Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-05-08

bear the almost obsolete name OF feterast, or re-
publican-whctIcr we be advocates for state
the subject of rights, at least, we are all
united.
s. B. T. CALDWELL,
3. F. TAYLOR,
VIM. III. GRAY,
D. OGDEN,
GEORGE RICHARDS,
ALBERT G. WATERMAN,
Lecsburg, Loudoun Co. Committee.
March Il, 1890.
NON-FREEHOLDERS MEETING.
At a large and respectable meeting of the Non
freeholders and Freeholders of the county OF
Spottsylvania and the Town of Fredericksburg,
friendly to the extension of the right of suffrage,
'held pursuant to notice, on Saturday the 25h A.
priI, lS29-at the Town Hall Of Fredericksburg
DIR. John II. Wallace called to the Chair,
and George w. Bassett appointed Secretary.
WIn NJ Blackford, Esq. then rose, and explain
ed the OBJECT OF the meeting, and vindicated, at
some length, the rights OF the non-freehoders
lie concluded by Offering the following Preamble
and Resolutions, which after some discussion and
modification, were adopted by the meeting:
PREAMBLE
Many Of tie Non Freeho lders and portion of
the Freeholders of Spottsylvania county, being
assembled in Town Hall OF Fredericksburg, to
consult upon the best means of elfecting an ex-
tension OF the Right Of Sulifage-declars their
belief that II OUGHT TO BE ExTENpEp;
A. DcCuuSG, the voters unner the present
tenn being not more than $4,000, whilst those of
mature age, liked residence and probably perma-
nent attachment to the State, who are excluded
from voting, amount TO at least S0,000--public
agents are now chosen, and public affairs exclu-
sively directed, by scanty minority of the com.
munity: in utter disregard of this fundamental
maxim OF free siates-that the MAJORITY should
S0reTl.
2. Because, Iouch of the burthen of govern
ment is sustained by others than Freeholders; if
mt nE -. 4
personal services, in military and civil capacities
the disiranchised class being, under the present
state oil things, subjected to mpostions 10 which
they have had no opportunity of asserting or dis
senting, IN the councils of their countrv-an in
justice abhorrent 10 all the cherished IDEAS of a
free people.
=" Because the ownership OF land is no conclu-
sive evidence OF attachment to the community
either by feeling by interest; il being as easy 10
part win landed as with personal property; and
neither the one nor the other binding the po sses-
sor moro firmly 10 his county, than do the afIec.
IONS IMPLANTED by nature in every man, for the
place OF his birth and the companions OF his life
nor IS this questionable position: since its truth
IS aiiesed by the generally conceded fact that OF
the thousands Of Firginans, who have ere now.
barred their bosoms against foreign foe and of the
tens OF thousands who now stand ready at their
conntry's call, to die in her defence, MAJORITY
WERE AND ARE NoN-FREEHoLDERs
q: Because. if three fifths Of all adult. free end
SUBJECTED
the viii OF the remaining tlDo tifths, the usurpng
minority cannot, as heretofore, plead the silence OF
The majority as implying acquiescence in the usur-
Paton: since, on the contrary the voice OF protes-
TALON against 1t will have been loud and universal
andeven surprising the discomfort to be ll-found-
ed, and to express itself by no open act,) tho ex-
istence IN society of so large portion of subjects
InurInuring at the provisions OF their government.
10 what the friends to social peace and order must
ever deprecate
h. EgcUlfse tho ~ 10 9, Il =
believe that they and their $4,000 DISTINGUISHED
brethren are able well as entitled TO assist in
Governing themselves; it being incredihIeto them.
that the gracious Providence who created this ma
iioh collectively fitted tor seli-government, hath
denied 10 more than hall OF its people, those ia
cuiies which the principles of our political insti-
tullons presume to be shared by ALL
Ill these are valid reasons for extending the right
OF suffrage in elections of representatives in an
ordinary Legislature (and this meeting behaves
them TO be irretutable,) they apply, with teniold
force TO juncture, at which the Fundamental law
OF The body polite, the compact which binds men
into one society, is about TO be revised and altered
For 1t is proposition not 10 be denied without an
outrage upon reason, that the now DISTINGUISHED
fhree-fDfhs OF the men of Virginia are parfies to
this compact; and IL they parties, tits equal
~ undeniable, that their voices must and ought TO
be heard, In any determination affecting that COM
pact 1t Is, therefore, obvious, that the citizens i'm
question should have voice, either in selecting
the persons by whom the proposed amendment TO
The social compact--the constitution of the Slate
shall be made, or in raiifying those amendments
alter their formation. From the one privilege
,hey have been debarredby decree, which, since
III clothed in the forms of law and proceeds from
the actual law making power, they should forbear
TO violate; but they invoke at once the Justice and
the wisdom Of their reeholder- brethren, to avert
the consequences Of Withholding the other pEivi-
lege OF finally approving rejecting the altera-
lions which may be made.
In pursuance Of these views il
l. Resolved, that there not 50, 900 free white
males Of full age in this State, incapable OF helpng
TO govern themselves.
2. Resolved, That the present restriction upon
the elective franchise in Virginia, Is in principle
what all Americans are accustomed 10 denounce
IN the political syste ms of the old world--q sub
lection Of tie n'anY 10 the tciH Of Hefeg
.. Resolved, that we consider as qualified to !
in the great privilege for which we
are eoniending only citizens Of full age no have
resided two years in the county, and regularly
pad taxes; who are not paupers OF infamous by
crime.
q. Resolved, Chat in yindicatine our political
as we propose to do, the DISTINGUISHED
PORTION Of this meeting will demonstrate by our
temperate bearing, that We are st for self govern
nent
8. Resolved, that he a
.ommittee, who shall within three weeks hence
Taught memorial 10 the Convention, setting /
orth the rights Of the now DISTINGUISHED citizens,
'nd respectfully, but firmly, claiming conce ssion
d them; cause the said memorial 10 be circulated
or signatures, with a sepera,e column for the sig.
4 saf e. al Z. So