Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1805-08-28
FROM THE AURORA.
a sssious npprEss

SERIOUS dDDREss j
10 ihe Society Of Friends, eoarcrni,.r fhe
present fsissseat controversy in pennsul.
vania.
a member OF the society Of Friends,
who feels concevned that the depormen.
OF MS brethren should be Consistent and
sPi1gh, with regard to the present politi-
Cal roncerns>in our state, is induced 10 OF
ter few reinarks for their consideration /;
snd he trusts he will be heard with that
candor to which he honesty of bis inteu-
scps aid the sincerity of his professions
tnsitse him.
Ii must be veil known tothe generality
OF Friends, that ain effort is making to dis
place tie present governor of PennsyIva-
MIA at The next general ele etion, endto ap-
point another person TO the Office. II viii
therefore be very natural enquiry, what
srs tho isoiives Tor this change, Beside the
right 10 do so! ibis is the question which
I shall cpdeHvor to answcr with as much
perspicpi,y and brevity as am a6le and
Shall leave it TO the judgment OF those
vhc read 10. decide whether the causes
which have impelied those of the people
who are IN favor thereof, to this attempt,
ore not founded in Justice and correctness
of principle.
The long established practice among
Friends Of settling differences by refer
ence 70 tee cool Judgment or their fellow
rieinbers, having been attended with such
: happy effects as TO produce a harmony in
soc.ety unksown to former ages, and to
prevent The great and ruinous waste OF
time and The worth cf labor in following,
the ,uhccrtaio course Of law suits, the
minds OF men generally, were necessarily
Drawn 10 observe hefresult, and desire
prevailed thai the practice might be more
generally adopted. Various religious So
r.eties a;rd associations of men in bus:
ness. came 10 voluntary agreements To
pursfe the same plan; knowing il would
promote a good understanding among
themselves The beneficial conseuue,I.
ces Of this method Of adjusting disputes
became so well kscwnI THAI large porti-
90 OF the people IN Pennsylvania and cIse-,
where bsoanse impressed WITH a desire
that such regulations might be adopted in
the judiciary department of our govern
niefat as would nforce the arbitration f5rin-
cip'e and prevent the peaceahle from he
lng dragged mo courts of law against
their viii by Tie uasbulrn, ard Iitigiots.
10 IBIS end, numerous petitions were pre-
SERTED 10 the legislature, and yarion. laws
embracing that harmoa;zing principle
passed by the assembly but the COVER
nor, 5cing unfiiendly to II in eyery shape,
hes By power vested in him by the con-
siitniion, uniformly negaliyed them. Hts
attachment 10 the profession Of the law,
and IN .sartiats,y TO those who practice 1t,
hays led ham 20 oppose The warmcst Wish
cs, -aad ID dsfeat the best hopes Of the
good people Di this coinmonweali h. What
was next 10 ne done /? The infisxib,li.
~ os the governor afforded no ray Of hope
that their fayorIie views would ever be &C.
coInpIlshed while he presided over the
sta,e.-~The only alternative was 10 select
n candidate whose principles were more
rongerFal 9th those of his constituents,
who would CO operate with The rcpresen-
sa,ives OF he people IN enaeling such law :
as would authorisc The adoption OF the be-
nign principle cf reference in settling diG-
ferehces. This has been done. Simon
Snyder, the Candidate of those who wisl, 20
adopt the mote OF Friends in adjusting
dispates, has long been known as man
friendly Z that cause; and his mill and
unasspmirg manners are entirely IN UNI
son With observation-disclosures his mind. Those
are the reasons which have inpeIied the
peopleof Pennsylvania to attempta charge
~ their executive magistrate and 1t be-
hovcs all who have the TRANQUILITY nnd
prosperity OF the community at heart, 10
Think well on the subject before they act,
W order that they may aet consistently
with the character OF good and Yirtuous ci-
items.
A. the public mind has become awak-
tned by the difficulties and abuses so pre-
va!ent IN our courts Of Justice, it is also
contemplated Ia amepd some parts Of the
present constitution, which experience has
shcwn 10 De detective more especially
that part which prescribcsihe oreanizaii-
on OF the Judiciary department Of the 60
vernipen,. This is necessary, because
the fraiIty Of man will always render the
happiness ef;ic people liable to be ihwar-
ed, when those IN Office forgetihc objects
Of Their uust, ard consult their own ag.