Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1816-06-15

,les, were analized, and the effects of each |:
Upon the character of man, and upon soci-
al happiness, were expioredand elucidated |
as must have been expected among men |
thus informed +: men whose ancestors had !
suffered under the lash of tyranny, and who |
were themselves menaced with similar e.
wills power was impaired to public agents
with caution, and in every practical in
stance limited with precision. Such con-
SESSIONS, however, were made in favor of
delegated authority as promised to ensure
tranquility and dueexecution of the laws.
It is obviously one ofthe leading objects of
our constitution efficaciously to counterfeit
the tendency of office to accumulate power
and so guard against an abuse of delegated
trust.
Frequent elections are deemed necessa-
ry for preserving the original principles of
the government in their purity ;and it is no
less requisite to that end that rulers should
thoroughly understand and duly appreci-
ate their Importance. Principles are i'm
mutable-and our system is so framed as
to leave as little az possible for constructi-
on. A popular government, destitute of a
system of rules and principles, expressly
distributing and modifying the delegated
authority, and prescribing, as well to legis-
lators as to magistrates the conditions up
on which it is to be exercised, must be
fiuctuatiug and transitOry. The ancient
republics AFFORD a striking illustration of
this remark. A division of the powers of
sovereignty into several departments, the
idea Of vesting the legislative power in
two deliberative assemblies each having a
nft nf
executive from the legislative, with per-
feet or qualified negative upon the latter
and of establishing judiciary independent
of both, were desiderata in the ancient re-
publcs, which time and experience have
since disclosed.-And it is an happiness,
gentlemen, to have our lot cast under
system of government constructed upon
these principles. This system, being the
ordinance of the people, and enacted by
them in the exercise of their natural and
underived right of self controul, Justly and
imperatively claims to be the supreme law
of the state. The constitution has been in
operation nearly thirty seven years-it
commenced in the midst of the war of the
revolution, under circumstances peculiarly
trying to its infant strength, and has sue
cessfully resisted the shocks to which it
has since, from variety of causes been ex-
posed.
To estimate the blessings derived to this
people from our constitution, would be diff
6cult-we can scarcely point toany source
of enjoyment, that is not deduced from, or
enriched by, its benign Influence.
IOnly notice further, among the civil
provisions of the constitution for the pre-
servation of liberty, property and charac-
ter, trials by jury, and the independence
of the Judges of the Supreme Judicial !
court These provisions were ordained |
by the people, and they operate for. and are |
essential to their safety. Who otherwise, |
could protect the weak from the powerful |
the poor from the Opulent the simple and |
uninformed from the crafty and inteIli- |
gent? This branch of the social compact,
constitutes one of its most precious attri-
butes. An independent judiciary not on
ly directly guarantees an impartial inter- |
probation and administration of the laws,
but has most suspicious though remote in |
nuence upon science and literature, upon |
character and the embellishments of taste,
and more especially upon the science ofju-
risprudence. The desire of wealth, the |
love of fame, the hope of distinction, and |
every motive that can operate upon an in |
genuous mind, and give elasticity and |
force to the human faculties, conspire to |
ensure to the people succession of learn
ed jurists.
1t is foreign to my intention as it would |
be to the occasion, to attempt an analysis |
of the constitution. But such provisions
of that instrument as are vitality important |
to the public happiness cannot betOo fire.
quently brought to view, and impressed
upon the public mind.
Acknowledge of the value of first princi-
Piles oaght to be Observation-Disclosures and
ambition wage eternal war with equal
rights and public liberty. This was the
doctrine of our fathers, founded in the ma
ture of man it is the doctrine of the con-
stitutiOn, illustrated by the unequivocal
testimony Of experience.
Virtue is the greatcOnservative ofrepub-
lies 81 and cOincident with the other pro-
found views developed in the constitution |
and az auxiliary to their attainment, that
instrument assigns an elevated rank to mo-
raj aud religious principles. The happi- |
ness of the people, the good order and pre-
servatiOn Of civil government are declared |
essentially TO depend on piety, religion
and morality and wisdom and knowledge
as well as virtue, are considered as neces-
sary for the preservation of the rights and
liberties of the people. To give the fullest
effect to those principles, the constitution
makes it the duty of Legislators and Ma
glstrates in all future periods of the Com
monwealth to cherish the interest of litera-
ture and the sciences, and all seminaries
Of them; TO encourage private societies and
public institutions, rewards and immuni-
Tics for the nrdmofion of a0ricnIfure arts