Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-04-07

non-irecho!ders Of the county of Louf,oun, at the
Courthouse i'll Leesburg, March ~, 1929, TO take
INTO consideration their political dsfranchisemen,
large and respectable number of the freehoders
oil the county also attended by invitation-;ook pai,
IN the discussion at the meeting, and cordially
operated with the nom freehoIdcrs-Albert G. Wa
terinan was called to TIE CHAIR and Geo Richards
appointed secretary
On motion, the Chair appointed the following
gentlemen committee TO prepare preamble and
resolutions, expressive Of the sense Of this meet
ing: Samuel b. T. Caldwell, VIM. Ii. Gray, He
rod Osburn, David Ogden, James H. McVeirh.-
me committee then retired; and after short
time, reported the following preamble and resolu-
tions, through Mr. Caldwell. which were unani-
mously adopted
whereas, II u an axiom in all republican gov
ernments, that all mankind are by nature equally
Tree and independent-that they possess certain in.
herent, una,ienabe privileges, OF which they Can
moi Tight'ully be deprived without their own con-
sent, either personally, or through their represen-
tat'es'-And, whereas, large majority of the free
citizens OF this commonwealth are uniustly de-
prived o! the exercise of those political rights
which they inherit from the God OF nature by the
provisions OF the present constitution which they
mad no hand in forming, and to which they never
ireeiy assented:-AnG, whereas. that instrument
w'tich ought to be the charter of liberties has
become SO unjust and oppressive in its partial be
ings upon the privileged few whom it recognizes as
citizens, that even they have raised the majesty of
their voices against, and proclaim il totally unfit
lhey have, 1t is true, through courtesy, appealed
10 the legislatures the deforned creature of the con-
sttutIoD but not The legitimate child of the pco-
pie--to afford them facilities Of calling convep-
noh 10 alter and amend that constitution, which
they, the freeho!ders, pronounce too unjust and
oppressive to be longer toleraied:-And whereas.
me legislature under pretended compliance will,
ths appeal at their last session. passed an act or
gaDizing convention TO alter or amend the old
or form new constitution, which Is to DO bind
10 u.1nIa
have thrown a barrier around the elective fran
chlse, az unjust as the basis upon which the con-
vention IS TO be reared is unequal viz the popu-
iation OF ISl0:-And whereas, being excluded by
This act from participating in the formation of a
constitution, whose provisions will be binding up-
On US, upon our property, and our posterity, the
only privilege left Us Is peaceably to assemble as
freeman, and consult together upon the nature of
our invaded rights-igeeiy 20 express our opinion
oil those measures which we deem arbitrary and
alphabetically 10 assert our claims TO a voice in
The cause OF refoYin-and soemnly to enter our
protest against that usurpation OF power by which
we are DISTINGUISHED These are privileges that
WIZ! not, cannot, dare not, he denied us.
j. IHeTGoTe RESOLVED, That we deem the pre
seLt limited suffrage as unjust, oppressive, and
tyrannicaI, because il dcprves than ono halt
OF the free white male inhabitants of this com
inonwealth, who arc Of lawful age and liable to
pay taxes and bear arms, OF those political rights
which, in republican government, are inherent
unalienable and indefeashe
z: Eesoired, That VIC hold those scIf-eviden.
trims asserted in our R;li Of Rights and recognized
IN our Declaration of Independence, as sound.
orthodox end rcpublican-ihat we believe that
no constitution can rightly be made, and therefore,
none ought to be made, that is not based unon
those everlasting and immutable PRINCIPLES
. ReSoiced, That we most conscientiously
believe that The same principles which justified
our ioFeiaiers in '76, TO make he memorable de.
claratioD, GIVE ARE AND OF RIGHT ouattr TO
E. al Ia If.
God AMI man, in making The same declaration
with The same determined spirit.
>. Reso'Usd. That the non-freebolders through.
cut the STATE, be invited 10 cooperate with iis in
such course as may DO deemed most polite and
expedient IN e!eeting our political emancipation
that we endeayor TO rally our slurnberiar ener-
gies iron The toTP0r of hall century, and stand
iorth as men, who, al least, wi to be free-that
we look upon the present important crisis in
our political existence; crisis which demands a
prompt and energetic, a firm & unwayering decja
ration Of our rights.
8 Resolced. That a committee of c0rrespon.
denee be appointed consisting of thirteen mem.
neTs, and that they ascertain as far as practicable
The Interior views Of our brethren in tlic respectye
couniies-and that they be authorised 10 commu
hica'e cry Information relative 10 concert OF ac-
lon which they NAY receive, anDt onsider Of inn.
pofiance,io The public. through the medium oil
inc pupllc papers; or, should the exigencies Of the
ease, IN tbeif opinion require II, that thcv ba an
lhorized TO call public meeting at such time
and place a. thew may deem most expedient
%. ReSoiUed, Thata committee of FIVE be an
pointed TO prepare address to our DISTINGUISHED
ie'Io" citizens throughout the State, and TO re-
commend such course Of action ss tI,ev NAV COZ
slider most effective.
Z. HeS0hsd. That our uhfeigned thanks be
rendered TO all those members of both branches Of
the Legislature. who have raised their hands and
voices IN our deiencc--Wc hail them rs noble |
generous and disin;efesled siaiesDen, above The
groveiing, selfish sentiment, that freehoiders a.
zone are entitled TO exclusive privileges; and Cat
oW cfd.eih acknowledge are also Dire TO