Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-10-15
TO THE Observation-Disclosures.

ti5 iuctd memorial OF their fc!IOw-cnIzens 81 islci-
onl, dratcd at their request. by Attorney Geaerai
Robertson. IL was presented 60 the Convention On
Tuesday by Gen. Marshall, sicnedto with the deep
Get aud m,S littcrng attention, and referred TO the
Committee ON the Legislature. The sentiment of
friend an foe awards it the highest rank among the
political papers of'the day. More genuine Republi-
eanisin, aud more force of expression, are to be
found nowhere. EDITORS.
zstc Memorial If ikc Nm Fiyekollers of Lie Cfiy
If Richmond, respectfully addressed to lie Conrea-
RIs noc dsSeiboi, % deliberate Oh amendments 10
tie. Sf'ffe Constitution,
i1lf rncniorinlists, their designation imports,
belong To that class CT citizens, who having the
good fortune co possess certain portion of land
Tor that css only, dobarred from the enjoyment OF
the rlSit of suffrage. Experience has but too clear
w iccds what, indeed reason had always toretold
~ how ffail tenure they hold every other right
who denied this, the highest prerogativc OF free
Iaen. Tie want of il has afforded both the preteu
and the means OF csclu!ng the entire class to which
your mcin0riaiss belong from all participation III the
recent election of the body they now respectfully adj
dress. Comprising very large part, probably ml-
loity, of the male citizens Of mature age, thew have
roen passed. by, like ueEs slaves, if destitute
OF interest, or unworthy OF voice, measures in
Notyi their future political destiny: whilst the free
a ldeis, sole poSsessor;, under the existing ConSu-
tioh, OF the elective franchise, have. upon the
strength OF that possession alone asserted and main
tanned IN themselves the exclusive power of new
modelling the fundamental laws Of the State: in other
words, have seized upon the sovereign authority.
II cannot be necessary, IN addressing the Conyen-
tlcl Row GsSeIl6lcd TO eXpatlte the Inomentols
importance Of the right OF suffrage, or TO cnuneratc
the evils conseqTent upon its unjust Imitation
" efe there no other than that, YOUR lneinoralists
rave brought 10 your attention, and which has made
trein feel with full force their degraded condition
Vel might 1t justly teir best Efforts to obtain the
eredt privilege they SEEK, the only eiiectusl
1etlo1 OF preventing It's recurrence To that priv-
!ege they respectfully contend, they are entitled
Is ATup,y al
enough to deny their title. None can show a better
IL rests upon subtle HbsrtIsc re0saninu: Int
ilon grounds simple in their Character Ineligible to
Tie plainc>t capacity, and such appeal the heart
well the understanding of all who comprehend
and duly appreciate the principles of free government
Naong the doctrines inculcdted iii the GREAT charter
handed down to declaration Of tie rights per-
tanning to the good people vi Virginia ana their pos
terity, las the basis and foundation of government
We are taught,
That all mon are ny nature equally free aud inde-
ne.lIet and have certain inherent rights, of which,
when they entcr into s.utc Of society tuy Cannot
by any compact, deprive divest their posterity:
namely tie enjoyment of life and Liberty, with the
l.eats of acquiring and possessing proptr y and plr
suing and obtaining happiness and safety.
Ihat all power is vested -, all consequently de-
riyel from tko people.
That minority of the community hath an in ,ubi-
table, unaenab.e and inGcfeasble right 20 r,iorn
alter. or abolish, the gov. rnment.
hat no nun, nor set of men, are entitled 20 cyc.,l-
sIye or separate enouInens privileges bat in con-
siieration of public services.
That all men, having sufficient evidence Of norma
neat common interest with, and attachment TO- the
community, have right of SUFFRAGE and cannot he |
taxed or deprived OF their property, without their
consents or that OF their representative nor bound NJ
any law 10 which they have not in like manner. a.
sentcl, forthe public good.
How do the principles thus proclaimed acccrd with
The existing regulation Of suffrage: regulation which
Iead OF the equality nature ordains, creates an o.
dtous distinction between members Of the same COM
Inuny robs of all share in the enactment of the laws
a large portion of the citizens, bound by them and
whose Flood ana treasure arc pIodred TO maintain
them, end vcs,s in favored class, not in consdera-
ton OF their public ScVCcs, but of their private pos
sessions, the highest Of al prvleges one which as is
now n hagra1t proof fit does not constitute at least
is held practically to confer, absolute sovereignty
lie; 1t not be urged, that the regulation comDained
n, and the charter violates, sprung from the same
IGNORED source. The conflict between them is not
"nth account the less apparent. Nor does it dero-
gate from ire lair ine of the Convention of 70 that
icy should not have framed Constitution perfect in
a It's parts. Deliberatng amid the din of arms not
merely on plan Of government but on the neccss1-
~ means tor conducting most unequal struggle for
national existence it not to 5e expected that the
relative rights OF the citizens could be n1aturev com,
sderel, or adjusted in tail. From any CHANGE Of
ile regulation in regard TO suffrage, subject prolific
always OF much discussion, they might have feared to
generate tcud5 among those upon whose harn,ony 81
telling and concert of action depended the saIqtio1 of
their country They left it, therefore as thev found r
"e non.Teehoider5, moreover, unrePrescnted in the
ohVentIo and for the most part, probably enoaped
IN resisting tic enemy it is fair 10 mfr in
the actual condition of the country had neither tho
opportunity nor the inclination TO press their cajrns
Nor should be forgotten that the Convention Lay.
ing been chosen by the Freehollers, whose poitjsj
power was derived froIa the abrogaed rovernrnay,
nany or wiscst statesmen regarded the Constif,'
ton ief as waning in author y, or at least as re-
Re h,s ia 1 ,ai IA y eglsatuse anlRceorinly
change IN tie ,orkbSsvision 10 >%powj
ing the right of s1sqSgea T""
If fi,o cf ~, IS1av not. jan II
The opinions Of any indSSidusE h9Io . ~ n
be stu more lightly regarded. rYet -Alf
ISIS cannot but cwilt in Inc cour4fnn
Jas received from liu, who w2SsveFS 3 ~
sort tho rights Of lnA fellow HSi-fAt8
thor Of the Declpr,f % Of Eaaep ~ tfui1-
art Of religious freedym. Whsh 81 the
brought in questionstie,' knOsF sp6A>st igfts 80
Inents are Worthy Ct high, alton 10 mn nnro
sia6ng the founders Of our Republic are we n,ieLt-
cd Tor moro IN It's institutions that is admiral in tho