Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1844-07-25

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complish.
It would be desirable, indeed, to
place these papers, as soon as possible,
in the possession Of the people; but
when it is recollected with what ease
and rapidity such documents-when
collected together at one point-may
be disseminated, like light from TO
Gus, to the different quarters Of the
Commonwealth, by delegates anxious
to discharge their duties, and prepared
with the means of immediate transpor-
tation, this argument, in favor Of an
early Convention, may be considerably
weakened, if not altogether superse-
ded.
The Central Committee also think it
their duty to make another suggestion.
There is but one probable mode by
which we may be defeated in Virginia.
If the laws of the land, in relation to
the right Of suffrage, be efficiently car
ried into execution-if spurious votes
are not palmed upon us-if no pipe
laying votes be poured in from the bor-
der States-if votes Of no description
be multiplied upon our polls, which are
not legitimately exercised according to
the laws-and if the Commissioners of
elections will discharge their duties
'Fwithout fear, favor or Affection" or
be compelled to answer to the very
laws which some fthemmay be promp-
ted by party feelings to violate, by the
enforcement Of the penalties which they
impose, we have no fear Of meeting
our adversaries before any tribunal Of
the people Of Virginia, which they may
elect for the arbitrament Of our respec-
tive differences Of opinion. This pu-
rity Of the right of suffrage, it is the
solid and permanent interest of all par
ties to preserve, with almost all thesanc-
tity that is due to the temples of our
Holy Religion. No free government
can long exist, in open violation Of
this fundamental privilege. It is, as
the Charlottesville Convention of 40
Justly observed, ga right inestimable to
freemen. It has been guaranteed to
every citizen in the State, who has, in
the language of the Bill of Rights,
"sufficient evidence of permanent com
mon interest with and attachment to
the community" It is right which,
when properly protected and guarded,
comprehends within itself the power to
preserve and maintain every other right
1t is the foundation stone of the Re-
publican edifce-It is the fountain,
from which flow the great blessings of
a free country. Shake but the corner
stone, and the whole building may
crumble in ruin upon our headsl Cor
rupt that fountain, and you poison lib
erty at its very source. 1t is that for
midable power, which affords security
against tyranny and oppression; which
enables the people to hurl from an un
deserved eminence, all unfaithful ser
wants, who abuse their confidence, and
pervert the authority with which they
are invested, to promote some unwor-
thy object, or to advance an unholy am
bition. 1t presents the opportunity
and the occasion to discountenance pro-
fligate politicians, and to reject those
officers, whose principles are in con-
fict with the wishes and the interests
ola majority of the people: whilst it
enables liberal, a free and an enlight-
ened people to sustain, encourage and
cheer on those faithful servants, who
devote their talents, their time, their
lives to the service of their county,
1t bestows those rewards and honors
which, while they distinguish and ele-
vate the individual, endow him with
the power Of promoting the interest
and glory Of the nation" But in
heated struggle between excited par
ties, it may happen that temporary
advantage from some loose construc-
ton ofthe laws-from some spurious
voting created in the bosom Of our State,
or in.erpolated from the border States
may tempt some of the Commission
ers of elections to relax their Offices,
and to admit votes without adequate
caution and rigorous restrictions
When we rene mber, too, that there is
no subsequent remedy provided for this
abuse-no means for purging the polls
in the case of Presidential election
and when, in doubtful contest, the
very suspicion Of remissness or of fraud
is calculated to embitter the issue, and
excite dissatisfaction and perhaps OPP
position to the result, we deem it best
on every account to provide every rea
sonable guard against its possible oc-
currence. We would not hastily sus-
pect any party in Virginia of such abu-
ses. We would not assume the char
acter Of immaculate purity, for our own
party. We would not willingly be-
lieve any Commissioners in Virginia
capable of knowingly violating the
laws of their COuntry.-Bnt when state