Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-03-13


thority Of that sacred Instrument. Others get O.
yer the difficulty, by boldly denouncing It (the
ID" oil Hights) as mere tissue OF "abstractions,"
not intended for practical use. Nor is this ALL
Many oil orr leading politicians, do not hesitate TO
declare, that the resident non. freeolhers, who
have regularly paid taxes in proportion 10 theif n
bity, and have ever borne their full proportion Of
the burdens VI Government, in peace and i'm war;
have no more right 10 voice in Convention,
called for the purpose Of amending the Coustitu-
ton, or framing, new one, which is 70 govern
them and their postcrity than the free negroes a,,d
slaces hare. Those are wocfully mistaken, who
suppose that the disff citizens of Virginia.
are to be quieted by arguments like this. Rely
npon it, this Constitu ton aking, amending, is
not to be settled, until the permanent resident
non freeholders restored to their rights Their
rights have been grossly violated, by denying them
voice III clecting members to this Convention.
They may once moro trust 10 the justice of
those in power. They may try the virtue of petit
ton and renonstrance; but they will not permit
themselves 10 be finally cut oil, without making a
struggle.
Messrs. Editors DO not wish TO add to the ex-
citemen,, which is already he,ving itself amongst
the non-freeholdcrs. Our Revolutionary Fathers
declared, in that obsolete instrument, The Bill of
Rights, - That no free government, or the bles-
sing of liberty, can be preserved 10 any people,
but by hrm adherence to justice, mode ration,
temperance, truga'ity and virtue, and by a fire.
quent rect~rcHcc to fundamental priaciples."-
One OF these fundamental principles is, .s That
all power is vested in, and consequently derived
from. the people" Now, unless it can be proven,
that none but Ffeeholaeys are the People, Il must
be admitted. that the Legislature have, indeed, at
tempted =" daring usurpation.' Are the irea
citizens of Virginia prepared TO abandon those po-
liucal axions, which our Revolutionary Fathers
declared to be " the foundation OF government:
Ii they aTe, we hold our rights, both of persons
and property, at the mercy OF pocer. unrestrain-
ed by any thing, except selfish policy. Let the
people, both ireehoders and non freehol,lers,
weigh these matters well. Let them beware
how they trust those, who are constantly preach
ing up sectional feelings" and "local interests
and who do not hesitate to pronounce the Bill of
Rights dead letter, and the equality OF rights a
mere dream!
The bulk Of the people, however, are still sin
cerely devoted to the principles Of freedom and
equality Let them look more TO their own mat
ters, aud not place such implicit confidence inc the
fashionable politicians OF the day, of whom
seem TO have become tired of the good old doc
trines of the Revolution large majority are in
favour of amending the Constitution, some pa rts Of
which in practical operation, at war with the
Bill of Rights. In eiiecting this great work of re-
form, should look on; for sound heads. and pure
hearts. Let us take care to have goodly nun
Der Of the honest Yeomanry OF the country in tho
Convention. few distinguished Latryers would
certainly not be Objectionable; but confess am
afraid we shall have too many of that profess ion
and in my humble opinion, il would be much bet
ter, that majority of the Convention should con-
strong, practical, home-spun sense. The bulk
Of the people of this description sincerely de-
voted to the broad principles of Republican Co
vernment. They detest aristocracy, and every
thing which savours of it.-They will vote for
such amendments as the great body Of the people
wsnt:-They will he too cautious TO venture into
the wide field of experiment, and too honest 70
violate any sound principle.
a CoNvENTIoNIsT.
In addition to those gentlemen already nominal
ed 10 represent the District OF AbemarIe, &c. in
the Convention, take leave to nominate WIN. r.
Gordon of Albemarle. AS the objects TO be dis
cussed in that assemblege will relate entirely to
general principles, and will have no connection
with the local politics of counties belonging to the
same section OF the state, the main object should
be to select men Of superior talents and tried re-
publican principles, and reference should be had
to this object alone. To those who have been
conversant with Mr. Gordons legislative course
for several years past, any eulogy upon his pecu-
liar fitness for advocating the free principles of
Bill Of Rights, would be unnecessary. The pure
repubicanism OF his principles, and the ability he
has to sustain them, render it emiuentiy desira-
BILE that the District should secure his services 10
that botiy, where the rights of Yirginians are
the subject OF discussion, which this gen.
tleman has never failed to sustain with the force
OF his genius and eloquence.
A REPUBLICAN.
Altho' you have given place in your columns to
se'erdi NOMINATIONS 10 convention, rom the SEN
atorial District Of Charlotte, Prince Edward, and
Halifax. yet would beg leave to nominate last,
but not least) the Hon. Thos II. Bouldin.
And, since his independence of character, and
the contempt in which he holds all cleo tone erers
for such dignifed and responsible Office, has
kept him perfectly silent upon this subject we
consider it the duty of his strong and numerous
friends throughout the district, to unite their votes
and efforts in his behaf-NoDe detest more than
we do unmeriied praise and servie adulation die
tated by interest, or the offspring of weak par
tiality.-But, Judge Bouldn's extraordinary pow
ers Of research and discrimination, constrain us to
recommend him the ablest man in our District
And, we hope that Halifax, since there is but lit
tie local interest to consult, will have the indie
pendence and liberality, to support this distn-
guished citizen. We feel confident of the support
OF Charlotte and Prince Edward.
II Citizen ofMe District.
take the liberty, through the medium of your
paper, OF Tecomme ndng TO the citizens of the Sc
Material District, composed Of the counties of
Montgomery, Giles, Wythe and Grayson their
highly distinguished fellow citizen, Gen. John
Floyd, as representative in the Convention; as
know Of no individual in the respective District
whose natural abilities, experience and integrity
so deservedly enttle him TO the confidence OF the
people. Having conversed with goodly number
OF my fellow citizens both in and out of the Dis
trict, find they concur with me in the Domina-
ton, and have no doubt that great majority OF our
state would be in favor Of tho same.
A MONTGOMERIAN
1.-THE Western Argus" is requested to re-
publish the above.
The Resident Non :freehoiders of Yolifar, and
those who think that the Legislature hal no right
to.deDy them the privilege OF voting for members
to the Convention, are requested to convene at tho
Courthouse the first day Of March Court.