Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-10-16
STATE CONVENTION.

THE Convention called to remodel the State Gem
s,iin.ion met in the Capitol, at Richmond, on The
18th inst, and has by this time entered fairly upon
its duties. The past history of the Democratic par
~ warrants the presumption that the officers gener
ally will be selected in accordance win the political
feelings Of The majority. There Is every reason to
believe that The spirit Of that party will be decidedly
predominant in the body, and some reason 10 fear
that its influence will be far from salutary upon its
deliberations. But Notwithstanding these unavoida-
bic considerations, and certain dsagreeabe reminis-
encss connected with the late canvass, we feel dis
posed to invoke the goodwill Of the entire public
in behalf of body Of representatives whose duties
are so arduous, and responsibilities great. We
would cheerlully bury all painful recolleclons in or.
der to afford them every desired encouragement and
every facility to acquit themselves we'll in the eyes
OF the present and future generations.
The task Of pulling down and reconstructing the
Constitution Of great Commonwealth is one that
obviously calls for solemn elaboration, and more
an,ordnary attention to the counsels of experience
Much wisdom is required in ordinary legislation but
infinitely more is necessary when the very founda-
tons Of all law are to be laid, and system of gov
eminent formed for future ages The voice of an
tquity mus! be heard the oracles of history must be
consulted, and the laws and tendencies of human ma
ture duly estimated in order that the system of gov
eminent may be adapted to the great ends for which
all governments are designed We are therefore dis
posed to silence the cavilling spirit which would
limit the duration of this Convention. or complain of
the expense of prolonged session. Let them have
fair field and an open one. Let censure be with.
held at least until some sufficient cause shall arise
to excite the apprehensions of the people, We shall
thus secure to the Convention all that they can ask
to enable them to proceed calmly and in patriotic
spirit to the great work they have undertaken.
We will not anticipate the proceedings Of this i'm
portant body, by discussing any of the great
questions upon which its deliberations are expected
to turn. We presume the Basis and the Judisins
will be the most prominent and the most difficult Of
adjustment. At least they heretofore elected the
most animated discussions before the people. Ii is
our earnest desire that no unusual bitterness may be
allowed 10 prevent the calm consideration Of these
harrassing questions. Above all, we would deplore
war of sectional animosities which might rupture
the present friendly union Of the different geograph-
ical divisions Of the State, and endanger its political
existence. The ties that bind us all together are too
sacred to be lightly spoken of, rashly sundered.
Virginia is and indivisible by virtue not oaly of
her political organization, but of her history and her
traditions We are unwilling to sacrifice her past
gores to a narrow spirit of sectional or party jeal-
eusy. II has become already too much the habit of
4 L. -
of political suicide, IN terroren over the majorities
in our deliberative bodies in order to coerce them
into measures. We sincerely hope no such policy
will be exhibited in the present Convention. Mel
ther Of the great Divisions of the State should aim
al triumph oyer the other. Their interests are by
no means incompatible, and their objects ought to
be the same. Let the East make prompt and mag
unanimous concession of the great principle of equal
ity among citizens, aud surrender to the West that
supremacy to which her prospective majority must
entitle her. The basis of our representative system
will thus be laid in genuine republican principles
and the necessity Of another Convention in few
years, be entirely obviaed And, on the other HAND
let the West render in return all the guarantees a
gainst the abuse of power which vgilan minority
can properly demaad In making these suggestions
we mus; not be understood as indicating preference
for any particular theory, but simply referring to GER
tain great principles which ought not to be forgotten
in the attempt to reconcile such widely diversified
interests
We shall endeavor to lay before our readers, ev-
cry week, satisfactory detail Of the proceedings of
the Convention, and such occasional comments as
may be called for. But we shall not forget our dis
hncuve character as conductors Of Wing paper or
cease to plead the cause of the administration and
the Union Identified with party in State politics,
we are fully committed to the support of the present
Cabinet, long as its counsels shall be in accordance
with our principles and the welfare OF the country
g. correspondent Of the Alexandria Gazette in
the course Of a series of "Letters from the Blue
Ridge" states that the late CHAPMAN JOHNSON, ESQ.,,
had an insurmountabe objection to reading poetry,
and in proof of the assertion, says: ave met with
book day or two since, which zoe consider as a
real curiosity. II was the Lady Of the Lake rem
dered ont of verse into prose- for the benefit Of Chap
man Johnson, Esq. A lady had importuned him to
read that poem; bu! he positively refused, unless she
would transform that work into prose- This she did,
and did it WELL" This is an item in the history of
the distinguished jurst that is new to u.s. A writer
in the Richmond Wing alphabetically contradicts the
statement, aud handles the author with more severity
than was necessary. The story was doubtless PALM
cd upon the letter writer by some one "waggishly
incllnsd" and in view of this imposition the error
should have been passed By with simple correction.
N- fatal ARRAY occurred at Alexandra, Louisiana, on
the l4th, between S. L. Wells and ]. w Gordon They
were young lawyers and cousins, and the utmost intimacy
existed between the families. Young Wells attacked his
cousin with cane, cutting him over the head when Cor
don sho him ia the side He died in less than twenty