Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1845-11-13


have certain inherent rights, OF which
when they enter into state of society
they cannot by any compact, deprive or
divest their posteriiy namely. The epiov.
ment Of life and liberty, with the means oe
acquiring and possessing property and OBJ
tanning happiness and safety"
That this meeting fully recognises and
adopts the axiom 'shat all power Is vest.
ed IN, and consequently derived from the
people" as the only doctrine consis,eu,
with the existence of Republican form
Of Government, and tha, any Constitution
which denies and repudiates this power
either IN theory or practice, ought to be
abolished or annulled.
"That government IS, or ough, 10 be in.
stitued fer the common benefit, protec.
ton and security, of the people, nation.
or community: of all the various
modes and forms Of government tina, !,
best which is capable Of producing the
greatest degree Of happiness, and safety.
and is most efTeciually secured agains,
administration and that when any
government shall be found inadequate or
contrsry 10 these purposes. majority Of
the community bath an indubitable' in.
allenable and irdeieasible right 10 reform.
alter or abolish il, in such manner as shall
be Judged most conducive TO the public
veal"
That this meeting has witnessed, with
much pleasure, the popular agitation on
this subject; aud halls, with joy, the de-
veiopement Of public sentiment in favor of
the adoption OF Constitution which shall
do justice to the East and the West, the
North and the South, and which shall re-
store TO the people those powers, which,
Of right belong TO them, and which, I'M
der our present inefficient, unequal, and
anti Republican Constitution, are wrested
from their exercise.
Tha, it is the duty Of the Legislature, al
its next session, TO pass a Bill 20 take the
sense Of the people of Virginia on the ques-
ton Of Convention 10 Reform our pre-
sent Constitution.
That among the Reforms demanded, we
recognize as Of primary and vital impor-
lance: LIST. The extension Of the Right Of
Suffrage 10 all white male citizens Of the
State who are Fl years Of age, with sui,a-
BILE guards against its exercise by persons
OF imbecile mind, by paupers. and by in
famous characters: End. The establish
ment OF the White Basis as The only accept
able platform of Representation 3D.. The
immediate election Of Legislative and
Executive officers by the people: 9TH. A
more thorough accountability Of all officers
TO the direct tribunal Of the people than is
now provided by existing Institutions
and, 9th, in minor provisions of a new
Constitution, marked conformity TO the
liberia. Reforms above indicated--reserv-
ing TO the people every attribute of sove-
reignty not actually needed 10 carry on
the State government
That this meeting utterly repudiates the
provisions Of our present Constitution by
which the State is cut up into arbitrary
Districts for the apportionmeni Of Repre-
sentatIyes: wherefore, we insist upon the
organization Of our Legislative houses up
on the broad basis OF the White popula-
lion of the whole State.
Edmund pEsDLgros, Esq, gave notice Of hi,
dissent, as member OF the Committee TO the
presuble and resolutions reported by the Commit
tee ard asked thai his dissent be entered ofrecord
DAVID n. CoERAD, Esq was not in Commune.
Dr. +. s. pseg offered he following resolution,
which was unanimously csrried:
ResolU.d That the proceedings ofthis meeting
be published in the papers Of this town, and also
in the papers Of Richmond
The meeting then, motion, adjourned
II n.
LEWIS GRAN fpAM, EPrsH.
ALLEN c HAmaosD. To-
ISRAEL RoBiS-os,