Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1836-08-11

A
seen. in the headlong measures Of a
few short months. that once possesslnr
the power. they will exert i, with
shameful audacity. TO fix upon the
people Of this commonwealth laws and
institutions against which the whole
spirit Of democracy revolts. We are
called at once to the rescue. Actions
have made that voice so loud that we
cannot. we dare not, refuse tolisten 10
IT. The sacred altar of freedom has
been recklessly prolaned. by unwor-
thy intruders who have invaded her
sanctuary. 1t is our duty to redeem it
from pollution. duty which we have
no right for moment TO postpone.
For seven months the opponents of
the democratic party. representing q
minority OF the people, aud strangely
joined in discordant coalition, have
welded the Government Of this CON-
monwealth. Look at the reckless con-
duct they have displayed in the giddi-
ness ofpower' Look at the laws which
they have passed. and under which we
are at this very moment forced 10 live,
and tell US If there is a single democrat
IN our State who is willing paSsively
TO submit TO IT.
Not content with the period which
has long sufficed FOR all the public bu-
siness, an additional session OF the lie.
gislatnre has been held, on pre,ex,, the
most fllmsy, but in reality, TO prolong #
possible by political sche mes. the power
thus acquired and abused. An expen-
diture OF S32. has been thus wrest-
ed from the earnings Of the people, and
added TO their already accumulated
taxes. The wishes Of large majority
for Convention 10 altar and amend
our form Of Government, instead OF be-
ing promptly acceded TO, in accordance
with that duty which represe ntative
owes TO a constituent, have been sub
Jected TO postponement equally unne-
ces'ary and improper. The legisla-
tive halls, which ought TO be places for
calm discussion, and temperate oonsi-
deratlon OF measures affecting the well
fare OF the commonwealth, have been
converted into the aires Of unprecedent-
ed Indecorum; scurrllous defamation
against those present, indecent abuse
against the absent, have been poured
forth without stint. IN the confidence
arising from IN accidental superiority OF
numbers. Free citizens Of this com
monwealth have been summoned IN
the midst Of winter. from their homes.
IN direct violation Of the provisions Of
the constitution. Honorable men. Gui-
city pursuing the occupations OF PR, ate
life; ministers of the gospel. officiating
at the holy altar; statesmen elected by
the people to the most dignified offices
Of trust, have been questioned before a
self constituted tribunal, in regard to
their private intercourse and conduct.
rudely arrested IL. the midst OF their
defence, and reviled where they had
not the privilege to reply. These are
few examples Of the conduct Of our
opponents at the commencement OF
their reign. With ireefren OF Penn
sylvania submit 10 :heIr Tepetatlon or
their IncreaSe'
But it is not only against their con-
duct. in the Transaction Of public bu-
siness, tina, our voices are 90 be lifted.
and our efforts 10 be made. No
Their conduct has been nve.ed bv her
acts. Their laws are on par with
their department. The constitution
has declared. in express language, that
an appor,ionment OF representatives IS
to be made every seven years, among
The several counties. according TO the
number Of the taxable inhabitants
This is the very first duty prescribed
by the constitution 10 the Legislature.
u - the most solemn act Of representa-
tive government; II - the source from
which flows the pure spring Of repub-
lican institutions. II IS the mode by
which the will OF the people is 70 be a.
cerained and carried out IL has tall
en- 60 the lot OF those now IN power TO
perform that sacred duty. behold the
manner IN which they have executed
their trust. They have corrupted the
current al It's source. they have framed
a Law manufactured for the very Purpose
Of incorporating the sentiments Of
the majority, they have apPortioned me
representatives Of counties. in notorious
opposition 10 the number Of taxable in.
habhanis. In the county of Lancaster
they give J. 800 inhabitants a represen-
isiive. while m the county Of Schuyl.
kill 400 have only the same. In the
city Of Philadelphia 300 are emitted
10 this privilege, but in the vesy county
that surrounds Il 3 $40 have no great.
er. In the county Of Chester > 900
may choose a representative. ia The
county Of Wes,moreland u requires I -
100 10 do 80. As II 10 render this
gross injustice more stiking. they have
conferred on , 100 inhabitants Of The
very county IN which they met, the
county Of Daupbin. the same nights
that 100 enjoy m the county Of Ls-
banon. which Is separated from il only
BY an imaginary line. Yet these legs.
lalOrs had the constitution lying before
them. Had they been deaf 10 the calls
Of equal justice, they should a. least