Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-04-03
CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM.

There is little diversity of opinion in this Coun-
~ upon the proprety of State Convention, because
there are few, ifany who deny the existence OF de-
fects in the present Constitution. We conclude,
therefore, that upon the poll books, the column
headed ono Convention, will be thinly populated
Yst, in country like ours, where freedom OF
opinion and liberty of speech are so well understood
and so fully enjoyed, unanimity may not be expect
ed, even here and it is the glory of our institutions
that under their operation, fTeemen are not SLOW 10
speak as they think and 10 act in pursuance OF their
eonyctious, unawed By any power.
The vote upon the question, "Conveniion or no
Convention" to be taken on the 4th Thursday Of
this month, it had been supposed, would mark Inc
line Of separation between reformers and anti-re-
formers and seems to have been so intended by the
Ieoislature We hear however, Of an effort to wipe
out the Legislative line and henceforth to hold,
DEEM consider, determine decide and adjudge, such
onlu 10 be true real, genuine and trustworthy re-
formers, who square up TO the terms OF new pat
hrn. There has been no local convention that we
have heard of, to assume such responsibility-no
meeting of the people for such purpose; asd the
question naturally arises, by what authority The
new platform, if such there be, has been ald down!
Are wa to infer the existence OF a "home depart
ment,n under the 'stye and firm" Of ''Polltical
regulators!
While willing to abide the decisions of majorl-
ty upon all questions of public policy, because OF
full confidence in the virtue and intelligence OF the
people, we demur 10 the Jurisdiction of any self-con
s,.uted tribunal assuming to itself the rights of en-
acting "test acts" reading in and reading out OF the
reform church-and holding up as ''recusants," all
who fail to face North or face South at its bidding,
with sly hints at the "Pains and penalties" Of non
conformity.
10 the views heretofore presented BY US on the
great questions of reform, have spoken out free
" and independently, believing that fair discus
sion was best for the people, best for TRUTH best for
the safeguards Of society and Of liberty itself We
have given 1.-THE senior) an evidence of dslnlerest-
edness, at least, in these views, which comparative
" few are in a situation to give. We refer 10 the
fact, that as justice of the peace, now removed
two wears from the High Sheriffalty, we may be
considered as stalking $4,000 upon the maintenance
of our principles in regard to the County Court sys-
ten, just So far as our influence might extend. we
have not changed any opinion as expressed in re-
gard to the lower or higher grade Of Courts
Next to the mnisiraiions of religion, the most sa-
cred trust which can be committed to man, is the
dispensation of justice by the judicial tribunals OF
the country. Next to this in Importance, we con-
slider free and Independent press, calmly discussing
all the grea,questons Of public and interest;
and have long since concluded that such press in
contrast with oneuckling and subservent, had moth
ing to fear from an intelligent and upright people