The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-05-17
The Com titution-The True Policy.

The COnSutuLlOl- i4S no o-ASJ'
IL Is settled that we are TO be permitted
% vote separately upon the DISTINGUISHING
and test oath clauses OF the constitution
There is a possibility that we may be allowed
TO vote separately also on the county orsah'-
cations" The main difficulty alleged 10 De IN
tho way OF allowing n separate vote upon tha'
is that it con tains provisions affecting the orsa-
njzation of the school system Its certain tha'
the question can be so put as to ooFia'e ln's
objection and possibly the county orSanlza-
cations NAV vet be submitted to separate
vote. Nevertheless, it is better to consider the
subject without reference TO it.
If we get rid of the diSqualfying and dis
franchising clauses, we shall add to the list OF
white voters probably ten thousand, and make
eligible to Office at least one hundred thousand
white men who would be excluded by the test
osth from the service Of the State. This
would be n grand point gained. We cannot
afford TO permit the opportunity lot such III
achievement TO pass by without seiZinS IL
eagerly and vigorously. 1t cannot he thrown
away because We have not the county orgahi-
cations also submitted to a separate vote.
With the white people free to vote ana 10 as
sist In the administration OF the Government,
we should not be oppressed win any serious
apprehepsion that we cannot at an early day
disembarrass the organic law OF provisions
that endanger the faithful and capable per-
Torrance of the public trusts Of the State
The constitution is abundantly supplied
with means for its alteration and amendment,
rs the reader will see In the twelfth article OF
that instrument. a majority Of two success
v;, 7 clotu amendments
be voted on by the people. Furthermore, it
is provided that "at the general election TO
be held in the year 1855, and in each twcnti-
''eth year thereafter, AMI alSo at such time rs
"Me General assembly may ~ lar procide, the
"uuesti ton, Shall there be 4 convention TO re-
wise the constitution and amend the same
shall be decided by the electors qualihed 10
"vote for members of the General Assem-
bly," SO here we have the constitution open
TO amendment upon propositions submitted
to The people by two Legislatures (Which
might be done in twelve or eighteen monthsl,
and the further authority 10 call ccnYen-
ton al any time.
Even the county organizations )" are not
entirely beyond CONSTANTS that wise Legis-
Iature might provide, while the educational
system is one that cannot possibly be hurried
into operation. Sic gears time is allowed by
the constitution for the completion IF the SyS-
ton.
With the judges elected by the Legislature
and the veto power Of the Governor we shall
have much conservatism. Aud when we add
TO these the easy mode provided for amending
the constitution, who fears that the talent,
experience, and integrity of the State net 10
speak of the power Of numbers which sustains
them-will not soon get the rcins OF govern
Tnent and re-inspire confidence and content
mcnt amongst the people?
Much rs we deplore the failure to submit
the county organizations and the apportion-
ment OF representation (that monstrous mi
quity) 10 the separate vote of the people we
can perceive no reason against II grand comci-
nation upon the "cXpurgat"d constitution
We must unite to that the WALKER ticket and
the Legislature. We cannot carry one with.
out carrying them all. If one is defeated,
WELLS will triumph, and the people of Viz
ginia will be the victims Of malice and OPP
preston for TO man can tell how long. Oh,
by all that is just and holy, save Virginia
from that