Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1850-01-14
r. j. ALFRED. EDITOR.
S TAUN ON
REFORM.

est to the lowest by the people," AS general
proposition, this might be made, as the Specta-
aor charges TO embrace all from the Governor
down to the tip-staif ola Court but We intentl-
ed to be understood as meaning Only ministerial
officers. Many Of those enumerated by the
Spectator are appointed by superior officer who
10 responsible for the ac.s of he appointees, and
consequently, not intended to be embraced with
in the meaning of the phrase 'sal the olHcers,''
because many are not amenable to the people
e. s.; the numerous deputy Clerks, those attend
ant upon the Legislature and such like. Did
Ihe editors Of the Spectator ever see a Constitu-
lion in which provision was not expressly made
that the different legislative bodies should have
power to choose their own officers, and very
properly, too, because they are the best Judges
10 decide upon who would suit them bes, The
people feel no concern how the Public Printer
ahe Clerks to Committees and officers Of like
character, are elected The Reformels claim
only the right to elect "all the officers no are
charged with duties in which ,hey are Immediate
y interested; viz: The Governor, Judges, Clerks,
Magistrates, Sheriffs, Constable, and if the Spec
,ator please; the Councillors of State--thoueh we
incline to think that Office might be abolished
without any detriment TO the Commonwealth.
These are the officers whose election the Re-
formers claim as 7aght-the erpedieney of E.
lecting the batch enumerated by the Spectator,
may welte doubted--hut no one ever dreamed
OF bringing before the people the election of a
Deputy, when the people look to superior W no
is responsible for the acts of his Deputy, and we
ruPPose the Spectator only intended to show, by
the list presented, the insrpediney Of eecting all
in order to fortify all argument. The Spectator
must not put so latitudinous construction uron
that little word GALL Ii can have a limited
Ineaping--aa that is necessary--eH tina, is use
su--ou in which the people feel an interest and
whose interests these officers must take care Of
Surely limited as well as bread construction
can be put upon the phrase. l, is phrase, too
in common use--but no one understands il as
meaning oil that have been enumerated by the
Spectator. 1t comes then, to this-,he Spectator
admtsthe right of the people TO elect ''all the
officers" off they think proper TO do so, but the
editors question the erpedsoasy. If the term en-
poyed by US is to be so construed as to mean
every Office of every grade i'll the State, then
we Admit it would be inexpedient--but, if oul
neighhors will limit the term 10 the meaning we
attended it should bear, we are ready to join is
sue on the question Of e1pedieney
U We have been asked what all this CORES
pondence in two Of the town papers means; and
afnnything is wrong " by do not the writer's pre-
fer specific cEarges-why do they deal in sly
5nnuendo? We cannot answer. We can only
give the street 1umor, not vouchng for is COR
sectness. The report is current that two OF three
young lawyers are DESTROYS of running for thu
Legislature this Spring, and ii is necessary 10 ee,
some hobby to ride that they may deceive the
people into their support, by pretending to be
the exclusive guardians of their rights and thus
be enabled to draw from the State what their
practice does not yield--A LIVING. To succeed
in this, they must !:kick UP dust" about Some
thing, no matter what-the people will be blind
ed to the true issues and thus the young patriots
will be certain Of euccess-at least then think so;
They care nothing about imposing upon the
eredulsy of the Messenger, or Of deceiving tn.
people, provided they can t'ride on the whirl
wind and direct the Storm" Another rumor
that it is n plot to bud up the Messenger, anr
then turn it into Wing paper, in order to hrea!
down the Spectator. AS to the truth or falst,
of these rumors, we know nothing, not being ir
the secret. II would be we'll for the people te
watch the movements Of this little clique in ,ow1
who, for the purpose of promoting their own self
Ssh schemes seem willing to foment warfare
among the different Churches. and array ''bro,h
or against brother" Is good designed when thu
end is sought 10 be accomplished by unholy
means! We incline to think the first mention
ed rumor is the correct one-the latter we leave
TO the Wings of Augusta and the Spectator. /
shere is anything wrong the people ought tc
know it, and our columns are open to responsi
bic writers. A word as to the Spring campaign
The time was when Augusta was represented
in the Legislature by MEN, now every young
~,er thinks himself qualified 10 fill the post o
Delegate: though his beard gives no evidence O
manhood, and he could shave with the same "a
zor for twelvemonth without dullinr the edge
Such men may be very "wse in their own con
GEN." but we apprehend the people of August;
will place different estimate upon their wisdom
The time was, we say, when MEN represente,
the people of Augusta in the Council Halls
men who would have scorned artifice and hum
buggery to secure their election, but now, alas
sisdom must give way to cunning! We hav
no doubt bill will pass the present Legislator
authorizing the sense of the people to be- take
on the SUBJECT Ola Convention, hence the anxi
ely Of these youthful patriots-lhese friends Q
The people about election tine--to hoodw ink thei
dear friends, in order that they may be blinde.
he true issues, and not call upon them to all
ss- ';"ns. We caution the people to be
swer qs ,s".. s,. ives in sleeps clothing" A
the proper time the ears~ u '' ueaoc1acy
vslationto the Spring canvass W.. oe mas Al'own
hut we inform DR.. Olipod and hisaonipe>.rs liza
their distinguished claims to support VIII not n
- sbr no,rnprate and thor ppa6 rct in,