Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-08-08
pICHMOND ENQUIRER.
- S so CsD.Y MORNING, AUGUST Q. 100 !.


w = = CSDAY MORNING. AUGUST o. o.
:, -, linn once expressed decided c'n''e'''"'
=, . constitution would be ratiteo oy '''' "
ori,v of the people of the State. s"i'''. ,;,,d
,hn, bcliet Is the fact thu, The voters 10 , e ,c
d whom i,s ratification will invest WIN w. ,,,
frore ore twice. as numerous as 'ho'0 :, ,o ,,.-
h;,bo., ,riviere of the citizen. II "ou'u uir'S
;,diaerencc ON the part OF the people, 10 pun
% the privileges of citizenship man - no.
~. 80, and with all observation OF manhne' 70 o'
puo'cu" '' .,f tho men in the community will voiun'a
', - .a,oc,Iy after so long OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES a"
equal place, weight anu .'
rest Of their fellow citizens. r,h >,
| No,h;np could defeat the consh'ui'n .N w., ,
o;o,. hu other provisions emb'acea IN H. 50
a ,.o,e md so distastcful TO the popular as
40, mo same class OF voters winch 'nc '''e'' e'e
&c Trape would tend TO enlist IN us support we s'e
Iii, l.; the instrument approaching such c"''"e''
T.; Il provisions of opposite character cal
cp,a,ed 10 render it seriously oonoAou' y a.!
wa dislike several of its features, considered sinsH
'o',' ,,slves. but rejecting that all government Is
~" " ,h,, M government could be Instituted II eac"
r,e INDUCED in his individual preferences ana
and considering moreover, the difficult ana eA
| ,,rs,ances which attended the framing OF some
,ionobe features all now happily ended "h'e '"e
cnmonwealth remains intact, and that those angry u
.ono which disturbed it rapidly suos'dne we su''choe'
rr nersona objections and accept Inc cohs''u'o'' %
whole, with entire cordially and zeal.
i, tho minority in the Commonwealth viii DC very
,u who shall believe the good which the Cons'u''o'
contains does not vastly predominant over 'he e''.
-, m, of view those provisions which wear sec''oa' 80
,d which of course are more less Objectionable 'oi
sectional reasons, 10 one or other OF 'he s'a'e
49, commonwealth the only objections which are urgee
from
oS last summers memory who were defeated se"s','
the State and consequently had little part III Tut
tanning Of the instrument The provisions to which '
,,rv chiefly objects are those which give the eiecohs
Tho Iudoes md Of almost oil officers Of the Stale ana
- nucnts TO the people, II is sufhclent ]uslincoo
of these changes that the voice OF the people anu 'c
of the age demanded them So far from deserving " V
characterized as radical they are conservative III e
depree for that is radicasm in republic WHO" ~
icalism in a monarchy nor that Conservatism ~
mocracv which is conservatism in an olgarchy In
ro..,nn,s,, Of the people, created, upheld and ad-
minisered by the people, that only Is conservative
which fully accords with the will and satisfies the
wishes of the people; and all is radical and destructive
which conflicts with their desires and demands 10 engat
monarchica features upon popular institutions Is 10 sPfeao
the elements OF revolution broadcast When the ~hoe cur
rent Of popular feeling steadily in one dlrecon II
madness attempt stay its progress by governmental re-
stricons lie is the wise and philosophical legislator VINO
seeks 10 guide public rides upon the whiF-
wind and directs the not he who with his single arm
eudeavos to resist it's progress. VIVA, if after the decided
manifestations Of the popular will in August last the Con-
venon again given the elections of Judges TO the Le-
psature of magistrates their junos, Of sherifs 10
magistrates and OF clerks and attorneys TO the
same IRRESPONSIBLE bodies? Their Constitution would have
been rejected with indignation by the people, and the State
been aguin launched upon the troubled seas from winch sue
has jus, escaped through so much danger
The popularity of the government will be its emil
neny popular character All powers and all authority are
given to the PEOPLE AT present the whole functions OF 60
vernment are in the House of Delegates The
Senate is cipher The Executive department is cipher.
The Governor has control influence in the admnIsa-
ton of public affairs than President Of the Board OF Pub
lie Works. which itself of and holding its exist
ence at the will of the Legislature. The limitations upon
the Legislature were few ring. 1t absolute while
existing curbed by check body and its members
ing subec, restraints individually but the chances oil
reelection after its dissolution The election of these was
the only part in the with which the people were
entrusted The State administrations all in the hands
of the Legislature the county administrations in the hands
| of the magisterial Juntos.
Altogether different be the order of things. The
people will fill almost all Offices The Legislature is carefully
restricted Sos the Executive The Legislature confined 10
sessions and the Governor made directly amenabe 10
the people, The Democratic MAXIM "1e best government IS
at ,rhh governs least have been the ruling
motto with the Convention. Public functionarcs are in
general entrusted only with Indispensable powers. We
have no fear the efficiency Of the government in the
administration of our State AFFAIRS from this scany dispense
ton Of official functions But is serious question, whe
lher at the present SEIsis CT ~. "e@aaa
which contribute TO lis dignity and consideration. TO
make the sessions of the Legislature biennial and limit them
lInfd m States
seems impoc and hazardous in national aspect although
the restriction compensated in degree BY the author
~ given the Governor call the body together when in his
opinion the interes, OF the Commonwealth may require it,
In every other respect think the government will
be energetic and efficient An element is TO be Infused into
every branch of its administration which know nothing
of in Virginia officers will be under the ever wachul
eye of impartial and just people, who will not renew their
commissions unless meed by diligence and industry
Appointments will longer be confined TO avortes Favor
sm will be entirely exled and popular APPRECIATION the d.
rect sequence OF faithful public service, will be the only
passport Office That inzGcency in Office high and low
which had become almost universal in Virginia, will DC
known no longer and public servants will at least make
tina. display of activity and industry in their public duties
| qualities themselves.
The Virginia the Presidential election of 1873
For Cass aoa5s
:. Taylor 1920
| Van Buren, 81
Whole number of vote, cas-. a2o9i
Tho white males 10 the State over 81 years Of age IN
frumt lSS0-, in the