The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1845-04-10
THE ELECTIONS IN VIRGINIA.

We feel an unusual degree Of anxious solicit
tude respecting the result Of the approaching
election in this proud old commonwealth; not
thar we have any serious fears as TO the final
result, but because such vast considerations de-
pend upon the issues now before the People oil
that State. One OF the most important-in-
deed altogether the most important, questions
now about to be submitted to the decision OF
the People at the polls is, whether the State
shall have a Republican Constitution, or still
continue to be shackled with the present aristo-
cratic provisions which disgrace her statute
book. The question will be an infallible test of
all pretension and professon-the result will
determine who are for, and who are against
the rights OF the People.
We like this we like something that is an
unfailing touchstone Of the sincerity of the pro-
LESSONS Of men; we like those tests which de-
rermine so pointedly and conclusvely, whether
man loves popularity more than he loves the
State; or the State more than he loves the
principles Of Eternal Justice and Equal Rights.
There are select few in that State, belonging
of course "to the first families" who are ad-
verse to the call of Convention, for the purpose
of expungng the iniquitous provisions of the
present Constitution there are in that Com
monwealth, as there are everywhere else, those
who measure their principles IN proportion TO
their interests who love power and popularity
more than they love honesty; who are ready TO
shout at the top of their lungs" Long live in
justice, intolerance, and aristocracy, so it be
that we share in the plumber, and grow fat upon
the spoils." .... ..
Who fears the PEoPLE2 Who breads the
most open manifestation Of the popular will
Who breads the light, save those whose deeds
are evil2 Who is afraid of Convention, ex-
cept those who profit by the shameless wrong
and injustice sanctioned and perpetuated by the
present Constitution Such may turn back,
shrink away stop their ears and refuse to listen,
when the mighty PEOPLE utter their powerful
and all-commanding voice. Let those who take
the responsibility of resisting the popular will
beware--lest the blow fall before the appraised
arm be seen. We know that the calm dispas-
sionate demands of THE PEOPLE, are always
Just and we warn their would -be-masters that
their indignation, when once fairly excited, is
prone to inaict the most terrible vengeance upon
those, beneath whose iron heel of heartless op-
preston they have been trodden down. They
may for time be crushed into subsection by
what is called law Tin which they had no share
in making) but when by the accumulation of
wrongs, oft repeated and long continued, the ty-
ranny becomes too oppressive longer to be
borne, il will be thrown off what is called LAW
must give way before the mighty power that
should make the laws and which is superior to
all law. Wo be to him who in that day shall
dare TO stand between THE RIGHT that prompts
the action, and THE WILL that is omnipotent TO
win its justifabe demands.
They who hate injustice-they who dare al
nays to act right, regardless of consequences
have nothing TO fear from the People. 1t is only
they who are federalists at heart, who distrust
the capacity of the People TO govern themselves,
and to alter and amend their own laws 1t is only
those who possess already all their rights, and
percbance far more than their rights-those who
can gain nothing honestly that they have not
already gained-who fear the turn of the wheel,
which may bring them down somewhat nearer
the place that justice and right would assign
them, than that they now occupy
We are proud of old Virginia--Ye glory in
her past renown and present greatness; bot all
this cannot blind the eye of the mind to the
startling imperfections that dsrken her present
Constitution, which, like the spots upon the sun,
mar its beauty, if they do not diminish its bright
ness.
In late number of the Richmond Enquirer,
we find the following excellent article copied
from the AHeghanian, published at Cumber |
ran editor Of the Enquirer endorsing such sound
political doctrines in relation to a new constitu-