Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-05-01
Observation-Disclosures MEETING.

At large and respectable meeting of the Non-fIec.
holders and Frechoders OF tine county Of Spotsylvana
and the town OF Fredericksburg, friendly to the
tension Of the right of suffrage, held pursuant to
tice on Saturday the 25th April i529--at the Town
Hall OF Fredericksburg
DIR. JOHN II WALLACE was called to the Chair
and George ". Russell appointed Secretary.
tPSr. Al. BEACxroKD, fls,I. eiiGTr and -cx-
planned the object of the meeting and viudiaated at
soue length, the rights Of tue non-frcehoders. He
concluded by offering the following Prembie aud Re-
solutions which after some discussion and motifca-
ton, we're adopted b. tie meeting.
PREAMBLE:
Many OF the Non freefoders, and il portion of the
Freehoders OF Spotsylvdna county. being assembled
in the Town Hall Of Fredericksburg, to consult
.tpon the best means OF etfecting an extension of
the Right of suiifage-declate their belief that IT
oUGHr TO BE EXTENDED;
l. Because, the voters under the present system
being not more than $4,000, whilst those Of mature
age, fixed residence and probably permanent attach
Inent to the State, who are excluded from, voting
amount to at least 80000-public agents are now
chosen, and public affairs exclusively directed by
scanty minority Of the community: in utter disregard
of this fundamental maxim offrep states-thnt fbe
nqjor,ty should gore,m.
2 Because, much Of the hurtifcn of government is
sustained by others then FreeholdeTs, ifnot by nav
ment Of money yet by contribution ofpersonal ser
wees IN military and civil capacities the dsfranchi-
sed class being under he present state Of things SUBJ
jected to ip1postons to which they have had no op-
portunty of asserting dissenting, in the councils
Of their coontry-an injustice abhorrent to al the
cherished ideas Of free people.
}. Because, the ownership of land is no conclusive
evidence of attachment to the community, either By
feeling or by interest; it being easy 10 part with
landed as with personal property; and neither the one
nor the other binding the possessor moro firmly to
Ing country, than do the affections implanted by ma
ture IN every man, for tue place Of his birth and the
companions of his life. Nor is this questionable
position: since It's truth is attested by the generally
conceded fact, that OF the thousands of Virgin
ians who have ere now barred their bOsoms again.
foreign foe, and Of tie tens Of thousands who now
stand ready at their countTys coll to die in her de-
fence MAJORITY WEN AND ARE NoS-yRF EIIor DERs
4. because, if three ifths Of all adult free and set
tied male citizens continue to be subjected to the
will Of the remaining co iits, the usnrpng minor-
ty cannot, heretofore, plead the silence of the
majority as implying acquiescence in the usurpation
since, on the contrary the voice Of pYotcssation a.
gast it will have been loud and unversb and (even
supposing the discomfort TO be i'll founded, and to ex-
press itself By open act the existence in society
of so large portion of subjects mnrmurin1 at the
provisions Of their government, is what the friends To
! social peace and order, must ever depreCste
D. Because, the non-freefolders in this neetag be-
leve that they and fhcir 5000 DISTINGUISHED brethren
are able well as entitled. to assist in governing
themselves: it being incredible to them, that the
gracious Providence who created this nation collec-
lively fitted for seIgovernTuent hath denied TO more
than half Gifts people, tb'se faculties which the
principles Of our political institutions presume to be
shared by all.
Ifthase are valid reasons for extcdiHc the right
Of suffrage in elections Of representatives in an ordi-
nary Legislature land this meeting believes them to
be rrefutable) they apply, with tenfold force to
Juncturc 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 il is prop
ositon not TO be denied, without an outrage uson
reason, that the DISTINGUISHED three fThs of the
men Of Virginia are parties to this compact and il
they parties, it is equally undenabls that their
voices must and oupht to he heard in any
ton affecting that compact. II is therefore obvious
That the citizens In question should have voice. either
in selecting the persons by whom the prp6scd ameud-
menls to the social compactthc constitution Of the
State-shall be made, or in ratifing those amend
menis after their formation From The one privilege
they haze been debarrcd By decree, which, since
Z Is clothed in the forms Of law and proceeds from
The o'taqt law making power, they sbouldiorboar to
viola'' butthey invoke at once the justice and the
wisdom z! their FREQ holdce brethren % avert me