Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-06-22

Interesting discussion, facts and principles we're
investigated; the mnst distinguished forms Of civil
poiItl, "a which cient aid modern times furnish
ed examples. were snaiy zsd and the effects of
each upon the character OF man, aud upon socia,
happiness were explored and eudicated as inisht
have been expected sicong men thus Informed !;
men whose arcesto $ had suffered un,t T. the lash
oil y ranny, and who were themselves menaced with
simila evils pow was impaired to public agents
with caution, and in every practicable instance, H.
mited with precision Such concessions, how,ser
were made il, taV iur OF delegated authority as pro-
mis- d u ensure trsnc utility, s,.d due execution Of
the laws. IL is obviously OF the leading objects
ST our constitutions, efiicacousiy counteraet tie
tendency of Office t. accumulate power, and so
guard against AN abuse of del eeated trust.
Frequent elections are deemed necessary for
preserving the original principles OF the govern
ment IN the ir purity, * it is less requisite TO that
end, that rulers should thoroughly understand aud
duly appreciate their importance. Principles are
immutable, and our system is framed as to leave
AS little possible for construction. A popular
government, destitute oil n system of rules aud
principles expressly distributing and modifying the
delegated authority, and prescribing, AS well to ,e-
gSltors as To magistrates the conditions upon which
It IS to be exercised, must be fiuetuating aud tan
STORY. The ancient republics sFori striking H.
instrauon OF the truth OF this remark. A division
OF the powers oil severe gnty into several depart
ments; the idea OF vesting the Legislative power in
two deliberate assemblies, each having a negative
otneri oil separating the executive
nom ue IL gislstive with perfect or qualhed ne.
gati'e upon Che latter anil OF establishing Judi
cisiy independent OF both, dt si,leIata in tie
ancient repnblics, wLcl, time and experience have
since disclosed. And il is our happiness, gentle.
men, To have our lot cast under system of CO.
verniDent CONSTRUCTED upon thes' principles This
system, being the ordinance of the peopls, and Gu
acted by them in the exercise of their natur, and
underived right ofse.E control, justly and impera-
lively claims tn be the supreme law OF the state
The constitution has been in operation nearly ST
years. 1t commenced in the midst OF the war of
The revouto' udcr circumstances peculiarly try
ing 10 its infant strength and has ssiuly resis-
tel the shocks to which it has since from variety
OF caus S, been exposed.
% estimate the blessnss derived to this poo.
pie from our constitution would be d.nicult--we
caa scarcely poilt To any soarce of enjoyment that
is net dcduced from, or iched by its benienin-
hIt nee.
only notice further among tho civil provisions
OF the constitution those for the preservation o! life
liberty, property X ciarsct-r, trials by AIRY, & the
independence OF the judges oil the supreme udici-
al court. These provisions were ordered by the
people, and they operate for, and essential 10
Their safety. WHIST othe wise could protect the
weak from the powerful, the poor from the opu-
mt, the simple and uniformed from the crafty and
intelligent This branch of the social COMPACT
constitutes one osts most precious attributes. An
independent judiciary not only directly guarantees
an interpretation and administration of the laws.
but NJ most suspicious, thong remote il iu.
enee upon scicnc and literature, upon character
ard the embellishments Of taste, and more espe CT
ally upon the science OF jurisprudence. The de.
sire OF wealth, the love of fame the hope of dstinc.
ton, aud every motive that can operate upon An
iHsenunus mind, and give elasticity and force :; the
human faculties, conspire to ensure to the people
succession Of learned jurists.
1t isforegn to my intention as it would be to the
occasion, TO attempt analysis of the constitution
But such provisions Of that instrument AS are vital.
~ important to the public happiness cannot be too
frequently brought TO view and impressed upon the
public mind.
A knowledge of the value of first principles
ought o be cultivated. Avarice and ambition wage
ct, rial war with equal rights and public liberty
This was the doctrine Of sar fathers, founded in
the nature of man it is the doctrine OF the oonsti-
'utIoa, illustrated by the uneQuvoca testimony OF
eApe'ieHce.
Virtue is the great conservative of republics and
soinci eat with the other prooand views leveiopeh
IN the constitution, and as auxiliary to tn, r attain
ment that instrument assigns an elevated rank to
moral and religious principles The happiness of
the people, the good order and preservato Of civil
government. are declared essentially 10 depend OH
p'ety, religion and morality (; and wis.o n and
knowledge, as well as virtue, considered as ne
CT ssary, or the preservation Ut the rights and ber-
ties OF the people. TIE give the fullest eject TO
these principles, The constitution makes it the duty
ofI-esisa,ors and Msyst; ates in all future periods
terature and the sciences, and all senina les OF
them to encourage private societies and public
institutions, rewards and immunities, for the pro-
mouoA OF agriculture, arts, sciences, commerce.
trades and ma uiaetures; TO counteDance and incu.
cate the principles OF humanity and ben VIOLENCE
public and private charity, industry and fiueality
honesty and punctuahy in their dealings, sincerity
Sood humeur, and all social affections and generous
sentiments apong the people.
10 what extent the Legislature has from time 10
time fulfilled these benevolent iniuno;ions, your
journals and statute books can homo ably attest
The establishment OF numerous public institutions,
eounteRance the principles Of pety, Of charity and
benevoleDee, for The encourage ment Of literature
and the sciences, OF agriculture andthe mechanic
arts, eynces copious TRANSMISSION OF the same en-.
ilshtened spirit into Legislatures, that originated
aud perfected the constitution. And the various
aids in money, in lan,ls, aad in valuable imrnuni
ties which have been granted from time to time, TO
the Unive ~ at Cambridge, the colleges Of VII
Jamestown and Brunswick, and the numerous aes.
denies and other literary and scientific institutions
bear honorable testimony to the fidelity with whic
the constitution has been administered
inframing our constitution, provision was wisely
made tdr transferring larger portion of sovereign
~ to tile United States, than had been conferred
by the confederation, and the ruineus effects Gov
ing from the impotence OF merely a fedcratiye
compact, soon impcriously exaeted fulfillseut Of
that provision. In the mean time, commerce snd
credit, both public and private, were nearly ex
bncti agriculture, trades and manufactures Ian.
gdished and the whole country, that had recently
and llusriously effected their independence after
long aud distressing war, was overwhelmed with
gloomy appreIiensOns Of anarchy and ruin. At
length, new frame Of government was announced
aud alter long ard rigorous discussion in the several
states, was happily ADOPTED.