Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1850-07-15
TO THE VOTERS OF

AMHERST, NELSON AND ALBEMARLE.
| have been announced as a candidate for a
seat in the Convention from this district, | am
indebted for this honor, more to the paraty
land confidence of friends, than to any merit
7of my own, or qualification for the important
land responsible post in question:. But having
accepted the nomination, it Is duty | owe both
10 myself and to you, that should avail myself
'of the earliest opportunity of laying before the
public, the opinions odupon the various pro-
positions of reform now occupying public atten-
stion. This is the moro necessary as | cannot
suppose that my opinions are known, except TO a
'yery partial extent beyond that social circle in
(which move.
was an carly and earnest advocate for the
Jcall of Convention. ! was so, because | be-
sievcd the present Constitution greatly defective,
las falling to perform the offices of gool Gov
eernmcnt and as being behind the genius and
! spirit of the age The people having decided
THAT there shall be Convention am now for
carrying out those reforms which | think viii
eiyc us a better government, and all the benefits
and blessings which will flow from it,
l | shall now proceed to give you briefly, but
hope inieligibly, the opinions hold upon the
prominent and leading questions which are cX-
Erected to come before the Convention
The basis of Representation is ono of much in
stercst and will be one of deep feeling. Upon
fths question, have a fixed and we'll settled o.
Ypinion. | am in favor of what is called the
nircd 6aSis.o am in favor olthis principle,
mot as question of eXpcdiency and policy, but
las being lust and RIGHT in itself. Governments
are established as we'll for the protection of pro-
sperty as of persons, and each should be as cfec~
.tuallv guarded and secured by constitutional
guarantees. No plan has been suggested to me
Ebv others, and none has occurred to my own
,;cb, Il, bD Il h1
adopting the "miXed basis This does injury
land injustice no where and affords equal and
common protection to all. Taxation and repre-
'scntaton should go together. This principle,
WAS carly asserted and nobly maintained by our,
,forefathcrs. The principle is the same now, as'
1T was then, and should be held equally dear and
inyiolabe.
| am in favor of extending the right of suffrage
to all white male citizens of the age Of twenty
ono years, who have resided II months next
preceding in the county or election district
where they shall offer to vote and who are not|
disqualified by mental mbceility, and have mott
some felony. | find that some areI
satisfied with, and favor six months previous'
residence. | prefer the longer period of 12I
months, as furnishing stronger evidence of at
tachment and common interest. am unwilling;
that any man should vote more than once in anvil
ted as fundamental principle.
| am in favor of elccting the Governor the1
Judges, the Magistrates, the Clerks, and SherifIs,
directly by the popular vote. This is grcatI
and radical innovation Some wise and patrioticl
men deprecate and fear this innovation. With,
out undertaking now TO discuss this question,
i shall content myself with declaring my firm;
and mistaken confidence in the capacity of theI
people to discharge in the best manner this highl
sovereign duty. They will doubtless sometimes,
err and make bad selections but not more fire.
quently, if as often, as those who now hold the,
appointingpoWer. And none will be more ready
and prompt to rcctify an error and repair a.
wrong, than an intelligent and virtuous people.
The people of this State have had too little to do
with the management oftheir own affairs. They
have confded too much to agents, Let them re-
tam to Themselves more power; let them trust
less to others and more to themselves, and We
shall see IN the results, the happy fruits of such
a change | have found considerable difficulty
IN fixing to my own satisfaction the periods for
which the several officers before mentioned,
should be elected. As general principle e.
lectons ought not to be more frequent than is