Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-04-01
PUBLIC MEETING IN GREENBRIER

At meeting OF the citizens OF Greenbrier held in the
Court House, on the 24ih day Of March 1851 that be
ing Court day, motion, Gen. A G.. Davis called
TO the Chair, and Joel Mcpherson requested to act
as Secretary
ROBERT F. DENNIS Esq, in a few remarks explain
ed the object OF the meeting, and concluded by NOV ing
that committee of Is sh ould be appointed for the pur-
pose ofdralting Preamble and Resolutions for the
ton of the meeting The chairman appointed the fol-
lowing gentlemen the committee, to wit:
John A. North, John Miller, David Surber, James
LEVEL, Johnston Reynolds John W. Mcpherson, Ro-
bert F. Dennis, Andrew Hamilton, Little Billy Feam-
ser, Samuel Thompson, Col. Samuel McClung, Thos.
f. Hammer, Thomas Creigh and Addison Frazer who,
after short consultations presented the following Re-
solutions and Preamble to the meeting, which were
unanimously adopted:
Whereas the people of Virginia have decided by a
large vote that the present Constitution is not such
best calculated produce the greatest degree OF hap
piness and safety; and whereas the people, in the
else of that indubiable unaenable, and indeeasibe
right, to alter, reform or abolish it, have called con-
venton now in SESSION. to amend it in such manner
shall be adjudged most conducive to the public veal
and all power is vested in and consequently deriv
ed from the people, and not from association OF peo
pie and property: Be it, therefore,
Resolved LIST. That in laying the basis of Govern
ment upon which the supersucture is to rest ought TO
be equal firm and republican in its nature, and not upon
an odious, arlstocrahc and unnatural combination OF
tree white, independent c.tizens and property. /,
Resolved, I'd. That the people OF Western Virginia
constituting majority 0 the free citizens of the State,
upon every principle ofequay and justice, entitled
TO equal political lights with the citizens OF the East;
that place OF residence possession OF property,
neither add to nor detract from that right
ReSOlBed, Sd. That "Free men alone const itute the
undaton OF a civil Government, and property only
he subject OF " that the making of property the basis
fpoIitcal power, surrender Of all long cher
lshed Republican principles, and constitutes feature
odous TO ireemen and to political equaty-and which,
carried out to sectional minority the govern
ment OF the State while it robs the majority OF their
right 10 govern.
Resolved, 4th. That whatever other ben fetal re-
forms may be Incorporated in the new Constitution. if
it be founded upon the "mxed combined basis" we,
citizens OF this county will srenuous use.every no.
nest exertion indignantlyto reject it,
RESOLVED, 9Th. That should the Eastern minority
succeed in enga ing this obnoxious principle upon the
Constitution, to be submitted TO the people at The
polls every friend of the white basis and equal rights
would be justifable in Withdrawing from rhe Conven-
ton.
Resolped, 9th. AS the Bill Of Rights guarantees the
right OF acquiring and possessing property should be
protectedand this end can be successfully attained by
the ad vaoem system of taxation, which is Just and
equal, and distributes the burdens OF government ac-
cordng 10 the ability OF the people, and secures to all
equal protection.
DR.. VIM. H. Syme offered the following as a 7th Re-
solution which was unanimously adopted:
That we have calmly and dispassionately presented
to the consideration OF the Convention Principle which
we regard sacred and involabe, and while we de-
precate all collision the expression OF such feelings
as may tend to estrange the West from the East yet
would tender 10 brethren OF the East, the aerna-
tive OF the White Basis or friendly and constitutional
separation
Resolred 9Th, Thata copy OF these resolutions be
semitic our Delegates in Convention, and that the
be published in The Lewsburg CHRONICLE and Republl.
eau Advocate and all other papers friendly TO equal
rights.
The 4h Resolution was opposed by DR.. Syme and
Samuel Thompson, Esq, and advocated by Messrs.
Reynolds and Dennis, and was unanimously sustain
ed.
The meeting was addressed iorcbly by the Chairman
and others.
On motion, the meeting adjourned sine die
A. e.. DAVIS, Chm.
JOEL McPnE RsoN, Sec'y.