Daily Richmond Whig

RICHMOND WHIG

SATURDAY MORNING, MAY 16, 1829.

At a meeting of freeholders and non freeholders, friendly to the extension of the right of suffrage, at Powhatan court house, on Monday the 11th day of May, 1829, Doct. Francis Harris, was called to the chair, and William Pope, appointed secretary.

The object of the meeting having been explained by Robt. V. Montague, esq. on motion a committee was appointed by the chair, to report a preamble and resolutions, expressive of the objects of the meeting.

Whereupon, Robt. V. Montague, H. Harris, Col. J. Woods, S. C. Porter, P. Sublett, W. Scott, M. P. Atkinson, C. Cocke, D. Fuqua, J. B. Davis, T. J. Archer, F. S. Smith, and Tho. Robertson, were appointed a committee, who having retired a short time, made the following report:

Heartily assenting to the doctrines contained in the important declaration of independence, and in the bill of rights, prefixed to the constitution of Virginia, and convinced that the maxims therein contained, are not "political abstractions," but sound, orthodox principles, reducible to practice, we do not believe any good constitution of government can find it necessary for its security, to doom a part of the people to permanent disfranchisement. We know from the earliest period of our revolution, the principle of innovation, or more properly, amendment has been practised upon; and that it is in vain to endeavor to qualify the objections which the idea of innovation raises in the minds of some, by diminishing the extent and influence of reformation. A democratic government is always in a state of gradual improvement, when experience comes to the aid of theory and speculation.

Any government wishing for true legitimate power, must look to liberty. If ever there was a moment when this maxim ought to be dear to us, it is the present.

Those opposed to our claims are using their utmost exertions to defeat our just pretensions.

The whole system of suffrage, as it is now exercised, is as outrageous to civil liberty, as it is pernicious to just government.-- That it gives a scandal to our character, that degrades us in the eyes of our sister states. it is the chicane of tyranny and oppression, to which we ought not to submit. It has been invidiously objected to us by some, that it is not civil liberty, which we wish, but it is power and emolument we pursue, and that our principles are revolutionary. To have a just share in the burdens and emoluments of the government, we do not deny, is our aim; but that our principles are revolutionary, we utterly disavow. We say that civil liberty can have no security without political power; that to ask civil liberty without political power, would be to act like weak men. it would be to ask the possession of a right, for the enjoyment of which we could have no security. We know that distinctions have been made between civil and political liberty; and we admit that it is possible for whole classes and descriptions of men to enjoy the one without possessing the other; but still we assert it can only be by sufferance; we, therefore, contend that political power is the only security for the enjoyment of civil liberty.

We say that it is not this or that concession that will satisfy us, but to grant us that which alone can give us security for its continuance.

The right of suffrage, then, is as necessary to our political standing and safety as the master feather of the Eagle's wing, is to his lofty flight. Our most illustrious patriots, whose memories are dear to Virginians, have long ago pointed out to us this necessary reform. We need not say that the venerable, the illustrious Jefferson was through life the steady advocate of this measure. We are not ashamed to be found treading in his footsteps, or to adopt the sentiments of this venerable "Apostle of Liberty."

Resolved, That the limitation of the right of suffrage to freeholders, is a relict of kingly government once existing in this state, imposed in 1677 to check the democratic spirit of the people at that time, and that it has too long existed as a badge of aristocracy.

Resolved, That all white male citizens, of the age of 21 years, not convicted of any infamous crime, having resided in the county 12 months, and paid a tax, do give sufficient evidence of permanent common interest with, and attachment to the community, and have the right of suffrage.

Resolved, That we view the act of the last General Assembly entitled "An act to organize a convention" restricting the right of suffrage to freeholders for the election of members to that body, as oppressive, tyrannical and unjust.

Resolved, That the non freeholders of Powhatan assemble on the third Wednesday of the present month, at their court-house, and appoint two discreet and proper persons to take a list of their names, in order that the number of non-freeholders in the county, deprived of their political rights, may be ascertained, and that such citizens sign the same, and attach an affidavit thereto, certifying before a justice of the peace, that such poll has been fairly kept by them, which they shall transmit to the president, or other presiding officer of the convention, as soon as may be, after the assembling of that body in October next.

Resolved, That a committee of 5 be appointed by the chair, to draft a memorial to accompany the polls of the non-freeholders to be taken on the 3d Wednesday of the present month, as prescribed in the fourth resolution.

Whereupon, Robt. V. Montague, Capt. Jno. F. Cocke, Doct. William Crump, Hilary Harris, and John C. Porter, were appointed.

Resolved, That a committee of correspondence be appointed, whose duty it shall be to communicate with like committees in other counties for the purpose of concerting measures to accomplish, by all just and honorable means, the objects of this meeting

Whereupon, Theod. Robertson, Chastine Cocke, Capt. J. B. Davis, William Scott, and F. J. Archer, were appointed.

Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be signed by the chairman and secretary, and be sent for publication to the Constitutional Whig and Richmond Enquirer, with a request that all the editors of newspapers in Virginia, favorable to our cause, give them an insertion.

The meeting then adjourned.

FRANCIS HARRIS, Chairman

WILLIAM POPE, Secretary.