The republic., 1851-08-11


peace cfthe country requires this; the security Of
the Constitution REQ uires this; and everyconside
sration of the publc good demands this. If tb.
Administration ca not stand upon the principle
oftbe messa ge it does oteIpect to stand at all "
rDASuKL WegsrEs's Letter TO the Union Meetina
zt JYestchesisT,
Spirit OF the ConstItutIon or Virginia.
We have examined carefully the new con
stitution of Virginia, and, though we can OF
course offer no opinion upon the apportionmen'
of power between the competing sections, we
have no hesitation in declaring that we regard
the constitution itself as an admirable State
paper. II is sound in its principles, practical II
its details. distinct in It's provisions, and imbueo
with the spirit of progress and improvement.
which is impeling the States of the Union to
IN unexampled prosperity.
The Bill of Rights avowing the principles
upon which the first government Of Virginia
was formed is preserved, together with tn
preamble of the original constitution declara
tory of The causes that induced It's adoption
The immortal doctrines thus embodied are the
texts upon which the constitution of 1850 Is
TO be expounded. 1t contains also an ncorpo
ration of the principles of religious freedom
almost, we believe, in the eloquent language OF
The act of Assembly which established it. The
same jealousy of combinations between property
and religion has prohibited the Legislature
from granting 4 charter of incorporation TO any
church or religious denomination whatsoever.
The right Of equal suffrage in every free
white citizen under certain requirements of resi-
dence, and subject TO proper physical, moral,
and political disabilities, is recognised on the
basis of organic legislation
The usual separation Of the functions of repub
iican government is declared. The Executive
Department is in strict consistency with the jusl
jealousy with which Virginia hasalways regard
ed the one man power. The new Governor will
have certain duties defined by law. He will re-
ceiye liberal salary but shall receive no otheI
emolument from this or any other govern
ment" He has little apparent patronage ex-
cept the power to fill certain official vacancies
pro tempore. He is to exercise those execu
tive duties ordinarily conferred upon Governors.
brit is generally required to communicate to the
representative department his acts, and his rea-
sons for them.
The powers of the Legislature are defined
with great exaetness. The method of taxation
IS made equal and uniform throughout th
State. The great and rival elements of slaves
and lands are to be taxed ad valurem, and the
relative ratio Of taxation upon each fixed by tn
constitution. This viii provide for the joint
taxation of these two subjects, and will effectu
ally prevent any discrimination against either
Future appropriations of money, as we hav'
:. heretofore had occasion TO state, are guarded
with the most rigid caution. No money can
hereafter be drawn from the treasury but in
pursuance of appropriations made by law; and
statement of the receipts, disbursements, ap
preparations and loans shall be published after
the adjournment of each session of the General
Assembly, with the acts and resolutions.
On the passage of every act which imposes,
continues, or revives a tax, or creates debt or
charge, or makes, continues, or revives any ap
preparation of public trust money or property
OF releases, discharges, or commutes any claim
or demand Of the State, the vote shall be deter
mined by yeas and nays, and the names of the
persons voting for and against the same shall be
entered on the journals Of the respective houses,
and majority ef all the members elected to
each house shall be necessary to give it the
force Of law.
la addition, the Legislature is forbidden to
pledge the faith ofthe State, or to bind it in any
form for the debts or obligations Of any company
or corporations; and the Legislature is forbidden
70 release the liabilities Of any incorporated com
pany or Institution now existing, or which may
hereafter be incurred. The Legislature is fur
ther empowered to direct sale of the stocks
held in internal improvement and other compa
MES, for the purpose of aiding in the payment
Of the State debt. Nor is the Legislature al
lowed to issue certificates of debt irredoemablt
beyond period Of thirty-four years.
The credit of the State is further protected
by requiring the Legislature to set apart +;
sinking fund annually, from the accruing reve
nues, sum equal 10 seven per cent of the
State debt existing on the first day Of January
in the year one thousand eight hundred anc
fifly-two 1t is to be applied TO the payment o.
the interest of the State debt, and the principa
of such part as may be redeemable. If no par
be redeemable, then the residue of the sinking
fund, after the payment of such interest
shall be invested in the bonds or certificates o
debt of this commonwealth, OF of the UniteC
States, or Of some Of the States of this Union
and applied to the payment Of the State debt a
il shall become redeemable. Whenever, after th'
first day Of January, 1852, debt shall be con
tfacted by ihe commonwealth, there is to bc
set apart in like manner, annually, for thirty
four years, sum not exceeding by one pei
cent, the aggregate amount of the animal inte-