Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-04-28
CONVENTIoN.
Public Meeting in Puisvirania.

u
county of Pittsylvana, the 2ls of March last, at
the residence of Walter Fitzgerald, Esq. for the pur-
pose of recommending fit persons TO represent them
Ill the Convention to be holden in the city of Rich
laond, the first Monday i'll October next; the fol-
lowing gentlemen were selected, and appointed 4
committee, for the purpose collaborating the sub
icct of reform i'll the Constitution of Virginia; and o.
recommending to the people, such men will most
faithfully and judciousy meet their wishes in the
accomplishment of this desirable object.
Without hesitation, Uattes EGtSgerdld, Esq. was
called TO the chair, and Doct Josiah Morton, appon
ted Secretary to the mectng-whereupon Capt
benjamin Estes, Capt. John Keen, John Ware, Jo-
FePh Perkins, Stephen Price, Capt. John Pritchett
Capt. Thomas Burnett, VIM. Payne and David Il.
Boaz, were appointed committee to draft resolutions
who, alter having retired for short time, reported
the following:
Resolved, LIST, That under the present constit,i-
ton of Virginia. there arc grievances too inolerube
TO be bornc-such as the unequal representation in
the State Legislature, the organization of the Exec
mtivo and Judiciary Dcpartments-tie county court
system-and the defects in the elective franchise.
Resolved, 2ndly, That, under republican form OF
government the people are or ought to be, the SOW
cregn powcr-that all offices in the government
should cmanate from then-and that public officers
should be dependant on, and anlenablc to the people
for their conduct.
Resolved, 3rdly, That, whereas a large and res
pectablc meeting of the citizens of this community
are deprived from holding any part IN legislation,
(which, IN our humble Judgment is contrary to the
spirit OF republcansin and rcpugnant to the feelings
oftreemen, the right of suffrage should he extended
TO all Tree white male citizens residing in this COM
Inonwealth over the are Of twcntv-onc years who
dear arms, and pay taxes FOR the support Of govern
1ncnt.
Resolved, 4thy That, in our opinion TIC Judges of
our courts and the Justices of the Peace, should be
selected FROM among those who are best qualified in
TALENTS and integrity to promote the public welfare
and that they should hold their offices for life or du-
ring good behaviour and competency to discharge
:he duties of their station.
Resolved, 5thly, That, in the opinion of this com
lnttee, the representation in the State Legislature
should be eluaZed and graduated on the basis of tho
free white population Of the Sate-and that the pre-
sent number of members Of the House nf Dclerates
should be reduccd-whercby the business of leGsla-
ton would be expedited and great saving to the
State IN public expenditure accomplished.
Resolved, 6thly, That, in the opinion of this COM
Isee. the Chief Magistrate of the State should b,
elected for term years by the people themselves
and not by their representatives.
Resolved 7thly, That, in the opinion of this CON-
intec, the Executive Council should DO dispensed
with, as an useless appen1a ore to the government
Resolved, 8thly, That the foregoing enumerated
detects i'll the constitution of Virginia, have for a
long time been the sources of great grievance to
majority of the good people of this commonwealth
and Ought, therefore, to be forthwith redressed
Resolved, 9thly, That this committee. being deep
Iy Impressed with the vital importance of reform in
tFe fundamental laws of the land, do recommend to
the people of this Senatorial District, the proprietv
OF calling county meetings, and Of adopting concert
e measures for selecting re the said district four
discreet and talented men candidates, whose pre-
whose sentiments touching the defects in the State
constitution herein referred to, should be fully express
sod.
Resolved, 1othly, Thlt this meeting are resolved
TO raise their protest against the prcte,sions of any
man or set OF whose views of reform are not III
accordance with what is here expressed.
The foregoing Resolutions of the committee having
been reported to the meeting unanimously adop
fed: and IN pursuance of the 9th resolution, the fol-
lowing NAMED gentlemen We're nominated and re-
commended 20 the people of this Senatorial District
us suitable persons rep them in the conyen
ton to be assembled at Richmond the first sion
day in October next, to wit: capt. James Lancr of
DanviIlc col. Joseph Martin of Henry; col. GEORGE
Townes of Plttsylvania, and COL BENIN W. S. Ca
bell Of Danville.
On motion, Resolved, That copies Of the FOREGOING
resolutions be furnished, the Editors Of the Lynch
burg Firginian and Jefcrsonian Republican for scr
ton. WALTER FITZGERALD, CHARM.
JOSIAH Morton, SeC'ry.
To Tie ConrenHonsts Of ,4,nhe,st, Nilsson 4i5enrie,
fttu"nnr md Gooci,lanG.
Fellow Citizens: The time is not very far distant
when 1t will be your duty citizens of this Common
wealth, and your interest, TO exercise one of the
greatest political privileges that belong to any ma
ton or any people the first day Of May court next
IS the time appointed for you to elect delegates 10 re-
present you in the approaching conventional con-
ventron which will assemble for the purpose of tixnr
the basis upon which will be reared the fabric of Vr
glnIa ACKNOWLEDGEMENT or Virginia degradation, and
Within whose grasp Will consequently be not only /!
your happiness and prosperity but the happiness and
prosperity Of thousands that yet sleep in the bosoms
of futurity II behooves you then, to he extremely
cautious in the selection OF those who are to repre-
spnt you. Your all depends upon it. Many persons
since the voice of the people III tone too lofty and
commanding to be disoDeyed has called for a convcn-
ton tbut who were originally opposed to it, have
Yr9eSsed to be III favor ofrcforw Such persons, my
fellow citizens. trust not-tey thus 10 doubt at
tempting TO ;,et INTO the convention, to aim a more
deadly blow: Give such car TO their professions as
you would TO those of your deadlicst enemy. They
are your enemies, and the enemies of genuine repub
llcan liberty. If the constitution, previous TO tie
rention, not detective it Is not defective MR. II
they couldnot It's deiormtY then, they cannot see
1t noo. Nothing has occurred within the last few