Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1842-08-11

imposed for its exercise; as power merely de-
clared i'm the instrument itself, but upon the prac
,ical exercise Of which, the minority in the Leg
isla,ive Halls cann.srssy with amy reasonable or
well founded hpye'fof relief, however great may
be the majority asking Tor that relief in the Com.
nionwcath itself.
The Inequality Of representation and power in
the councils OF the State does not rest in an ne-
quality Of Che elective franchise in point OF quail
ication; it is found in its practical application
IL is found in that geographical feature of the
Constitution which at present assigns to 1886
qualified voters in the West the same political
| influence, aud more, which $50 of our fellow
citizens Of the East enjoy.-ln that inequality
which vests the same power in 1887 Of our Eas-
tern triends, as in 1878 Of our trans-Alleghany
people.
These are inequalities which we are told il is
proper to preserve constitutional guarantees for
the protection Of property, against those dangers
which result from the possession Of power by
| tina, portion OF our people who have not a COM
mon interest In the preservation OF that property,
and who do not contribute an equal amount OF tax
alton to the support Of the Government. Your
committee are by no means prepared 10 sanction
such principles. or to adopt such conclusions
They rely with Implicit confidence in the capaci-
~ of the people for self seli-government in their
justice, WISDOM, virtue, aud moderation, and can
not but regard the Fears of those who insist upon
unf ,unded. They feel that as it regards
their llow-citizens Of the Fast sufficient
guaranty is furnished them i'm the known
identity OF our property, our feelings and our in
terests, That To reject such assurance, and to in.
sst upon any equality of property or taxation as
the ba lis of equality vI representation in the uov-
eminent, is direct avowal of tho principle that
| the personal rights OF one portion Of the commu-
nifty are subordinate to the proprietary rights OF
the other. Your committee regard the final ad-
justnent OF this Question as one essential to the
prosperity, happiness, and tranquility of the
State. That such adjustment can be accomplish
ed Ivy the Legislative action alone, your committee
after the most calm and deliberate considerations
| suppose to be hopeless. The experience Of the
past assures them that the remedy is not 10 be
found in ;he acpuiescence OF two-thirs Of the Lee
glslature in the re-apportionment Of representa-
tion and, if resorted To- will he attended with long,
bitter, and frequent collisions in our Legislative
halls, calculated to weaken our regards, impair
our confidence in each other, aud destroy the best
interests Of the Commouwe alth.
Your committee, however unwilling to assail
the fundamental law Of the land, and however
much they would have been gratifed by IA reason
able hope that their grievances could be redressed
under the forms of the present Constitution, are
yet constrained To declare, the result of their
most deliberate Judgment, that the existing ne-
quality is alone 10 be remedied by recurrence TO
those fundamental principles which declare that
the n,cjor'ty of the community have an inaliena-
be induhilable and ndefeasable right To alter or
abolish In such manner as shall be Judged condu-
Give 10 the public veal, government so ineflec-
tuaiiy secured against mal-adniniStration, and SO
subv rslve ut republican equality.
\ cur committee are confident in the belief that
no party can war successfully against that princi-
pie OF equal PARTITION of political power among all
the citizens ut the Cbuimonv ealth capable of eS-
rrciSing it prndently, and that Our cause, whatev
er may be the obSta Giles which oppose il, will be
l.,
test In which we enter without just sense of the
ma4n'iu lie. danger. and delicacy of the questions
involved In Tive propose, however, with calm
ness AID kindness, earlessly 10 approach il, with
an abiding faith In the justice Of causc-with
strong AMI irat rnii love Tor our br,thrrn of the
Easi-with \ flial affection for the honor, renown,
and entirety OF our good old Vrginl-and will,
sincere hope that our efforts will inmate, as
desire, IN wholesome and saiutary retorm-your
cominitIee beg leave 10 submit the following res
oiutionS:
| II solved, That a Convention should be called
To am nd the Constitution of Virginia. so as to
equaiize the representation between the different
sections of the tat taking tie free white inhab-
itants as the basis of such representation.
Resolved, That committee Of be APP
pointed, whose duty il shall be- to prepare il me-
.orai to the General Assembly. praying the pas
sage Of "A law tor taking the sense If the nil
fled voters of tho Commonwealth upon the qurs
tiou uf calling Conv, ntion to bn based upon the
white population, !or the purpose of earaiZng
the representation III The General Assembly; ard
such ut!ler purposes : shall be deemed expedent
and that they do circulate the sane throughout the
different cOun:irs OF the State for signatures.
Resolved That be appointed Central
Committee OF correspondence 10 promote the OBJ
jets of Ibis Convention, and that the be author-
sed to appoint committees of correspondence
throughout the Comnouw ealth for the same pur-
pose.
The following is the substitute offered by Mr.
Becky Of Fayete:
Resolved, That committee be appointed by
this Convention to prepare memorial 10 the next
General Assembly of this Commonwealth, pray
ing that ilonorabie body, in terms bcfung free
To adjust tiic representation Of The State up
on the basis OF the whole white population, as
iicle Ill Of the Amended Consti,uton-or if that
be declined, 10 pass law 10 take the sense o: the
people the cal! Of Convention. upon the same
basis to alter au:end said Constitution, as may
! III their inhrrent right, 10 alter or amend their
lorm OF government, 10 them seem goou.
The New York Tribune, Speaking Of the Or
der to prevent the Official interference of Govern
ment officers in elections, and the same order az.
iirmed In President Tyler's first message, says:
We are not aware that either of thrse excellent
documents has ever been formally repealed ;thougli
we are inclined To believe that subsequent rehrc-
ton has led the Executive TO regard their provi-
s"ns, not dis 0nienGaioy but only as recommendation
Ty; and II may be that reasons for this belief
lave been, with certain Others .kied in The State