Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-03-27


mes fo the century, spite of her artificial odious
NJ has been elected by The people and has forced
Caslereag and Canng owed their political elevation TO ,
10, sooa or 10, any
OF human affairs And, If consult expe renee on
was monument OF the capacity of the people choose public
agents and of the frai,y ofaiiy other reliance.
recommend suitable persons represent in the
Jf savn5 , in is eens.s aud INVOLVES doc,
hesotue That the people are competent the
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES.
AT "a most numerous and respectable adjourned
meeting OF the citizens of the town of Peter.a,rn
lreehoders and non-freeholders) friendly to an OK
tension fthe elective franchises The Courthouse.
on Saturday evening, March FL, 1929 MAJ. Daniel
@ Butts, Chairman, Edward Pescud, Secretary:
Mr. VIM. Robertson, Jr. from the select commit
tee appointed at the previous meeting, made report
accompanied with several resolutions, which, having
read ne proceeded to supportat considerable length
and with great earnestness and ability.
lie was succeeded by MIR. Robert Gillian vel =
although ne objected to one two of the positions
assumed In the report advocated its general features
with great fervor and enthusiasm.
Mr. Gilam having concluded, he was was follow
ed by Col James Robertson, Jr. at considerable
length. Col RS. views were different from those
OF the committee. He was for running n separa,e
ticket for the Convention, favorable 10 an extension
sof the right of sutfage but time did not admit of
putting his plan into operation, and union among
the friends of the reeiolders was absouteIv me-
cessary he waived his own particular views on tI;s
important SUBJECT, and supported, in most animated
ana logical manner, the plan proposed by the COM
mttee.
Mr VIM. Robertson, Jr. again addressed the
meeting for few moments in support and explana
fion OF that portion of the report and resolutions
which had been objected TO.
Inc question called for from yarions N, r.s
OF the house. lin consequence of the Iateness of fbe
hour and the further discussion of the question BEING
thus oVerrued, the vote taken the passare Of
the preamble and resolutions and carried in the affir
n ifar
tion
The following is the report, with the accompany
ing resolutions, agreed upon by the committed mud
adopted by the meeting:
We have been taught to believe, and do believe
that freedom Is the natural and inherent RIGHT of ma
of which he cannot be deprived except nv force or
fraud; and that in country boasng of its repubii-
can institutions and principles is inortifyinr to see
that large portion of this community have been de-
prlved OF ITS political rights by another portion of the
same community, (wltbout the least shadow of ius-
tlce) IN an equal participation in the governments I'M
Ter which they live, for which their ancestors offered
up their lives and fortunes which they have at all
times defended when necessary, and which the non
lfeehoders well as freeholders have equally in
herited. We have been taught to believe bv the
Bill of Rights that, to preserve the government in its
purity, frequent recurrence to fundamental princi-
pies is highly necessary--and the same invaluable in
strnment has instructed us, that majority Of the
community not of feehoiderS, have an Acknowledged
and ndubtable right to- alter amend or abolish their
form OF government, whenever it shall be found not
to answer the object for which it was est ablshed
majority Of more than five thousand freeholders oF
this commonwealth have declared that its constitution
ought to be amended. This meeting declare it as
their opinion that, IN its PRESENT situation the repre-
sentation in he legislature is grossly unjust oppres-
slve, and unequal. That large portion, not ma
orlty, oil tbs free white male population are totally nm
represented. That the powers of the judiciary ouobt
10 be limited SO as to make them more immediately
responsible to those te people) from whom they de-
rive all their power, and for whom they are mere
agents. Non freeholdcrs as well as freehodcrs arc
presumed 10 be people. That the legislature onlt TO
Ire grealv limited and reduced in its numbers beinu
under its present organization oppressive and burden
some. Phat the grievances above enumerated are
some OF the many by which the people of This com
'nonwealth, non freeholders, opposed That tax
alton aid representation declared bv our ances
tors to ocJndispensabe to freedom firm and stea-
dy adherence to this principle produced the revolution
by which they established their Independence This
meeting therefore unequiyocay and publicly declare
1T as their opinion that the principle which thew now
contend tor with the freeholders is lentcally the
same. That they are taxed without being represent
ted; by which they are deprived of their political
right IN all respects, and to all inents as our orcfa-
theirs were, by the British government. phey also
contend that the political truth that all men are BY
nature, free and equal, and which was great prin-
ciple OF the American revolution, is war WITH the
principles OF despotism and the pride Of aristocracy
and ought TO be the foundation of all our fndaneI-
tai institutions. This alone can unneryc the dcspot
arm, and stay the cupidty of the aristocrat 1t pla-
ces check on the proud wave of usurpaton, limits
the evii aims OF ambition and nuses veor and enter
PRISE lnte the body polite. Its sautary energies lin
the poor man from state of vassaloge into political
being, and clothe him with that majesty which the
God Of nature gave him, and of which, If man divest
him, 1T is tyrannic1 and sacregious. 1t is therefore
that they peaccBbly but firmly urge their lust claims
10 an equal participation in this government THAT
ia thus urging What they conceive to be tl1or Just
CLAIMS, they seek than the recovery of those
Just aud equitable rights, which they humbiy conceive
10 JarIy md explicitly delegated to them by the
9th Article of the Bill Of Rights, which by the opera
ton OF unjust legislation, has been long and preiu.
ideally withheld from theIn--what wns odo,is and
oppressive to their ancestors il noo by the Same