The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-04-05

Virginia-the prolific 'Niother of States and
"Statesmen''-has always been famous for Reso-
lutions. Magna Charta and the Petition of Right
do not occupy more conspicuous place in English
history, the Declaration of Independence in
that of the UNITED STATES, than is held by the
Resolutions of 98 in the annals of the Virginia
Democracy. Pitch, tar, turpentine and lumber
are not more indigenous to the soil and climate of
North Carolina, than Preambles and Resolu-
tons 10 that of the cold Dominion" They are
much peculiar institution in Virginia, as
worm fences or States Rights principles. They
have frequently been her best defence and safe
guard against 'Federal usurpation" and ''North-
fern aggression''-and in times Of high political
excitement, have more than once saved her people
from aSphyxia apoplexy. In fact, they may be
considered, at all times, convenient and neces-
sary safety-valve for letting off the superfuous
steam, that might otherwise occasion disastrous
explosion, or as useful purgative for cleansing
the body polite Of local humors and excessive
cumulatons of bile, which, but for the timely ap-
plication of some such safe and judicious remedy,
might seriously endanger the public health. No
matter how alarming the symptoms of disaffection
may be, in any portion of the country, or of the
party, let the perturbed spirits but once meet in
mass meeting or convention, and pass resolutions
expressive" &C., "of their sense" &c.-and,
sometimes of their want Of sense-and we may rest
assured that the crisis which was approaching has
passed, and that period of convaescence is at
hand. Far be it from us, therefore, to speak dis
respectfully either of Resolutions in general or of
those of the Chesterfield Democracy in particu-
lar Eor fna 1ott ipda oh
respect, and having already published them once
print them again for tue benefit of those of read
ers whose attention they may have escaped. Omit
ting the first half of the preamble, which is merely
expressive" of the conviction entertained by the
Democracy of Chesterfield, in common with
'that of the State, the South and the UNION" that
'we"-that is, the Democracy of Chesterfield"
or all mankind, as the case may be-'are indebted
'alike for the benefits of the past and our hopes of
'the future to the success of Democratic princi-
PIES the authors of the resolutions proceed to de-
liver themselves of the following plain and sensible
propositions:
ave believe the Northern doctrine Of rotation in Office
merely for the sake of rotation, is doctrine only
alien to our SOIL but detrimental to best interests that
since the origin of our Government reward the faithful
continue the efficient and eev the meritorous has al
ways been the settled policy of the South this
and receiver; that to this is the South to great extent
indebted for the prominence of her Fed
eral Councils for that fearless fidelity with which they
charge their trust upheld by consciousness that gener
constituency will sustain and approaching people
will reward them; therefore
"Resolred, That, while do not favor incumbency
without merit the doctrine Of rotation in Office is doc
trine alien to our people and to which, Democrats we
are utterly and unaerably opposed"
Now, whether the foregoing preamble and resolu-
ton are in reality Expressive" of anything more
h.
ways distinguishes the "Ins' from the "Outs,"
and the fact that the t'Chesterfeld Democracy
are at present on the side of the Sins" or
whether this voice from the banks of James River
will be received as oracular by the Democracy
throughout the country, questions which we
do not feel called upon to consider, nor qualified
to decide. We do think, however, and venture
to express the opinion, that in these simple utter
ances of the farmers of Chesterfield, there is more
sound sense and true republicanism than in
all the Virginia resolutions that have been adopted
and published from the year 1898, TO the present
time-not excepting even the metaphysical sub
tl,ties of Mr. MADISON. II is not necessary to
determine the paternity of the doctrine of rota-
ton, or to ascrbe to it an exclusively Northern
or purely Southern origin, in order to prove it to
be not only 10 pest
interests of the country 1t is, in truth, the curse
of our institutions. Poisoning them at their
fountain-head, it has spread rottenness and cor
ruption throughout the whole current of our public
life. 1t has not only led, as q general rule, to
'sincumbency without MERIT and promotion with
out qualification, but has converted all our cleo
ton contests, whether national or local, from
great conflicts of political principle or simple
questions of personal fitness, into mere party
struggles for the possession of what not inapy
termed the "spoils'-a name sufficiently sugges-
tive, at all events, of the page and plumber, the
robbery and extorton to which the system it de-
scribes has naturally given rise. We are glad,
therefore, to have opportunity of recording the
manly protest of the Democracy of Chesterfield
against this great abuse and of coupling Herewith
nm expression of our own hearty concurrence in
the views they have enunciated.