Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1835-01-08
COMMUNICATION.
MENORlAL TO THE IEC,ISJ ArIr

MEMORIAL TO THE LEGISLATURE.
dd"Plsd al a meeting Of citizens af Lua1hbu,s
on the 2d Of January, 1885
10 THE HoNoRABLE the GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
THE STATE or VIaGlNrA.
ne Undersigned being citizens of Lynchbure
ana lis vicinity, respectfully call your attention Ia
d subject which they regard as of much mpor
lance 10 themselves and The people ut large.
IL IS known to you, that, since the elections in
Ai'rIl last, Efforts have been ,ie 10 operate upon
Tue pubic sentiment, and, through that medium
upon your honorable boiy, IN reference TO the cleo
tlon OF Senator Of the United States for the State
oil virginia Writings IN the nature Of instruc.
io"N 10 "c'eSoeS, have been secretly ani extensive
" Circulated IN various countess aud signatures ia
them obtained, (t is TO he feared by many impro
per and par1s! representations for the pn,nose OF
reversing, IN effect the judgment of the people as
exp cssed at the polls on a subject which had been
previously and fully discussed, and, so for as the
porn'ar wishes and opinions can be asccrrained
determined. Your me toratsS Will merely adj
Vrt the fact, that his etfarr has been exclusively
eonhaed, So Tar as their Information extends TO the
members OF a particular political party in the STATE.
without allowing themselves to speculate as 10 the
Ultimate o lrct which these extraordinary exer.
uonS have In view
The righi of instruction is consd red by the un.
ders ~ ed as lying AT The very foundation of our
Tree ms lluIons. Government being instituted for
the ben tit fthc people, the representative IS Lul
me Instrument whereby the people give expression
10 'heIr VIII IN the administration OF It's powers
ana his responsibility TO the constituent body IS the
safest u not the Only security that the trust rcpos
ed IN him he not abused. In this light has the
tlsht OF instruction been ever regarded IA Virgl.ia.
and perhaps no other fundamental principle of our
JUS uurb tha
The people To preserve II in us full force, as q
salutary check on the passions and sinister purpo.
seS OF their agents is duy which the people o we
10 themselves AM 10 their children. Ii Is there
lore, with jealousy and just apprehension that your
mchioriailsts have witnessed the recent efforts to
orIhS right so lncstnable INTO dlscredlt not dc.
s'roy lis influence altogether. Heretofore the e
'econS OF the people have been regarded as the best
evidence practicable of their wishes and opinions
and the individual closer 10 represen; them was
considered as being, by implication, charged with
their instructions in reference to all matters prcvi.
ously considered & d scusscd by them: and # other
bJecis Of sufficient interest should ever arise subse.
qucnt to the elections Instructions fdeemeI neces.
sarv, were, after public discussion of their merits
transmitted 10 the delegate. Such hitherto, has
been the common impression and practice IN VIZ
gha. Why 1t has been thought expcdlcnt, a; this
ils"ed usages OF the country ard TO introduce q
system OF secret instructions, candestncly obta in
ed, your memorallsts do not feel themselves au-
,hor'zed TO say But regarding the innovation as
frausht with many and serious evils they respect
fully protest against its in,roiuc ion in the State
Whatever may have been the purposes of those
who have yenlurcd upon so mischeyous an expert
men il IS evidently calculated To increase toe al.
| ready painful agitation Of the public mind, and to
! open door 10 complicated system Of intrigue,
| corruption and fraud alike dangerous TO the right
of instruction ITSELF TO the morals of the people, and
the peace, happiness and safety of the community.
Regarding the subject as disconnected from
our Federal relations and confined in lis influence
TO the character and domestic policy of the STATE
| YOU memorialiss cannot but consider the prolec
OF procuring signatures to instruction papers in Sc
cre' as justly obnox ous to putlIc ccnsure II rs
not only departure from the established usa- es
| and customs the STATE, but substitutes "a secret
and irresponsible censorship over public agents
in lieu OF the fair, just and intimate relationship
which has hitherto subsste belwlxt the represcn
atve and the people. 1t enables the few 10 mis-
lead the many and throws alike the domestic IN
srests and politics Of the State under the contro