Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1850-08-12
COMMUNICATIONS,

TO the Voters OF the Convention
District composed of the coun-
ties Of Augusta, Rockbridge and
Highland.
| FELLow-ClTIzENs: IL Having received various
solicitations from portion of my friends in diff
ierent parts of the District to permit the use of
my name as a Candidate for Il seat in the APP
preaching Convention to amend the Constitution
of the State, have at last concluded 10 yield to
those solicitations, and to announce myself as
Candidate TO represent III part, this District in
| the Convention. In making this announcement,
quire of me that should freely disclose to you
my views upon the leading questions likely to
come before that Convention.
| LIST. AS 10 the basis of representation my de-
cided opinion is that the free white population
OF the State is the only true and proper basis
The intelligence and virtue of the people consi-
tute the foundation of Republican State, as
their patriotism and courage are the means of
its defence in the hour of danger, and mere pro.
perry possessing none of these elements but
| standing in need Of them all for its protection,
should not enter into the basis of representation.
End. would extend the right Of suffrage to
every free white male citizen, who has resided
in the State twelve months, of the age of 21
years, or upwards, who shall have paid all tax
es assessed against him and who has not been
convicted of some infamous crime. No citizen
should vote in more counties than one.
3rd. should favor the election Of all officers
from the Governor to the Constable, directly BY
the people for limited terms. Our Bill of Rights
declares that {" all power is vested in the people
and consequently derived from thcmo-that
Magistrates are the trustees and servants of the
people and at all times amenable to them.
think that it is high time that the prac' ice Of our
Government should be made to conform to its
theory, and that the people should be vested
with the power which is naturally theirs, for
calling their servants to an account.
4,h. am in favor of the election of all the
Judges and of the Justices of the Peace for limi-
ted terms by the people. If the people are not
capable OF electing their own officers the beau
tiful theory OF Republican Government is at an
end.
5ih. am warmly in favor Of the Legislature
meeting but once in two years, and of limiting
its session to 60 or 80 days. An annual saving
Of more than 800, 200 of public money would
be saved, which might be applied TO educating
the poor or carrying forward works of internal
improvement The Governor might be invest
ed with the power OF calling an extra session in
case of an emergency or great necessity
9Th. should favor the incorporation Of an
article in theConstitution providngfor its amend
of Convention. | would require the Legisla-
ture to submit any amendment that may be
deemed necessary TO vote of the people-if
they decided in its favor it should be adopted, if
decided against, it should be rejected. The ad-
vocates OF reform may not secure all their aims
in this Convention, and, as reforners never 90
backwards, they might SOON be able in this
manner to perfect the glorious work without sub
jecting the people to the heavy expense Of anoth-
er Convention.
It'll. No man more desires than do the in
PRODUCTION of general system of Education a.
mong the people should also rejoice to see a
change IN our jury system, which would SUBJ
ject jurymen TO less expense and Inconvenience.
men before the term Of the Court, aud paying
them for their services. But these matter.
might be remedied by ordinary legislation, if the
people will call upon their representatives and
command it 10 be done.
These, Fellow citizens are the views which
entertain upon the leading questions before the
people, but hold myself bound at all times TO
give my views upon any questions which, in
the hurry Of the moment, may have omitted.
1t has been many years since my retirement
from public life, and in yielding to the solicita-
ton OF my friends to be Candidate, am not gov
erned by the dictates or promptings of political
ambition, but by desire 10 see the aristocratc
feature of our State Government substituted by
those of republican character am plain
farmer, and if elected shall enter upon the dis
sense of the responsibility which rests upon me,
with the sincerest gratitude for the honor which
you have done me, and an earnest desire to car
~ out your wishes.
Your fellow-citizen,
PETER HULL.