Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1830-03-03
"rHE IGNORANT PEAsANTRY."

ence upon the adoption OF tho CONSTITUTION Ihis 10
not co. and repubsh It, but protesting against the
fairness Of its reasoning and deprecstng its spirit.
Augusta ought not to forget that the hand of Re-
form was laid heavily the tide water country,
and that abe, and all her sisters Of the Valley. and
neghbors the foot of the Ridge, have received in
actual power. all they entitled to. The coun-
try from Richmond to Hampton inclusive, had under
the old Constitution l6 representatives-under the
new it will DO entitled to but S. No other section of
the State has lost much pooitve and relative pow
or. It will be answered, that this was sheer justice
that il possessed great and acknowledged excess
We grant that il so but the fact nevertheless,
proves that the Convention did not regard exclusive
ly the East in it's distribution Of power As popu-
lston at THE moment is distributed very nearly
justice done to every part Of the State if slight
injustice 10 inflicted, the extreme West only has re-
ceived it-and that to an extent very inconsder-
able that in practice, in actual legislation it will not
DO known felt. IF remeded, it might in some ca
ses, increase the size ofa minority, swell the num-
bers Of majority, but it is hardly possible to con-
ceive tina, it would in single instance, put differ
ent face upon the practical Legislation of the State
Why then make it the cause for rejecting benefits,
positive ascerained long sought. obtained with in
v,
never again be in power, Is this prudent, WISE
or reasonable! As for the great argument which the
enemies of the new Constitution principally justify
their opposition by-hat if they vote for it, they in
measure deprive themselves of the right of seeking
immediate farther change, does not appear to our
minds sound patriotic What is it but admis-
zion that the Constitution is tie best' tits le
gerdemsn-doing evil flor the rejection of the great
est good doing evi in the hope, the improba-
bic and remote hope, that good may come oft. Nor
10 the argument founded upon truth They do not tie
their hands from seeking further improvement. On
the contrary, they strengthen them anst the next
contest. Every man acquainted with the history of
the struggle for getting Convention, must know
chat the great difficulty was in overcoming the power
Of the little counties who possessed hostile and in
flexible majority in the Legislature, and for twenty
6ve years, successfully resisted the to which
the People friendly during that whole time or
for the greater portion of it. That difficulty pecul
arly hard to deal with, because it had its origin in
eefinterest is annihilaed for the future. The small
counties shorn of their supremacy and the power
lodged where it ought to be, in the people, and
less within county lines This obstacle, SO formula
BILE, 80 present, will never again modest those
who may seek Reform, and if be desired TO bring
the State again into Convention, it may fairly be as
sumed, that the new Constitution removes a him
drance to the eecting that object, which unremoved
WILL with the experience lately reaped by the small
countless forever defeat the call of second Conven-
ton. Upon their own principles, and acting with
view to obtain their own objects, it appears most
clearly and irreutably to our understandings, tina,
the enemies Of the new Constitution are doing un.
u;oolp dali in
acted with them, felt with thein and now sympathize
with them at the compromise of Principle by the late
Convention. But the thing unavoidable at the
time and most surely, is not to be remcdled by the
means they propose. Let Us take what we can get,
and trust to time, chance cxertion and JUSTICE for
the remainder
BILL OF RIGHTS
declaration OF the rights pertaining good people
the different divisions Of the State OF Virginia and of the
principles which the constitution form Of govern.
men which has been recommended to them by the
c,epded have prehxcd the new constitutions bu,
which, hurry confusion Of adjournment he mem
beIs being opposed 10 long sesson accidentally omit,
ted.)
l. That five negro slaves the east are and of right ouot
10 be- equal to three Ignorant peasants Of west-snd
this ratio Of equality inherent right the negroes Of
2 Tina, all power is vested in, and consequently derived
from, the people Of the east including Of the ne.
peasants. should at all times be dependant upon and
under s,ric, suoordinaton to- the people Of the
j. Ihat government ~ ought to be- for
chit and protection Of the people and negroes east all
forms OF government, that best which calculated to
secure the power in their hands, and
against any danger OF participation by the gnorau peasant
~ OF the vest and when any government shall found in
adequate or contrary TO these purposes the peo
pie OF the state counting three hs Of the negroes Of the
Sy way OF OF set to the Ignorant peasan,ry Of west
nave an absolute unalienabe and ndefeas6le right alter
reform, or abolish H. shall be deemed conduct 20 the
attainment of these great ends.
That no "wcsiem peasant" set OF "western peas
government ou all officers executive legislative, and judicial
ought 70 DC chosen by tho people hree bs The
negroes present coneurIing) fom among themselves
g. That the executive add legislative of GOVERN
ent ought TO be kept separate and distinct the
except that the two former should have full power TO
the condc, OF the Judges aud them out OF Office
~ case they should prove refractory and
obec,ions 70 tho validity Of any act Of the legislature
Il nat the ignorant peasan,ry" Of the have right
20 an uniform government with the people and negroes Of
sae because Of their "ignsrance and poverty The
sup OF slaves aud the reciprocal attachments incident
relation" furnish the best evidence Of common
Wn' 400 attachment to- the compuny, and therefore, those
VINO stand 10 this dedicate relation s tight ought To have
csn,wice as much political power those who do not
mr. ,( d.f.. 49,. A