Republican Vindicator

From the Spirit of Jefferson.

Constitutional Reform.

JAMES W. BELLER, ESQ.—Sir: I have read with much satisfaction the controversy between the 'Spirit' and the Free Press, upon the action of the County Court of Jefferson, at its June term, in the enlargement of their "Worshipful body."

With the justice or injustice of that special act of our Court I shall not pretend to interfere—the facts are before the people, and they will draw their own conclusions. Permit me, however, to make a passing remark here, and that is that the Court is not so much to be blamed, for the perpetration of the gross injustice of which you complain, as the existence of the obnoxious and anti-republican system which tolerates the practice of such abuses upon the rights of the People and a just and fair distribution of power among them. The evil is inherent in the system—there is but one panacea for it—a Convention to take into hand and alter and amend the existing patchwork government under which we live. To this point let every true friend of Republican Government turn his attention and lend his energies.

The day of deliverance is at hand; the Legislature cannot—will not dare, much longer, to disregard the voice and wishes of the people. That a convention will be called, and that before long, no one pretends to doubt; if the Legislature next winter do not act, at the next Spring election the people will act for themselves; "the direct issue of Reform or No Reform will be made at the polls, it will be the issue in the canvass in every county in the Commonwealth, & there can be no doubt of the return of a large majority of Reformers, to the Legislature, who will obey and carry out the wishes of the People. That we have a little battle to fight, the most casual reader cannot doubt—then friends, let us arouse to our work—let us organize our forces—let us gird on our armor, and prepare to act well our part in the deliverance of Old Virginia from the miserable and oligarchical power, by which she is now held in bondage. "That the intelligent and enlightened county of Jefferson is in favor of a convention, I have not the shadow of a doubt—that there will be cavillers and objectors—men who will look wise and solemn, and shrug up their shoulders and deal out a great deal of cant about conservatism, and chaunt the old, stale, worn out, and threadbare song, 'it is easy to pull down, hard to build up'—we must expect, but it will have no effect. We live in a progressive age—an age of enlightened progress—radiant with the beams of knowledge, the arts and sciences, and the elevation of man in the scale of free and equal rights. Guided by the bright example of this glorious confederacy—roused up by the unexampled prosperity, the peace, happiness, freedom, and equality of rights, everywhere pervading the masses of this great nation—the people of the Old World, the toiling millions, are rising up, and with strong arms and stout hearts are overthrowing the thrones of ages and vindicating the inestimable right to govern themselves. Can we then, Virginians, look back upon our pioneer and revolutionary history, and remain content with our condition—the only State in the mighty Union, where the people do not rule, where such privileges and self-creating orders as the County Courts are permitted to exist? I hope not—I trust not. "The people everywhere—in the North and the South, in the East and West of Virginia—are rousing up to the overthrow of our present institutions. Upon all of the great and leading reforms necessary for Virginia's best interests, Reformers are everywhere united; the basis of representation question was the great bone of contention in the last Convention, it will not be so formidable in the next—the necessity of a just and enlightened compromise upon that subject seems everywhere to be conceded, and indeed the interests of the several sections of the State have so materially changed in the last eighteen months, that the basis question has lost much of that formidable importance which it assumed in the last Convention. The local interests of the different sections are now more united—the improvements now penetrating the State have produced this union of interest and feeling. One need but take up the ayes and noes upon any question of State importance in the Legislature and analyze it, to observe how the vote of the State stands affected, and how the sectional divisions of the State, at one time so formidable and controlling have mouldered away. It is not so desirable to have a large and unwieldy General Assembly, and I have no doubt at all that a Convention would make a just and fair representation to all parts of the State, and that is all that is desired, all that is necessary. Virginians at this day, more truly than at any other period since the foundation of the Commonwealth, can exclaim "we are all Virginians." The vote last winter, upon the Wilmot Proviso, by the Legislature, will act like magic upon our Eastern brethren—it is an additional proof to them that their brethren of the West will prove true and steadfast to them in every emergency.

