Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-05-07

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81
q -, X -. . n he 8pactatxas
s. t.. ~ Hish sherf2 hity. -
b Mr. Edjfus 1.-The right Of suffrage isns
sdstrust to be exercised intelIigently, and
With Z single View tothe good of the peopieant
basf interests Of the country. No fna1 Is 8,
liberty to bestow his vote in mere caprice, pre-
ind;ce or passion, contrary to what he believes
to be his duty and he cannot do SO without 4
feeling of conscious sef-degradation. 1t is equal
" clear that no pledge, promise or determine
ton to vote in particular way, or tor part
cular candidate, can excuse the act, If the yotel
becomes satisfied it would be wrong. The law
and Constitution of the Country are of superior
and binding force upon every citizen, and must
be the rule of his political and social conduct
He can do no act inconsistent with them, or In
violation of them, without being justly regarded
as disorganizer and public enemy. In this
free Republic, the basis of our. political system
is that o majority of the People shall govern
and the Laws and the Constitution are but tue
will of that majority, regularly expressed. To
admit the idea that any individual may disregard
either, would be inconsistent with common
sense and destructive of our whole social and
political system. .z. "a ~
These are self-evident propositions. and my
object is to apply them to the grave questions
involved in the pending election of High Sheriff
for our County. 80
II is known, and generally admitted, that q
combination has existed for several years past,
having for its object the retention of the Sheriff.
atty in the same hands; and contend, and pro-
Lose to demonstrate, that it is violative of the
Elective Principle-violative of the Law-viOla-
tive of the acknowledgements Of the Of
fee of High Sheriff injurious to the interests,
and dangerous to the welfare of the community
land that every good citizen is imperatiyely
bound to oppose it. ''''
| have heretofore given most of the objections
which lie against this system, but my purpose is
to recapitulate and enlarge them.
lst II piolates the Electric Principtc
q candidate and his Deputies, by their combined
influence, may be elected, not one of whom
would be the choice of majority OF the whole
people. -
end. IT riolates the La,e for6idding the sas q
ofice-in principk,if not in tact-whch declares
-.if any such post or the deputation thereof,
seither in whole or in part, shall be sold or let
.to farm or contracted to be sold or let to farm,
s.by any person holding or expecting to hold the
.ssame. such person, and the person who may
.sbuy and take TO farm the same, shall each OF
"them be forever disabled from holding such
'post or deputation ;"-the only difference, II It
be one, being that cotes and influence are the
confederation paid-Sor MONEY.
Sd. IT cioJates both the Lac and the Constitu-
tion--the Law, by dividing the office, and thus
creating confusion in the public business the
Constitution, by crcumventing its provision to
IL. 80 ttnn
ting it indefinitely in the same hands.
4th Nimpairst the responsibility and eDlc'ehcy
fths office Of High Sheriff, by taking from that
officer the absolute control over his Deputies or
agents, which is indispensable to faithful and
efficient execution of his trust,-for, whatever
the necessity, how could he undertake to displace
one of them to whom ne owed, in part, his own
election, and whom he had promised to the peo-
pie of his district as consideration for their
votes Z f'
9Th. II is injurious to the interests and dan
gerous to the re.tdre Of the community, by tend
ing to concentrate permanently IN the same hands
a Formidable and dreaded po,oer-withOut check
or control, if the Constitution and the Laws can
really be so circumvented-A POWER, which, not
content with present objects,in time may assume
to control all our elections, and make itse!f felt
huna6lest tenant Of a cottage to the Judge on the
Bench
These are my views, Messrs. Editors, con-
scientiously entertained, on one of the grayest
questions which has, perhaps, ever arisen in our
county, and seek to give expression to them
simply from sense of public duty. Personally,
have no interest to subserve, no feeling to
crafty. Towards all the candidates, | entertain
the same kind sentiment. 1t is the principle in
volved, which alone enlists me in the canvass.
will say, moreover, that do not believe the
gentlemen concerned in the combination, have
become SO with full appreciation Of its effects
and consequences. But that consideration, while
it may serve to palate their conduct, can justify
no one in giving them his support. 1t is the
duty of the people carefully to guard and sternly
to vindicate their own rights and institutions
from all encroachment, and from all precedent
or pretext for encroachment, and trust they
will do SO, regardless of all personal considers
tons. a~f e A CONSERVATIVE.