Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1850-03-29
RICHMOND ENQUIRER.
rMURsDAY MORNING.. MARCH 20, 1850.
AN APPEAL. TO THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF


THURSDAY MORNING. MARCH -. 1850.
AN APPEAL. TO THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF
| VIRGINIA.
The laws of the Commonwealth make il the annual duty
of the General Assembly to elect Auditors Treasurer
Secretay of the State Register of the Land ohce anu
other minor officers In the discarge OF this duty
the same obligation exists and the responsibilities m
posed would be case had appointments Tor tie OIL
ccs in question been made by preceding Lcgisatures-
Otherwise whence the necessity for annual elections or the
provision made by law? The Democratic Legislature were
then called upon not to remove or continue, but to elect
anew suitable persons to fill these offices
In making appointments Office, we hold that il Is pro-
having in view the interests OF the pubc
SERVICE to select those who agree with us in political sen
men,, rather than political enemies The agents select
cd directly by the people administer the government
selected by this tcs why should the agent himse
in eegaing The exercise OF their powers be governed by
consideration? Upon what principle Representative
duty il be urged that representative should appoint
having opposite political opinions to Office when he has
himself been appointed by the people because he held another
class Of opinions! Such action initiates against the theory
of all representative governments The persons filling the
offices of the government should reflect the will OF maIo
rty of the people We have the high authority of Mr. JET
ferson for the doctrine, avowed in letter TO Mr. eier
written in 1915 in which he approves the course OF his Pr,
power men nimcal himself and untriendy the prnc
Piles Of republican government" We will admit that pc
cular extenuating circumstances may cause
sometimes departure from thsl proceeding. But what
oxtenuatn required the Democrats elect Messs
Heath and Lawson office? The first had filled the place
Auditor Of Public Accounts for about thirty years. and
had drawn from the Golfers OF the State in the shape
Of salaries sixty thousand dollars. His Qualihca
tions, however respectable such only as are pos
sessed BY hundreds OF others in the State. What I'M
proyemens of financial system has Mr.. Heath madc!-
Or what monuments TO the permanen, advantage Of Fr
gnia has he reared that such superiority ia I" be
accorded him? Win it be conended that the offices of
the country belong particular sci of men, and
that appointment, Office for single term is appoint
men e2 If this be correct, you might we'll NJ once
surrender the whole doctrine of popular government and
pula rights The circumstances of the original election o
Mr. Heath 80 years ago. give force his views lie was al
that time member OF the Executive Council, and Jno. Bur
foot had brought up in the office under Sam Sh
hard then lst Auditor No fault was found with Mr.. b :
discharge of his public Gutes-bu Mr. Heath succeeded III
rolling himself from office into better one, by turning
out good officer What right them has he complain
that the Democratic maority aroused by the violations OF
pledges and prescription the part of the Wing
party should apply the rule To him. and treat him as
he had treated Jno. Burfoo! The failure rcclec Mr.
Lawson has been received with less camor he part Of
| our Wing friends Whether his value parzan
less appreciated by them than that Of Mr. Heath leave
others 10 determine.
The State offices are not oil strictly ministerial in their
character The administration and disbursement Of the pub
lie revenues involve the exercise Of other Important powers
These officers in the receipt of taxes and in disbursements
the treasury continually brought in contact with
hundreds throughout the commonwealth and WELD m I'm
mense influence But another element entered into the dc
4; Vhn
capitol constitute ncudng the Governo the Board of Pub
lie Works the functions Of which, but few years ago. were
trivial and umporan but have expanded in operation
over the whole State. Men with new ideas and who could
keep pace with the progressive improvement OF the country
and comprehend the diversified interest of the Common
wealth. were needed fill these offices. For these
Messrs Heath and Lawson rcc.ced, but men ol
ability and integrity and whose political sentiments accord
ed with those of majority Of the people of Virginia appoint
cd in their stead.
Let the Wing party prate of prescription for opinions
sake and dcnouncc the non-rcelecon of these officers
when in the past history Of the country, either under tho
Federal State Government has that party failed when
clothed with power appoint its friends TO Office and
eject those holding opposite political sentilnentsl The
record affords ample proof of this CHARGE as far us that
In the Sate of Virginia concerned and the reno
walls by the Federal Executive in the Of the
without cause of Democrats In this State who had been in
office from the days of Madison and Monroe require
commen hands. This party have fnr
complaint when their chulce is commended back TO their
lips The dominant party In the Legislature have exercised
bcra,y The Secretary Of State and Second Auditor
both filling offices of high responsibility and trust and both
Wings have been reelected These Offices have b en- fairly
equazed and divided according to the relative political sen
ments of parties in the State. We submit the facts 10 r
candid judgment of the people.
There c been other subjects Of interest and importance
before the General Assembly Among these may he justly
classed the take the of the people upon the call
ola State Convention to reform the Constitution and M
various schemes Of internal Improvement develop the
resources of the Commonwealth. But these have
party complexion, and supported opposed without
respect party relations pass them BY inappropriate
| to the object of this appeal.
In conclusion, fellow citizens permit again call your
attention the importance of the ensuing sprng elections
The control of the Legislature is always regarded Of
capital objects Of the party contests in this State 1t is
rendered still important this election by the fact
that the Legislature now 10 be chosen will elect Senator
of the United States. The Senate of the L. S. is the
only branch OF the Federal Government in which the demo-
cratic party have the asccndancy Deprived the control
the Federal Government by sratages which have been
more successful than crcdabe the democracy Of the coun-
only look 10 the Senate until the other branch
Congress and the Executive again subjected the
iHhueHSes vi pupuId HldAe no
peal you for men, but ask you in this emergency
your strength and the long cherished principles
| Virginia.
! TAYfoRISM
The Wing is "a great jbker." with its columns filled with
lavish cuIoeies of the wisdo skill and triumphant
of Gen Taylors policy the slavery question His
tory declares and public sentiment endorses the record that
never there SO bungng timd yacang and miseraby
mschievous policy pursued by Administration.
The whole of the agitation and danger this question might
have been avoided had not the advisers of General Taylor
sought for wrctched party and personal capital to cheat the
people and sneak into power. Otherwise why is it that
in the South such men Ballard Preston proclaimed Tay
cr be an ultra slavery man, while in the North, Seward
and Truman Smith pledged him bound practically 10
carry the projects of reesoisn and the former week
ago. admitted open Senate that Taylor wonld have lost