South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1871-08-11

Perlence ana circumstances require may be
complied with fully an. effectually. Tho
efficiency Of Pubic Scioot system can be
rested safely on no other basis. The lust
E9'tiafioa Of D0icer 10 ccasresct or creute n
.Stdte ,leJt ought to be carefully designed.
(for whatever meritorious objects the debt
may be Intended } since nothing can more
greatly endanger or iujuriously affect the
future OF our young, rising, prosperous State,
than q too great ItcjiifV IA the creation, Or
Gcc' elton Of Pubic debt
There is one other topic of vast, momen-
tous consideration in the essential reforma.
tion of our State Constitution, deserving the
profound reflection aud most anxious soil
citude OF all the people. History but re.
peating itself mournfully teaches every
where the aggressive tendency aud eupidity
of poirer, whether reposed in one or in the
hydra headed multitude, and represents
world wide, iDterminable conflict waeed be-
tween Oppression and its victims or now
and then successful opposers. Let us be-
iieve that ifunder our form of Government.
the political rights Of the majority are 10 be
enjoyed, those Of the minority are to be CON
served and righteously protected. Until
this High Political Theorem be written nm
on the page of the Constitution, in fair
and permanent characters, and the safe
guards of minority rights clearly, accurate.
~, honestly defined, Repubiican, Repre-
sentative Government will fail Of it's prime
object-''to secure tic greatest Happiness
To the greatest number" HJustice IN all
Dot hindered and not delayed" should be
the cardinal maxim of any free, enlighten-
cd, liberal government Ny education asa
States Rights Democrat of the straitcst
sect admits of no {utitudindijan construc.
ton of Constitution, while it, at the same
tune, firmly holds that Political Rights are
not mere rictorS' spoi}s, but rights inaliena-
bic, of you, of me, of all men whose living
breasts the broad Hlgis of that Constitution
should cover and defend
To conceive properly of Constitution. il
is the Charter of Civil and Political Rights ::
its enjoyments those of "L,fe, LiIertV and
the Pursuit Of Hoppiness.' Perspicuous
yet concise, in style, using no idle words or
worthless ornaments, it should indeed be
the summation of Organic Law essential to
the peoples safety, honour, prosperity and
happiness, whose liberality Of tone. mode
rated by deliberate wisdom. should be re-
fected in the legislation of the State.
Those who may be properly selected for
task so responsible and imposing, arc
scarcely to be found in the class Of our eve
~ day professod politicians-these will no
doubt look to seats In a Constitutional Con-
vention so much Political Spells but
only IN that other class Of men whose minds
have grasped the vast and various resources
of liberal learning, the philosophy and par
allclism of History, and the Science of Go
vcrnment, and been so practiced in severe
exercises of abstract thought. examination
and logical elimination that they have come
to be alembics through which truth passes
pure and plrged of every grain of error
10 such men, wherever and Whenever found
We may conhdc representation of tho people
in a Constitutional Convention. intended To
secure the Political and Civil Rights Of
ourselves and our posterity. The strength.
the durability Of human labour not less Of
the brain than Of the hands, consist not
more in the excellence Of material used.
than in the cunning skill Of those employ
ed in the construction.
If the views here presented, hurried, su.
pcrficid aud desultary though they may an
pear, serve as ojdS 10 rcHecfion, on the great
subject now before our people, my only
wish, 10 thus far complying with a request
addressed to me through your columns, will
be entirely gratilied.
10 conclusion, let Us acknowledge the
common duty Of ourselves and all true pa
triots to promote by every just and honour
able means the success Of Constitutional
Convention, and fervenliy to implore Heav-
en- for It's propitious issue in State Con
stitution that shall best make md kecp men
free whose blessings may crown our days
and continue to a grateful, happy, remote
posierity l am, very respectfully, yours,
AND. w. .KERCUEV