Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-03-20
POPULAR RIGHTS.

At numerous and respectable meeting of the uon-
fceehoiders of the county Of Loudoun, at the Court
house in Leesburg, March g. 1899 to tn Ike into con-
sideration their political acknowledgements a large
aud respectable number of tho freeholders of the
county also attended by invitatiou-took part in the
discussion at the meeting, and cordially coopcrated
with the non Observation-Disclosures G. Waterman was
chilled TO the chair, and George Richards appointed
secretary. -
On motion, the chair appointed the following gen
tIemen committee to prepare preamble and
solutions, expressive of the sense Of this meetng:
Saml. B. T. Caldwell, MN. H. Gray, Hcrod Osburn
David Ogden, james II. McVeigh.-The committee
then rttlted; and, after asshort- time, reported the
following preamble and resolutions through Mr..
Caliwol, which unanimously adopted:-
Whereas, it is an axiom in all republican govern
mcnts, that all mankind by nature equally free
and independent. they possess certain inherent
unai,enable privileges, Of which they cannot right
fully be deprived without their own consent either
personally, or through their representatives:-An
whereas large majority of the free citizens of this
commonwealth, are unjusty deprived of the exercise
Of those POLITICAL rights which they inherit from the
God OF nature by the provisions of the present con-
stltutioi, which they had hand in forming and to
which they never freely assented:-And whereas,
that instrument which ought to be the charter of our
Liberties, has become unjust and oppressive in its
partial bearings upon the privileged few whom it
recognizes as citizens that they have raised
the majesty OF their voices against, and proclaimed
totally unit 60 govern free and enlightened COM
munity. They hnve, It is true, through courtesy
appealed to the legisature-the deforned creature
Of the constitution but not the legitimate child of the
peopleto afford them facilities Of calling conven-
ton to alter and amend that constitutions which thew
the eeholders, pronounce too unjust ard oppressive
to be longer tolerated-And whereas, the leuisla-
tnre, under pretended compliance with this appeal
at them last session passed organizing con-
vention to alter or amend the old or form new
constitution, which is TO be binding upon the whole
Cnmmupity, in which they have thrown barrer a.
round the elective franchise as .aiuSt as tho basis
npon which the convention is to be reared is equat
VIZ: the population of 18l0--And whereas being
excluded by this act from participating in the forma
ton Of constitution whose provisions will be bind
Ing upon US, upon our property and posterity the
only privilege left is peaceably to assemble as
streemen, and consult together upon the nature of
our iavaded rights-feely to express our opinion of
those measures which deem arbitrary and despotic
boldly to assert our claims to voice in the cause
Of reform-and soleanly to enter protest against
that usurpation of power by which we arc dsfran-
.chsed. These are privileges that will not. cannot
dare not, be denied us.
I. Therefore RESOLVED, That we deem the present
limited suffrage as unjust, oppressive, and tyrannical
because 1t deprives more than half of the free
white male inhabitants of this commonwealth who
ARE oflawful age and liable to pay taxes and bear
nrmss OF those political rights which, in republican
sib!e.
2. Resotved That we hold those selfevdent
truths asserted in Bill of Rights and recogui-
2ed IN our Declaration of Independence, as sound,
orthodox, and repubcan-that we believe that no
constitution can rightfuly be made, and therefore
none ought to be made tn ut not based upou those
everlasting and irnmutabc principles.
3. Rcsoired, That most conscient;ously believe
that the principles which justified our fore
faeaerS in '78, TO nuke the memorable declaration
8 WE ARE AND OF RIGHT OUGHT FREE would
justify us, at this time, before God and man. in ma
king the declaration, with the sanac determin-
ed spirit.
Il. ReSofrcl, That the Nos.r aEsrro1 nrns tbrbr oh
out the state. be invited to corporate with US in
such course as may be deemed most polite and e2.
pedient, In cf,cting political enumeration
that we endeavour to rally sltmberinp enerpies
from the torpor of half century, and stand forth as
men, who, atleast> WISH TO DE fREE-that we look
upon the present as an important crisis in our poli-
cal existence; a crisis which demands prompt and
energetic firm and unwayering, declaration OF our
rights.
5. Resotced, That committee of correspondence
be appointed, consisting of thirteen members and
that they ascertain far practicable the ute
rior views of our brethren in the respective counties
and that they be authorized to communicate any
information relative to concert of action which hev
may receive and consider of Importance to the pub
TIC, through the medium the public papers; or.
sonld the exigences of the case in their opinion re-
quire tt that they be authoriz. d to call public
meeting, ut such time and place as they NAV deem
most expedient.
g. Resofrcd, That committee of Eve be appoin-
ted TO prepare address our DISTINGUISHED felppv
citizens Throughout the state, and TO recommend sh
course OF action as they may consider most effec-
fsye.
T. Re oleed, That our unfcigned thanks;be rendered
10 all those members Of both branches ofthe leisIs
t5rc who have raised their hands and voices in orr
defence-Ve bail them as noble, generous aud dis
Interested statesmen, above the groveilng, selfish
sentiment that frceloders alone are enttIco eycu
siye privileges; &that our grateful Acknowledgements
are also die to our numerous respectable freehold
friends who have chcerfuly given US countanence on
this occasion.
8. Resotced, That the foregoing preamble and reso
lutlons be signed by the chairman and secretary and
published in the papers ofthis place with a request
that al the editors in virginia friendly to the cause
viii give them circulation.
On motion, RESOLVED, That the committees named
chair.
WhereupoD the following gentlemen were appoint
CoIhwItcc nj Correspondence.
Saml: b: T. Calwell, Herod Osburn, Usher Skinner,