Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1853-04-20
The Gerrynander.


a speech of Mr.. Early Of Albemarle, deli, cred
in the House of Delegates. the 9th of March,
on the Bill districting the state for the election
of Members Of Congress. Mr.. Z. exposes in
in calm Ind dispassionate but thorough man.
ner the unjust an republican and dangerous
features of the bill Fol the first time in the
history of Virginia legislation, he says the do.
minant party have undertaken TO arrange the
districts with reference to the maintenance Of
their ascendency. For the first time has such
an attempt been openly avowed and favored
by party presses and caucusses-and scheme
devised to deprive 10000 voters Of the COM
monweah of any representation in the coun-
ellis the nation. This. Mr.. K. properly re.
CARDS as n step downward in political
progress-a descent for which there was
no adequate motive or temptation. The party
in power are willing to accomplish their ends
not by a reliance upon the popular voice
but by resorting 10 an unfair. uni ust and
unconstitutional distribution Of political pow
their profession Of belief in the capacity of the
people for self government, and the love they
have for free and fair expression of the pop.
uar voice
"The Wings are 10 b, ostracized, they are
regarded as having no right to be heard, and
the voice of the Democracy Of Virginia is to
prevail in Washington without a single harsh
note Of Whiggery to disturb the unanimity of
the united and unhroken Democracy of the
State. Though broken in the last canvass and
most sigually overthrown, though without
powt r or patronage in the Federal Govern
ment, though prescribed and hunted down
through the various offices both here aud in
Washington though powerless except in their
intelligence and their patriotism, the Wing
party OF Virginia are still subject of alarm
and anxiety To their Democratic brethren
Why should it be so Why should the De-
mocra,s of Virginia fear contest with the
Wings upon equal and fair terms Is it be
cause they have not confidence in the strength
and intrinsic merits OF Democratic principles
Is it that they have not confidence in the wis
dom of the present Federal Executive Do
they fear a reaction inthe popular mind Are
they afraid that the "sober second thought" OF
the country will correct their mistake in pre-.
terring Pierce to Scott, and popular reyul
sion ensue which
"Wil come the wind. come when forest are rented
VIII come the waves when naves strandcdf
II there be no such apprehensluns as these
among the Democratic members ofthis House
L would like 10 know why these efforts to des
troy the strength Of the Wing party in Thu
State Surely nothing can be more anti.
publican. more andemocratic in the true mean
ing ofthe word. than the bill now under con
sideraion, and which it is understood is speed
lily to become the law of the land. | under
stand true Democracy 10 consist in a belief O
the capacity OF the people for self government
In reliance upon the virtue AMI intelligence
of the masses, in an undoubting confidence
that they are able to understand, and desire &
promote, the true and real interest of the coun
try. True Democracy trusts in, and relies up
on, the popular intelligence. 1t does not see
to compass It's ends by indirecton, by unfair
ness, or surprise. 1t takes no undue advan
tage OF temporary possession of power.
Expresses no one. NOR seeks to Cypress any
1t respects the rights of the minority, as ga
credly as 1t guards and protects its own. ]
knows that IN free government it is OF the ut
mostimportance. that every man should fee
he has had justice done him and fair chance
for the offices OF the country. 1t is fully a
ware, that tyranny may be more calling ant
more oppressive under the forms of republ,
than any other. fthe majority shall use the
power for selfish ends, and shall really desir,
to do injustice to the minority.
False Democracy, upon the other hand
has no confidence in the people 1t seeks t,
attain its ends by oppression. 1t cares no
Tor the wishes of the majority or of the minor
ity that may differ with it. 1t desires by ev
cry meanstalr or foul,to monopoze all the Of
noes oil the Government. 1t regards all off
ces ooth great and SMALL State and Federal
as made Tor its enjoyment 1t is denunciato
ry, self-seeking, intoleran,, presumptuous. anf
Unsuitable. True Democracy is thar which
animated our fathers.and which,hey beouea,h
ed TO US as priceless heritage False De
mocracy is the rock upon which France wa
wrecked in her first revolution under FER Ma
rats, Dantons, and Robespierres, and agai
IN her last revolution under her Lamartine
Ledru Rollins, and Louis Blancs. The for
mer has elevated this confederacy of ours
aus present glory and greatness among Il
na':ohs The latter has twice driven Franz
IL i