Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-05-08

PUPLIC MEETING OF THE CITIZENS
OF RICHMOND.
Pursuant to notice in the public prints,
the citizens of Richmond convened in the
African Church on Friday night, the Sd
inst, to interchange views upon the alien
crossing subject now before the Constitu-
tional Convention, to wit: the Basis OF
REPRESENTATION. The meeting which
was one ofthe largest ever held by the
people of Richmond upon any subject,
was called to order by Mr.. George r.
Peake on whose motion the meeting was
organized by calling DR.. John Dove to the
chair, and requesting Robert II. Gallaher
to act as secretary.
The Chairman, upon taking bis position
as presiding officer Of the meeting, invoked
the calm and deliberate reflection of his
fellow citizens, IN regard TO the momentous
questions uron which they were called to
act
MIR. Jno. X. Martin announced the pres
ence Of G. w. Randolph, Esq, a gentle
man who had recently taken up his resi-
dence in Richmond, and from whom he
had no doubt the meeting would be graft
fed to have speech. Mr.. Randolph was
thereupon requested to take the stand; but
before he did so, however, Major Thos P.
August mounted the rostrum and asked to
be heard for few moments MIR. r. rea-
Oily yielding to Mr.. August. the latter gem
tleman said it was through no disrespect
to the former that he had asked first to be
bap rd hs,f., Oh i 4 IL
meetiog. He (Mr. Az came to the meet
ing supposing thatits object was to have
action and not discussion, and as there had
been nothiog presented for the considera-
ton Of those assembled, he thought some
thing ought to be presented upon which
they could act. AT this stage Mr.. A. G..
Crane asked Mr.. August to give way for
moment to enable him to lay before the
meeting a preamblea and resolution as fol-
lows:
"Whereas the subject of the Basis of
Representation of Virginia has been long
vexed question, one which has occupied
much Of the time and attention of the citi-
zens ofthe State, and which has occupied
the time and attention of the State Con-
vention, now in session in this city, for sew
eral months, resulting upon their recent
votein nearly equal division of the friends
Of the Mixed aud Suffrage Basis:
"And, whereas, the East andthe West
are nearly equally divided upon the sub
ject, and both unyielding in their several
views; now, therefore, we the people of
the city Of Richmond, in public meeting
assembled, in order to secure the harmony,
unity and prosperity ofthe entire State of
Virginia, do resolve:
"1st. That in our opinion the Basis of
Representation, under all the circumstances
by which the State is now surrounded,
presents fair subject for Compromise.
"2. That among the propositions for
compromise which have come under our
observation, we declare our preference for
that presented by the Hon. John M. Bolts
of Hcnrico."
In presenting his resolutions, Mr. Crane
wished it to be distinctly understood that it
was not his purpose to take any other part
in the meeting than simply to bring before
it the preamble and resolutions which he
was dbout W SuDiilt, Hor Woulu ne nave
gone that far, had any neelse thought pro-
per to anticipate him.
Mr.. Cranes proposition having been
read, Mr.. August reiterated his belief that
the meeting ought to act, not discuss; for
discussion had been going on, upon this
subject, for months in the Convention, and
every one must understand it by this time
The question had been thoroughly under
stood, too, at the polls, when the gentlemen
who represent the Richmond District in the
were voted for Surprising,
as he before said, that the object of the
meeting was to act and not discuss, he read
a preamble and resolution, which he hoped
would be adopted. They read as follows.
"Whereas, the delegates from this dis
trict in the present Convention were elect
ed after full expression of opinion upon
the various subjects to be acted upon by
that body, and were fully discussed before
the people, amongst which the Basis of
was one of the most impor-
tant; therefore, belt
"Resolved, That this meeting, composed
of only part Of the district, deem it I'M
necessary and unwise to give any instruc-
tons to the sac delegates, upon the Basis
or any other question, but leave them TO
act in such manner as in their Judgment
may best carry out the views and promote
the interest of their constituents"
After Mr.. August had read and support
ed his preamble and resolution, Gen. J. B.
Harvie followed Mr.. A., and desired to
know who had constituted that gentleman
the mentor of the citizens of Richmond
The people had assembled to confer to-
gether and express their opinions freely
He hoped, therefore, Mr.. Randolph would
be heard.
Mr.. Randolph was here again called for
In responding to the call, Mr.. r. stated
that he had no hand in getting up the meet
ing, and would not address it, unless it was
the pleasure of those present to hear him.
Cries Of Ego on, go on" from every part
of the House, and Mr.. Randolph there
upon proceeded to express his views in
regard to the true policy of Richmond
In doing this, he announced himself a
White Basis man, although not native of
the West, but of Piedmont. Mr.. r. ar
gued that there is strong identity
of interest between the city of Rich
mond and the West, whilst the citizens of
tide-water and lower Virginia, who traded
with Baltimore and not with US, did not
feel that interest In the welfare of our city
which isfelt by our Western brethren, who
desire to trade with us if proper channels
of communication were offered them:
Capt. Chamberlayne of Henrico said.
as the meeting was called by the citizens Of
Richmond, he did not know that he had
right to address it, but would do so, for
few minutes, if permitted to express his
views. No objection being made, Capt.
c. spoke in reply to Mr.. Randolph, and in
opposition to the Suffrage Basis.
Mr.. August, at some length, spoke in IA