The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1824-06-05
Tpu riiE vIRGISIAS
70 he pfopll Of Inplnln-...\o. }.

TO HePfoplf Of Jifginin."..No. }.
We will nov proceed In examine the most
ntomiueut features ia the constitution oi Fir-
gum. aud some OF tie laws founded thereon,
together with their operation on IA. rlghts oi
Alr people l., doiuE which Ne shall endca-
yor 10 point out in what particulars hey ace
supposed 10 be repugnant 10 those natural
rights and fundamental prlnelplce betpfe mcu-
toned Should a critical examination result
in fail conviction OF efrers surpused 10 81
isl in that venerable instrument We shall pro.
ceed IN our enquiries, notwithstanding II Is
shielded aud rendered sacred by the nanes O.
thos,. great men who moulded it into is pre-
seut form Ear them, we entcrlaln that sin.
core regard which tl,clr superior merlts de-
serve aud which their important serFlcc, de-.
uland but Tor those uudenldhle rights OF ihr
people heretofore spoken oil, we have greet
or regard Ia unequiSocally aVoWlng this,
md la endeaeorng 10 promote thor gust
cause, we doubt not but we ARE extending
the benefit OF that great work which they
commenced for we consider our present
objertone aud the saue with their. S, founded
on the like basis, and supported by the same
Immaiable pillars OF Jusuce-the completion
ot the noble superStruclnre which they be
gun They commenced the work HHd0r great
embarrassmrnts md carried il on uudot great
llHiEultlts anu VIC VIM NV tN llia ~. lbt
hn,e more cause to he astoni-hcd nj the sue
cess OF their elloits than Ia II gTt thatlhcl
did not fully perfect the work. The period
has arrived WHEN every ding cousplres 20 gu
uble Us to perfect the system, and It We'll hr
comes all men 10 think oil II seriously and "a
Ak apoE II wisely
That perl Of the constitution which divide
the powers Of the government into hire,
parls-thc legislative, the executive aud the
iHaluiai-Wnl naturally deserve our first at
ttntion 1he object OF lhs division appear
10 have heen II make each OF those branch
Z, distinct in It's functions, aud independent
IN the exercise OF them--that 10 superiority
OF power or any direct Influence should eNlN
IT. The one, or be exercised on the others
md that the responsibility of each should b,
20 tar pcoplr, 81 lnr rs l. compatible with ;h,
ratlre of their duties This Is uudoubtcdl
of urinary lmportance, and, when properly
constituted, and the exact proportion oil pow
err is vested III each, will form three OF th,
main pillars which support our liberties In,
LEGISLATURE Is the only one ot these division
the members Of which are directly ansWcra
bic 10 the people. The judiciary is property
;ndeneudent but the executive Is mere
creature of the legislature. In this brancl
,here is no accountability when in Office, me
no direct responsibility TO the people lht
nature of his functions does not appear 10 re
u1ire this distance from Ne people, IN whom
a,r originally vested all the powers ri Govern
n,ant, nor do they make II dependence ol
the legislature necessary. hey require hin
10 execute the laws; Doc il appear jl-t I,
pivetbe legislature the sole power of decidiu
on the ability or Integrity oil his official act,
e.pecially when they oniy have the power O
filing the Office IN this we believe there
a direct violation Of the principles at this d
vision of mower, aud also a direct hiring,
ment of the rights of the people Tor an
norton of power which either hfanch4po,
.esses more than is agreeable to the principle
of their organization, Is taken from the 9th
err Thus, briefly, we find radical deteC
i'm this branch OK the government the power
not being duly prOporuoned, aud there bcin
a total want of that responsibility which
necessary THIS will more clearly appear b
acomparlson with the constitutions OF the |
States There we find the president indie
pendent in all respects ct the other tw
branches He Is not elected by congress, nc
has that body any direct or Indirect Unfit
ence over him in his official acts; but, o
the contrary, a bill passed by both houses
not law without his assent, unless, after h
objections Two thirds of the members vot
for il ~ is Responsible Tor every good {
had appointment under the government, 4
every office is filed by the senate, upo
his Recommendation This personal respor
slbilitv is of great advantage to the public it
terest, ard ii has the test Of experiment t
illustrate it, The houor and credit of III
man is directly affected by il, md thereb
they are broug hi in reqnistion for the benet
of the public; and yet a very saintary chez
is given to his ambition, or other lmprop'
motives Of action, BY the power of the sena
L Z \r.tl. oft Ia
kind is TO he found in our executive branch
the governor is placed IN Office by the leqi
lature. and, in the abundant caution of tho:
who planned our system, a council is provl'
ed 10 advise with him, and 10 direct aud col
.rel him in his duties when in fact they hay
ic, him very little to do. Thus from one e,