Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1844-11-04
IUHT UUtNItTI EtTVnHW,
II. l.. BROOKE, }
A. l.. WARNER.

Iuuii W;fRl, Committee.
Thomas RtreHfE. Esq.
Chairman Of the Central Democratic
Committee OF Virginia
Ihis letter was handed 10 gentleman connected with
the Office of the Enquer a, 100 o'clock of the morning
on which 1t WRITER; with the request tina, should
! be ilsmedlaelv delivered Ia Mr.. Richie No co,nmu
neaon OF any kind received by your committee up
the subject ol these resolutions until about O'Clock
Of the monIng of the 2iIh inst, when the fowng let
ter was received:
RICHMOND Oct, 90. lS4i.
GoG,lemen=-l have received yours Of the 22d ns, ,
addressed 10 Chairman OF the Democratic Central
Committee, and enclosing certain resolutions adopted by
/ the Wing Central Commute of the state Pursuant
10 WISHES these resolutions have been, without loss
of time, laid bchre such members Of the Democratic Cen
tral Committee are now in the city, and have been
mos, respectfully considered by them. On their behalf
am instructed to decline in the proposition
embraced by the resolutions Of the " hg Central Com
mtce and briefly TO explain some Of the reasons which
have Influenced their decision.
From the indefinite language Of the rcsolu m the
Democratic Central Committee are AT some ,ss to know
nreiye the particular points of doubt reference
which the opinion of Mr. Baxter proposed sought
From general request "to draw up construction Of
the paris Of the Constitution involving the subject Of sui
lrage,' It might be supposed that general commentary
That part of the constitution relating - the cleo
live franchise 10 be obtained 30 which reference
should be had for the solution Of all possible doubts, bu,
such the Democratic Central Committee scarcely
suppose TO have been meant since such commentary 81
lar from ensurlnp uniformity 10 the Constitution might
and in all probability would, itself be the subject of more
doubtful Interpretation and conflicting oninions than
the Constitution itself They only infer, therefore,
the purpose Of the Wing Central Committee to have
been, obtain their in recommending the
opinion of the Attorney General on some special points
Of doubtful cousiurun and in this view they Zee,
surprise that such punis should not have been stated
explained. la the animated contest Of 1870, there
but single point in relation to which such grave doubts
,nerIaIned thai it thought advisable the o
pnion Of the Attorney General should be officially givs
en-, aud THEN II was required by the Executive Of The
Stale. aud published by lis command. 10 that opinion,
reference has been made recently IN the public prints,
ard il Is presumed that this opinion epanat ted from
the gentleman vi HON yon now propose 10
suit, and was acqulesced in by the Wing Committee
Of 1910, there is no intention 10 disturb il at the
ing election
The Democratic Central Committee do not feel them.
selves authorized TO imagine difficulties which may
not exist, nor are they disposed 10 submit, through
their action, 10 The private unofficial judgment of any
single man. however highly respeced.) the suggestion
and conclusive settlement Of all questions which he
may deem mnoled. III relation to the constitutional
right Of suffrage. This would be 10 subsu te the
falllbe, unsuhorItaye conclusion of single mind in
lieu of the language Of the Constitution, without the
attainment Of even the partial weight of official expo
| sltion.
On this ground alone the Democratic Central ON.
mee would feel bound decline The proposition sub
med 10 their considerations; but they would base their
refusal a higher They cannot admit rccog
Mise the rs, OF propriey, ON the part of themselves
any other mere party cOnmiiiee. III attempting 10 bias
influence the conduct OF sworn oficcrs, whom the
law has imposed the duty OF honest judgment in relation
the constitutional right of suffrage. Whatever doubts
may exist it will be the duty of the Commissioners, I'M
der all the responsibilities Of their position aud station.
solve them according TO their personal. conscientious
convictions; aud more dangerous precedent could not
q IMAGINED,
both cunjuuctvely should seek through party agencies
,nd influences, guide and mould the judgments Of the
Commissioners To accord with oregone conclusions. II
uniformity OF decision has been secured by existing
laws, the omission is to he regretted but 10 attempt
remedy, by invoking party agencies II override sup
ply the instruments appointed by the lsw, would be to
directly sanction the supremacy o party machinery over
legal agencies
al aud insuperabe objection to any such action at this
time There not time enough Tor Mr.. Baxter 6ny
other gentleman, 10 take up this subject now aud firm
deliberate opinion all the constitutional questions
connected with the Right Of Sunage and then have
that opinion circulated to the remues borders Of tho
Commonwealth. before the Election takes pace--in
tme too, for the Presidential Commissioners 10 weigh
and decide upon t-much less for them TO have the ops
poriuny, If they it, Of consulting other gentlemen
of the bar ether citizens upon the value Of this opn
ion, which the Wing Central Commee admit would
be Climbing and authorlialve TO them There is
not sufficient time, therefore, IN the very brief interval
whioh Is allowed between The Issuing oi Mr. Baxter
opinion and The day Of election 10 circulate and weigh IT,
So that i, is impossible 10 obtain that uniformity OF deeis
ion. the different parts Of the State, which the Wing
Central Committee assign the principal motive oi
their proposon
am, gentlemen, very respectfully yours,
THOMAS RICHIE,
| Chairman ofthe Dem. Central Committee.
Messrs II, L.. Brooke II. w. Fry and A. l.. Warner
| IL the Central Democratic Committee had confined
their response the proposal contained in your resoln