Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1850-07-08
TO THE VOTERS OF HIGHLAND, AU-
GUSTA AND ROCADEIDGEs

FELLOW CITIZENS A numerous meeting OF
the citizens Of Highland county was held on the
10th inst. for the purpose OF selecting some per-
son to represent in part; the above dlstrict, III
the Convention, which the people have decread
shall meet in October next fer the purpose 81
amending the present Constitution OF Virginia
That meeting rendered to me the nomination.
A lively sense of the Importance OF the trust
and distrust Of my ability to discharge salts
tacorily the high and important duties OF the
office, should, am aware, have caused me to
hesitate, in accepting the nomination but be-
lieving, as do, that it is an Office not to be
sought nOr declined when rendered by the peo-
pie | have accepted their nomination and IN
announcing myself candidate for the suflrages
of the voters of this Convention district, | deem
it to be my duty, to make full, talr and ex-
plicit declaration OF my opinions upon the great
and important questions of Constitutional reform
and to assign some few of the reasons that i'll
auence my mind in regard to such reforms.
l. am in favor Of what is generally termed
the white basis. The representation of the
State in the General Assembly, should be based
upon the free white population of the common
wealth. Property has no capacity TO appoint
agents or elect representatives, nor has 1t any
power Of self protection, except through indiyid-
uals, consequently, it ought not to be combined
with population to form basis OF Representations
To blend dollars and cents with population,
will be transferring power to the minority 10
very spirit of republican form of Government
], however, hold it to be one of the great objects
of fundamental law, to protect the right OF prop
erty and whether am the owner OF thou
sand negroes or single individual negro, the
same protection of my right in the property,
should be guaranteed to me-
A constitutional protection of property is all
that can be reasonably asked for by its owner.
O. am in favor of extending the right of SUI
frage to all white male citizens, of sound mind;
of the age of 81 years and upwards, who have
been assessed with Revenue tax or County levy,
y who have resided for twelve months next pre-
ceding the election, in the State, & six months
in the county, in which they propose to vote,
and who have not been convicted of any infa-
nous offence.
The RIGHT of suffrage as defined in the present
constitution is uncertain, vague and unjust, and
is the source from whence nearly all our con-
tested elections originate. would abolish the
power of the Legislature to extend or abridge
the right Of suffrage. AS things now stand the
Legislature can make or unmake, thousands of
of voters by the passage ola single Tax Bill
To me, it seems worse than folly, to say that a
man is more or less capable of casting a correct
vote because he is or is not charged with tax cd
fifteen shilling clock or watch. am opposed to
the systedm of ouble voting, as now practised
throughout the Commonwealth, and would re
strict each individual to single vote.
g. am in favor of electine for stated terms
all officers of the Government, whether Execu-
tive, Judicial Municipal or Ministerial, directly
by the people, from whom all legitimate author
ity should be derived. The coordinate branch
es OF the Government, viz: the Legislative, Ex-
ecutive and judicial should be independent
each of the other. Under our present Constita-
ton the two latter are the creation of the 1or-
mer, and. consequently, subservient to it, in
some measure This objection can only be OBJ
waited by transferring the appointing power to
the hands of the people, where it riehttully be-
longs. And by way OF insulinga prompt, etii
cient and faithful discharge of their respective
duties, 'they should, at fixed periods, be re-
duced to private station return Into that body
from which they were originally taken, and the
regular elections" am not participant in
the eroundless fears ofmauy, W no think that the
independence Of the officers is to be impaired,
or that many Of the most worthy incumbents i'll
office will be, by the contemplated change, os-
tracized IF, indeed, they are worthy and well
qualified, they may again receive the appoint
ment at the hands OF the people. 1t is TO me,
strong proof of the unworlhiness of any incutn-
bent, to desire to hold an office against the will
OF Inc people, WHOSE servant lie is.
4. Believing that the perpetuity of our Repub-
lican Institutions is dependent upon the intelli-
gence of the people, should be in favor of intro
ducing general system of Education, whereby
elementary branches of education shall be taught
to all to who may be required to perform the
duties of citizens.
| s. am in favor of biennial sessions of the Leg
isaure and of restricting the sessions to limited
periods am opposed to so much special leg
isaion By reference to our Session Acts, 1t
will be seen that about two-thirds OF the time OF
every session of the Legislature, is consumed by
business of special and private character. A
constitutional restraint upon this waste of time
and money, is in my opinion, loudly called for
| 6. regard the present Jury system as onerous
and oppressive, nasmuch as the citizens of the
Commonwealth are detained for the trial of
causes in which they have no interest, without
compensation, and not unfrequeltiy incur con-
siders Bile expense by the detention. |, there
fore, would be in favor of allowing to Jurors a
reasonable compensation for their services.
These, fellow-citizens, are, and have been for
a number OF years, my views on some OF the lead
ing reforms contemplated. A fear Of proving tedi-
Gus has impeled me to be as brief as possible. /,
however, hold it to be the right of the voter to
know tho views of candidate for office on all
questions likely to come within the pale of his
duty, if elected. l hold myself bound at all
times to give my views on any other reforms
contemplated and not embraced in this circular
Should ii be the pleasure of the voters of the dis
trict to elect me as one of their delegates to the
Convention, shall feel bound to use every hon
est endeavor to secure the adoption of the pro-
posed reforms, and in all other matters to repre-
sent the will ofthe people as far as it can be as
certained by me.
My life, in the main, has been private one,
and | Jln1ccustOnp Ell ~ nlhlic limo
however, should an opportunity offer, will en-
deavor TO meet the citizens of the various coun:
ties of the district, and I'M plain manner give
my views more at length.
A. STEPHENSON, JR.
Monterey, June &c, 1850.
UT Messenger and Spectator, Stanton, and
Gazette and Star, Lexington, will please copy.
For THE VINDICAToR