Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1830-03-18

AZ hrse snd sespscfslse naeefnw ~ a
The Fhsts af Crave Greek, o. Safn,,iav IN,
2Tth an for the psrpose af taking into eac
sideratisx the adepiion or reiectisn az ~,
| amendes- stihsfion: nr Tne~as McCon
Mcx was called to the chair. and Josrpr
McLEAS appointed Secretary.
The meeting was then addressed a sem,
length by Mr.. A. NJ ,LGAs, showing the ~reeb
injustice the West, under the new copsf;tu
ton, IL adopted, would sustain, by The Arb;
trary allotment Of representation. and the at
ter impossibility of their ever ARRIVING at al
equality with the East
Aiecr some further discussion, the follow
ing preamble and resolutions were offered hv
Mr.. NcLrAr. and adopted with entire unan-
inlty, and much apparent cordially.
That AN men are by nature equally free
and independent
That IA entcring into astate of civil society,
they cannot be rightfully required TO sarra-
der, more OF their liberty, than is necessary
for the security OF the residue and thc com.
mon benefit of the community:
That the present generation cannot. by
any compact among themselves, lawfully de-
privc posterity Of their Inherent and unalien-
able right tn reform alter, or abolish their
governmentin such manner, as shall be iutig-
cd mostconducise 20 the pubic veal:
That all power vested in, and consequent
~ derived from, the people. who therefore
have an indnbitable right 10 retain or delegate
u IN such manner and portions rs they think
1T, to be used solely for the benefit of tht
commonwealth, and the agents entrusted with
II are amcnable to their constituents for the
honest and faithful discharge OF the trust
committed to them:
And that the only legitimate object Of gov
eminent is the safety and happiness Of the
governed, are selfevideut propositions,
truths, the solemn recognition Of which, by
the American people, il coeval with the foun.
dations OF orr republic; dos trines, consccrated
by the blood Of our revolutionary patriots
Therefore,
Resolced, That any form OF government
which is rcpugnantto these great iundamcnt-
al principles, b spurious, anti-rcpublican, and
unworthy Of freemcn.
Resolved, That the amended constitution
OF this state, submitted by the late Conven-
ton, to the consideration ofthe people OF Vir.
gnia, for their ratification or rejection" is
atvariance with these essential principles of
representative democracy, in as much as il
denies to the people a just and equal repre-
sentation in the Legislature, founded on any
liked rule or ratio OF the free white inhabit-
ants, the only constituents ofthc government;
but, by forming the state into districts, and
divisions, and assigning 10 each an arbitrary
number Of representatives in both branches
Of the General Assembly, regarding, in the
distribution, local interests, rather than polit-
ical resttude, il condemns to perpetual in
fcriority, one section Of the state, let its nu.
merical superiority be what it may; thus sub
jccting the majority to the dominion and con-
troll ofthe minority
Itexcludes from the right of suffrage, and
consequently from all participation in the po-
litical power Of the state, large portion of the
citizens, who are nevertheless subjected to
burdensome taxation, to military duty, and
personal labor on the public highways.
1t sanctions and retains the existing estab-
hshment Of county courts with all its odious
features,-an institution, which, in the mode
Of its formation and perpctuation, the nature
and extent Of its powers and irresponsible ex
ercise Of them can certainly find no parallel
IN the annals Of a free state. Iii solecism
in the scienceofrepublican governmental Ii.
bel on tho spirit of the age.
1t does not recognize the ilnalienablc right
Of the people to reform, alter and abolish
their government as circumstances shall die
tate, but cautiously closes the avenues to flu
ture amendment.
Instead Of treating the sovereign people, in
whom all power confessedly resides, as pro-
prietors Of their government, from their a.
bundancc, it doles out to them modicum--
poor pittancc. Favored classes are per-
united tochoose representatives to the nation
al and state legislature. and there their flac-
tons end or the right Of elccting all other
officers, from tho governor to constable, they
are Invested
Resolved, That constitution thus charac-
terised and composed OF such ingredients, is
unfit for the government ola free people.
Rcsolred, Unanimously, as the sense Of this
meeting, that the amended constitution, now
offered 10 the considerations Of the people Of
Virginia, ought to be rejected, and recourse
had to the cali Of another Convention, based
on an equal ratio ofthc white population, and
a full and free suffrage Of the citizens.
Resolved, That these proceedings be pub
lished.
THOS. MCCORMICK, CHAnMAK.
JOSEPH cLEAr, Secretary.
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