Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1830-04-14
Tie nc vo.er. Of AN.r,,n, c,u,,..

The period 10 fast approaching. hen the
amended Constitution af Virginia. has 10 be-
tested by yout voies--~hen Jefferson county
so<'s nnst record her vote, to the ratification
or rejection. at that instrument, which the de.
egs'es OF the people have framed. for the GO.
'ernment OF this commonwealth. The crisis,
every man mus, be impressed With the fact.
~ one OF momentous. solemn, and incale uls.
bie importance TO us. and 10 those who are To
succeed the present generator. and which
may Tor auRht NE know, operate on the DIES
'in'ss OF r-motes, po.,~rny Each voter,
tnen' should consider we'll this state of things.
oe'ofe ne approaches the polls: for. ~ the
ocean - composed Of drops, and the earth &c
particles. 30 Will each vote have ITS due eight
az component part Of the whole, in pre- pom.
DEBATING the scale in which IL may be cast.
As respects myself. ono Of the mos, humble
IN your ranks, I have reflected deliberately
and dTpass'ona'ei, en- ,he-suhjec', and de.
clare IN, determination. TO support the New
Constitution at the polls. III err, the fault
Is owing To my limited capacity 20 Judge
True u 70, We have not received al xe dc.
msnded in Convention, tnring the frs, great
struggle ~ tina, body, hut when the FIRST great
desidcrsturn was found 20 be unat,ainabic. the
question with our representatives. was.
shall wc make an honorable compronise Of
our claims. or put IN jeopardy the union of
Ibis ancient commonwealth . Both parties
consented 10 this, rather than embark IN so
peri'ous an enterprise. ss nigh, involve their
constituents IN the most dreadful &C c.tas,ro.
hes--probably the ssnguinar, visitation OF
civ'l war. To yield then. they were com.
prifed. The present constitution Is the re
suit ct that wise and conciiia,ory resolution
mutually agreed upon by the two opposite
SIDES IN the convention
Examine nov, what the west surrender. ard
what the east. the owners Of power, and fhe
sole arhiters OF the state. have agreed TO sur.
render on the score 81 representation. Ac.
cnrd'ng to MIR Gordon. plan, With house
ct delegates numbering 1874, The Iide.waier
district. having a, this time. in n house of PA,
rome mbcrs ioscs. IN the reduction az 30 Of that
number, 40; leaving SO members; the middle
district. having At this time So, loses Is iesv
ing ~ members; the valley. having st this
tune -. loses oni, Z, ieaviuG IS members
and the trans ALE ghany district. having a,
this time 50, loses only 81, leaving ST mem
oers The above sppor,onment upon caIcu.
'ahon, approximate, IN its practical results,
as nearly To the white basis' as We cpuld
wrh. la addition to all This observe how N.
IDEALLY the strong hold Of the Iowiand aristo
cracy-tbe detested old county represe N, alton
where one man in Warwick, has twenty six
times more power. than another man IN .ou
doun, --is demolished Under the pre-
sent system, wArwick.a good sized corn field
sends two delegates to the Assembly, while
Londoun, an empire in comparison, Sc nd. on
y two. notwithstanding the grea, inequality
that exists between them, under tho New
constitution, Warwick will not send more
than halt OF man, while Loudoun will he
entitled TO her jus, quota ofthree. This IL
PLAIN statement of the case. What contrast
- mere presented TOR you To ruminate upon
BESIDES, among the numberless other I'M
provemenis that will be introduced, IS thi. i'm
portant one, many Of you, hitherto disfr.n
eo'sed, and deprived Of all political power.
whatever, are DOW recognized rs citizens, by
ne New Constitution. The fechoiders are
no longer considered The only class worthy of
having voice in the administration of affairs
some ask, Why vas ar Cooke the only
member from the west, Who voted for the
adoption OF the amended constitution, sup
posing, that IN so doing he deserted our inter
eS-. The ans~ or TO which. is this, Mr. Cooke
'hought IN convention, and now proves thu,
Gordon's plan Of representation, as = compro
uiss flor the original question had long been
Consigned to the tomb) gained more power for
uS,and promoted our dearest interest, far more
Than the plan con,ended for, by the rest Of
the western members. while IL acknowledged
zone OF those otious features. we look upon
~" 'NS" saw with ms own
Eyes," and no, with those &C. Of the party. -
and IN "drser,ing the party" he came over
TO the people" In Mr. Cookies case, there
was mere difference of opinion with the
western members, as tn what plan of repre-
sentA'ion the west should accept as a com.
promise That he acted as honestly as they.
no one Will doubt. who is aocuainied with his
character bur What does sII this NATTER the
question with you is. whether YOU will sccep,
or REJECT the New Constitution If YOU do
determine to reject il, which il very unlikely,
ron VIII be rive'ng more closely, the chains
'ha' The sris'ocracy now have around yout
decks. and will entail on your children, per
hsps for sges to come, the most degrading
SHssSlage. " your patriotism urge you 20
accept ~. You will gain position thu, will
advance you so much further on the wsy 20
The final accomplishment az all your wishes.
fon will no, lose any thing. but gain all Ger
'ainIy then, there is every inducrmen: for YOU
to come TO the polls. and speak in voice oil
thunder IN favor of the New Constitution.
Down Sith the old one--it deserves the eye.
Grafton Of every frecman-wiiI you no, stamp
y under your fee, aud ejec, y from that m.
pie which Il has 80 long poIloied'