Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-05-15
G. o M 5EU MIC IONS.

we are subjected for office, &C., SIC. But really gentlemen
the times are deeply aught with importance TO every
citizen no matter how humble he may be- 1t is decided
bv the people Of the Commonwealth that we must have
Convention for the purpose of amending our State Con-
s,ilption The State is divided into four great districts
we belong the third district composed of nineteen Coun
ties The Counties Of ROckbrdge, Augusta and Highland
to which we belong according 10 'white population and
taxation combined" entitled to five delegates in the
Convention. Each delegate them for these Counties Is to
REPRESENT 66S9 white persons and 3232 of revenue, max
inc an aggregate in number Of 992I-Rockbdge accord
inc TO these data is composed Of 457 Augusta % $50,
ljloliand 4S9S-aggregate 50,59l Divide this aggre-
uae by 1921, and will shew that entitled 10 FIVE
delegates and small fraction, which for convenience was
thrown away.
The questions have already arsen-low many delegates
shall Augusta send to the Convention? How many shall
Rockbrldre send Shall Highland send not? By
reference the above figures it is easily seen that High
land is entitled to half of delegate and very small iTac
ton over Augusta is entitled 10 nearly three delegates
Rockbrdge is not enutled 10 two believe it has already
been said that Augusta ought 10 send three delegates and
Rockbridre two, leaving Highland without delegate
eced from amOngs; her citizens Perhaps, nay more,
doubtless this is true if carried out and arranged by the
snule rule Of proportion. But what does liberaly and
terna feeling indicate Why this-hat sold Augusta
the mother of Sates shall concede her maternal rights in
part and suffer ockbrdge to send two delegates selected
from her citizens, Highland one, and that she Angus
ta) will send only Two from her great family This
would look noble in Augusta But will it be contended
that m much as by the foregoing data, Augusta is more
nearly entitled TO three delegates than Highland is to one,
and that because Of the superior amount OF learning and
general information possessed by the citizens Of The former
over the citizens OF the latter County that therefore Angus
ia has the perfect right of insisting three delegates 2
And shall it be cOnended because OF one OF the foregoing
reasons assigned that Rockbdge is better entitled 10 two
delegates tlan Highland is 10 one? hope not. trust
that Augusta will let both Rockbrdge and Highland select
from their own citizens than the foregoing data entl
ties them 10, and that the proper spirit may pervade the
bosom OF every voter in each vi the Counties.
! The work in which about engaging IS an lmpor.
tant one The framing and making Constitutions for States,
is ordinary business lisa business quite different from
that of egisating pursuant to Constitutional law. We
want our most learned cool considerable and profound men,
to engage in his matter for us. But who shall Augusta
send who shall Rockbridge send and who shall be
sent from little gallant Highlands As to the latter let it
not be forgotten that Peter Hull, Adam Stephenson,
George w Hull either, would represent the interests Of the
Carnty with entire safety. As TO Rockbdge, her own
gallant son Samuel Med Moore is still 10 be found, her
Davidson is there and many others that mig be named.
As for old Augusta, she still has her Niche, her A. H. IL.
Stuart her Fuz, her Shelley, any two OF whom would be
found alive to the best interests of the people And what
is after all but that the proposed alterations in our Con
uon are designed to for the people the greatest
amount of good which ii is possible for them 10 attain by
and through the nsrumentaty of supreme and conslitu
iona aw Let it be forgotten that If the founda
ton is imperfect the supersiructure must as consequence
inevitable oer aud fall into ruins. Let it also ever be
remembered that all legislation in the absence of anarchy,
be enacted pursuant to supreme or constitutional law
Hence the necessity Of sending 10 the approaching Conyen
ton our most learned and profound men.
hope gentlemen you will pardon small digression.-
Not long since the writer of this heard and greatly 10
his surprise that our own Thos j. Mche not sound
touching the tenure of the Office Of Judges-ln other words
that he favored the etenure-urhemore, that if he were
aI m
ted he wished to 90 there without having made av0wa
Of his sentiments in relation TO REFORM lhs report was
matter of surprise to smne-Michie the who has
and over again, been charged by being too much
of Republican along well with his own party IN
some matles-Nlchie the who amongst the very
first in advocating the preiensions of old Zac he to be
found entertaining anrepubcan and secret opinions touch
ING our State Government such an Idea surprised u.s. 1t
was resolved that Mr.. Niche should be Intercepted rea
tive this report accordingly done, after which,
the generous undetermined fellow, observed that he did
not wish serve in the Convention and nothing would IN
duce him to do so but an honest conviction Of duty but
the eportthe first words uttered in answer To the en-
quiry were-l believe "lhat all power Is vested IN, and
consequently derived from the people, that Magistrates are
their trustees and servants, and at all times amenabo to
them" This commencement revived us, and we again
breathed freely We were told by Mr.. Niche that he was
opposed to life tenure. lie assigned his reasons-whch
would occupy much space here to insert We were as
sued by that gentleman that he would avail himself of the
first opportunity to make the people Of The Counties Of Au
gusta Rockbridge and Highland acquainted with his SEN
ments, in order quiet certain flying, vagant reports
Now, Messrs Editors, do try aad get plan foOt
by which the people be addressed by gentlemen above
named as well as by others. know The people want all
the lights on this subject that they possibly get. In
sst your brethren Of the Editorial Corps located in
Saunton, 10 aid you in this Assure them that The people
desire to know from those able to instruct them-who they
ought send TO the Convention Tell them (your brother
Edors that the importance of tho matter demands debate
aud discussion and That truth loses by fair open and
manly discussion Let times and places be designated in
your papers respectively, informing The people that they will
be addressed, and my life upon title people will congre
gate themselves for the purpose ct hearing all that may be
sadn relation othismpmlant shec-ihesubect OF reform
and Convention Respectfully request the Messenger, and
Vndcator 10 publish this my note, and assure them my
dear Senior, that am countryman of no clique, paln
rustic kind Of man, and wish and hope for nothing IN this
behalf, other than my cOuntry's veal. REFORM.
e. We pleased with the suggestion Of our cores
pondenr in regard the discussion Of the points of reform
which have Deen agaied and have heard the May Court
mentioned as n suitable tme We hope to be authorised
10 announce in next paper, that such discussion will
take place.
Gentlemen Il have been an attentive reader Of your pa
per and tho the commendaonm be considered unmpor
tant, must be permitted say that its conservative char
has my highest approval and admiration. LoUk
inr not beyond your columns have the peculiar diff
fculties You have had to encounter. This is the day Of
political trial. The popular favor is the shrine at which
all who love office and honor are worshipplng; it matters
not how much he may niure the people They not,
if they arrer The dear people their ruin, if the dear peo
pie will only give them Office. With many now, the qnes-
ton not, principle right, it proper will
be for the real benefit of the people? But is it popular
How do the people think? And as they think, think
Is not the voice Of The people the voice Of God Dena
gogues at all times have been the same, and will conn
Ne They are the of any people, as history fully
demonstrates Calling themselves the friends of the people,
they are their worst enemies Does not sense tell
u.s. that in individual cases the who aers yon, is
really your enemy? The same is true of the popular rt
teer All his patriotism, love of people, strcklpg for pop
uar rights may be reduced to just principles, Give
leaves and fishes" Give the man, Sir, who plants
his foot upon the eternal ordinance Of truth and looking his
fellow and The people, full in the face will tell them the
truth though it may be unpopular Solomon who used to