Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1869-08-31
THE New Constitution. ,,

|
Under the head of General Candy and Gen
eral Drought the Baltimore Sun of the Goth
inst, says that ''many of the speculations upon
the probable turn Of political affairs in Virginia
go upon the exploded theory that the people OF
| the State have an indefeasible right to choose
their own form Of government This is a
fundamental mistake. General Candy is the
only constitution of Virginia. Candy is its Or
ganlc law. Candy exercises supreme power as
a right. Candy is the depository of all author
ity, and THERE'S no provision inherent in him
Tor his own amendment. IF Candy could be
submitted to the people for adoption, rejection
or modification, we should iketeo see the re-
suit The voice of Candy is the supreme law
In the Old Dominion. Candy is not restraied
by precedents; in military despotism there
can be no law or precedent. Candy creates a
precedent or destroys one, as circumstances re-
qulre. Candy appoints his agents and repre-
sentatives, uone of whom are held to a strict
account for their action. Candy is the Legis-
lature, the Judiciary, and the Executive la
this way Candy provides for the common de-
fence, promotes the general welfare, and secures
the blessings of domestic tranquility. No one
denies that he is the source of political power,
that government was constituted for his good,
and that his acts are above all judgment or re-
view. There is neither failure nor disappont-
ment in the government of Candy He is the
Resolution of '9S and 80 and the Alien and
Sedition Law in one person. He is the Bill of
Rights, the Revised Code. the Statutes at Large
the Lea Scripta, the Lee non .Scr;pta, the
Court of Appeals, the Circuit Court, the
Superior Court. the County Court. the Common
Council, the Justices of the Peace, the Police
men and Constables, the Overseer of the Poor
and Superintendent of the Penitentiary. There
never was as cheap and efficient an organization
as Candy. The people of Virginia we're put 10
10 expense lii the formation Of that constitution.
The band of iron which holds them in their az
ed position, the infexible instrument which
places limit upon thought, speech, voting,
progress and improvement In district No. l.
which exhausts its people of all their nervous
energy and hope, was not of their own fabrica-
ting, and has cost them nothing except their
political and civil franchises, which, In this era
OF civilization, have been made so common else
where as to be supposed to have little appreci-
able value
SIT is natural that the Constitution Canby.
absorbent of all other things, should absorb the
whole attention Of the people of Virginia Not
until lately has rival arisen to dispute his
place in their regards. This competitor is the
terrific dry spell, which is making the physical
condition OF Virginia type of her prostration
as State General Drought is fast throwing
General Candy into shade Political considera-
tons are subjected to the subject of breadstu8s
After all. the physical constitution is more i'm
portant than the political Men often owe 70
nature the blessings which they attribute to
system Of government. Where haryests are
wages good, and mattel l prosperity
prevails, men can tolerate almost any form of
authority. But when the earth fails to yield
1er increase, even, military rulers cease to he
objects OF interest. Let Us hope tha, refresh
ng rains will yet reyiivifl, the parched vegeta-
ION, and that kiRdlier impulses on the part of /
he government will permit some political veg. |
station to terminate and sprout in Virginia. if |
'nly to give picturesque variety to. .he grim
md solitary structure of the Candy constitu-
;or