The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-08-20

whig from Virginia in that body. do not desire
to take special ground against Mr.. Green, (for
should be glad to get the votes of his friends but
il il fair suppose that the bad men of his party
may misiead him from his direct and honest inten
lions. Nor 10 It offensive for him to suppose so,
since all the candidates Of own party-in susrv
Democratic substantially, if not directly,
admit that they will take care to make districts 90
far as they can, with view to the advantage of
their own Party-for every man who assumes that
the Wings would do SO, means that he himself
would do the same thing. II is due TO portion of
these gentlemen to admit that, in IPhig districts
they maintain different doctrine and are of opin
ION that party has nothing to do with the election
But to make short story of long one, am one
OF those opposed to having any Wings In the CON
vention Ii is my opinion that our present consti-
tuition owes most of its defects to the Wings and
Federalists who were in the convention that made
It. Such men as Marshall, and Madison, and
Leigh and Stanard, and Scott, and John w.
Green, were not the men to frame a government
on republican principles-they had no sympathies
with he great patriotic current Of the public senti
ments, and feelings, and passions. Descended
rom the richest ranks of the English aristocracy,
they spent their lives in luxurious indulgence and
voiuptuous repose, and knew nothing of and mixed
not with the people
According to my judgment, there never
and John Marshall's and James NIadison's time
down to that of Henry Clay, and Daniel Webster
and Watkins Leigh, who either knew how to make
or c. AUrue a constitution.
elect three members from our district. They will
OF course, all be Democrats; and / regret very
much that all the candidates cannot be elected, ms
undoubtedly they would be of great and value
not only ability of very high order, and long ex-
perience in public affairs, but being beyond all
dispute, true and genuine Democrats.
They have given you their views-I will give you
mine--ior, like them, have nothing to conceal
Judge ye between us. If my views sounder
and more Democratic than theirs, claim your
vote. Otherwise am not entitled to it. In the
language OF Zachary Taylor, "I ask no lavors,
and shrink from no responsibilities"
lst The most important question Of all others is
10 nix the future districts SO that Wing can ever
be elected to either the Senate the House. if such
thing be possible. My main purpose in the con-
vention will be to effect this object.
I'd The basis Of rcpresen tation is not very i'm
portant matter; But am for the Democratic prin-
ciple in this as in all other hold that one
man ID equal to another. He who holds hundred
negroes and pays hundred dollars tax is entitled
to no more power than the man who owns nothing
to be taxed but his own head and who is returned
delinquent Tor non payment OF that AS of indi-
yiduals, SO of sectons-it may be true that if
Western Virginia gets the power she will instant
~ emanclpate our slaves, she would unqucstion-
ably have done in 1892 if the white basis had then
existed 1t IS certain that she will put US instant
ly in debt for system of internal improvements,
the grandest and most costly heard of in this
Union; but what is that to our achieving the sub
lime result of a glorious republican Constitution,
ciPle-no miserable trick of mere expediency-
which, changing and ftful in its character is one
thing to-day and another tomorrow; whilst prir-
ciple, and especially Democratic principle-itself
an elnanation from the Dlvinity-is as immortal as
eternity, and as immutable as fate. | shall go for
the white population basis-and let consequences
take care Of themselves-"Fiat j,lsticia, ruat CO.
lum."
Sd. The Right of Suffrage. On this matter / take
the true, genuine republican ground-which,
VIII take this occasion to remark, is not fully and
equareiY occupied by any OF my competitors.
am ior universal suffrage-by which l mean that
eoey man should vote, and vote in any county he
peases, whether he resides in it or not, provided he
DE there present In person on the day Of election;
and II he Is IN the army navy he should send his
vote, as the Pennsylvania volunteers in the Mexi-
can war were permitted to do. ! would not require
ne should be twenty one years of age. That ia an
arlstocratcal and arbitrary condition. at war with
the great principles of universal equality and the
largest Hbcrty-for how is man better qualified
10 vote the day after than he the day before he is
twenty one. Boys should vote also As to whether
there should be any restriction of age cannot say;
principle forbids it-for hold il to be an undenia-
BILE principle that man is man, whether he be pulling
in his cradle or lettering to his tomb. IT, however
there Is to be any restriction surely it should
GO lower than sixteen years of age for at that ge
the boys enroll themselves in the militia Of their
accord, and at eighteen obliged 10 do by law
and many, nay, hundreds If not thousands, under
the age of twenty one years, have poured out their
blood upon the sands of Mexico, and mingled it
WIN sHe "dtefs Ol tne IaClllC-Oearlng our trl-
umphnnt eagles TO the palaces of the Montezumas-
indicating our rights IN foreign countries, and ee-
vatng and immortalizing our national character
IN the eyes OF the civilized and the savage world.
4th Our Judicial System. On this subject de-
sire to be very explicit. Here corruption, opprcs.
sion, and Partially, that would have shamed the
feeble vensty OF Bacon, and outstripped the bloody
cruelty OF Jeffrics have staked unrebuked and un-
punished by the power of the people. My opinion
IL, that our whole plan, from the county justices TO
the supreme court of appeals, is a public nuisance
and ought 10 be entirely overthrown and utterly
demolished. am for one Judge in every county,
to be elected semi annually by the people, viz, at
each term of the court II elected for longer pc
rhode, there is great danger that Judges who render
unpopular decisions, oppose themselves 10 popu-
lar impulses, may be fastened for announcement
terms on suffering and virtuous public. My com
pctitors are, understand, for terms Of two, or
FOUR or eight years. take issue with them direct
ly, and maintain, that if you exceed the semi an
nual term, you can do 1t for no which docs
not compel any honest man 10 admit that the pro-
per term is for good behayior-physical and men,
tai capacity continuing.
am against any court of appeals. What is the
use OF having case twice decided True peoples
Judges will make correct decisions and lest they
should not, would allow a right Of appeal to the
regimental mustcrs, or 10 county meetings. TO be
periodically held for general supervision of all the
judgments and DEGREES Of the courts.
Virginia is herself a great sovereign power, an
"unterrihed Commonwealth" 't6e mother Of
States and statesmen" She is capable Of ma king
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