Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1830-04-13
COMMUNICATED.
NEW CONSTITUTION
GILES MEETING.

NEW CONSTITUTION
GILES MEETING.
AT meeting OF large number of the Citizens of
Giles County, assembled in the Court House on Mon
day. March 10Th 1880 for the purpose of considering
the .Ne,o or amended Constitution:
On motion, Capt. David French, was called 10 the
Chair and Mr.. Augustus A. Chapman appointed Secre-
tary The following Preamble and Resolutions, were
offered by David McComas, Esq. which were read and
discussed On the motion adopt the resolutions they
were severally carried by large maiorties there being
but four or live dissenting voices On the motion adopt
the Preamble, IL was carried unanimously.
! PREAMBLE AND RESOLUTION
AT meeting OF a number of the Citizens of Giles
County, at the Court House, on Monday the 2gh day
of March $780, being the first day of their Quarterly
Court, for the purpose of considering the New or A.
mended Constitution, the following Preamble and Re-
solutions were adopted:
| In considering the Amended Constitution we shall
not enter into comparison between it, and the oil
that, in opinion, not being fair way of ascertain
Ing its merits But we will enquire whether it answers
the purposes for which the Convention was called
which were TO extend the Right of Sulraee TO make
the judiciary responsible, and the inequalities
OF representation. Has it accomplished these objects?
by the property qualification required is not that
right conferred upon many who have grown old in their
allegiance TO foreign countries, while the native born
sons OF the soi men, who have first love but Vr-
ginia men, who in the hour of danger would be found
ralyng round the banner of their country excud-
ed Not that object that hone foreigners who have
fled from oppression in their own country should enioy
all the rights of native citizens here What we desire
is that not only they, but all who bear arms and pay
taxes, should enjoy that right.
|
man compare the two Constitutions and decide for him
SELF All who do SO, will he compelled TO acknow ledge
that the judges far removed from the people, by
one Constitution the other.
We will pass every other part OF the Constitution
speak OF the Basis OF Representation and the compro
mise by which it was brought about. compromise in
which the people the East obtained all they contend
ed for, and the people of the West nothing compro-
mise, which according TO its author is without princ
pe But ives say for want of more appropriate phrase
an unprincipled compromised Yet TO us ii TO
keep this principle steadily in view, that free white
man in the west il not equal 10 in the To vote
for constitution based upon such principle, would be-
we conceive TO acknowledge nferiOrity. Before
we make such an acknow ledgment, would ask the
people oil the east why not TO be considered their
equals? In what manner have forfeited our rights?
Are we not willing as they, according TO means, TO
contribute to the support OF government? La the day
oil battle and war; are we more tardy in repairing TO
the standard Of our country? But il seems they are
fearful should they give us equal share i'm the 60
vernment oil our native country, that should abuse
the power; that we would Cypress them; that we
would overtax their slaves, give them liberty Such
fears are idle, do not believe that they
riously entertained Does any in his senses, be-
leve that by suffering the west TO participate in the 60.
vernment, according TO the number of its White In
habans, that any OF the anticipated evils would come
topass' Where is the man in old Virginia, of
common informaion who does not know, that we
even dishonest enough would not the power?
What has the compromise done? Ii has conferred
power upon the east, To rule the for all time TO
come TO prevent the slaves of the east from being
taxed. And what guarantee have they given us, that
they will not abuse the power? that they will not ex-
emp slaves from all taxation, and levy il on lands,
horses and cattle and iron, lead and salt, manufactured
in the west? None except the honor of the east and
we are free TO confess that unwilling trust
men, who say, that there principles in govern
ment who contend that the truths contained in the bill
OF rights distractions not applicable prac-
teal government.
We consider that representation, by the amended
constitution is nearly based on the present federal num-
bcTs Of the whole State basis abhorred by all. tho
west Yet that, taxation and population COM
bned. would have beon better for us. We would then
have been entitled TO representation for future in
crease; it could not have been denied We do con-
fdently expect that both white and black population
VIII increase with greater rapidy than that of the east
that wealth itself will change hands Nature has said
this part of Virginia, will be great Agricultural and
Manufacturing region. Our valleys are luxuriant, our
hills abound with ore, the whole country is interseced
with streams. The time is fast approaching when the
yellow corn, and the green grass Of the meadow will
be seen waving in every valley, this side the Blue
Ridge Manufacturing establishments will be found at
every WATERFALL and all the mountains will be covered
with our hocks and our herds Should all this happen;
should two-thirds of all the white and black population
together with all the wealth, be found in the west yet
by the New Constitution must continue vassals TO
the east forever.
The injustice of the compromise, appears in this:-
Should foe invide our shores will the Militia be called
from the several districts in proportion the number of
their representatives? No-but in proportion TO the
number Of free white male citizens between the age of
| Is and 10 years.-By the Amended Constitution,
| the west has all the disadvantages Of government
founded upon property representation without any Of
its benefits.
by The compromise, the integrity Of the State is de-
stroyed. II has divided the Commonwealth into four
great divisions every conceving itself possessed Of
different interests. The people longer consider
themselves brothers. they longer deem themselves
citizens of the same common country. The people Of
the east and the west begin TO look upon another
strangers Such the result Of the deliberations Of the
wise of the cast
People Of old Virginia. such state Of things has been
produced by your boosted talented
In opinions, the conduct Of the late Convention
VIII destroy the character Of the State; heretofore the
policy Of Va in relation to the other States Of the Union
though considered by to be mistaken policy, was
beloved by all 10 be unnfluenced by interested motives
But what will they think, when they discover that por-
lion of the State which has hitherto given tone its no
lics partially DISTINGUISHING all the reemon Of the west
10 promote the interest Of the easH What will be the
opinion Of the world? What will II think of the doc.
trine that the people capable Of governing them.