Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-08-20


einno, hut regard that power wholly imperative
and nugatory under the terms imposed Tor ITS exsr.
else. as power merely deela,ed in the instrument
ITSELF but uro1 the practical sxerc sc OF which the
minority in the Legislative halls, cannot rely with
any reasonable we'll founded hope Tor relief how
great may be tho ma GRITTY asking for that relei
in the commonwealth ITSELF
The inequality Of representation and power in the
councils Of the State docs not rest in inequality
OF the elective franchise in point Of qualification;
- found in its practical Application. IL - found IN
that feature OF the contribution, which ut present
assigns to $50 qua6el voters in the West. the same
political influence aud no mre. which S5S Of out
fellow citizens OF the East enjoy. Ia thet intquah
~ which vests the same power in I37 OF our Eas>
tern friends in SIS Of our trans Ales hany peo.
pie.
These are inequalities which VIC arc told il is
proper preserve constilu,ipna guarantees ior
the protection OF property against those dangers
which result from the possession OF power, by that
portion OF our people, who have not a common IN
terest IN the preservation oil that property, and who
do not contribute equal amount OF taxa ION TO
the support OF the Government. Your committee
are by no means prepared to sanction such prinei-
Piles or TO adopt such conelusons-they rely with
implicit confidence in the belief in the capacity OF
the people for self-govcrnment; IN their justice,
wisdom, virtue and moderation. and cannot but re
gard the fears of those who insist on the contrary
opinion. rs wholly untounded and erroneous. They
feel that 1t regards their fellow citizens of the
East sufficient guarantee i, furnished them in the
known identity OF our property, our feelings aud
our interest. That to reject such assurance and to
insist on any equality Of property or OF taxation ms
the basis of equality OF representation iu.the Co
vernment, is a direct avowal of the principle that
the PERSONAL rights Of one portion OF the community
a. subordinate TO the proprietary rights OF the
other. Your committee regards the final adjust
ment OF this question one essential to the pros.
perty, happiness and tranquility OF the State.
That such adjustment can be accomplished by the
legislative action alone, your committee after the
most calm and deliberate consideration suppose 10
be hopeless. The experience OF the past assures
them the remedy is not TO be found in the ncqu-
essence of two thirds of the Legislature in the
apportlonment Of representation.
Your committee, however unwilling to assail the
fundamental law OF the land; and however much
they would have been gralhed by reasonable
hope that their grievances could be remediea under
the forms of the present constitution, conStran
ed TO declare the result OF their most deliberate
judgment, that the existing Inequality is alone TO be
remcdied by n recurrence 10 those fundamental
principles which declare, that a majority OF the
community has an unalienablc, indueitable and in
defeasabe right to alter abolish in such manner,
as shall be Judged conducive TO the public veal,
government so Intellectually secured against NAL
administration and suoverslre OF republican
equality.
Your committee are confident in the belief, that
no party can war, successfully, against that princ
pie of eqGal partition Of political power among all
the citizens Of the commonwealth-clpableo Of ex-
ercisins It prudeniy; and that our course whatever
may be the obstacles which oppose IL, will be uti-
mately successful.
Ii is not however, contest in which we enter
without jus; sense OF tie magnitude. danger and
delcacy Of the questions involved IN it; we propose,
however, with calmness, kindness, iorbearanee TO
approach it, with abiding faith in the justice OF
our cause, with n strong and aternnl love for our
brethren Of the East, with hlia affection for the
honor, Tenown and integrity OF our good old Vir-
sinia, and with sincere hope that our efforts will
terminate as VIC deserve. in wholesome end salu.
tlry reform. Your committee beg leave TO submit
the following resolutions:
Resoirei, That n Convention should be called
to amend the Constitution OF virginis, so as to
equalise the representation, between the different
sections ofthe StGte-takng the free white nhabl-
tants as the basis of such representation.
Resolred, That q committee OF he
appointed whose duty it shall be, TO prepare me-
mortal to the General Assembly, praying the pas
sage Of Law, for taking the sense OF the qualified
voters of the commonwealth, upon the question OF
calling Convention TO be based upon white popu.
lation for the purpose OF equalzng the representa-
ton of the General Assembly, and such other pur-
poses as shall be deemed expedient, and that they
10 circulate the same throughout the different
lies for signatures.
Resolved, That
be appointed Central Committee OF Correspon- |
dence 10 promote the objects OF this Convention, and
that they be empowered 10 appoint a committee
of correspondence in esch county throughout the
commonwealth for the same purpose.
On motion OF MIR Lee OF Harrison,
Rsslved, That the said preamble and resolutions
be taken up and considered separately,-and the
vote on each resolution taken in the order in which
they reported.
MIR Becky, OF Fayette then submitted the follow
ing by way OF substitute for the first resolution re-
ported by the committee,
ResolUed, That comm iltee be appointed and
instructed by this Convention, TO prepare a memo
rial TO the next General Asse nbly of this Com |
monweslth, previous TO their next session, pray. |
ing that Honorable Body, in terms betting Tree
men, TO adjust the representation OF the state upon
the basis oil the whole white population, near as
may be, pursuant the filth section OF the third az
Iice OF the amended constitution; Il that be dec
ed, TO pass law TO take tire Of the people Tor
holding convention on the same basis. TO alter, or
amend said Constitution may in Their inherent
right, TO "aI:er, amend, abolish their firm Of Go
TO them coed.
MIR Niche, OF Augusta, moved that the preim-
bic, resolutions aud substitute b. laid on the table
which done, and on his further motion, the |
Convention took recess until o'clock, z. NJ.
AFTERNOON SESSION, o'clock