Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-06-26
COMMUNICATED.

pose that the people would, with the greatest care and de-
liberation, seek out for duty OF such momehlous cohse
the wisest heads and soundes hearsnot TO adopt
some preconceived scheme-but, upon the more mature
consideration to form and submit for the consideration OF
the people plan of government as they shouc deem
hest calculated to subserve the great ends proposed but
obvious as this would seem, very different spirit appears
to pervade the and-a reckless spirit of radlcasm, repu
dating everything in government with which we are ID
milar, and proposing entirely new system. system
concocted by whom? Why by the mediocre lawyers Oh
the Sate-ha class with some honorable EXCEPTIONS 'he
most restless schemng and mschevous in the community
constituting the great hot bed Of say
have concocted and with the aid OF such other visohares
and demagogues as they have been enabled to enlist In ne
cause disseminated throughout the State system whlch
thew insist shall be made kind of Procrusan oed 10 eS
cude al whom it shall not precisely f from the ConVen-
tim which is to reform our Constitution The opinions OF
Washington, Franklin, Madison, Hamilton Marshall and
other statesmen and sages of former times, looked up 10 win
and respect by the wisest and best men OF Inc
present day. seem be regarded by these radicals as no.
thno worth. Conrovert their theories, and Immediately
they talk to you about progress, the peoples fghs' e
wisdom and virtue of the people, ask you you are aao
10 trust the people, charge you with being aa'd " us
the people, and such like miserable demagogue slang
there be progress government, there seems 10 oe uc
reason to appehend that it is in any other than ght o
recon The manner in which the Bible has laid bare he
human heart and exposed It's workings to the vlew no
small evidence of the Divine origin Of that holy book, and
so far from telling us that is wise and vuous 1t rep
resens him as corrupt and foolish and every mans expert
ce tells the same sad tale None thoroughly
convinced ohis truth than the very who are contnu
alv naiino about The wisdom and virtue OF the people
The gross decepons they attempt to practice upon ihem
and The mschevous courses into which they would lead
,bem ara ndubabe proofs that they hold in utter con-
tempt the understanding and virtue of The people, When
the people shall have learned to understand hese e anu
to treat with utter scorn and contempt their aerng and
fawnng then will they an advance
material to their own safety and we-being is because
we the people, not wise and rrtuous or only 81
compared with people less wise and vruous na' We souu
dsrs ourselves and be cautious how we take nIo
hands what may better performed by our agents. select
ed with view to their superior wisdom ano experience WI
the subjects entrusted them No one disputes me people
riuhs Their rights universally acknowledged 10 oe
without limit. They have the right to destroy lelf own
property man. though ignorant OF the use OIL sl"se
tool. has right to build his own house. Ihe Aimgny
has left man free to choose between his own service anu
that Of Satan This pratg about tile people gh's 10 a
sulsh cap-trap The true and only question IS, wha' Is
eypedent for the people do Now let US see what eSe
radicals nropose to do In BRIEF TO make all officers from
tho Goveruor down to the Constable, elective by the peo
nlehe SUPERIOR Court Judges for short erms and ree
r;ha,be same as 10 the Justices who are, moreover 10
be maid for their services Let this system De carried ou
inns multiply elections and have Judiciary and Mags-
racy at once paid and dependent, and we snail nave
broad cast the seeds Of corupOn which Will never cease
to vege,ate until they shall have grown 50 rank as 10 an.
the whole mora atmosphere and change our justly pfSea
liberty into icentiousncss such shall cause men 10 seek
shelter under more tolerabe tyranny in the hands oi
siuole individual This but the history OF past repuoicS
Demapogues ever agating, have led the people rom oe
false step to another, until corruption regned and liberty
was lost.
Now let us see how this new system is likely to work.
u.s ,nv man ever witnessed warmly contested election
even in the best community in our own immediate pefas
not inferior 10 any oher community lor a'1
not give rise 10 lying. deception misrepresentation
intrigue and this, too, not confined to those from "ho ~
better things might have been expected but also
by persons whose position and education would nave leu
one 10 expect from them honest and onscenuous a'S
charge of their duty. What then, must De tne eeo'
multipying elections hundred fold2 WIZ MOI prove
demoraizng in the extreme, so much so' lna' 'e ''o,o
v,t,ous ntelineut orderly and peaceaby disposed VIII
ultimately cease to attend elections and leave them IN tne
hands Of demagopues and their centous folowersF
nrav our Heavenly Father keep us from empta'oh' a"a
o,,ted as we are there surely be no more reasona
BILE PRAYER. Why then should we expose ourselves a'He'
ooss.rv 10 one Of the greatest temptations to evil BY mu
,;nv;nG elections? Why expose Judges and hagis
traes 10 temptation, by placing their pecunary h1eeS' "
conflict with their duly2
The system proposed though new TO US, is not new III
the Union Yet it may be regarded even IN nose
in which il has existed longest, as but an experiment
nv apprehension is an experiment any thng ou' e
coraonu in its operations Within my recollection did
not exist and those were times Of peace, order ana
gradual change has taken place. un1ii how VIC na,
most weeklyaccouns Of mobs, the DESTRUCTION VI ''
property, and Of the almost perfect impuni'y WIN
these outrages are perpetrated so that Ie anu pop
have become to 10 small extent, insecure ao" 70 WIS
Of things to be accounted forR How, but ION "e ,.
al tate Of the community and the corruption Of 'ne
racy2 The mobs and their sympahsers are lhe
and because the better disposed citizens are
attending elections-ames the exclusive ELECTORS oi Aas
s,r,cv dependent upon them for their oread' anu
therefore dare not offend them by executing the ia"
mend upon it, wherever this system exists,
be found incapable and corrupt and public morality oeo
ing But enough for the present propose hereafter, VIZ.
your permission, to pursue this subject ariner anu
: particularly with reference to the Judiciary.
: ONE OF THE PEOPLE,
e N THE PEOPLE OF HIGHLAND ROCKBRIDGE AND AUoO'i'
:. Frr1ow Crr1zsNs You have seen from tne 'a''
q a,or that nv friend Mr.. Ends canG.Oa''
a, in tho Conyec,on-I now write these few es !"