Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1850-05-13
F. J. ALFRED, EDITOR.
STAUN ON +:
evz0sseEny Ggzos'msmg, .Wtsy I'D.
T'sse Convention.

The Spectator expresses its concurrence IN
most of the suggestions made by Us, last week,
with regard to the selection of delegates to the
Convention, but says it "cannot comprehend the
suggestion, of restricting choice of delegates
to those who are in favor ofadopting all the re-
forms which haze been suggested" The Spec
tator can hardly suppose we would favor an
anti-reform ticket, or advocate the election
of men who are opposed to the adoption
of GALL the reforms which have been sug-
gested )" for we are in favor of ALL Of them.
The Spectator wishes to know "whose plat
form candidates are to stand upon" We had
supposed in representative government, where
the obligation of obeying the wishes of the coil
stituent is distinctly and fully recognized by
large majority of the people, no doubt could be
entertained as to the pla1form-and that it would
be one made by the constituent for the repre-
sentative and not the representative for the con-
stituent. Unless the Spectator denies the right
of instruction and the obligation resting on the
representative to obey The wishes Of the constit-
uent, we cannot see why that paper objects to
u "restrictine of the choice of delegates to those
who are in favor of F'adopting all the reforms
which havebeen suggested" Pray, how other
wise are the wishes the reformers to be repre-
sented, unless these wishes are reflected by the
representative We imagine the reformers Of
this district will put in earcat to contrary
doctrine.
We intimated, too, that pledges might be re-
quired 10 be given by the candidate for Conven-
tional honors and though it was only a suppo-
stion, we are strengthened in the conviction
that such will be the case, when it is seen that
persons are put in nomination who are believed
TO favor the life tenure or the tenure Of good be-
hauiour in the Judiciary. Such men, be they
who they may cannot receive our support, and
we imagine, they will not receive the support of
any thorough-going reformer, without giving
some assurance that his views are to be car
ried out. We are inclined to the opinion that
the man who advocates either Of the tenures for
the Judgeships will be s'dead cock in the pitt
when the result of the elections shall become
known. The people have gotten tired Of life
officers-the fact cannot be disguised The in
fluence of great names and their a'atiquated no.
tions about precedent &C., will avail but little
q change has been determined upon.
Now, must the people be required to trtst the
delegate and he give no assurance that he will
faithfully represent them-and how can he.
faithfully represent them unless his views coin
eide with their own No-no-the represen-
tatve must feel the force of his obligations, fair
ly to represent his constituents and if he cannot
do this, he ought not to present himself as can
didate. The Spectator thinks there is an incon-
sistency in supporting the "doctrine Of Pledges"
and that pledges given would s'leave nothing fol-
that WISDOM" of which we spoke, ITO act up
on.u We do not think so. The delegate goes
into Convention pledged to advocate and sup
port certain reforms, but he is not restricted
from giving to the elaboration of the PROPOSE
tons the whole power of his intellect, nor of O.
originating and advocating any measure, which,
in his opinion, will promote the general veal
but he is, and ought to be, prohibited from Civ
ing his support to any measure which would
defeat the reforms that are sought to be made.
The Spectator seems to be surprised that we
did not think of the danger of "time-serving
and ranting demagogues" getting into nomi-
mating Convention. We did think of it, but at
the same time thought that none of that class
could get the appointment for delegates, because
we supposed the good sense of the people would
not permit it. 1t was to avoid the nomination
of demagogues that we made the suggestion
We are, however, no strenuous advocate Tor a
nominating Convention-and, as some think
that such a body would not be fairly constilu-
ted, and might be PACKED, perhaps it would be
as well to abandon it, and let the candidates an
nounce themselves independently. Weeare the
more inclined to this latter course, as weunder-
stand Rockbridge is uniting upon JOHN LEIGH
Err and JAMES D. DAVIDSON, Esqs., two worthy,
capable and efficient men, and thorough going
>Reformers.
ITO THE REENRMERH.