I promised you more than a year ago, to lend to your columns my feeble efforts in the discussion of the great question of "Constitutional Reform." I shall endeavor to fulfill that promise and shall feel gratified if I can awaken your readers to the consideration of its importance, and enlist the aid of some more powerful pen than my own, to the enlightenment and formation of a correct public opinion in relation to it. In my humble judgment there is no question at this time so deeply and absorbingly interesting to the People of Virginia as a reformation of their present organic law; it has been too long delayed now. It is a great misfortune that a Convention had not been called and a new Government set in operation before the revision of the "Civil Code" of the State, that great and important work, which is to cost the Treasury so large an amount of money, and which must now become defaced with a treatise upon our governmental rights, all of which the Convention will surely sweep away.

I profess to know something of the opinions and views of the Reformers of Virginia, having interested myself considerably, as you well know, in the great subject, and put myself to some trouble to gather public sentiment. I announce to you with a confidence well founded and correctly, that an overwhelming majority of the people of Virginia are favorable to the call of a Convention. There is a remarkable coincidence of opinion among Reformers in Virginia, upon the reforms necessary and desirable. All will unite in opposition to the County Court system—in favor of an extension of the right of suffrage—the election of the Governor, &c., &c., by the people. The signs are every way favorable; we are gaining friends and advocates where I least expected to find them. The "Richmond Times," one of the most ably conducted journals in Virginia, and which in 1845 resisted the cause of Reform with great force and ability, has now come over. An article in that paper some ten days ago declares for Reform, and will go nearly as far as we could desire—we hope to see that journal yet in full communion with us. What say our friends of the "Enquirer," those sturdy champions of the rights of man & sound Republican government? Will they not step forward and urge the great cause upon the people? Can they sit quietly in their chairs and see 70,000 young men of Virginia disfranchised and driven from the polls and all participation in their Government? What says the gifted Baldwin, of the "Republican" he whose ardent advocacy of this great cause blazed forth in such burning and brilliant eloquence in the columns of the 'Lexington Gazette,' while under his control? Often have I resorted to that altar, and felt my heart warm up and my determination strengthen, as I beheld the vestal fires of Liberty, and Equal Rights burning there. I know his ardor is not dead—the same bright intellect still lives—let its worthy possessor then take hold, and unloose his thunders against the redemption, the regeneration, the disenthralment of Virginia." Where is the "Richmond Whig"—what says that influential journal—can it turn over the pages of its "illustrious predecessor" and read the glowing advocacy of the cause by the gifted PLEASANTS, and not feel their hearts touched with a coal from the altar?

And then what says our friend De Wirt, of the "Examiner," will he not employ his nervous and vigorous pen in this cause? We cannot doubt it. Then let the Metropolitan press open up their batteries in advance of the meeting of the next Legislature. Now is the time for action and calm consideration; no struggle for the Presidency now agitates the public mind; no Congressional election will be before the people next Spring. Then urge the Legislature to act, to pass a bill upon liberal terms for the meeting of a Convention in the coming year, or at least to submit the question of "Convention" or "No Convention" to the people at the next Spring election. Let the Press everywhere throughout the State take up the question, the people will listen and hearken to the call. In the coming fall let public meetings be everywhere called in the counties, and instructions given to our Delegates in our next legislature to urge action upon the question of a Convention. Let Jefferson take the lead—let her Reformers assemble at the October Court and express their will—let not our voice be stifled or rendered inefficient by trap resolutions and shuffles from a packed deck by gambling politicians, men who want to ride 'both sides of the sapling.' Those "who are not for us now, are against us." This is a question above party, all should act in unison together; if there must be party, let it be Reform and Anti-Reform.

Another "spoke in our wheel" is the Hon. John B. Floyd, the present distinguished and efficient Governor of Virginia, he is an ardent Reformer, and in his first message to the Legislature will urge this great subject upon the special consideration of the people's representatives, and use every effort in his power consistent with the dignity of his position, to bring it to a successful consummation. I know his sentiments—the call of a Convention is an object near his heart—the meeting of so important a body during his administration would render it illustrious and memorable: and his efforts in its behalf still more recommend him to the affectionate regard of his fellow-citizens, and pave the way more certainly for his promotion to the service of his State in her National Councils, where I sincerely hope to see his strong intellect and liberal and enlightened views exercised.

With this introductory communication I close for the present, but shall take occasion, from time to time, as circumstances will permit, to discuss some of the leading topics involved in the question of "Constitutional Reform in Virginia."

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

POTOMAC.

July 15, 1849.