Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-03-20
Public Meeting in Patrick.

At meeting of the people of Patrick, held on
Monday, the eth Of February, 1851 Fowkles G.
Smith, Esq, called TO the chair and Benz. j.
Campbell appointed Secretary. Mr.. Saml. G. Sta
pies offered the following resolutions, which were u
nanimously adopted:
Whereas we believe the basis Of representation
to be, BY far, the important aud deeply inter
esting question likely to occupy the the attention Of
the present Reform Convention; that ia paramount
to all other reforms; question upon the decision
Of which depend not only the welfare aId prosperity
but the very liberties ofthe people; thai il i thc fix
ed and determined purpose of nearly all the delcgt-
tion ct Eastern Virginia, incorporate into the OF
rauic laws Of our State, that feature known as the
mixed or combined Basis" and whereas, it is a
cherished and cardinal principle in all republic
governments that the representative Is bound to
fleet the will and wish ofhis constituents; and where
as We wish to declare to dele CATION in the CON
ven'ion, our sentiments and opinions upon this alb
sorbing question: Therefore
Resoleed, That we hold these truths To he sclfev
dent, that all men are born equally free and ndepen
dent, and are entitled equal political privileges
that they have certain inherent and indcleasible
rights; among which are those of ENJOYING and defcn-
ding life and liberty and of acquiring and protecting
property, and these rights are essential to their
welfare for the due execution thereof all power is
inherent in, and all just authority in the institutions
of political society, is derived from the people to ad
may, for this end, alter reform, abolish their
isting form Of government whenever to them it may
seem right and cxpedicnt.
Resclred, That inasmuch all power is vested
in and consequently derived from the people; and
inasmuch as a minority Of the community have
right to control The of that community, We
the advocates of the White Busis ofrepresenta-
tion-that Basis which places power IN the hands Of
the majority and not the minority and declares that
all men, whether rich poor. and all sections of the
community are equal and are justly and ofright en-
titled to the exercise ofequnl political power.
Resotred, That governments republican only
in proportion they embody the will of the people,
and execute it. Republican in this, that they repose
sovereignty solely in the people: Representative
in this, that that sovereignty is exercised through
the administration Of agents representatives ard
not personally by the people; and representation
can be applicable only to persons and is neither
nor less than the effect of suffrage, flowing directly
from the exercise of that political right-a mirror
which throws back just image otthe people repre-
scented in all their proportions, features and charac
stics,t should be equal and uniform throughout the
State; and should be so based, that the will of the
majority should be fully and freely expressed.
Resoired, That uncompromsingly opposed
to the mixed basis of representation because il is in
direct conflict with the fundamental principles so
dear to all lovers of American Hberty-because it
suEvers the principle, hat all power is vested ill.,
and derived from the people" by making property
one OF the elements oil power and placing the poor
ma orty under the rule and sway of the wealthy
minority because it denies the principles that cleo
tors are equal, by comforting a small number Of
OF wealthy electors powers not conferred on large
number OF poor electors; because its tendency is to
give wealth undue and dangerous influence in the
legislation Of the State; because it is new and I'M
prcccdcnted in the constitutional annals of virginia.
because il infuscs into our political syem, sectional
"A
il is oppressive, odious and UNJUST to Western
brethren, STAMPING them with the seal Of political
degradation. g.
Resolsoa, That one Of the great ends of good gov
efnmen is the protection to property; that thn GOV
crnncnt which protects not property, falls far short
of the great purpose for which it is instituted that
we regard property important ard vital inter
est in society nseparably connected with our habits
associations and happiness deriving fall and ade-
quate protection from the virtue and Intelligence of
the people its general diffusion among the of
society, the interests felt by all in its preservation
and involabiliry ON its amenablity the majesty
of the laws ii would violate and the indignant JUS
tice of the people whose honesty it would corrupt;
not by denying that its protection only be attain
ed by vestiug in minority of the people of Virginia
the political power of the State; in the dcgraa-
ton of subectinc the will of the many to the tyra-
nica control of the wealthy few; not in making the
people ofW estcrn Virginia the political serfs and
slaves ofthc people of Eastern Virginia.
Resoited. That although we live in the Eastern
grand division of the State of Virginia, upon this
great question: to be governed by sectional
feelings; know north no south no east, nowest
that we regard ourwestegn brethren bone Of our
bone and flesh of our flesh. endenred by ties of
loveof State pride all that enhances the reputation
OF our beloved commonwealth, and by all the associa-
tons that richly cluster around the past; and that
in advocating the white basis, do it from consd-
erations of stern and immutable justice, Of down.
right absolute right
Rcsoired. That oer delegates in the Convention be-
and they hereby instructed to for the incor-
porution ofhc white basis into the new constitution
and should the white basis not be adopted then that
they vote for and advocate resolution submitting
the question Of Basis the people, along with the
new constitution.
Resolved, That these resolutions be published in
the Danville Register and the Richmond papers and
that the Lynchburg papers be requested copy.
+. G. SMITH, Chairman.
Ben. j. CAMPBELL, Secretary.