Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1849-06-11

| From this glance at the origin of those parts
of our system to which we have adverted, we
cannot believe that these, if they are unable to
stand upon their own merits, will find any sreli-
able support in antiquity. We believe that the
practical effect of The constitutional provisions
to which we object has been to iniure our an
cient commonwealth, to impede her growth, TO
palsy her strength, to endanger her safety, and
| to impair the prosperity and happiness OF her
people. We believe that the reforms which we
aim at would iEfuse fresh vitality into her sys-
tenn and, in the end, restore her 10 that proud
pre-eminence among the States which nature
once gave her, and which an unwise policy has
| forfeited We therefore demand these reforms
| for the sake of the commonwealth-as redress
of our own grievances, and to vindicate the fun
damental principles of republican freedom
With the aid of our fellow-citizens, we shall
continue to urge this demand, and to enforce it
from time to time, by all such means as shall
seem right, and eypedient.
| Be it therefore Resolved,
!. That the Constitution of Virginia ought to
be amended.
2. That among the amendments should be
provisions securing a Just proportion of repre-
sentation in both branches of the General AS
sembly to every portion Of the Commonwealth ;
that the~seraration of the State into divisions
and subdivisions in the arrangement OF repre-
sensations should be abrogated, as .perpetuating
and increasing sense OF diversity of interest
and 4 want Of community of feeling that the
representation should be adjusted upon Repub-
lean principles. and contain mode of adapta-
ton to the charges and fluctuations of 'popula-
ton as manifested by succeeding official census.
g. That the right of suffrage be extended; the
system of County Courts be abolished ofre-con-
s1ucted, and that the Governor, Sheriils, and o.
u Iva, do ole pti b1r the 11oOIl1a
a. That a Convention to reform the Consttl
ton has become necessary and inevitable, its de-
Law will be contnuance of,in1ustlce, and its i'll
definite -postponeuent an insutferable evil, and
we now pledge ourselves to use our utmost en-
deayors to procure the call OF such Convention.
s. That we invite our fellow-citizens through
out the Commonwealth to co-oTelate with US In
etfectng this object, by urging it upon the Leg
islature, and if success be not sooner attained,
by elecing to the next General Assembly the
abest and most faithful friends Of Unconstitutional
Reform
6. That, while we affirm the necessity of an
amendment of the Constitution, we assert our
devotion TO the honor, the welfare, ard prosper
ity Of the State i'll all her general interests, and
that we withstand BY ,ler integrity; only asking
the Constitutional acknowledgment and protec-
ton of our rights.
7. That the proceedings of this meeting be
laid before the General Assembly by Our Senator
and Delegate.
s. That committee Of five persons, to wit !:
C. w. RUSSELL Thos. Ihornburgh, George w.
Thompson, David Armstrong and d. Maclane,
disappointed to correspond with the friends Of
Constitutional Reform throughout the Common
wealth.
g. That the proceedings of this meeting be
published in the papers Of this county, and in
those at the Capitol of the State.
On motion, the meeting adjourned to meet at
Triadelphia on the 4ih of July next.
VIM PITTS, President.
D. Maclane, Oliver l. Taylor,}
D. BacuIey Secretaries &