Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-05-08

SAINT. DaDson,
.iro. FL .M'Cabc,
III. p. Po,ceU
Edyette Bali
MIR. POWELL'S REPLY.
LoUDoUN COUNTY, April 70, 1890
dentlelnen: received your letter Of the 18th inst
~ which, as a committee, constituted by a meetiu
of the citizens of Loudoun county held ON tbc rre
cedIng day, and in obedience the resolution of tba
meeting, you submit to me, ais one of those named :,
Candidates for the convention certain queries inteu
20 10 draw forth an expression of opinion AS Il
those leading propositions of reform expected IA HI
discussed IN that body, and TO which answers are re-
qiested.--in this communication Won supycst wit
great proprIsty, "that those who are candidates to
seals Ia deberative body, in which the destinies
the people OF Virginia will he fixed perhars for a1s
snnuld frankly and freely avow their sentiments
There shall Ire no want of frankness or of freedom
my fepiy'-Fuiy impressed as am, with its in,
p4rtance, and IFS responsibilities it is with undissen
bied diif1deucc that find myself, without knowe1o,
ar consultation on my part, placed before the publ
as one of those deemed worthy to be Candidate f.,
lns high distinctien.-lt has not been nv habit ir
r 10 oo'ruoe myself upon public notice for oficia
honours, nor to shrinl, from discharge of pubIir
untv when my services were clarned.-I shall net
upon the same principle the present occasion
IN entering upon the exposition called for do il
Vth the moro readiness, from knowledge that false
impressions have been made upon the minds of some
portion oil the community, and unfounded ieaonsies
excited as to my feelings and views in relation to the
conVeniE;f and from my strong desire not to be mis-
and appreciation have always SGT higher valte
than upon their votes.
When at the election of members Of the house of
delegates tor the last year, notwithstanding 7 had
Withheld myself from concurrence in some of the
early movements of the friends of convention was
yet cbosen without solicitation on nv part and with
view too to the adjustment of that measure one of
the representatives for the county of Loudon felt
duly sensible Of the honour thus conferred-T at
that time referred my fellow citizens to the vote
which had given twelve mouths before in favor of
convention and assured them it should have nv cor
dial support IN the egisature.-The votes recorded
nthe Journals of the house of delegates will show
tpa redeemed that pledge.--I have always believed
mat the progress Of public opinion would through
tfTe medium of the legislature and without tumult
hiring about the desired convention, and with it. the
objects OF rational reform; and my constant efforts
1!ave been TO prevent the confusion which might he
Expected to arise from the pursuit of those objects
fhrongh any other cirannel.-Thus far nv wishes
and predictions have promise of fulflment Blu,
What are the objects of rational reform?-It is to
tins, That am called to answer by the queries which
you have submitted.
First then, in the order of your inquiries rs first in
me mfnds OF great portion of our community shall
speak as To the extension Of the rpht of sffi,np
and VIII say IN the language Of the resolutions passed
by the trends OF reform in 1885, at Stanton thst
the right of suffrage should be extended 70 Nil
free White male ci'iznns above 81 years of age
anheher tPeeeotderS not who arc capBbIe of fir
nisiing sufficient eridence Of permaserf c,,u,,o, >;
feSest with art attainment to, TIE couUrty, IN such
uTanrer ss to guard against universal snfFrare, -"
But what they would deem such sufficient evidcnce
that BODY did not attempt TO Define nor what thew
'neant by universal suffrage, feeling no doubt the diff
bcuty ofcominG to common sentiment upon this
Important subjcct--The difficulty which thew felt
an persuaded pervades the community at large and
VIII Tot be found least with those who reflect fnot
ueeply upon the materials to my own opinions
notwithstanding the insinuatons thrown out nave
at no time made any mystery OF them, and Will nov
state tfcm with perfect candour, far as thew are
dchnitety made up. The freehold limitation Of snf.
1rage was derived from the country of our foreather
In England the elective francis belongs to the free
holders, and TO the freemen of the corporatjous-
- Ihe Housc OF Commons, tsavs the elder Pity rem
resens the proprietOrs of the lands and those pTopr
Htors treehotdcrs virtually represent the rest othe
Iharodn's. The theory then was that the frechol-
TSfs were rccognz1d as perpetual body of electors
representing The whole community for the purpose of
cnoosIng their representatives in the governments
Whatever may BIC the beauties or the defects of this
sYstefD tile people, the only legitimate source of o
teal power, have certainly right - reform alter mr.
abolish It, at their pleasure. The recent manEesfa
tons too clear to be misunderstood, show that the
great body OF the community is longer content that
tins power shall fem8in vested, exclusively in the
ircehoIdeTs; and justice policy, and the principles of
Tue age now deTnoud Ofus a change.-To this chanpe
pEb shaA yield my cordial assent, and appreciation.
Whist make this declaration, ] must say, az the
slime time that when have cunlcrnpIat ed the pur
w. TIE orheT ana the decOrum with which our cleo
Vt"Vs are conducted III Virginia, and contrasteG them
WIN the intrigue, tunnlt and riot exhibited in tbose
states where universal suffrage prevails conId not
but feel great approximations, that when the door
should be opened 10 admit those to the EXERCISE oftbo
right to wbom5t might safely be extended. that +
might be thrown 90 wide to let in those also vb,
teeug no interest I'd tho result Of public measures
sT5 knowing little Of their operations aud caring lit