Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1861-1862, 1861-11-28
Popular 4 lections.

iecthohss
We publish elsewhere an able and important article
from contemporary, the Examiner on the proposed
amendments to the State Constitution Such views from
such quarter argues concusvey that every shade Of
opinion in the State leans decidedly to return to the
old Republican principles Of fathers II argues the
general wish for good Government founded in idp,
which, while protecting every in his rights accom-.
panes the protection with conviction. that they safe.
Il comedies what all know to be the fact that there
has been Of party spirit among US that 1t
desirable to repress that spirit that frequent elections
tend to increase and embte that spirit to the manifest
injury Of individuals and the Commonwealth.
The evils Of frequent elections moral economical and
POLITICAL enough to deprave any people and mar the
operations Of the best Government On broad princi
pies, the popular sovereignty being supreme and
questioned and ready to act If emergency require the
less frequent put into action the better for the pso
pie the better for good Aws-the better for freedom
But this point is cogenty presented by De Lolme, in
Al extract quoted by Mr. Rives in his life of Madison,
that we reproduce it. Bat, it is great mistake to
suppose that the people themselves the great body
of them desire to be called upon frequently exercise
their whole prerogatve by eecting long list of eff.
GERS, legislative, executive and udicial-from Cover.
nor to Constable. Judging others by ourselves it is
responsibility and trouble they would gladly avoid, II
they could get the ask satisfactorily performed by inter-
mediae agents. responsible TO Ms idp for the exercise
of their functors The system is costly for it requires
time and money to attend election. 1t engenders
ieness and dissipation and tends to seduce people from
patient and honest industry and tempts them to look
public Offices for the Of subsistence. II fc-
meuts parties-and If the provision for popular cleo.
ton of Governor is retained shall our Common
wealth divided and by factions in the future as has
been in the past.
The Convention Is behind the people on this subject
There may be whskyswliug constahles or defaalting
shcriff,, or magistrates of the regime, who set
great value the quarter they get for trying
who think the present system perfect but the Erai
n gives utterance to the conviction of the great body
of the worth and intelligence Of the people of the Com.
monwealth in desiring total change They desire to
be delivered from the debauohing effects az Guberns
torL election, and believe it would difase vide
spread joy IL they could restored the blessed old
county court system, with s selfelective principle
The election of the Legisaps branch of the Govern.
msn-the exponent and guardian Of their sovereignty
ia all they desire.
We arc aware that there are many members Of the
Convention whose judgments decidedly in favor OF
these changes; but who OPPOSE their introduction from
an apprehension that they would be acceptable their
constituents The consideration Is worthy of all re-
spect But let them give their constituents opporu-
nifty to pass upon them. The Conventions proposing
them does make them part Of the Constitution IN.
til ratified by the people. Let the people have chance
OF expressing their wishes
We subj Join the passage from De Lolme quoted by Mr..
Rives, which Is full of political wisdom:
"Ths following reflections Of most able and pro.
found political writer, who, being the native of Repub.
10 GENEVA had the ampest opportunities Of becoming
acquainted with tho subject of which he treats deserve
be constantly present TO the minds Of a true friends
Of popular government.
Here, also, We must remark the error Of those Who
they make the liberty of the people consist in their
power, make their power consist In their action
When the people often called 10 act in their per-
sons it is impossible for them TO acquire any exact
knowledge Of the state of things. The event of one
day efices the notions which they had begun 10 adops
on the preceding day; and amidst he continual change
of things settled principle aud above all, no plans
Of union have time to be established among them You
wish have the people love and defend their laws and
liberty; leave them therefore, the necessary time to
know what laws aud liberty and to agree in their
opinion concerning them. You wish union, coai-
ron which be obtained but by slow and peace
able process-fobear therefore, 70 shake the vessel
when the people are too frequently called TO move,
each individual is obliged, for the OF the
cures 10 which he Is then made to take q concern
join himself to some party; nor can this party be with
out head. The citizens thus grow divided among
themselves and contract the perncious habit of SUBJ
mittibg to leaders. They are, At lerg,h than
the clients of certain number Of patrons" De Lolme
on the CoVtitusion of Eogland, book H. chap. IA.