Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1862-01-07
The Neg Constitution.

The Ne.G CCnStItuuOns
We beg leave 70 remind our readers that the
vote on the adoption or rejection of the new con
stltution will be taken OF the SECOND THURSDAY
IN MARoH next. The polls will be Kept open
THREE DAYS. We earnestly hope that every
voter in the county viii be present to cast his
vote for the aneuded constitution, and thus com
plete our redemption from the dominlon OF
Yankeeism. 1t will avail but little ii we cast OH
the yoke of Yankee men if we consen9 to remain
under the rule of Yankee ideas and Y Yankee prln-
.:--es. In 1850 we departed from the good old
Virginia. conservative doctrines, and adopted
those pernicous dogmas of Yankee land "nicn
have brought SO much mischief on the country
The Virginia convention, rightly compreheh-
ding the genius Of onr people and the true cnaF
acter of the Lincoln dynasty, also decided 10 re-
pudiate the principles which had DfoughV Luz
coin into power. They wisely resolved 10 MAKE
the revolution complete by reforming the state
Constitution so as to make it conform to the
new order OF things. In this patriotic movement
we believe the people will sustain them hy an
overwhelming majority. Men OF all parties are
tired of demagoguism. They see and feal that
they have been cheated and deceived Dy oesignN
ing and selfish politicians. What the people now
want il stable conservative constitution which
will give security TO lite, liberty, and property
Our observation satisfies US that the people nave
awakened to a just perception OF their true IN
terests. Mismanagement OF public affaiis mas
induced them to disregard the ties of party, ana
to institute serious scrutiny into the canses ct
the evils that are upon them. The rough jolt
to the wagon has walked up the passengers, ana
they will now look, net only to the conduct OF
the driver, but the condition of the vehicle.
The new constitution is not all that we could
have desired it to be, but still, it is a vast i'm
provement on the old one. In the main it is a
sound conservative instrument 1t rids Us of the
eternally recurring popular elections of Sheritfs,
Constables Clerks &c. 1t establishes a judiciary
that will discharge ita duties promptly, fearless
ly and impartially. 1t gives greater stability
and dignity to the magistracy, and it will we
trust secure the faithful execution Of the laws,
and the economical administration of the public
DoniesI
The people will also be required to decide on
the second Thursday in March, whether every
body is to vote or whether that important fran
obise is to be exercised only by those who pay
their taxes and do their duty to their country.
In times like these, when the enemy are upon
us, we think the people will decide that every
one mnst do his part in the defence Of the coun-
try The man who is unwilling to contribute
his part to pay and feed the gallant soldiers who
are risking their lives in defence Of our homes,
certainly ought not to have the right to control
those scldere. Money is as necessary for defence
as men, The man who will not pay his share OF
The public taxes ought not TO have voice IN the
administration of public affairs. 1t is not propos'
ed to put any arbitrary restriction on anybody.
1. only requires every man TO Go bis duty. The
Constitution will exclude no man from the right
= of voting. 1t only requires him to pay his taxes.
# any man is excluded, he will exclude him.
self, by failing to pay what he justly owes end
what every consideration of patriotism justly
reqr;rss that he should pay. And here, we
would remark, that if there be no taxes assessed
against man, he is not deprived of the right to
e. The Constitution was not proposed to ex-
ciude poor men but only detauIters.
We hope that in Augusta there will be u
unanimous vote for the provision limiting the right
of suffrage to those who pay their taxes. Au-
gusta expects every man to do his duty not only
in the field, but at the firesde-not only by
shoulderng his musket when required, but also,
by contributing to pay, equip aud feed the sol
diers who are in the public service.