Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1845-08-14
CONVENTION MEETING

meeting oil the citizens of Greenbrer was
held at the Courthouse of that County on the
2Sth OF July, on the subject of the call Of Con-
ventlon to amend the State OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
ERsKlNE, esq. in the Chair, and EDWARD B. Bal
LEY, esq. acting as Secretary. The object Of the
meeting was explained in brief speech by the
Chairman, when the following gentlemen were
appointed committee to prepare suitable pre-.
amble and resolutions for the action Of the meet
ing, WIS Samuel Price, +. b. Miller, James
Jarrett, VIM. Smith, Johnson Reynolds, and Ro-
bert Stephen, esqrs After retiring for short
time, the Committee made the following Report,
which was unanimously adopted:
Whereas, The Constitution of Virginia is erro-
neoas in theory, and has been found to be une
quail IN practice. In the apporiionment of repre-
seh'ation In the two houses of Assembly the con-
Ven'ion had regard TO no just principle the great
OBJECT seemed TO be, TO retain the Legislative pow
er east OF the Blue Ridge, upon the talacious
suPposlt'on that ii the west were equally repre-
sehted, slave property might be exorbitantly tax
ed. We, however, Of the west, claim 10 he 40
honest as our brethren of the east. We have
trusted them with our fres and property, without
equal representation, and can see no good reason
why they cannot trast their property to legisla
lure In which they shall be equally represented.
me country west of the Blue Ridge, has. al
'his .ithe' large majority of white inhabitants.
numbering from 80 TO 10000: but the country
east Oh the Blue Ridge, has a majority of % rem
.esen,a''eS IN the Two houses Of the General AS
semoly. This glaring injustice is not inflicted
upon us Tor limited time only, and then IN be
iuiy corrected, but it is Indefinite i'm its duration
anu Is only The more aggravated by time and
change. "''0 anu
ne oppression growing out of this arbitrary
rule oil representation, is most sensibly felt Inv tho
people west of tho Allegheny mountains. The
people OF The Valley have nearly their full share
vi representatives. But every day produces,
moa n ~ unen, greater inequality. Thus il
'ucs' DC seen at single glance, that the people
west OF the Allegheny have but mere nominal
representation in the Legislature. To call this re.
Puoiican equality Is an insult 10 the plainest nm
derStanding 10 justify it upon the ground tba,
the eastern people have more slaves than we have
Is ah attempt to sustain sectional aristocracv Of
'he most oclous kind and 10 sustain it upon the
stouhu l'iat II Is necessary to retain the control
VI the Legislature, because we would, if we had
the power, Cypress them with unequal bur,hens.
IS d difec' assault upon our integrity. We hold
'at no form OF government, resting upon the i'll
Vi tiie people, can be, or ought to be enduring
which is not founded upon just principles: ,b5,
is no, SO constructed as to afford lis Protection
ana diiuse Its blessings alike to all and that no
Noi'o'i.u'oh vi government, characterized with
partiality on the one hand and distrust ON the
other as the constitution of Virginia. is entitled.
to the confidence OF republican people-We
are confident that our complaints are well found.
ed. We are no factionsts, but speak the "words
oil truth and soberness." Therefore,
/ HcsolOea, That we claims as a matter of riobt
equality with others in the administration of the
government; and with view TO such equality.
and Tor the purpose of correcting other evils.
growing out OF the present constitution. we in.
Slst upon the call of convention to amend the
constitution.
| Resolred That in organizing such convention.
nothing Will be satisfactory TO us but perfect e.
quality in the representation, and that any at
tempt to organize convention upon any princi-
pie except the basis of free white population
ought to be rejected by the western people as
humiliating and unjust.
hssoired, That our representatives in the Sem
ate and House of Delegates, be requested to
bring this subject before the Legislature at the
next session thereof, and to use their best exer-
lions to have law passed calling convention.
the representation in which, shall be based on
white population, and that only.
hes0fped, That in seeking reformation in the
constitution, we will claim nothing but what is
Just, and be satisfied with nothing less