The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-02-04
THE ORGANIC LAW.

THE ORGANIC LAW.
It is now a foresone conclusion that
convention will be called to revise the
Constitution of Virginia, which means
that the organic law Of Virginia Will be
blotted out and written anew. This be-
ing the case, it is no wonder that con-
servative men have been slow to lend
their aid to such a movement 1t Is
serious and a solemn thing to do. Statu-
tory law is not Of so great consequence,
because the Legislature meets every Two
years. and a bad statute IS easily re-
pealed. But the organic law Oh inc iaiiu
involves those great fundamental prlh-
ciples Of government upon which our re-
public was founded. 1t involves liberty ana
those personal and property rights which
arc so dear to every true American
When the organic law of the State has
been written, it is with difficulty that IL
can be changed. The process is SLOW
and if blunders are made, the most Sc
rious consequences may follow before a
change in the Constitution can be ac-
i
ing a. new Constitution for the great
Commonwealth Of Virginia is one from
which every true patriot involuntariiS
s,rrinks. for it is u responsibility That
every such man is reluctant to assume.
We do not believe that patriotism in
Virginia is at a discount. We believe
that the men of this generation. gen
orally speaking, are as honest, as pa
triotic and as capable as the men CT
Other generations. and if the Forthcoming
constitutional convention shall be COM
posed of representative men from TINS
section and that throughout the state,
there need be no fear as to the result.
We think it not too early, therefore, to
begin to arouse the thinking, men Of
Virginia to the Importance Of having the
convention, which is to be held, COM
posed of men whose single purpose Will
be to promote the true interests "f me
people of Virginia, and to carry into Ell
feet those sublime principles Of the Bill
Of Rights which was handed down TO
US by our fathers as a sacred heritage.
If there ever was an occasion when the
office should seek the man 1t will be
when Virginia begins to choose delegates
to the constitutional convention 1t is
said in rroverb that fools rush in where
angels fear 10 tread. 1t might be said
with equal truth that knaves rush in
where angels fear to tread We affirm
that the constitutional convention is no
place for either fools or knaves- If 1t Is
to succeed in giving Virginia a better
Const itution than that under which she is
now operating. it must be composed OF
discreet patriots, who shall be as wise
as serpents and as innocent as doves. we
think that it may be set down as rule
that the man, from whatever section he
may come, who pushes Himself forward
and begs the people to send him as
delegate to the convention, is rot a
proper man to sit in that body. 1t will
be a great honor, TO be sure, to be a
member of the constitutional convention.
but in this case there should prevail the
spirit Of each preferring another over
himself. There should be no candidates
within the Democratic party. No man
should enedeavor by organization, or by
other methods known to politicians. to get
himself nominated as delegate. The
.:eople should begin right now to canvass
the matter among themselves. to talk
about the qualifications of this man and
that in their respective communities, and
by and by when the time comes to make
the .e.,ination the Democrats of every
community should assemble themselves
en- masse, and. without pickering or dick
ering. select the man who in their judg-
mcnt will best represent his constituents
| in the convention.
Fortunately, the people of Virginia are
| a harmonious people. There is really but
| one party in Virginia, and there is no
clash OF interests. There are no fierce
factions here. and no enmities. such as
exist for example, in the State of Ken
| lucky. The Democrats Of Virginia are
| honestly divided on some questions oil
public policy; hut when it comes to the
| great principles and the true functions
| of government. they are cordially united,
4
| and they have one great common end
| in View There ought to be no difficulty,
| therefore, in getting a convention which
shall In all respects be equal to the con-
vention of 1929 and the convention of 1850,
| and which shall in every way be far su-
perior TO the more recent convention
! that gave us the Constitution under
4 which We are now living. Therefore. fell
| low-citizeEs of Virginia. in the name of
| the old Commonwealth. in the name of
the great patriots of Virginia. whose
memory we cherish: in the name of peace
] and happiness and liberty. let us for this
| time put partisan politics aside; let us
| send the practical politician to the rear;
| LET U.S.. as true patriots. select as delegates
j men whose one purpose will be to promote
1 the common veal and maintain the
States integrity.
/ --=----==-=
4 WOMEN O;t TIE CONFiiDERACY
4 At the reunion last May in Charlesto,