Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-10-29


e claim OF power rests, they may do many thinrs +
the injury Of the majority, which will not only no
I, lruure but benefit themselves For instance il i
as much IN their power (and there is fully as mucl
I Danger of their exercising the power) to exemp
their peculiar properly ro TAXATION as it would l.,
III the power Ut the majority, with the government
In their hands, To tax 1t unJusly 1t is as much In
their power to burlhen those interests which IN,
, majority hold distinct from theirs; such as tho
minerals, Inc cattle, the horses, which abound in
the west, rs II would be III the power of the ma
Jorty to burthen their peculiar interests Ii is in
their power to collect taxes from the whole State
ratabiy, and apply them when collected exclusive
ly to the benefit vi their section Witness the ex-
penditufe Oi seven millions Of dollars collected both
IRON the East and West, on the improvement OF
the James River to Lynchburg, and the s,oppape
Oh mat Improvement at that point, when IL was
commenced and the money appropriated under a
delusive pledge TO carry it out 10 the Ohio0 1t is
not only UNJUST, but preposterous and prcsunptuous
tor The East TO require place our dearest rights
al her disrosil-to repOse unlimited confidence i'm
her integrity and justice. while she cUoy gives as
reason for that sacrifice her own distrusl of our
honesty.
But another objection to the argument, is. that
good motives are not alone necessary for good 90
vernment. Admitting, then, the best intentions in
our Eastern brethren 10 govern aright-admitting
that their own interest would always lump with
our advantage, yet there is greater wisdom with
the majority, greater and more particular know
ledge OF the general wants. and of what would pro-
mote the general welfare. Two reasons. no doubt
operated mainly with our ilustrious forelahers. TO
induce them TO prefer the location of power i'm the
great mass OF the people, any other form of 90
vernment. One was that the people BEING the
parties interested and operated on by government
must always honestly desire TO preserve it pure in
other words, that they never could desire that that
government, under which they must live and by
which their persons and property were TO be ope-
rated on, for good or evil should be other than pure
and WISE But another equally prevailing arp,l-
ment, doubtless, was, that the mass of the peope.
knowing their own wants, could best and most
wisely provide Tor them. If our f1retathcrs were
right, then, 1t Is not enough To secure poCd govern
ment that it should be in the hands Of those who
have no mOftCe to abuse it. But it must moreover
be In the hands OF those whose wisdom and whose
/ general knowledge of the wants of the governed
would enable them TO Judge and decide Alright ON
the measures proposed. 1t can hardly be necessary
however, TO consume time i'm an argument 10 Vir-
ginlans, persuadng them of their right to equal re-
presentation, and equal government by majority
OF the people. This question was dcfinlively SET
lieu peluIe cur government formed. and is plain
~ recognized as one of lis fundamental principles
i his right has been invaded, not in theory for the
Constitution still recognizes it, but in practice I'M
der that Constitution. And it is now made mani
fest 10y the progress of things, that every YEAR
without an amendment Of the Constitution; this
grievance under which rapidly increasing maiori-
y OF the citizens of Virginia labor must grow M
on them till 1t will become insuffcrable
Under these circumstances Of wrong to be re-
dressed, the Convention assembled at Staunton on
The lIth day Of August last. From various causes
OF lrregularty in lis call difference of opinion as to
tlhe ana place OF meeting, and uncertainty whether
IT. would meet at ALL the numbers of that Conven-
ton, and the counties represented were so few that
1t dld not think proper TO act finally the great
Questions involved, but adjourned over till the 2nd
day OF December next, and appointed the under
signed It's organ to urge upon the people the impor-
lance OF nnanimlty OF action, and of showing by the
1ull attendance of their immediate representatives
on That day Of adjournment that their reyiler have
erred II they suppose that the failure OF the Con
yention OF August last is attributable to lukewarm-
ness on the part of the people. or to anv want of
manly determination to redress their grievances
| The day appointed will be proptiols for the at
tendance OF full representation, at least from ever
quarter OF the w esten portion of the State The
members of the Legislature will be on their way to
Richmond, and, without much sacrifice of time or
convenience, may call here, and compare opinions
on the momentous questions which claim our consi-
deratlon. Many other Western men will as usual
be leaving their homes for the seat of government
at the assembling of the Legislature, and thew too
In the character of delegates from their respective
counties, might call at Staunton and give dav to
! their country.
/ IL may Oc dShC', why should Such Convention
| assemble! Many friends Of Reform are of opinion
that nothing should be done until after the census
/ oil lSoU. We reply, that in all great undertakings
concert OF action is Of the last importance No ma
ton or set OF men, achieved any desirable end
without concert. The convulsive ihroes OF a few
only aggravate our wrongs and encourage the
wrongdOers, while united movement of all would
ensure redress Since, then, the census Of 1850 is
not tar off; and as it is imporan that even if ac-
ton is postponed TIL then, plans should be dis
csSed and formed since, too there is difference of
opinion about this delay, and many, impatient of
Their grievances propose earlier day for their re-
dress, ought rot such n Convention as we propose.
be held at once, OF all the friends of Reform in or
! deT mat they may commune together. and bv their
united cOunsels, devise some plan. in the bro2Tiety
oil which all may concur, and in the carrying out OF
| which all may unite. Then NAV we move on
shoulder to shoulder, in the great work. and by a
! pull! all together. accomplish our just desires We
Know that there are some Western men in the
/ slough OF deSpOnd," who contend that no Con
vention be called by the Legislature on
the white basis. and that it is needless TO attempt
that which is unattainable. We confess that we
never had very exalted regard for those Z" lame
/ captains" who commence retreat before the bat
Tie begins Point us to single nation. or TO sin
gle individual who has ever achieved RIGHT by sub
uniting 10 wrong and we will admit that the poll
cy OF passive submission may be wise Nay. point
us 10 single instance in which united. persever
ing, manly resistance of wrong has failed TO over
come 1t In the end But until such instances can
be found, the friends Of passive Submission must ex-
cuSe us for differing with them in opinion. We
iee an abiding confidence, that if the friends of
equal representation the white basis will remain
Ilfn, and act together as one man: if as freemen
they contend for their rights, and appeal TO their
Eastern brethren in tones of decision but of tempe
rance, for that share in the government which. bv
the terms Of the Constitution itself is their ndu-
al ol,1 and ,.rI. a..