Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1850-08-19
"A last Appeal.

On Thursday next the contest for seats in the
Convention will be decided. We have not the
slightes. doubt but that the result in the State
will be in favor of liberal principles. How it is
to eventuate in the district composed of the
counties Of Augusta, Rock bridge and Highland,
is matter for the people to determine. We
cannot believe that people who have 80 long
felt the grinding oppression and rank injustice
of our present organic law, will fail to embrace
this opportunity to redress their wrongs. We
cannot believe that people who wish to be free
will aid in forging chains to bind themselves.
This is time for the people TO move-for the
people to speak, not By their representatives, but
TO those who would be their representatives,
and to DEMAND that their voice shall be heard
it is no time to listen to the syren song of the
flatterer fyou wish to be put in possession Of
your rights, you must demand that your wishes
and opinions be represented in Convention
The eyes of the people of other States who en-
JOY the blessings of liberal Constitutions are up
on you-the friends of liberal principles thro'-
out the Union are looking to the Old Dominion
to see if the renowned old Commonwealth will
continue the ruinous policy of driving her Young
men from her borders, OF whether she will adopt
a Constitution more in accordance with the spirit
of the age and the spirit of true Republicanism.
Too long has this mad policy been continued
her young men remove to other States 10 acquire
that distinction they can barely hope to attain
in their own, because of the LIFE TENURE of
most of her officers and the means and applian-
ces used to perpetuate in the hands of the ftfew"
all the honors of the State. Virginia has parted
with many OF her jewels owing to the tyranny
ofher CONSTITUTIONS The voice of many of her
sons has been heard in the Senate Chamber OF
the Union, but he hailed lot from his native
State-the voice of many a Virginian is heard in
the halls of Congress, but he represents not the
State that gave him birth. No-her tyranny has
driven them forth to seek for fortune and for
fame in lands whose laws are more Republican,
Now is the time, freemen, to strike down the
remnants of tyranny and arstocracy. Now, Or
never None, perhaps, now living on the soil o.
Virginia may behold another Convention held
within her borders. They are not things of ev-
cry day occurrence. How important is it, then, to
you and to your children, that men thoroughly
indoctrinated with the Republican sentiments
that the people are capable of self-government-
that THE PEOPLE have the right to rule, and that
the officers of the government should be made
responsible to the power which created them, at
stated periods, should be elected to represent you
in Convention.
We cannot agree that the "seruant is greater
than his MASTER" and therefore cannot consent
that the officers of government-be they whom
they may-should be placed beyond the reach
of the power that created them, while he is held
responsible to none. Such IDEAS are repngnant
to Republican principles, but the practice has OBJ
tanned so long in Virginia that now, it is looked
upon as worse than sacrilege 10 change the ten
urs by which our masters hold their offices, be-
cause forsooth, our revolutionary fathers thought
the lfe-tenure system the best. In the estma-
tion of some this part of the work of the revolu.
tionary fathers should not De touched, though
much Of their other work has been changed and
amended. Why is one part of their work more
sacred than another? 1t is the remnant of aris-
locracy which arstocrats cannot consent to part
with, because by its destruction, they are placed
On level with the people.
What is to prevent the people of Virginia
from doing that which has been done by twenty
odd States OF this confederacy. Are Virginians
more liable to be corrupted, or are they less in
telligent than the people of other States? An.
swer, ye wise ones, and woud-be dcators, or
falling 10 do so, expect, as you ought 10 receive
a rebuke at the polls The reforms we advocate
are supported by some Of the wsest and bes
men in the Union-adopt them, and again we
start Old Virginia on proud career. Heed no
the fears Of the timid and irresoute-such mer
doubt the capacity Of the people for self govern
ment; and we answer the objections of all, a
once, by saying, that the experience of o'he
States, and the testimony Of wise and good men
agree in this that where the officers are cleo
tive and held responsible to the appointing pow
or, they are far more effective and vigilant
while, if they are unfaithful to their trust, tn
remedy is i'll the hands of the people, where
ought TO be, where the Constitution should place
it, and where, if you are wise, you will see tina
it is placed
Then, friends of equal rights, be on the alert
be vigilant, be active, and above all, be at tn
polls on Thursday next, lay aside personal feel
rig, let PRINCIPLE alone govern your votes