Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1846-03-05

! being fraction less than one-ifth of
the whole; a fraction less than one
| half Of the whole in the first district; a
l fraction less than one fifth in the second
District, and more than one-third Of the
r Western division.
/ IF the free white population of the
State is preferred as the basis Of the
representation in the Convention, to
i the number of timetables. would in
! terpose no objection, as it is believed
that The result would not be much va
RED 1t would be as follows, to wit:
The State having a free white popula-
! ton in 1915 Of IT'S, 547, of whom $685.
/ 102 are in the Western division, and
374 AS, are in the Eastern division. -
/ The Western division bt-ing entitled
| to fifly-six elega!es, making 7,108 of
her free white population to delegate.
The Eastern division being entitled to
seventy-eight delegates, making 1918
ofher free white population to dele
| gate. The first district having free
white population of 261 ,264; and enti-
tied to thrty-one delegates, being g.
427 to delegate. The second dis
trict having a free white population OF
1876, 1888, and entitled to twenty five
delegates, being 5,473 to delegate.
The third district having free white
4 population of20l ,O09, and entitled to
forty-two delegates, being 4,7S5 to a
delegate. The fourth district having a
( free white population OF 174,435, and
entitled to thlrty-six delegates, being
4,S45 to delegate. Upon the princi-
pies of equality, there being free
white population of773,547 in the en-
tire State, and the Convention to con-
si>t of one hundred and thirty -four mem
bers, the equal ratio would be 5,772 to
each delegate, and would give to the
Western division sixty nine delegates,
instead Of fifty six, the number propos-
ed to be given her; and to the Eastern
division sixtyfve delegates, instead of
seventy eight, the number proposed to
/ be given her. Upon the same princi-
I pie, the first district would be entitled
to forty-fve delegates, instead of thir-
ty-one, the number proposed to be Civ
en- her. The second district would be
entitled to twenty-four delegates, in
stead of twenty-five, the number pro-
I posed to be given her. The third dis
trict would be entitled to thirty-five
delegates, instead of forty-two, the
number proposed to be given her,
! And the fourth district would be enti-
tied to thirty delegates, instead of thir.
ty-six, the number proposed 10 be CIV
! en- her.
The thir! district having free white
population OF 201 900, and entitled to
for.y-two delegates in the Convention,
being 4,7S5 to a delegate, the lowest
ratio in the several districts, equalizins
the other three districts with her, the
result would be, that 132,31S of The
free white population of the State
would be wholly unrepresen,ed in the
! Conven,ion-of which number there
would be liz, 920 in the first district
1928 in the second dislrict-and e.
176 in the fourth. district, being more
than one sixth of the whole unrepresen-
ted fraction less than one-third in
the Western divi>ion-a fraction less
than one-half in the first tlistrict-and
a fraction more than one eighth i'll the
second district.
1t will thus be seen, that, assuming
] either the number of free white lthea-
bes, or the free white population Of the
! State, as the basis of The representa-
1 ton in the proposed Convention, the
result would not be materially variant.
The question recurs, would a Conven-
lion of delegates, elected in The manner
prescribed by the bill under considera
ton, have the power, according TO the
rule laid down in the third article OF
the Bill! of Rights, to reform, alter OF
abolish the Constitution l; will BIZ
recol'ected, that that rule in substance
is, when any government shall be
found inadequate 10 produce the great
est degree of happiness and safety, and
to be eifectually secured against the
dangers of mal-administrat.o Oh, a MAJOR
| iu of the community hath an unques-
toned right TO reform, alter or abolish
it. in such manner as shall be adjudg-
eJ most conducive to the public veal.
Is there any one in tb.s House, or
within the broad limits of Virginia, who
will be SO bold as to deny this doctrine?
It is to be hoped there is not enc. =
Who, then, according to this funda-
mental rule, have the right, in the first
instance, to decide whether the Govern
ment, as now administered, does or
does no. produce the greatest degree
of happiness and safety, or is made