Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-04-28
CONVENTION.

~ WV IL1N i xON.
WARM SPRINGS, Ilth March. 1920.
DEAR SIR-Upon a consultation with some OF
the Freeholders of Bath some short time since
concerning fit and proper person from this coun-
~, as one, TO represent, in part, the Senatorial
District to which this county is attached, in the
approaching Convention, we thought proper TO
nominate you, as one. We done this without con-
suIting you on the subject, and that, too without
Knowing your ideas on the propriety of extending
the right OF suffrage, and Of equalizing the re-.
presentation upon the basis Of free white popula.
4 vofER OF BATH.
Gen. Samuel blackburn.
GEN. BLACKBURN'S REPLY
Had Voter from Bath and his associates con.
suited me personally before they announced nv
name TO the public, or asked private exposition
OF my views on the important questions contained
in his note OF the Ith instant, from Warm Springs,
it would perhaps have saved some expenditure Of
feeling; at least G "nld not have been before the
public without my own ars1robaton previously OBJ
tanned, and this open avowal of my opinion nigh,
have been unnecessary; but as things now stand
esteem it my duty S, that of every man who suf-
fers his name TO be identified with public measures
especially those OF grave and solemn import, to
give most unequivocal assurances of my opinions
on the questions proposed. 1st. As 10 the extern.
sion OF the right Of suffrage.
For the last 20 or so years OF nv life have me-
yer doubted the necessity, expediency and Justice
OF extending it to all freebor white male citizens
over 81 years ofage not disgraced by crime or dis
qualified by imbecility OF intellect. having resi-
ceding year, and to all others being citizens Of
the United States, who by residence, the payment
OF taxes as aforesaid, intermarriage with a citi.
zen, or the performance of Militia duty, have gil
ven evidence OF permanent attachment to the
country and OF obedience to the laws-whenever
public opinion and the wish Of a majority unenui.
yocaiy expressed should give birth to enquiry
On this question, in the year 1890, at Inc Hus,.
ings in Bath, in public address to my cons.itu-
onts, gave them solemn pledge (for some were
SO lar mistaken at that early period, to suppose
that power within reach OF ordinary legislation)
that, ii thereafter that question should ever come
legally before me, they might calculate on nv
humble support; that period has now arrived, and
bound to redeem have not forgotten--i never
can forget, that my maine, perhaps, before it could
legally have been done, was enrolled among the
defenders of this country, and of this constitu-
ton, the manual OF the youth OF that day, whose
fathers taught them to read and revere it next to
the oracles OF inspiration; nor, shall sooner for
get the tee!ings-nay more, the indignation at the
glarng injustice done to myselfand others, non
ireeholders, at an Election in Rockbridge, in the
Spring OF 1871, memorable era in the revolu
ti6nary struggle, and long TO DO remembered by
the people of this District.
there saw many OF my friends and eauais
who, but a lew weeks before had been thought by
their country, and fellow citizens, worthy to ha.
every privaon-worthy TO bleed aud die if ne.
cessary, (Which was the lot of misunderstanding
and re-passing through the crowd apparently cool
and disinterested spectators Of very animated
contest ior political Power-eertainIy without the
weight even Of feather in the enactment of
laws said TO be made for the protection of their
rights, that blood and those lives.
While on this subject, permit me TO remark,
with some regret that the Legislature in framing
the bill organizing the Convention have confinei
the Electors to freehold suffrage; now, il seems
TO me, that here if any where is to be found the
meaning Of the much abused names Liberty and
Equality land that the Legislature might have re-
cognized it-meaing lin society the liberty of do.
ing whatever is not prohibited, or whatever can
be done without injury TO others-and equality
In law, or what is tantanount, equality in right.
Had this feature been engrafed on the bill, il
would have augured favourably TO the rights of
non-freeholders, and would have presented to the
Convention in characters too legible TO be rnsun.
derstood, the sentiments of that honorable body
Ola this interesting question: nor would such hint
from that source have failed in producing the most
desirable results.
End, AS TO the basis on which our future repre-
sep:atoD in The General Assembly is TO be scaled
or apportioned. have aslttlo hesitation in de.
Glazing my decided Il perhaps unaterabie opinion.
that the free while population is the only equal and
just standard by which il can be scaled viii our
Eastern brethren take into estimate our large
stocks of Horses and Mules, our iocks and herds;
in word, the cattle that range and browse on our
more than ten thousand hills 10 the west and give
them their proper weight in this question. When
they do, claim Tor representation for any portion
their slaves will come with better grace they
are human beings. And who are our non-free-
hplt1ng bretheR The members ofour families
our Deighbors, our sons, the husbands ofour daugh
ters. very bone, Of our bone and nesi Of our flesh
ARE they less than human beings'-U make no
comparatively yet they have no Representations
but Is equally true, they property even per.
sonai property frequently attached 10 and passing
with the freehold, aud too frequently, am sorry
70 say u, treated as beasts Of burden.-fut for
bear; you asked my opinions, not my reasons for
them. "
Having thus explicitly answered YOUR sbeei6c
enquiries, permit me to add few reasarks on pas.
sing occurrences, going still furil,cf 10 deveione
my yiews.--I Ifass discovered in BIte Of onr nrb
lie prints an attempt To close e doors, and strike
from the rolls of honour certain descriptions Of
men, In the comnDniy-1e. &. The Judiciary Can
tDis course be correc?! In an undertaking which
ifYNTe1 thc in'orer:- o,evcrH indlVilgG -lBnu