Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1850-08-05
To the Voters of Rockbridge, Au-
gusta and Highland.

HAVING announced myself as a candidate to
represent you in part in the Convention to be
held in October next, TO perform the importan,
work OF amending the Constitution OF the Slate
| feel it due to you as well as myself that
should announce to you III The most authentic
form my views and opinions with regard to, al
least, the most important questions OF reform
now agitating the public mud. This duty
had Designed TO perform at the time | had fixed
upon to announce myself as a a.d!date; but
the course pursued at a public meeting held i'll
Lexington some time in the last mouth, for the
purpose of general discussion, having hat
constrained me TO announce myself then, aud
having the next morning to start 10 Highland
where, then, Tor the first time, learned Il public
discussion in which all the candidates Tor the
District were expected 10 take part, was to be
held. was prevented then from executing my
purpose OF addressing you through the papers.
Immediately after my return from Hls HAND |
sustained so severe an injury in my right hand
as to be unable to write, indeed, hardly to hold
my pen for any length OF time, until within
some days past
The opinions which now announce, believe
will be found in exact accordance with those
expressed from the husines in Eockbridge and
Highland in June, when first addressed them.
am tor extending the right OF suttraget to ev-
cry free white male citizen, above the age OF 81,
who has resided a reasonable time in the county
in which he proposes to vote, who has paid and
performed during the time, W hen required, all
public dues and duties, and who has not forfeit
ed his right 10 confidence, by some infamous
crime OF which he has been duly convicted.
Every individual released from parental au-
thority has natural right to govern himself.
When he becomes a subject of government he
can only reasonably and justly he required to
surrender to The government 50 much OF this nat
uial right as is necessary to the safety OF the
community To withhold from a citizen the
right OF suffrage by prohibition i'll the Consli-
portion OF our citizens, is an unnecessary resric-
ton upon this natural right OF selt-control, and
subjects him to the control OF others without the
power OF sel-protection.
That the power OF those who now exclusively
exercise the rightsof suffrage under the Constr
tuition has been heretofore tyrannically exercised
is what would not say. But that it has not
been imparially exercised in every case think
perfectly clear.
This inesimable right of suffrage should be SO
clearly defined in the Constitution as to make
the test of qualification OF the easiest practicable
application, both at the polls and i'll the event OF
contested election. The right ought to be
placed beyond the control of the ordinary leeis-
enlargine or curtaiing the privilege.
That the extension OF the right of suflage
ought to have been preceded according to the
natural order of things by more liberal system
OF Education among the people so as to better
qualify them Tor the exercise OF these political
rights and duties, is what admit, but the expe-
rence OF the past proves that such system is
not likely to be adopted as matters now stand.
Connected with this subject of the elective
franchise, is another defect, in my Judgment, In
the existing constitution. The right OF deciding
contested elections is vested absolutely i'll that
branch of the Legislature in relation to seat in
which contest arises. That more impartial
and much less expensive tribunal TO decide such
a contest, particularly in times of party excite
ment. might be constituted, is highly probable
Experience has abuudautly proved; that contests
are frequently gotten up Oh the part OF such
candidates as have not been so fortunate as to
get the return not from any conviction OF right
TO the return, but from faith in the partiaity of
those who have the right to decide the contes, ::
and other claims believed to be Just, are aban.
doned for opposite reasons. In deciding all such
questions, the members of the Legislature vote
in the general governed by strict party lines
Now, no ma joriiy should have the power TO de-
feat i'll that way, the rights of minority. Such
decisions should also be made in advance of the
regular sessions OF the Legislature, so that the
contestant declared to be entitled, should be
enabled to take his seat at the commencement
of the session, and his constituents not be mis-
represented, through, probably, a large part OF
the session. What remedy can be devised tor
this defect, am not prepared to say but am
utterly opposed 10 referring such questions TO the
decision Of the ordinary Judicial tribunals.
wish them to be as far removed from political
and party contests as possible.
am for the people electing periodically, the
Clerks of the Courts, Sheritfs, Commonwealth's
Attorney, and all county ofIicers,as they perform