Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-11-29
Tn. y,rg,n,a convention.

State. The proceedings in some cases, exnioi'
perhaps, the most remarkable political incon-
sistencies on the part of individuals we nave
ever witnessed. Some, who few years ago
we're battling the doctrines Of Know Nothing
ism with the most incorporating hostility,
have been lately urging the adoption OF some
Of them, in their NEST extreme degree 'neo
the Constitution Of 1.-THE S.nte. Some, too, who
have been advocates Of tho exercise Of as much
direct power by the people as their convent
.ncs would permit have now gone to the far
thest length Of the old Federal distEust Of the
popular virtue and Intelligence.
We are CAD to note on the other hand, that
these newborn heEs.ics in doctrine and IN
practice, have found opposition and rebuke
10 Quarters where we could have had no other
reliance than q faint hope.
then have departed from the old landmarks,
tbs people have not.
The Convention has assumed work for
which, We say it respectfully, it's members
were not elected. This should induce great
caution and forbearance 1t should teach ad.
vaeates Of innovalion to confne their efforts to
such alterations as The public mind has clearly
ind Gated its approval Of We verify believe,
however, thu, there are those who advocate
changes which they are assured the people dis,
approve Of, and trust to the occupation Of the
public mind BY the exciteineo,s and exigencies
of the war for the opportunity CT springiug
an offensive Constitution upon them They
think they are wiser than those who sent them
here, and propose to st. march upon them.
While some of the people are fighting the bat
ties of their country, and while others arc lcok-
wg away to Manassas, or arxiously listening
to near the news from Kentucky and Missouri!
,huk nou is the chance to spring political
surprise, and to impose Constitution which,
under olher circumstances, there would be no
hupe Of carrying through the forms Of popular
adoption. A Convention, called to consider
the great question of the liberties of the Com
monwealth, and in obedience to whose decision
the people are fronting the foe and stalking life
and fortune on the turn of battle, is now asked
TO employ itself in abridging, in the most radi.
c4l manner, the liberties Of the citizen
We warn the people to be on their watch
ard on their guard! We ask them to keep q
stri.: eye on the doings Of the Convention -
You are willing to be relieved Of the multitude
nous elections for small Offices with which you
are Tow afflicted; but beware lest the attempt
is nlsd- to cntrap you by coupling evil With
the god by binding up for your adoption what
you rcpudla;e with what you would desire. If
TINS be done, the only safe way is to reject
the whole.
We are pleased that thus far the decisions
OF the Convention have been on the side of
moderation in the work Of innoystinr -.
..,temr,,. L~-e LUen made, but they have been
mostly voted down. 1t was even sought to
take away from the people the election of Gov
ernor; and we heard much said about the
popular conventions and the caucuses under
the present law, and how much better the Le-
gisIature would make the choice As if Legis-
latures have no caucuses and no intrigues -
The Governor, however, is still to be- elected
by the people, with one change only: if no
candidate receives majority Of the whole
vote, the Legislature shall in that case choose
the Governor from among the three highest
This is very similar to the provision in regard
to the election Of President. Those only can
reasonably object to it who are unwilling in
any event to trust the Legislature II the
people, however, shall have confidence in the
this provision is Encouragement
TO the system OF popular caucuses or Conven-
tons, for the concentration of party vote,
which is the object of popular Conventions,
may no. be necessary. But if the example of
the Federal Congress in 1926 is an index of
what is to be looked for from Virginia Legis-
lature, then we may expect the people to adopt
every means Of keeping out of its hands the
choice Of Governor. When the Legislature
shall have proved itself o safe custodian Of the
contingent and limited power of election, it
will be time enough to make it absolute
The Convention has decided to restore the
election ofjudges to the Legislature. Perhaps
On no subject were opinions more divided at
The time of the last State Convention in 1850,
,r discussions more animated and elaborate,
han upon the best mode Of electing judges
rhe result Was decision by the Convention
nd By the people, that judges should be elec.-
ID f,r long terms by the people. As to the
wisdom of this decision opinions have since re-
NAMED pretty much in the same state of d;ri-
ion as before. But this much must hc said
r. judges elected by the people have been
1 least the equals of those heretofore elected
~ the Legislature. Nor have the elections
been made on partisan grounds. 1t is be.
ieved, too, that this mode CT election and for
Instinct periods, Is the best substitute for m-
'eachmsnt which, in the popular mind. is al
most valueless as a remedy for judicial un-
aithfnlnrss. There certainly has been moth
ng to dishonor or reverse the decision of 1850 !
8 to the bes: mode of choosing judges. We
hink, if anything, our present plan has grown
a favor Why, then, has it been disturbed ? !
here has been no popular demand for the
hange,.. and no unpleasant experiences to
nstiiy it 1t has been made. upoo theory alone.
Te think the Convention has done wrong in |
his. ACQUISITION settled as that was, should
lot be re-opened and the decision reversed, as
lss now been done. We can have nothing
nothing stable, If even our funda.
,eatal law is to be thus disturbed and con.
lusious thus reversed without now Lights;
'henevcr those who opposed them and Thorn.
elves accidentally in position to do 30.
If the Convention had left the tenure aud
be mode Of filling the high Offices as they
,.d ,;,,l, ,hoi;,b.d thu snno;,,;. |