Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1849-12-10

iSe HUGH usefulness. ne DdHFIlle ldifodu COLL
pany is pushing on its work to completion with
great vgor, and as far as have been able TO as
certain, on the most favorable terms.
The subject ofrefarm has engaged the attention
of our citizens more or less, since the adop-
ton OF our present heterogeneous and unwlse con-
stituIon it was the offspring of exaggerated sec
tlonal jeaousy-Eot Of an earnest desire to reform
abusestoo intolerabe to be borne. The evident dis
trust Of popular authority and control, which is
upon every page of it, has from its birth rendered
it Justly obnoxious to the people at large. 1t is
most unfortunate that greater concessions were
not n'atsr then, to the exercise of power by the
peope-a few alterations in some particulars
would, in all probability, have obyiated the ne
cessity of another convention for half century.
Notwithstanding the inherent defects Of the eosl
sitution. These defects render a call now inesi-
table, and certainly nothing short of a thorough
constitutional reform will satisfy the demands of
of the people. The sooner this is accomplished,
the better for all the interests Of the common
wealth.
The county court system, as sHch is repugnant
10 fhe fundamental principles of republican gov
ernlnen-it has high judicial powers, it has high
legislative au,hority-the power of taxation and
Of selecting and appointing important executive
officers. 1t is a elf,perpetuating body, RESPONSE
bic 10 no earthly power Tor its action, not even to
the people whom they tax, and whose money they
expend for any purpose whatever, that to them
may seem good. The practical i'll effects of the
system have been less felt by the community, be-
cause ofthe generally highly intelligent and meri-
torious character Of the magistrates themselves
As body, the magisracy of Virginia is of the We
ry highest responsibility ;but whilst it affords me
real pleasure TO bear testimony to this fact, am
constrained to say that the power confded 10 their
hands, should be entrusted to officers directly re-
sponsible to the people.
But the most gIarlng wrong peTpretrated upon
the rights and Intelligence of the people, is to be
met with in those provisions touching the right
Of suffrage. The rule controlling that high privi-
lege, now, is a purely arbitrary one. The prnci-
pie governing the right of suffrage under the old
constitution is discarded. because too restricted
and the reason for it, discarded also. 1t is rule
now, without principle, and without reason to
support it senseless and insulting in the disinc-
tons which it draws, and most pernicious in the
consequences Whick flow from it.. The abropa-
ton OF this provision of the constitution, and the
substitution IF the proper one in its stead, would
in my opinion, well justify the expense and trou-
BILE consequent ul'sn call of a convention. The
ground upon which the old constitution placed the
right was distinct and definite. 1t went upon the
idea, that the owners Of the soil should not only
govern that, but should govern every thing else
beside. The absurdty Of that idee has long been
exploded and is now repudiaed by the enlight-
ened statesmen of every state in the Union.
The principle Of universal suffrage ought to be
adopted. Justice requires it, and the spirit ofthe
age demands il at the hands of the commonwealth.
Every free white man, citizen of the State, over
twenty-one years of age, should be allowed to
vote in the county where be resides-but no
where else. The right to vote in as many coun-
t,oc hxr l,oI h1yo ~, G,1T;
pretended title to land therein, is ali insult to rea
son and an outrage upon popular rights: it is
calculated togive to the cities and towns control
over the interests of the surrounding country,
which can result in nothing but injury and dis
content This is one of the crying evs---a nni-
sance rendered sacred by constitutional enactment,
which the public mind reyots at, and will have
remedied.
The judiciary system needs reform and | be-
lieve am warranted in saying, such is the al
most universal sentiment OF our entire population.
1t is useless, however, for to attempt specifi-
cation of the evils which need redress they are
quite familiar to all.
earnestly recommend that law be passed,
requiring a poll to be opened in each county, to
test the sense Of the people, at the ensuing cleo
ton, upon call of convention. Ii it results in
call, the succeeding legislature can settle the
necessary preiminaries for its meeting, and in
the mean tine, the census will be taken, so as to
afford ample information to guide you in yonr de-
alterations.
You will am sure, be gratfied to learn that
the schools and colleges generally throughout the
commonwealth are in an unprecedentedly flourish
ing condition. The University of Virginia. So
long and so generously fostered by the common
wealth, is now giving most ample proof of the
wisdom of the policy heretofore pursued towards
it by your body. tits in more prosperous con-
diton now than at any other period of its history,
and bids fair to fulfil completely the objects had
in view by its illastrious founder The annual
reports oilhe institution are herewith transmitted
The Military Institute, commenced as an ex-
pertinent by the state, has turned ont most trium-
phantly successful, and is exhibiting capacities
for usefulness certainly unsurpassed, and scarcely
equalled, by any other system Of education known
amongst us. The spirit of reckless insubordna
ton 50 common to other colleges, and by thought
less young men often considered a grace rather
than reproach, at this institution is unknown.
The military feature of the school works like a
charm, and the point of honor with the student is
subordinaton to the laws and obedience to disci
pine. Habits of regularity, system and order are
acquired here, which must be of incalcuabfe ad-
vantage throughout all after life to the graduate.
think the public interest would be greatly ad- !
SdHtuu " vi VI uCCOH-
mediation for students, and by the endowment of
additiona proiessorships; and am persuaded
hat the appointment ola competent professor of
agricultural chemistry in Wis institution, and in
he University, would confer lasting and invaln-
lble benefits upon the State at large. | herewith
transmit 10 you a letter from Col. Smith, fhe a
lie and efficient principal of the Military Insti-
ute, relative to this professorshp, and the propri-
ty of establishing farm in connection with the
chool. The suggestions are of the highest inter
st to the state, and deserve to be adopted.
also invite your attention to the Medical Col
ege located in the City of Richmond, This in
tiiuton vas founded by individual enterprise.
nd has been almost wholly sustained by its pro
essors. The general assembly granted it loans
rom the Literary fund, amounting 10 $25 900, to
efray the expense of erecting the college edifce,
ut required interest upon these loans to be paid
y the faculty. They have regularly complied
nth the requisition in good faith, although it has
ost them, to do this, and 10 meet other necessi-
es Of the institution since its establishment one
af Of their entire professional fees. By such eff t
rts of its professors the institution has secured
rm place in the public confidence aud respect, Il