Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-05-22
RtrDtIotrU ssaaDtQ.
FRIDAY MORNING. MAY ~, 1899.
To The Won-F%eekolders of Richmond.


This is the day for the Convention Election. 4
large number of our body, meeting in the CAPT.
tol, expressed their determination to vote for mem
bers of Convention. There are very few persons of
Intelligence remaining in the commonwealth, who
do not acknowledge constitutional and inherent
right to vote, who do not admit that the law
restricting suffrage to the freeholders was SO far
in the teeth of the Bill of Rights, which in SO MANY
words, lays down the fundamental maxim, that II
majority of the community possesses the inherent.
inaienahle, and indefeasble right to alter abolish
the form of Government, subsisting for the time
being. To our knowledge, many of the most en-
hghtcned anita gonsts of the Convention ire up the
question: and concede the construction which We
give to the Bill OF Rights, be the right and true
construction.
But let suppose right To be doubtful, Let
Us grant for argument sake, that the construc-
ton which we put upon the ill of Rights, is an
erroneous construction; that ordinary Legisia
nre as So.ie contend, repeal the whole or any
part of the Bill of Rights? Let us suppose any or
all OF these positions to be true, and still ought
not to omit giving our votes. We content to
refer the decision of the question of right to the
Convention. Our poll will go before that wise and
supreme body. If they say that We had no right TO
vote--that the law denying the privilege was
valid and constitutional law, then will acquiescc
not less from our respect for the judgment of the
Convention, than from necessity But if this should
be the result, and the Convention ultimately decide
TO reject votes, still We lose nothing BY voting,
and infiict injustice upon no living thing If they
decide that had the right and that our votes are
Us good as the votes of freeholders, we shall have
the satisfaction of having overthrown an arbitrary
unjust and tyrannical law, and of having success
ihlj indicated rights and privileges agains,
those who wished to despoil us of our brthright.-
So that, friends and brethren, we can lose nothing
by noting. We hurt no man by it. T'here is all
appellate tribunal to review our conduct; a tribunal
in whose justice, wisdom impartialty and republi-
canism, we have unbounded confidence. IF we shall
be mistaken in construction of the law and, the
constitution; if we vote having no lawful right to
vote, the Convention will reject out surfaces, and
adjudge the election precisely as if we, had mover
voted.
How important this privilege is, is manifestation
the TACT, that we, the non freehoders of Richmond
hold the balance, and incline the result as we
please Our numbers hardly less, and probably
more than 4OO-concurr!ng generally do we
believe, far opinion has been developed in SEN
tiunent, we select what four of the candidates
now before the district pfease-for our views are
also the views of powerful division of the Richmond
freehoders. Let then, exercise our rights ON
this most interesting crisis which can possibly occur
in Republican Community. IF it be not our right
still lei us exercise it, and the question before
the convention since by so doing, we offend against
no law which we believe ourselves bound TO respect
and since we injure no man by it. We have every
nducement to voto-the belief that we have been
wronSully bercft OF our rights by the Legislature
the wish dear to every free man, enjoy the iesti-
mabte privilege OF su.frage--the firm conviction that
we are sustained in the by the Bill Rights
the certainty that if we vote and act together we can
select men who will represent feelings and opin-
ions-and the undeniabe fact. that We may do good
to ourselves and others by voting, and cur DO injury
by it, to none.
We will notice one or two suggestions that We
have casually heard One ia that as the oon-free.
holders i'll other parts of the district have not voted
neither ought we in Richmond. Indeed! a new idea
truly, that because others, either through Ignorance.
or fear or indifference yield their rights that oe who
are neither ignorant afraid nor Indifferent must
do so too! 1t surely not the fault of the nonfee
holders of Richmond, that their brethren in other
parts of The District did not vote. So far from
1t, the non-freehoiders of Richmond were .be first
iii the State, denounce the convention law to assert
their right to vote and to make known their purnose
of exercising IT, They did what they could to rouse
and stimulate the whole body of non frechoIders tn
just sense of Importance and necessity of yoting
for members Of convention. And because our bro.
thrcn below, were too sluggish and tin,d to claim
what the constitution gives tcm it reasonable that
their sluggslness and timidty should affect US and
incur forfeiture of our rights and prvileges We
think the force of the argument lies the other wav.
and that the luke-warmness of Others ought TO act
as stimulus upon us, TO urge to give proofto the
world, that we both know our rights, and dare map
tain them.
10 is said By snme but .uhei hnr in aa-aa.. -.