Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-02-14

at this time, who are anxious TO Mace you in Ia:
! situation, and who literally advocate your in
terests; but considerable majority Of the mem
bers Isl most violently opposed 10 il; and some
upon the ground that the country, in other words,
the State, belongs TO the land holders & that none
but those to whom il belongs should be permitted
TO make laws in il. si,ho il Is considered perfectly
far, that for the and high privileges OF
bred!hing the air, and drinking the trafer of
the country, yop should fight. and pay t0res, and
icort upoa the highways with the slaves OF the
State, aud all the time you may not have wagon
or cart, even a horse, because You are Of
SOME vocation, which requires neither 10 enable
you 20 conduct your business, prosper In its ID
oors. Indeed, part Of the Legislature seem dis
posed TO allow the slaves Of the Commonwealth,
more political weight in il, than yourselves, as il
apparent, from the recent great effort made in
fixing the scale OF representation, to bring po:-
hon OF them into the computation, while many au
advocate OF the Stare has not raised Voice for the
rights OF tho dlYruncIiSed tDhite This eff
fort in favor Of the slaves has, however, failed, rs
l sincerely horH that all such schemes, well rs
all attempts 10 give property any weight in the
representation may tail, they deserve. For
my own part, an such a democrat, such Il friend
to free and equal government, that hold no
or set Of men, more valuable in society, on ac-
count OF their wealth. Man is not like 4 piece Of
furniture, TO be estimated by the value of tho
gliding. But this idea Of estimating men by the
number Of their dollars, fear, Is fast gaining
ground in the Old Dominion. 1t is principle
the mans acts to his sense, TO his virtue, and TO his
services Whether ne be rich poor, matters
not one jot with me. Indeed, il were 10 fix my
standard for estimating men by their condition in
life, should general rule, rather take the
poor in preference. have always found them at
least "a much 20 De reiietupon, and in the esscn-
fiat support OF the country, in Of grta. need,
much more so.
i have no wish to stir up Of coulJ,) i'm q.
proper excitement should rather alay than in
crease it-but if il is to be produced, by your in
sistng being heard and felt in the affairs of the
Commonwealth, in which you live, OF which
thousands Of you natives, TO whose prosperity
and happi. - you have been heretofore at all
times contributing your best exertions, Say for
one IN heavens name, be il so.-The evil Of lit
tie excitement would be lees, than the present
humble condition tow hich you have been un-
fairly, and improperly suhjccted.-But why should
there be any great excitement? Why do the /.
tiers ripple and lash their waves, but for the inn
pedmenis which break its sncoihness and dis
turb lis course! wouid avoid all irritation and
all excitement would advise yen to push OF
TO your object, calmly, dispassunately, and firm
ly-avoidng all intemperance Of expression, ali
irnpeinosty Of movement, all rashness of action
hut appealing to reason, to justice, and TO the
numbeS and injury Of the prescribed.
Suppose il should be found rhat you constitute a
majority OF this community (and i, is by means
Certain that You do ot)what ihen are your power.
in the state under the Bill of Rights; Ii speaks
eff majority Of the community in reference
10 It's right TO change the Government mot OF
the Ffeehoiaers.) This j. your time TO make
an effort 10 change your condition. Unless il
be .aone now, another opportunity may new
err offer, and you will continue 10 remain for all
future time, in the degraded condition which you
occupy.--fo show you that l ak nothing my
own account, subscribe myself. as I really am
a FREEHOLDER.