the members OF this assembly, while they lus complain
OF rights withheld and inflicted, would do injustice
their feelings they did say that they acquit the bc-
r and enlightened eeiIoldcr their all
tntay participation in this and ant-repulcau
They believe and affords them high and unixed pleasure
-expass their belief that nine Of freenlers
FREDERICK would gladly them this day, enjoying to the
fullest extent all the rights that withheld from heia
The nope that tins generous feeling prevails great major
y of the privileged class of Virginia could alone reconcile the
members Of this assembly TO the idea grating feelings
Of frurncr seeing constitution or fundamental law WHICH
is the rights themselves and their poery PERHAPS
Tor ages oone framed by the representatives, of that prve
shd class alone.
this hope they arr content 10 live Ill, time shall show il,
taacy restore them TO their rights as remen
May heaven inspire the convention which is soon to assemble
with wisdom and honesty and true republican feelings, and
tgsrchy ave from Virginia all the evils and seres Of civil
were unanimously adopted:
Resolved, That deem the prcsen, limitation OF sfrane
10 be remnant Of royalty inconsistent the spirit of our
fc institutions and at variance with the principles Of reput-
tansnI
Resolved That consider the sixth clause in the bill o
rights containing sound and republican princlplea safe
aud polite directory to proper regulation Of the elective pfiv
icse
B. Resolved, That lccu, it solemn and sacred duty
which to the violated rights of man, country and
postcty hcnOnce the late the general ASSEMBLY Of
this restricting the rgh, OF suffrage freeoders in the
election of members to the Incompatible y, tb
sacred contained III the bill of rights, rcpugnan TO -
principle Of genuine lcpublcanisn, violation our IA
Ial rights.
l. esoved, That heartily approve Of the proposition 10
will show that twothrs of the white male admits
are OF dislanchiseent, aud knowledge of this
ic w impress the convention about assemble with con-
gcon the propriey and expecncy ocxtcndng the right OF
Suffrage TO the persons so DISTINGUISHED.
Resolved, That committee of correspondence c an.
pointed, consisting Of five mcmbefs promote unity and
concert OF action such measures be deemed
effect extension of the exercise OF the right suffrage under
constitution about be framed By the convention
WhccUpnn Mt Davis, Mr. STREET, Mr. Reilly Nh. Richard t.
Eyrl, aud Mr.. WIN. Gore appointed.
o. Resolved That the above named committee cbrreubo-
rcucc be instructed prepare address ecoders in
expressive of our views the subject an extcp SION
81 the right Of suffrage and soliciting them lend their aid by
cccng such to the convention avowedy OF
au extension of the elective franchise
7. Resolved, That these proceedings published I'm such
papers friendly to the object fhe meeting.
GEORGE REED, Chainnan
JAlLs 7. REfLEY, Secretary.