Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-05-19

appear TO him to be expe,lient 70 conSenn hsoon.
er, for that purpose--lf the Legislature should be
so unwise and unjust as to refuse TO carry such
Constitution into effect in either case, the great
majority which ratified IL, will have 10 take the
subject into their further serious deliberation and
to determine tohat shall be their future plan Of
action.
L Having been induced. by a desire to facilitate
the prompt, uniform, and general adoption Of this
plan, if approved, togo more into detail than in
tended when sat down 10 sketch Gr outline Of it,
will abstain from any further respass, in that
way, upon your attention, and " awe all argument
in support Of it, as well as the discussion Of anti
cpated objections.-I must beg leave, however, TO
observe, that il appears to me to be far prefer
TO that OF naked meinorializing, in agitation in
some few counties, nj will be superior to it, in
point OF effect, as the weli-directed FIRE Of the
whole line Of an army Ia battle, is 10 that of few
scattered platoons; It's adoption will lead to a
combined and vigorous, and, really belle " sue
cesstui action, in fair aud peaceable manner r,
presenting to the Convention Of FreehoTders, the
resort TO bold and imposing, tho just and tempe
rate alternative, by the representatives. of the
freeholders in OF their being refused TO be a-
Uitted into Conventions; while the memorixiists
would probably he dismissed, by laying their de-
tached and urbacked memorials upon the table, or
referring them to a committee, TO be decently and
hnaiiy disposed of: for, attic il ia to be hoped,
IN their views, than Iie ia hers of the act to
gsnize Convention, il should be remembered,
that majority OF that body will come from the
same parts Of the State. and may be imbued with
the same principles and feelings, the late letter
OF the talented and respectable Mr.. Garnett and
others, will furnish every unprejudiced and dis.
corning mind with Just ground to apprehend.-
And it IL another recofnrne ndation of this plan
that, should our representatives be admitted into
the Convention upon an equal footing with those
OF the freeholders, there will be men enough of
enlarged and patriotic views, Of wisdom, libera-
ty and virtue, in each class, to check it in any
attempt which might be made, to do any thing in-
curious to the peculiar rights and interests Of the
other And, moreover, Constitution formed by
such union would, undoubtedly, be accepted by
a much greater majority Of the people, than one
Termed by either Convention, separately. But,
should our representatives be compelled to 90 into
separate Convention, they should endeavour TO
make their Constitution as acceptable 70 the free.
holders as possible, consistently with the security
OF the just rights of their own constituents. They
might, perhaps, eventually. take the Constitution
OF the FreehoIders as a stock for their own, and
engrait upon ii such provisions may be necessa-
ny to secure those rights, and, consequently, a
nearer approach 10 the enjoyment Of an equality
Of political rights, by every citizen of the Conn
monwealth.
SO soon as this Plan shall have been received at
the Courthouse of any county, let the free
holders Of the county be called to meet at the
courthouse al as early day will allow time for
sufficient notice 10 be given, and let it be read
explained, and recommended; and, if approved by
a majority Of the meeting, let them proceed to
nominate one or more suitable persons to be voted
for at the elections the 18th OF July for four fit
persons TO represent in meeting or Convention, at
Richmond, the non-freehoders OF the Senatorial
Nominations may be made by any mel
Der of the meeting, to be confirmed or rejected by
the voice OF majority theresf-It is earnestly
recommended to those who may approve the plan,
to use their best eKerOns for its general adoption;
not that it is thought to be the best that could be
devised, but because there is time TO be lost,
and il is sincerely believed that much good may be
done by IT. Is il possible, that the convention of
ireeholders will spurn the united, moral and in
teilectuai power of Eighty-eight talented and re-
specialize representatives of Forty or Fifty Thou
sand OF the free white men of Virginia, asking on
~ for an equal participation with their fellow.
citizens, of the political rights of citizens of the
republic, and composing greater body, perhaps.
than their own constituents? Will they be willing
10 see them go into separate Convention, to form
Constitution upon the unsophisiicated principles
of free government, TO be submitted TO the republi-
can people OF Virginia, large majority of whom
have long been sensible of their political priva-
tons, who have loudly called for Reform, and
who know that an enlightened and high-mndet
People need not despair of obtaining sooner or la
ter the secure enjoyment of all their lust rights,
Or, will they not rather admit them into Joint Con.
vention, on an equal footing with themselves, or
give them satisfactory pledge, that the equal po-
litica rights of their constituency chaI be secur-
ed 10 them in the amended or new Constitution!
AS the proceedings uder this plan will receive
no sanction from official authority but must derive
their dignity from the cause, and the moral
influence OF those who shall be engaged in it, it
is recommended to the superintendent and Others,
to conduct them all NTH the most exact attention
to good order and propriety
IL may serve in come measure, perhaps to
shield it from the hostility of prejudice, and the
writer Of it, from the mputaton of sectional feel
ing or interest, which would be unjust, to state
that he is friendly to-I. An extended, but limit
Ell, right of suifrage.-2. Equal re representation in
the Legislature, upon the basis of The free ,ohite
population, with adequate provisions for the Sc
curity OF property and just equality Of taxation.
B. more efficient executive, not thro an in
crease OF patronage, but of responsibilities. An
independent and settled, but responsible and re-
movable judiciary; and the reformation, not aboli
tiop, Of the popular branch Of 1.-THE county court
system.-5. The election OF executive and Judi
ciaI officers, Except the Chief Magistrate, and Of
him by the PeopIe,) by the representatives of the
people, and the appointment Of ministerial ones
both civil and military, with some few exceptions
by the executive, with the advice and consent OF
the Senate.-6. A reduction 10 about one half of
the presentnumber of the II. Of Dele gates, and
an addition to that of the Senate of about one
third or, perhaps, onehalf; and to the election of
the latter every two years; and the age Of mem
bers being not less titan 35 or 40 years-He will
not enumerate, however, all the particular and
various methods, by which, he thinks, some of the
desired improvements of our system of govern
ment might be attained, but, with view to the
object above mentioned, will conclude by further
stating. that altho, for the last IL years. resi-
dent of the northern, he was raised in the south.
ern and eastern parts of Virginia, and adopts, for
his signature, the name of his native county
which he prefers to his own proper name, because,
being that Of private and undstiDguished indi-
nal adj nd tfu In hs.so L. ..f
fort in the cause Of popular rights and republican
Prnmenf---and because if II cnnlh he