Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1850-05-27

that Convention he was the leader of the opposi-
tion to this principle. His pride of opinion, his
prejudices, have all been arrayed against it;
yet, as he informed me, the observation of thir-
teen years had forced him gradually and reluc-
family to abandon his fist position, and at this
moment he regards it as the best possible system
that could be devised. Should this Convention
think proper to adopt the amendment now under
debate, thirteen years hence have no doubt
that the gentlemen who are Now oudest In their
opposition, if called upon for their testimony,
would write letter similar to the one have
just peruscd. cannot, however. dismiss this
branch of the subject without expressing my
deep and heartfelt admiration of the sagacity,
the moral courage and independence Of the
statesmen and people of Mississippi. Trusting
10 truth and principle, they fearlesy launched
the bark Of State of what may have been consi-
dered, Notwithstanding the partial experience
OF CoEnecticut) as the ocean OF an unrled expe-
yiment; Just as the mariner stretches on. boldly
and fearessly upon the wide and trackless sea-
relying upon those known and fixed laws OF ma
ture, which regulate the action of the compass,
to guide him through storms aud tetnpests,
through darkness and through danger, into that
haven where all the winds are still and nature
sleeps in smiles.
But, sir, have other and higher authority
than that of Mississippi. We invoke i'll our be-
halfthe authority of a great name, around which,
in time past, the democracy Of this country raj
1ied, as around tower Of impregnable strength
it is the name of Thomas JEFFERSON. His
opinions have already been alluded to by the
Delegate who preceded me, (Mr Ready but
there are other portions of the same letter quot
ed by him, to which wish to call your atten-
ton. sead from his letter addressed to Samu-
el Kerchival, dated the l2th Of July 1916; Mr.
Jefferson said after speaking of the defects Of the
first Constitutions adopted by the States.
tsWhere, then, is republicanism to be
found ! Not in our Constitution, certainly, but
merely in the spirit of our people. That would
oblige even despot to govern us republlcanly.
Owing to this spirit, and to nothing in the form
of our Constitution. all things have gone WE'LL
But this fact so trlumphantly misauoted by the
enemies of reformation, is not the fruit OF our
Constitution, but has prevailed in spite of it
But it will be said, it is easier to find faults than
to amend them. do not think their amend
ment is so difficult as is pretended. Only lay
doun the principles, and adhere in1lerlhly to them
Do not be .friehtened into their surreadef by the
alarms Of the tlmid and the cToak1ngs Of ueok1,
against the aseendeney Of the people. If expert
ence be called for, appeal to that of our fifteen or
twenty governments for forty years, and show
me where the people have done half the mischief
in these forty years; that single despot would
have done in single year. The true founda-
ton Of republican government Is the equal right
of every citizen in his person and property, and
in their management. Try by this as tally,
every provision of our Constitution, and see if it
hangs directly on the will OF the people Re-
duce your Legislature to convenient number
for full and orderly discussion. Let every man
who fights or pays, exercise his just and equal
right in their election. Let the executive be
chosen in the same way and for the same period.
1t is thought that the people are not competent
electors of Judges learned in latv. But | do not
know that this is true and ifdoubtful we should
follow principle In this, as in many other cleo
tons, they would be guided by reputation, which
would not err oftener, perhaps, than the present
mode Of appointment In one State of the
Union, at least, it has been long tried, and with
the most satisfactory success. The Judges of
Connecticut have been chosen by the people
every six months fer nearly two centuries, and
/ believe there has hardly ever been in
stance of change, so powerful has been the
curb Of incessant responsibility. If prejudice
however, derived from a monarchical institution,
is still to prevail against the vital elective prin
ciple of our own. and it the existing example a.
moug ourselves Of periodical election OF Judges
by the people be mistrusted, let us at least not
adopt the evil, and reject the good of the En-
rlish precedent Let us retain a moveabihty
on the concurrence of the executive and legisla-
tive branches, and nomination by the executive
alone. To give it to the legislature, as we do,
is violation of the separation OF powers"
Thus spoke the sage of Monticello The
words of wisdom hang upon his lips. "Only
Law down true principles and adhere TO them in
Aexibly. Do not be frightened into their sur
render BY the alarms of the timid, or the cfoak-
incs of wealth against the ascendency ct the
peopen Let this admonition sink deep into
our hearts, and a way will be opened to us Tor
escape from all the evils that now imrend above
Ms. Who that peruses the strong and nervous
language, the short and pilhy sentences OF this
statesman and philosopher, as his bold mind
travelled over this subject and explored the true
principles of a free government but what feels
his pride kindlea in the reflection that Che too is
an Americana With that intuitive sagacity
which ever distinguished him, he discovered
that all officers should be elected by the people,
and with that independence worthy OF his NIGH
" and unshrinking nature he declared himself
in favor of adhering to principle, and trusting
consequences to that great Providence, who
OVERSIGHT and over-ruleth all things. Sir, the
authority of this great man cannot but have
its weight with the prosperity OF that peo-
pie to whom he rendered so many and important
services. He was the pensman to the great
charter of our liberty, and he was foremost in
uniurling the standard OF resistance to British
tyranny and oppression, at time when that
FLAG floated friendless in the breeze. Yet his
lame does not depeHu ul'ou oiiAAion. ",i' Soe
cessful warlike achievements. The light OF
military glory does not hnger around his tomb.
The civil services which he rendered TO his
country after the close Of the war, III defining &
stablishing correct principles Of government:
nave endeared him to the hearts of the American
people, & have wreathed unfading laurels around
his brow.
The fact that this principle is not to be found
II any of the ancient constitutions OF the confed-
racy, is no argument against its adoption now.
As Mr.. Jefferson remarked in the same letter,
the abuses of monarchy, at the period of their
establishment had SO much filled the space of
.olitioa contemplation, that they imagined eve
thing to be republican which was not mon
rchy" The capacity OF man tor self govern
.ublican principle was then in its infancy. 1t
as since grown and expanded into the full Wig
r of maturity, and it is now in the strong and
lus,y prime of its golden manhood. The Anne