Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-08-26
THE ENQUIRER.
Richmond, August 2J.
A CONVENTION.

and have reflected upon thers with no litlle care
We would no, hesitate moment 10 exprcss our
opinions upon these or any other quest ons which
might be properly proponnded, if we though,
such an expression would be calculated in the
least 10 advance The cause We have espoused.-
But we submit il respectfully 10 he Ella" Of rs"
whether The course il has adopted is the best 10
accomplish the end in view. We think we per-
ceiye how such course may be productive OF
injury. Ii is calculated To elicit from others all
manner Of inlerrosalories, not only upon topics
which may be subsequently submitted 10 The
Convention, but upon propositions, which may
never lie required 10 he considered, and which
may involve in,erninable arguments upon ire
levant and unnecessary points. Ii has ever been
The policy OF the opponents OF improvements in
Government as well as in other matters, TO with
draw, il possible, the attention OF those, who are
engaged in pointing ouihc defects 10 be remedied,
llon those defects. they can induce the dssa-
islied 10 enter in detail ib;o The minu,iT of their
plans, they are content. They know full well
that individuals will differ about details as wide
" as they differ about mere matters of taste. II
successful in producing The diversion aimed at,
they are relieved from defending points which are
indriensible, and proceed forthwith 10 attack the
plan proposed, tuumphanlly assaing every weak
approach ard exposing each ill-dises,ed part.
We have no objection, however, 10 reply TO
some Of The more important points submitted By
the Flag of 9S.' Upon some We have hereto
tore expressed our options, and upon others We
,hal! select The time which we may deem most ap-
proprae.
We are "asaihst Tie election of Magistrates,
Cunsiates and Sheriiis by The people of their re-
speclive counties, towns and boroughs." We
have an abiding confidence in The virtue, intelli
sence and full capaciy Tor self:governmeni Of
the great mass Of the people. Bot in our
systems Of government, State and Federal
The people are called upon, already, 10 elect SO
many officers OF different kin.!s and are there
by induced, or compelled 10 devote so much
lime 10 the canvassing the merits of candi-
dates, and 10 elecionecring generally, al such
a sacrifice OF money and of other equally impof-
lant interests, ard al The further sacrifice OF social
heart that we think il would be better for them
and better for The country ;ha; Tho number Of APP
roinmenls 10 be made By them should mol be in
creased. Il is better Tor them 10 trust 10 response
ble agents TO act for them in many matters JUS
tees of the Peace and ministerial officers ought
MOI 10 be subjected 10 The changes AMI caprices Of
parties, nor 10 their resentmenls or rewards. The
ancient maxim is good one, that The aid Of The
Gods is no, 10 be invoked on trivial OCCASIONS
The sovereign action OF The people should in
like manner te reserved for few and i'm
poran, matters. We speak the more posi-
lively on this question, as We have enjoy
I'd a practical experience OF the operation
Of lie system. From Tie ATS employed 10 catch
the votes OF he people,, and The pledges made on
IL 10 be broken We were FAR from satisfied that
popular election OF these officers would promote
The cause OF justice, or the welfare Of a commu-
nily We could suggest changes in Inc County
Count system, as We remarked on former occa
sion. and we would make them part of the or
ganic law; but 10 give The election o magistrates
or The ctficers Of The CONT 10 the people, is mol
one Of the changes We contemplate. We are OPP
posed 10 precipitale radical changes, unless 10 car
~ oul great principles which have been proved 10
be good.
We think lha! the present mode OF ccctins
Judges is as good, perhaps as any that can be
adopted. An efficient responsibility ought 10 be
introduced into The Judicial department OF The
Government, Responsibility 10 the people or
their constituted agents, in some proper .1gm
should be the animaIing and moving spirit OF The
whois political fabric. We are, therefore, OF OPT
MON, that The judicial term should be limited in
some proper manner,
We wond retain the power Of appointing The
Governor in the hands of the Legislature. We
believe il 10 be impossible fcr The people, in
large State, 10 concentrate their votes upon any
one individual, without the intervention Of ma
chinery moi recognized as legitimate offspring
Of The appointing power. Without the previous
nomina,ioa9 ?; Coai'eption, o. caucus or Of
some portion or party Of The Legislature, 1t would
be almos, iinpracticab!e 10 make an eec'Icn'-
We believe il would be better lof the Legislature
IN make The appointment in the first instance,
Than for various parties in The Legislature 10
make senaratc nominations, or for sell-aprolnt-
Cd Convention of the fragment OF parry, as Is
sometimes Tie case, 10 nominate, aud, then, Tor inc
neonle 10 20 through the mere form OF ratliyIns
,,rha, is thus set before them. we are opposed,
loo. 10 the system Of candidates "slnmpins II"
through the State, and exciting, unduly, The peo-
nile AGAINST one another, TO promote selfish views
nr ;oonlinac ambition. We have seen the i'll
effects of the system in other States, ani we are
M, disposed 10 Try tin our own. We could give
,aany other reasons for our views upon al 'hese
nroposilions, but We desire 10 be biiet
If a Convention had been determined on; il The
members 10 that Convention were about 10 bc
elected we should deem il proper 10 ass Tor The
views of the candidates upon any and every
ro;,, and we would mol hesitate an instant in eS-
messing our own views unreseryedly. II The
ronveni,on were assembled, We should feel !! cur
uriyilege and our duty 10 suggest such amend
mems as we deemed proper, and TO sustain our
by arguments. But 10 induce The Peo'
ME 10 call Convention, or 10 induce The Legs
i,,ure 10 submit the propliely Of such call 70 me
onol;tied voters. we do not think il e3pedienl 10
Geein by drafting suih Constitution as We
mich, be willing TO adopt, nor Ia lay down The
upon which snch Constitution should
be framed. Were we 10 attempt it, we should
expect and we should deserve defeat. When
we reflect upon The time required BY BODY cl
-, ,,isest men 10 frame such an instrument
-, ,ya consider how the various paris are sub
;eccd 10 The investigation and the scrutiny OF The
as, ,aborious committees, selected for :heir pc
cul;ar knowledge Of such matters, and that,
.,sn then. they often fail 10 carry their par
,;cnl,r views we cannot but think il would be
,,,csump,ion for Us 10 attempt what 10 them
!. so difficult. A Constitution must, of necessity,
he The result Of compromises conflict OF OPT
MON must be expeclcd-men must give and take,
must be prepared even &c sacrifice long cherished
opinions if they wish 10 succeed. IftheIe are de-
fects in The present Constitution, and if they re-