Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-04-03

cess preciuded discussion aud denied 70 many Of
the advocates Of Reform the privilege OF develo-
ping their views, $he question Vas next taken
upon the proposition to submit the whole matter
to the decision Of the people; and the result was.
that there were % 10 the affirmative, and Al 10 the
negative The minority Of % represented loo.
029 Of the white inhabitants Of the State; aud the
majority Of Al, who were unwilling to submit
their opinions to the test Of the popular Judgment
represented but 70, 63S of the white inhabitants
of the State, or less than one hall OF the namuer
represented by the minority.
This glaringly pregnant result Is no novelty
in the legislation Of our State. Our own obser-
walton and experience have convinced US that
the popular will has upon no subject. either, its
proper ihhaence or IT'S just reflection, III the
composition or action Of the Legislature.
The inequality. so broadly manifest and so
startling in the vote we have exhibited upon the
Reform resolutions, and which is equally appar-
ent in all other questions OF general interest to
the people, cannot but render the present form
of Government obnoxious to popular censure; and
should rally and unite al! the friends Of equal
rights 10 the most active and resouie efforts to
correct the injustice.
The Legislature having responded to the con.
tinued prayers Of the majority Of the people. in
a spirit OF unmltigated enmty. we must Of neces.
sity look else where for success and we are met
, at once by the inquiry-What is the other re.
sourcel We think il is clearly indicated in the
fourth article Of the declaration Of rights which
says. that g. when the other means Of redress are
Intellectual. the peupe may, and Of right ought, to
| reform The old or establish new government. F"
There is but single alternative left; either to
submit suIlenIy and slavisihy to fragrant injus-
tice, Or boldly to resort to first principles, and
assume aud defend our rights.
| A step Of this ultimate character, we are deep
| ly aware, should only be taken with the almost
| caution, and after the most serious and solemn
deliberation. IL such measure should be Fl.
naly determined IN, we have no fear Of the issue.
In furtherance Of these views we most respect
| fully recommend to all our fellow citILens
throughout the State, to appoint Delegates to
Convention to be held at such time aud place as
may be hereafter agreed on during the ensuing
summer, to take into serious consideration the
mode best calculated 10 ensure most speedily
and certainly, an Improvement Of our present
form Of Government, and such refot nation OF
the Constitution as will reconcile all the int.
rests Of the State.
| We have the example of nearly all the States
in the Union to warrant in this proceeding
| And the success which attended the progress OF
reform both athOme and abroad, should animate
Us to exert all our, strength in the cause and to
persevere until the victory OF justice be finally
completed and secured. The present is, in
deed, most suspicious period, for work SO
pre- eminently mertorious The State is not
distracted by political partes-a calm has sue
| ceetled the late excitement, and We have now
time and opportunity to look to affairs at home.
We canDnt regard The subject of this address
as one having any connection with national puii-
tics; and we believe that all Republicans who
have honestly differed on other minor questions,
and ma, commune these differences still. ran zeal.
0usly and honestly unite in one firm effurt to Ell
feet radical reform in the Constitution Of the
State. In all our efforts in this cause. before
the legislature, we have found the enemies OF re-
form. regardless Of other political differences,
presenting an undivided front against the rights
Of a majority of the people. On the side OF JUS
tice, single united Effort will command success.
The strength Of those VINO hold the power at pre-
sent IL conc aud united, and if we permit
ourselves to be distracted By foreign consldera-
tons, if we are divided by extraneous parties. an
ingorious defeat, or a senseless prUcrastlnali"n
Of victory, may be the amentable consequence
We do therefore confidently advise, and sincere
ly and honestly trust, that the Reformers OF Ma.
~ land will be prepared, with one purpose and
as one man, to exert their most strenuous ana
determined efforts. to vindicate the reserved and
ncont.stible RIGHTS, OF THE PEOPLE.
TSigned
Delegates from Frederick County.
VIM. Cost johnson, David Schley,
Abdiel Unkefer. Thos Hammond.
City Of Baltimore
Louis WIN. Jenkins, Charles Carroll Harper.
Harrington County.
John H. Mann, John d. Grove,
Joseph Weast. Joseph HOLMAN.
.aAsghany County,
Jacob L.ntz. John Sheer.
Nj. H. Louthan.
Hartford County
Henry H. Johns. Thomas Hope,
Samuel Sutton. John Fprwood.
Baltimore County.
James Turner, Zach. H Worthington,
Hugh Ely, John b. Holmes.
Cecil County
George A. Thomas, Lewis Thomas,
John Evans, WIN Knight.