Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1892-03-23
For tie SPECTATOR
The Constitution No. 3.

1
| 'Woodman, spare that tree" Think
was planted by Washington, Madison, Frank
lin and their compatriots. Surely there cal
be no need for an apology to enter a plea il
defence of their work which still constitute
the bond of Union and the distribution o
powers of our colossal government
| The report of the Committee of the Hous
principle of conservatism in the constitution
of the Senate and substitute the tickle ele
ment of universal suffrage in the election O.
Senators, and make them directly ~amenablt
to the passions and outbursts of clamor of al
excited multitude. Mr.. Madison in discussing
| the dangers incident to such condition, re
marks =
What bitter anguish would not the peopl,
| of Athens have often escaped if their gov
eminent had contained so provident a safe
qua rd against the tyranny of their own pas
sions Popular liberty might then have es
capped the indelible reproach of decreeing tt
the same citizens the hemlock on one day
and statues on the next"
Mr.. Madison did not unde rvalue an intelli
oent and virtuous suffrage, based on a per
manent interest in and attachment to the
locality where its influence was to be felt, bu
he only sought to fortify and protect it:
proper expression from hasty conclusions
mistakes and the arts of bad men. Suffrage
has become so extended in Virginia, and mos
of the States, as to embrace every man not il
the penitentiny, lunatic asylum, or aims
house While under military duresS the
Southern States were constrained to take into
the body polite as equal partners before thi
law, their late slaves, without experience
education, or otherwise fitted for so vital and
responsible prerogative Those of sufficient
age cannot fail to remember the fearful
struggle which ensued between the late
slaves, differed and concentrated by baC
leaders, and the whites, for the control of the
| local governments. For many long anG
| weary years the conflict was attended with
| varying success, and only recently have the
whites who dared not abate their effort OF
yield to the tremendous pressure of the
| National Governments official influence, ant
| the misguided blacks, obtained precariou'
control of the cotton States. The election Of
Mr. Cleveland tended to abate the conflict by
the assurance to the colored man that hi
freedom is assured, and he may dwell il
safety. White-winged peace once more ex
tended its happy pinions over the unhapp,
South. The elections have been so frequen
and the contests so bitter that the good peopl
have become heartily tired of their unwel
come return, of anxiety, of alterations an,
animosities, riots aid disorders, at times i'm
periling the safety of communities and i'm
mense expense in time and clearing-up tn
resulting costs and damages. The election o
Senators has been, as a rule, quietly done by
lar commotion, and almost without expense
But in view of all the dire experience il
popular elections, the committee of election
officially and gravey propose to bring dow
the election of Senators into the arena o
strife and turmoil. What is to be gained b,
the proposed change? VIII ADLER, wiser an,
purer men be selected at the polls? If tn
sovereign people are to choose them, how ar
they to be brought before the people? B,
primaries to select, or in some instances self
constituted delegates to State Convention t.
nominate the party candidate, who must b
supported as the party ticket. 1t is needless t.
relate how these primaries, or precinct meet
ings are frequently conducted, and how tn
conventions are manipulated, so that after al
there is not that free choice by the people
pure, interrupted and incorruptible. Thel
"the capacity of the pocketbook rather thai
that of the head is Twill be- regarded
as the measure of Senatorial equipment
The machinery of party must be full.
equipped, oiled and manned the party clan
must be aroused from center to circumfeI
ence the hungry party -cormorants will de
mand promise of place and salary which tn
anxious candidate can scarcely refuse withou
losing support. Unhappy Senator, if elected
what freedom and independence willie hav
in advising or confirming appointments nom1
mated by the President. Trammeled b.
promises Of local and personal character
encountered by retinue of retainers of il
satiable greed, he will have little time to dc
vote to the study Of the difficult question
which present themselves. Not only So bu
he must give attention to the local issues c
his State, and look well to his fences or h
may find himself supplanted by rollickin
competitor of pleasing anecdotes and pc
suasiye promises of lucrative places, &c
Senators are subject to all the contingencie
of popular caprice and change, what will bt
come of the stability of the policy of tn
government, or what confidence will foreig
governments have in treaties and intel
course with an ever-changing Senate an
President. The foreign relations must suffe
greatly for want of confidence and respect
Under the present arrangement, if a Senate
discharges his duty wisely he is sustained b
his party at least, and continued in his re
sponsible work from term to term. Thirt
years in the Senate, was the measure of Hor
Thomas H. Benton's record-Clay, Webste
and Calhoun, the very illustrious trio of tn
Senate with many others, stood at the heir
OF government come what President Their