Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-02-19
COJMMIL.NcIl,arED

At respectable meeting of the non freehold
e:s OF louisa County, convened at the Courthouse
the Saturday the k4h February, 1929; for the pur-
pose of asserting their rights as virginans and as
acknowledgement, William Stout was called
to the Chair, and John Mcpherson appointed Sc
cretary-when the following Preamble and Re-
solutions were unanimously adopted:
whereas, That portion of Firgnians, now
known as Non-freeholders, comprising majority
OF the free white men Of the State, and embrace
ing a large share of respectabiiity intelligence
and patriotism; and although most unjusty depriv-
ed OF the invaluable right Of snffrog for the last
on years, yet under the CALLING reflection Of being
disfranchised, they have continued to obey the
laws imposed upon them, without having a voice
themselves-as their acts have tested on all occa-
sions; they have shewn their attachment TO the
Ola Dominion, by paying taxes according to their
ability, and they have proved themselves patriots
in the hour of danger, by risking their persons in
the tented ield-they have obeyed the cali Of the
assembly that told them go forth, drive ont the
enemies OF your country, go forth and shed your
blood in the field, but you shall have no voice in
the counciIs;-and many Of them have retur ned
nome WIN scars OF honor received while fighting
IN the held, have been told by the sheriifs while
surrounding the poll of elections stand back you
have no vote;-all this they have borne peaceably.
under a hope, that those in power would, Of their
own accord, and in justice, xiend to them that
right to which they are entitled by nature, and BY
natures God and now when those in power have
said, the government shall be changed the Bill of
Rights surely recognizes us portion of that
community, which should have voice in the for
nation OF the new constitution, which is to bind
az, and our posterity-nor is il just that shoud
be bound by any constitution, when we are de-
prived from representation, and looked over by
the present agents Of the people in their
recommendation to organize the convention and
treated as though we did not belong to the com.
munity; aliens, and not as the freemen of Vir-
gna
Therefore, ResOlued, That we consider the right
Of suffrage, right inestimabe, and the boast of
freemeD; aud that those excluded from that privi-
lege, are but slaves at the will of the rest, and
such rights should never be withheld from the
free white men of Virginia. who are of age, ard
who bear arms, or pay taxes to the government.
ResOtued, That representation should be based
on the free white population, and that represen.
tation should be in proportion TO population and
taxation,as tar as practicable in proportion to vau
alton.
Resoluea, That the Non eeholders in every
county, borough and city in Virginia, be invited
and requested to meet and organize themselves TO
assist us IN the great cause calculated to ensure
quail rights TO ourselves, and millions yet unborn
Resofued, That John Todd Quarles, Ellis Juan.
Caswell Winston, c. d. Winston, Richard Jones.
Capt. John W. Taylor, John b. Grubbs, John NJ.
Jackson, Archibald Thompson, Robert Cross and
VIM. Pettus, be appointed committee, to cores.
pond with other committees throughout the State
Of Virginia, TO adopt such measures as may ensure
the success of our just rights.
Resolued, That we return our thanks 10 Gene.
raj Dsde, our Senator, for his frmness in espous.
ing our cause in the Senate, and to William F.
Gordon Of Albemarle, the old champion of the
East, and Mr.. Brown of Harrison, the new cham
pon of the West, and all who advocated our rights
in both branches of the Assembly touching The
right Of suffrage.
RESOLVED, That all the Non-freehoders in Lou
lisa county, and the freeholders disposed to assist
US in obtaining just rights, meet at the Court.
house at March court, when the committee will
make final report on this subject.
Resoiued, That we will use every legal, fair
and honorable means in our power TO carry these
Resolutions into effect.
Resoiped, That these Resolutions be signed by
the Chairman and Secretary, and be published in
the Richmond Wing and Richmond Enquirer and
that all the Editors in Virginia friendly TO our
cause, arc requested to give these Resolutions an
insertion in their respective papers.
Resoiped, That the vote Of the freehoIders now
present be also taken on these Resolutions, which
was done--and unanimously adopted by them.
WILLIAM STOUT, Chairman.
JoHs MCPHERSON, Secretary.