Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-07-31

but one Lawyer, and Mr. Letcher was 10 be that one,
and both my brother and myself belonged TO that
class Nevertheless believed that the name OF ell
ther my brother or myself would be placed on the
ticket ultimately, as matter not of choice but oil ne
cesslty Nor have my expectations been deceived.
Had been disposed 10 see my name placed on 1t,
not on terms of equality with those whose names
were already on ii, but as a sort of make weight,
have no reason to doubt that would have had at
least an equal chance of seeing it there. Not choos-
ing however to owe a seat in the Convention 10 the
permission OF any man, or set of men, other than the
people of the District themselves, determined TO de-
nounce the nsoent attempt made through the Mes
senger and STAR TO dictate to the people, who should
be their Delegates in the Convention. did so at
meeting held in this place in June, and was i'm
medialely placed under the ban Of the association.
And why why simply because had denounced an
attempt to dictate TO the people, which no man, GER
lainy no candidate for the Convention, will have the
hardhood TO attempt to justify. At what time it was
determined to place the name of my brother on the
pretended reform ticket, do not know, heard of
nothing from which could infer the fact, until I'VE
(the Candidates from this County, overlook one of
the Augusta Candidates OH the mountain near Mon
terey, and Mr.. Letcher and he rode of together;
and believe my brother was not apprlzed Of The
ia until after s arrival in Monterey Whether the
placing Of my brothers name on the ticket was the
act Of a single lndvGua or was determined on in the
branch association, do not know, believe how
ever that it was determined on, without any previ-
Gus consultation with him.
Whether or not the inlerences have drawn from
the facts referred to, fair and Legitimate, leave
others to determine, they are such as believe 10 be
we'll founded think it must be admitted on all
hands, that it is little singular, that ticket pro-
Tossing to be the ticket Of Me reformerS OF the Dis
tric should have been made out in the first instance
with the name of one gentleman on it who was
known 10 be the avowed advocate of the mixed basis
candidates for the Legislature, in the memorable con-
test which took place in Augusta In 1916, whilst an
other who was then regarded as the great champion
Of reform in that County (Mr. Nichie) not only
excluded from it, but verify believe one of the
objects of those who got up the ticket was 10 ex-
clude him and others from seat in the Convention
May be pardoned too for asking, if tits not little
remarkable, that il should have been determined, as
appears from the articles in the Messenger and STAR
already referred to, that who was known to be the
Jealous advocate of REFORM at time when every cam
didate whose name appears on the pretended reform
ticket, was either opposed to REFORM had no opn
ions on the ject at all, may infer from the
admission Of some and what we know of the age of
others should not only have been excluded from
this ticket but (as the publication in the Star shows
should have been marked out, TO be excluded
! from seat in the Convention? Is not this la!er
circumstance singular too, in view OF the fact that
WREN Convention called in Staunton, Sbout
four years ago. of the friends of reform from different
portions of the State, not only attended that Con-
veniion, but drew up offered, and advocated, the re-
form resolutions, which were adopted by that Con-
vention ?
| Not only was it predetermined as you perceive,
that should be excluded from seat in the Conven-
ton, but am now actually charged with being an
enemy to reform in disguise, notwithstanding had
declared myself to be in favour of all the important
reforms advocated by the association itself, and my
willingness to vote for others of minor importance
in Difference 10 what found 10 be the wishes of the
people ofthe District, And why simply because
had sufficient confidence in the intelligence of the
people, TO believe that if all the advantages and dis
advantages likely to result from proposed changes in
the Constitution, were set before them, they would
be able to determine whether or not they ought to
be made; and because, considered it the duty Of
those who are Candidates for popular favor, to come
out honestly, and state canddly, the advantages and
disadvantages likely to result from proposed changes
had'been too long, the advocate Of reform, TO be de-
tered from presenting both sides of the questions
der discussion for consideration, by those apprehen-
sons, which are apt to haunt new converts. and in
duce them to seek to prevent their fidelity from being
suspected, by the ardor of their born zeal, for
the side TO which they have apostatized. Another
ground on which this charge has been preferred a.
ganst me- is, that prefer the election of NIessrs.
Stuart and Niche to that of some of the candidates on
the pretended Reform Ticket. Notwithstanding differ
with them in opinion on the question as to the tenure
OF the Judicial Office; because conceive II to be of
infinitely more importance, that the District should
be represented by gentlemen who have the ability,
the experience and intelligence, to advocate other re-
forms which want, and they are in favor oi, than
that two more votes shall be added in the Conven-
ton to the overwhelming majority by which the
term tenure of the Judges will be established. do
not want 10 be represented in the Convention by gen.
emen, who, according to the idea of one olihe Can
! dldates is simply TO vote for reorms because the
people of the District for them-but want tos
men there, who can tell the reasons why the people
do want them, and why the people the whole State
ought through their Delegates 10 adopt them. pre-
fer them, because wish to see men elected who can
advocate other reforms which we want, but which
VIC cannot hope to obtain from Convention, consil-
tuted as this is in manner TO do credit TO the Dis
trct, and who will be able TO meet in argument the
opponents of those reforms in the Convention, and
whose arguments may 60 forth to the people and pave
the way for carrying out those reforms at future day
which we know cannot obtain now, especially in
reference to the basis OF representation. And above
ALL wish to see the right of the people TO select their
own Delegates to the Convention indicated, and
fragrant attempt to impose upon them ticket made
up by interested men to subserve their own purpo-
ses, under the preext Of their being friends Of Re
orm defeated 1t was also objected to me at Saunton,
that was in favor of making the question of elect
ing Delegates to the Convention party question:
No man more opposed TO doing SO than myself
But when see the Democratic papers throughout
the State, in Democratic Districts urging their party
in those District TO organize tickets party grounds,
for the avowed purpose of making the Legislative,
Executive, and Judicial branches of the Government,
Democratic in all time to come; when see tickets
organized in some Districts, avowedly on those
grounds and when see the leaders Of that PARTY, not