Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1852-01-21
VOL. xxx.
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
To The General assembly of Virginia

GENTLEMEN The circumstances under
which you have convened and organized
ARE of no ordinary character. Since the ad-
ournment of the late General Assembly
many, and it is confidently hoped, benef-
cial reforms have taken place in the organ
ic law of the State. We are in the dawn
of new era. The Convention, which as
sembled in the capitol on the 14th day Of
October, 1850, in pursuance OF laws, enact
ed by your predecessors, ''to consider, dis
,cuss and propose new constitution, or al
terations and amendments to the existing
constitution of the commonwealth, "termina-
ted its labors on the first day of August last;
and the instrument which was the work of
its hands was on the fourth Thursday oflast
October, adopted by the citizen suffragans
of the State as the CONSTITUTION OF Vm-
GINA, by majority amounting almost to
unanimity. WhaS sublime spectacle is
here exhibited How strikingly does it il
lustratc the beautiful theory and practice of
representative republican government -
With what unbounded confidence it should
inspire the friends Of such government,
and with what awe and reverence 1t can out
impress its enemies Our beloved COM
monwealth has just passed through reyo-
luton, instantaneous and radical IN its char
acter, operating upon and efecting every
class and condition of society, and yet all is
peaceful and quiet within her borders. 1t
was not the achievement of the sword its
pathway Is not traced by the blood Of the
citizen, no desolated kingdom witnessed its
triumph, and no emblem of glory adorns the
military chieftain. In the first days of our
republic it was ordained as part of the ba-
sis aud foundation of government, that when
1t should be found inadequate or contrary
to the purposes for which it was created, "a
majority of the community hath an indubi
table, unalienable and indefeasable right to
reform, alter or abolish it, in such manner
as shall be Judged most conducive to the
public veal And in accordance with this
wholesome and wise provision of free gov
eminent, Incorporated in the organic law of
our State by the patriot statesmen by whom
it was founded, and recognized and ac-
knowledged by their descendants, the civil
hans of our own times looked TO the coun-
ellis of the State instead of the tented field
for the redress of grievances under which
they lived. The people willed change of
government, and it was MADE; and now 1t
remains for you, the representatives of their
choice, in your legislative capacity, to per-
feet and carry into practical operation this
new system. It's merits were elaborately
and ably discussed in the convention which
framed it and more recently its several
provisions have been thoroughly canvassed
and considered by every section, county and
neighborhood of the commonwealth. 1t is
unnecessary, therefore, that any eulogy
should be PISSED upon such of its features
r as may be considered conducive OF good, or
that tae evil tendencies, whether real or
imaginary, Of other provisions should be
made at This time the subject Of comment.
1t may not, however, be improper to eX-
press the opinion that the friends of reform
and of truly representative republican
form of government will never have cause
to regret the change. The unanimity with
which it has been sanctioned by the people
of the State, it we'll calculated to inspire its
fIieads with al abiding conf lence in is meI-
its, and gives assurance that, en- your part,
individual preiudiccs, should they exist,
will be forgotten, and that each will vie
with the other in the advocacy and adop-
lion of such laws as may be required to give
it efficiency in its operation.
The distinguished ability Nith which the
Executive department Of the government
has been conducted by the statemen of our
own and former times, and the proud posi-
ton and merited fame Of our judiciary, eX-
hibit in forcible light, the wisdom and f.
deity with which the duty ofefecting these
officers has been discharged by your prede
ceSsors for period Of nearly three quarters
OF century. The new constitution relieves
you Of this important and weighty respon-
sibility, and transfers 10 the Sufragans OF
the State, the right to elect the executive
and judicial, as well as the Legislative Off
GERS. This new feature in our organic law,
excited the apprehcnsiohs of some as to ITS
practical operation. But with the expe-
rience before us Of some of our sister
States that have adopted this principle, and
remembering the moral and intellectual
character Of our fellow-citizenS and the
high sense of honor which has ever charaC-
terzed the Virginia people,it is confidently
Believed that with the experience of a few
wears, the fears Of the most timid retormer
will be dispelled, the prejudices Of those
most welded to ancient customs will be re-
moved, aud confidence IN the wisdom and
Il ,tegrity of the great body of the people will
take the place of distrust in the minds Of
those who fear that political and other cau-
ses may endanger the healthiul exercise of
this power on the part OF the people. By
Sar present system. that identity Of interest
aad reciprocity of feeling which should al
ways exist between the representative and
3be constituent will be maintained the Of
fcer holding under the immediate and vol
antary suffrage of those who are directly
and most deeply interested in faithful dis
charge of his duties, will be inspired with
= confidence in his position, and & fearless
ness in the discharge Of the functions ofhis
office, and the people, conscious ofthe great
responsibility with which they are clothed,
will feel lively interest IN the subject
compare opinions, aud elicit Information
from every source. And, thus, whilst the
exercise ofthis power will unite and endear
more closely the citizen TO his government,
it will enlighten and elevate the masses upon
whose intellectual, moral and political edu-
cation, depends the stability of represent
alive government. Whel we consider the
many ineStimab!e advantages which must
inevitably accrue to the sulIragan by eX-
tending to him the right to elect to Office the
men of his own choice, it must be to you a
source of unfeigned graduation that another
provision of our new constitution extends
the benefits resulting from the exercise Of