Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-02-20
Tbs CONSTITUTIONAL agsb!e.
RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE!


RIGHTS OF TIE PEOPLE!
Communications in favor of the rights OF the Non
fTeeholders reaching us from various quarters,
and Shall receive early attention. Meanwhile, we
insert the proceedings ofthe meeting in Louisa. Il
sno yet too late Tor the Legislature pass supple
mental law and impore them in the i,ale of Con
cord and Pence, to repeal the clause the Convention
Bill by which they nave deprived $1,000 ree-iien of
their natural, inherent and unnicnable rirl,s
Let them repeal the hateful, the arStocratic TIC hcs-
potlc provision excluding free WHO happln not
to have 25 of land from voting for members ut
Convention, and all will glide smoothly and rarmc III
oisy along. Ifthcre is excitement, lot the respon-
sioity be on them VINO frsf deprivle free born men
OF their natura rights then complain that those whom
they have injured should seek redress themselves
by peaceful and orderly mcnns
a.At RI ectable meeting Of the non-reeboId.rs ~
as<ko bunty, convened at the court house on IA
Ian FEBRUARY, 1929; for the putpos, OF
heir rights as Virgnians, and as frt.rneu
tout, was called to the chair and John NJ
appointed secretary, when TIA" foip,v,.,r
e. 80 0t resolutions, unanimously ATOP
Whereas that portion OF yirs,;nans now t,,,,, ,s
non-tFsShQ!ders, composing "a majority Of .he frc,
whit snrsaH& the State. and embracnr nrre share
al Responsibility intelligence and potrctisni and
although most nlunstly depriy ed OF the invaluuhe
tight of suffrage for the last so Years vet uii; the
calling raffecton OF being DISTINGUISHED, tloy have
continued to obey the laws imposed upon them, with
out having voice thsmIseves--as their acts hive,
tested on all occasions; they have slcwn their at
tachnent to the old dominion by paving taxes ucco-
ding to their ability, and they have proved themselves
patriots i'll the hour of dancer BY riskin~ th4ir r,r
in the tented ield-they have oheved the call
ofhe assembly that told them gro forth drive out the
enemies your country go forth and shed vour blood
IN the field, bat voU shall have no voice III the conn
clls -and many of them have returned home with
scars of honor received while fighting in the field
ilave been told by the shoris while SURROUNDINGS the
poll of elections, stand back, you have no vote:-a
this they have borne praccahly rn6ar Il hone .hat
those IN power would of their own cord ana in
justice, extend TO them that right which they are
entitled by nature, and by natures God-and now
when those IN power have said, the government shall
be ehaaged the Bill of Rights surely recognizes us
rs Rortioa Of that community, which should have
voice i'll the f6rmntion of the new constitution
which Is to bind u.s. and posterity--nor is it
Just that should be bound BY any constitution
when we are deprived from representation and look
cd over by the present agents of the people i. their
present recommendation to organize the convention,
and treated though did not belong to the COM
munity as aliens, and not the freemen of F:igi-
MA:
Therefore Ia2solyed, That consider the right of
suffrage, right inestmabe, and the boast of free
and that those excluded from that privilege are
but slaves at the will of the rest, and snch rights
should never he withheld from the free white men of
Virginia who Of age and who bear arms or nav
taHes to the government.
Resoioed, That representation should be based o..
tne Iree Wnte population, and that alton
Should be IN proportion 10 population end. taxation
as far as practicable IN proper lion 70 valuation
ResolUed, That the non-fTeeholdcrs in every coun-
ty, borough and city IN Virginia, be invited and re-
quested to meet and organize themselves to assist us
10 the cause calculated to esure equal rights to
ourselves, and millions yet unborn.
ResolDed. That John Todd Qiarlc; Ellis Juan
Caswell Winston, G.. H. Winston. Richard Jones
Capt. Jonn w. Taylor, Jno 3. Gruhhs. Jotn NJ
Jackson, Archibald Thompson, Robert Cross and
Nm pettus be appointed committee, % correspond
with other committees throughout the State of Viz
GINA, to adopt such measures may ensure the
success of our Just rights.
Resolred, Plat return o,ir thanks 10 General
-ade our Senator, for his rrIness in espousin our
cause in the Senate and to William L. Gordon Of
2 Abemafle the old champion of The east, and Dir.
Brown OF Harrison the new champion of the west.
and all who advocated rights in both branches OF
the Assembly touching the right of suffrage
Rssoirea 'Phat al the non freellolders in Louisa
county and the freeholders disposed TO assist us in
obtaining our Just rights, meet ut the courthouse at
March court, when the committee Gill make a final
report this subject.
fcsoived, That will use every legal fair and
trUnourable means in our power carry these Reso-
buttons into effect.
ReyoF1ed, That these RESOLUTIONS be signed i,y the
chairman aud secretary, and be published in the
Richmond Wing and Richmond Enquirer, and that
all the Editors in Virginia friendly to our cause are
requested to give these Resolutions an insertion in
their respective papers.
Resotrcd, That the vote Of tho freohoders now
present be also taken on these Resolutions, which
was donc-and unanimously adopted by chem.
WILLIAM STOUT, CHairnaa.
Jo3S McPHERsoH, Secretary.
FoR RicH1royp Wu1G
In e present circumstances of political affairs, viii he
found my ulduceeH for troubling with the following