The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1823-03-14

TUN IHI FTFtHfF nv >
To he Ciiizens Of Campbell.

GTSTLTMEF-in NV last hummer, SET
nut fo prove n proposition amounting To
this Tint the present are times Of great
public interest ard difficulty. The object Of
my rndeasors, is tu.c0a,inec the people Of
the truth of this assertion, u To induce them
To Direct more of their.altentIan otbe dec
t,ous which arc speedily approaching. ]
need not remind Those whom | address,
HAT il Is nj the polls only. the people cxcr-
else any portion of that sovereignty, which
al are agreed, resides permanently md
mlnosably IN them, aud in Them only
However Just and beautiful the theory Of
our government, which derives ail power
FROM the people, aud even sepposes them
To exercise il, may be, there is in practice,
a wide variance hetYecn the hypothesis
aud the reality. The people are no where
sovereign but IN the CONSTITUTION oil their
agents. When those agents are appointed,
! the sovereignty is essentially, for the time
being, transferred 10 them. All measures
of government originate with, andare exc
cuted by them, md for the period of their
office, they are, ia fact, the masters, and
the people the servants. Two cIrcpmstan-
ces only, distinguish our government from
Other governments ofthe world, and adapt
il more cllectually 10 the safety and free
dom Of the people. The first is, that there
are certain fundamental, acknowledged ard
written principles, which, in the exercise
of powei, IL can never transcend, without
virtually subvortng its own foundations:
and IDLY, that that s;,ower is only invested
Tor u limited time. Without the limits Of
It's constitutional sphere and for its preseri-
bed duration, our government Is rs abso-
lute ~ that of Turkey. | am not com
planning thai il is so 1t is necessary from
the extent Of our country, and oth~ cau-
SEES, that il should From the knowledge
we have of the democraces, which history
has furnished, modern republicans heye
even been induced Ia prefer the represeii-
tatpe system, under any circumstances, TO
the immediate government OF the people
i But this greet truth, that they are choosing
masters TO govern, instead of ser, ants to
represent them, ought 10 call forth, at the
period of the elections, allthey vigilance and
sagTcIty 0f the people In this point of
view, any and every election is important.
/ The people are parting for time, with
theirright 10 govern themselves : They
are transferring their sovereignty, where
4 from the constitution of human nature, il Is
necessarily liable TO abuse, and whence,
until the expiration OF Il stated time, they
cannot resume il, without the occurrence
OF same great political couvulsiOn, which
will authorize them 10 recall the authority
they have delegated, or 10 revoke the CON
stlution Of the laud. When people mani
fest indifference in "A matter which 50 near
! IL fhnnl a. "a oh nf th.,,p
sentatIyes, il is but nalurdl that the latter
should discharge their duties with equal
earelessness. The vigilance of the cons,i-
tnent IS guarantee for the fidelity OF the
representative, "a the neglect of that pub
sic virtue ~ an invitation 10 the abuse of
his trust, and a security for his inpunity.--
Asthe mere exercise of Il natural privilege,
which, however, is confined TO the citizens
OF this county rthe right of choosing persons
To administered our government, aud to make
laws for the security of our lives, ourlber-
" aud our property, Is too rare aud valua-
bic To he sighted. These are subjects Of
ordinary legislation, aud did IFS functions
stop here, there is every inaucemont 10 eX-
crcisc the privilege of electing with the at
most care and discretion. But, when to
peradded the consideration, that national
eonjunctnre isEdeyclopiug, which may call
Tor the interposiiion OF the state in her po
lltleai capacity, there is more urgent ne
eesslty for ability, and an increased de-
maud on the people for energy and vigil
lance.
In my first communication, alluded to
Ia
tins country, as n circumstance which III
creased the political interest of the times
VIII hereafter attempt to show, If il is not
sell evident, tina 1.-THE old distractions OF par
" denominations, are al present without
use, and without meaning. At present, /
shall only advance as MAXIM, that " par
t'esan free state are necessary for dhe
preservation Of its rights and liberties"
Know that this sentiment is revolving to the
op'hons OF many good men, who can see
! IN the operation of party spirit, nothing
when can benefit the county, but much to
disturb the peace and harmony Of civil
soclety.-Such persons have taken but an
imperfect and partial view of the subject
and are OF lh,t ISIS, who prefer the present
possession of small things, to the future ac-
QUESTION of great quote the opinion as a
MAXIM, because it is conformable 10 the
result ID abstract reasoning because It's
truth ~ cenfrmed by the history of Rome
and England ; and because, lastly, it is 50
considered by some, if not by all OF the pro-
round political observers of the age, amosg
whom It will be sulcerE for my purpose
To number Madame De Stacl and Mr.. JEFF
terson' They are essential for these a,neng
other reasons that they preserve, in a
manner, the balance of power in state
they keep the eyes ofthe people incessant-
" directed 10 the administration of their
affairs they eGcit continually an express
SION OF public sentiment, to serve as guide
10 the representative, or check on his