Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1834-10-16

were received with unanimous sprlsa>r. Ar
ter which, on motion Of Joseph "a. Sherrard,
Esq. committee of twelve Was appointed To
DRAFT resolutions. The following gentlemen
composed the committee Joseph ~. Sher-
rard. John Bruce. Richard T.. Byrd, Robert
Page, John kerfoot. George Auiick, John X.
Cooke, Joseph Tuley, Thomss v. Nelson. seth
Mason, ID. W. Barton, and the chairman
The committee having retired for . short
time, returned with the following resolutions
7 which ~erc read separately, and each unsai-
mously adopted;
ReSotred, As the opinion OF thi. meeting
That tits the undoubted ,ht of the people To IN
struct their representatives ON all questions
oi public legislation, and that the represen-
tstivo }, bound To obey the Gill Of has con-
suiuents when fairly expressed. but b.Iie,-
ing that the exercise of thIs right ought To De
unbisssed as that of election, this meeting
declares its conviction that the fairest mode
OF ascertaip'ng the sense Of the people upon
any political measure, - by full discuss ION
aud opcn interchange of sentiment ia their
primary assembl,es.
Resolved. That We have witnessed with re-
sret the course pursued by many OF The oppo-
nsuis of our distinguished fellow citizen Ben
Jamln Watkins Leigh, IN attempting 20 excite
popular prejudice against him, and TO produce
erroneous impressions in regard 10 his poiiii-
cal opinions, by representing him rs opposed
To the principles Of constitutional construe-
ton which have so often received the sane
ton Of the people Of virginia. and as an sd-
Socate for the recharter Of the Bank Of the
United states, when IL IL well known that the
former have ever received his ste ady support,
aud that hc has been uniformly opposed q.
The iatter, even To the extent Of denying its
constitutionality.
. 1T A.. a.
impusn the motives Of that portion OF their
fcilow-ctizens who diG.r with them en- tht,
subject, they are, nevertheless, constrained
To enter their solemn protest against the ao,i,
they have adopted Of obtaining Instructions
To ourdelcgates To vote against Mr.. Leigh. a,
al variance with the approved aud settled
usages OF virginia, and as establishing a pre-
! oedent, which, by closing the door against
that full, fair, and open discussion esseu;ial
To the formation OF an enlightened public
| opinion, will, IN effect, substitute the will OF
A lev active and managing partisans, for the
deliberate judgment Oft tie body Of the people
! Rssoi'sd, That our delegates elect 10 the
next General Assembly having been chosen
by The people, after mature consideration
aud with q foil knowledge Of their disposi-
tions towards Mr. Leigh, and nothing having
since occurred to impair the confidence then
rePosed in them, this meeting deems il mex
I'edient 10 give them any instruction IN refer r
ence to the election OF a Senator IN Congress.
which they will be required 10 make; and
VII therefore leave them 10 the exercise OF
their own judgment in making the selection.
Reseired, That there is much IA the present
condition Of public affairs To excite the deep
est apprehension Of the patriot aud philsn-
throPist for the safety Of our institutions, and
even the existence Of liberty it,elf-arisinc
10 great measure from the extraVagant and
anti-republican claims Of power which have
+ been urged IN behalf Of the general govern
ment, and especially the executive depart
ment thereof claims which tins meeting ha-
yards nothing in pronouncing utterly repug.
nant 10 tho principles Of free government
incompatible with the preservation OF liberty
Il and popular rights, and ia conflict alike with
The letter and spirit Of the constitution.
RsSoired, That one Of the most alarming
signs of the times consists in the READINGS.
with which public nien Of the present day
abandon long cherished political opinions. "a
suit the changing aspect Of affairs, aud con
form with the will Of those in authority.
Resolved, That the indIy iduals composing
this meeting will, at all times, prefer the IN.
iercs, OF their country TO that Of any party
OF man, or set Of men whatsoever; and pledcs
themselves to oppose, by all lawful mean
every encroachment which may be made
upon the constitution, and TO resist at the
threshold the FIRST approaches Of tyranny u
any form and from every source.
On motion OF Mr.. iIeiskeil, seconded ~
Thomas r. Nelson,
RtSoirsd, That Col. John u. ID. Smith be
requested 10 permit the publication Of the
letter written by Mr.. Leigh, in May last, 10
answer to one addressed 10 him BY Colone
Smith, on the subject Of his course IN the
Virginia convention, which has been much
misrePresented IN this quarter, prov ided be
should feel himself at liberty so to do.
On motion, ResOirsd. That these proceed
Ings be published IN the Winchester papers
Richmond Wing, and the papers Of ibe con
tiguous counties. The meeting thea adjourn
cd. SIMON CARSON Chairman.
T. =. NELSON, Secretary.