The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1822-12-10
IYNcmURG, DECEMBER 10, 1879
Executive Communication 0lr.NeIi Coz
CFpor.

We gave IN our Inst, the unique eomm"-
nication of Governor Randolph To the LIE
rislafurc. We intended To have offered up
on il few comments but il is really such
= singular document, that we have deem
ed it, il not an useless, at least an unwel-
come task. The time, too, having nearly
arrived when Mr.. r. will exchange the
robes OF Office for the garb Of private CT
tizen, we would not wish 10 folio" his reiir-
ing steps with the breath of eensure. We
will only say, that, ~ our opuioH--aud We
Judge principally from bis annual communi-
catons-he is ftter 10 guide the plough than
the helm ofsiaie. and we cordially wish him,
~ the prosecution OF his fayorte por-
sui, that hapfinese, and that freedom from
heart -burnings which, have been denied
10 him in his Official career.
No person respects Gov. Randolph I'VE
know him ouly from character more than
ourselves. But, much a. We respect him rs
naa, aud as n soldier, We must be permit
ted the liberty Of saying, that he has
given strong Inducements, in our future
selections for the Gubcrnalorial Chair, 10
have reference more To The abilities of the
incumbent than We have latterly done
We are aware thai the Governor of Nirs-
mia is mere cypAer. This is one Of the
defects of our Slate Constitution. And il
j. an evil Of no little magnitude, that
whilst he is thus cyphcr in action, he
has TO bear on his shoulders the whole of
the responsibility of the executive proceed
ings. The Council, recognised by the Con
siitution as the ddriser of the Governor, is
an fact, his controHer--and, SO long as this
state of things continues, We may in vain
look for n Statesman in the chair of State
Butour object, at present, is not So much
TO argue on the defects of the Constitution,
as TO callppon the Legislature 10 remember
the character of the Ancient Dominion
an their future selections. Our physical
strength is fast on The wanc--our lands be-
hb WIN o"ii w ipioNlutbl - hteiIiS vi IL
griculture, and our people, oppressed by
the weight of debts contracted in the goi-
den but fatal period, which Immediately sue
ceeded 10 the war--they are fast leaving
the homes of their childhood, to seek in
the West for competence and wealth. Let
us under these circumstances cndcayour 10
preserve and guard our mental force. Let
not the sceptre depart from Judah, at least
without struggle. Let not Your state pa
pers be the dcrlson of the Union, when
you have in your bosom men whose know
ledge and talents, il called into exercise
would preserve TIE reputation won for the
Commonwealth by its Renrys, its Pendle-
tons, its Wythss, its Randolphs OF old, lis
Jeflersous, and its Mad4ons. Has tn, age
of great men gone by, that the dcslines of
the state are con6ded TO weak and reck less
hands I? Or, because the storm of war has
been succeeded by the calm sunshine of
peace, are we no longer IN need of skill
and talents ? Such is not the case. Skill
and talents are shin needed and they eau
be found. DO we talk of a dearihncss of
intellect and sigor, when VIM. b. Giles
and john Taylor Of Caroline, yet exist ;
Surely the Legislature Of Virginia cannot
pause even for reflection, when these men
are brought forward Elect one of them
aud the character of the State Will be rc-
deemed. Their gigantic minds will strike
out some means Of giving to their state
that influence which her character de-
mands, and of which she has been so lone
shorn by the imbecili,y of her rnlars.--
These men are known throughout the state
not less for their independence and talents
than for their cid school repubhcansm.-
They belong emphsticaIly to the body o.
The people. They have both been in oliice
and have retired to the pursuits of privat,
life, IN pursuance OF the rotary doctrine O.
the old fashooedrcPub We know
not, indeed, whether they could be agai,
prevailed on TO take the weight of govern
ment upon nicir shoulders. Butwe shout,
hope thai they will not permit their love o
retirement 10 -overbalnce, at CHS eyentru
crisis, the solid and permanent interests O
the commonwealth. Did the necessity exis
Tor an enforcement upon the Legislature O
the views which should actuate them il
making the appointment, we would refe
them TO the rainoes state of our University
commenced with so-muah vigor, and pro
secuted with selttle spirit--the un6nish.
state OF the great system ofpublc impro,e
ment, which presents TO view plan ener