Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1850-08-15
THE LYNCHBURG VIRGINIAN.
LyNCuHURG. AUGUST Is. 1850.
STATE REFORM-THE CONCLUSION.


Between monarchy and repubicanism there 10
marked difference difference of effect as
well as ofcharacter; but between extreme re-
pnblicansm and anarchy there is no difference,
either in character or effect. Government, as
well every thing else, is worked by machine
ry. Agency Is essential to its successful opera
ton And that idea of extreme republicanism,
which strips government of its agents aud makes
it administrative in all Of its departments by the
people is one fraught with errors of theory and
full OF evils in its practice. The people should
constitute the source of power This is a theory,
the truth of which has been exemplifed and de-
monstrated by experience, experience universal
and positive. But there is no necessity for ma :
king the people the agents of government; the
stream as well as the source. The people can,
and should. give character and direction to 60
vernmcn,. but they cannot do more. As a body
they may elect lawmakers but as a body they
cannot make laws The proper theory, there
fore, is to form government which will give
the people power to translerthcr control to prop
crly qualified agents, constituting these agents
responsible TO the people.
In adopting this theory, it must be adopted
with caution. Good, by being stretched into
an extreme, can be made evil. SO this theory
being carried too far will prove its lliiier
To illustrate. The people interested in the
faithful discharge Of the duties of every public
officer Yet i. is obviously wrong for the peo-
pie to elect all of their officers. Whyl Be
cause so to act would violate this theory. Many
these officers are the officers of bodies, both
relatively and positively or ifyou please. they
arc the deputies ofthe peoples agents; part of
the machinery of government, the management
of which the people have turned over to their
agents.
Again. The efficient operation Of govern
mcnt hangs chiefly upon the wisdom of its laws.
This theory contains truth which is simple, and
visible. The wants of the people must be met, if
not wisely met then they are not met with eff
cicnt provisions. Wise laws must cmanate from
wise men. Wisdom is high principle, and can
flow from no lower fountain than its own. The
character oflegislators, then, becomes matter of
serious consideration. A question of vaster inn
portance could not be presented. A legislator
has no time for sleep none for case. The inte-
rest not ola community, but of a nation, and it
may be that to solve problem, which interests
many of the great nations of the earth; these are
the interests entrusted to him. Therefore it is
that wisdom, prudence, knowledge and expert
cnce are not lost upon the statesman. The study
OF politics is no easy science. Ii embraces the
study of human nature, (of itsefa laborious
task,) knowledge of the character of men 1t
includes information with respect to national
wants it demands that the conflicting interests
of communities be harmonized; and above all, it
requires that superior species of wisdom, which
enables reason clearly to calculate the effect of
those measures which are to go in operation at
the present, upon the future interests and dest-
MES of a nation. The statesman who is efficient
is of necessity man of Thought, sudious thought,
enlightened thought The selection of those
who are to legisate ,lhen,is not matter of slight
Importance. Consideration, mature and careful,
should be made in the choice of those who are to
administer government. And their qualiiica-
tons for the proper discharge Of the duties as
signed should be the burden of this considera-
ton.
These reflections lead to two conclusions, each
of which is entitled to adoption LIST, That the
government, based upon that principle of
extreme repubcanism, which throws all the
machinery Of government upon the people is an
evil and I'd, That, men of wisdom and enlight-
ened judgment should be chosen as legislators
These are general theories of the science of go
vernment, which may be applied by the people
of Virginia, with great profit.