Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-02-13

ngs of every honest heart all revolt again., this
ouious legacy OF ages past away, and unworthy of
inc influence they yet possess minds that should
OF urn enough to spurn their trammes. The transit
uof III AL respects,is natural from imprisonment for
deot, To Imprisonment for crime, and our who
scneine OF conhnng those who owe money, with
those who steal t--pctty defnquents with hardened
Offenders admirably calculated TO convert the inno-
cent INTO criminals and TO give to criminals all the
accomplishments which jail education can bes.ow
Ns useless, however, to press this subject. You,
gentlemen, agree with me in the opinion, that a
s'cat change is necessary-policy, economy and ph-
lanthropy--the successful experiments of our sister
states, the commencement of the establishment bv
your predecessors the expense already incurred all
iorbid that the Penrentiary system should now be
abandoned.
cannot omit again and again to denounce TO
you The vexation, ruin, and oppression, brought
upon the community, by permitting judicial officers
10 charge the parties litgant, for the part
the poor and the ignorant, fees for the servi-
ces they render. justice Of the peace ought tu
be, as his title would to indicate, MEDIATOR
common frend-he ought to use his influence and
ms station to accommodate disputes-to settle ami
cabiy controversies which arise in his neighbour
mood: and may not this be effected? Can il be be-
eved, II appointed in sufficient numbers, to prevens
her duties nom becoming burthen, that any vir-
uous and intelligent citizen would refuse 10 act gra-
tuitously in this then honorable office. am not
oealhg III mere speculation-in Virginia and some
o.her states this Is done high-minded magistrates
Usuaih 70 require pecuniary compensation for adj
mlnisteiing 80 the poor that law and Justice which
our constitutions declare shall not be sold or de-
nied-and surely all our best feelings must be en-
hstcd against an unnatural system which refuses
right to the INDECENT until it is purchased, whilst
II Is given to the opulcnt, and paid for out of
common fund, TO which no part of the community is
excused from contributing. In this city and in some
OF the smaller towns, it might be difficult to find per-
sons whose avocations would permit them to give I'M
their time to the business Of Others In these cases
1t light be made the duty of the parish Judges or of
special courts, paid as other courts are attend in
public and Fat regular sttings, to the subjects now
confided to the justices of the peace"
But to conclude this topic and to sum nm in one
ennooiing word, countless sources of happiness and
exuitatation, Americans citizens of the nm
~ Tree, peaceful and enlightened government on
eanh-Europe, if she be not sunk too low TO excite
1eehnS, can only be viewed with abhorrence-Tbe
war which has ragged, or haply RACES STILL is the
most atrocous that defiles the bood-saned pace of
history. Spain, miserable Spain, subject of old to
me domination of fierce invaders, or what is worse
to the tyranny of her despots, and inuusitors.
mad 1t was hoped "absolved her fated roundn and
reached the end OF long but inglorious life. Re-
generated, born again, she seemed to commence a
new existence, illustrated with great and brilliant
achievements Calling to mind her deeds of herois,n
though few indeed and far between and arm;no her
modern Cids with native STEEL she met the greatest
captain OF the age i'll battle fought and conquered
And can it be will she now submit to the lowest
OF all Illumination, the meanest of all disprace-
shall her traitors, her modern Judas aoain deliver
her over TO worse than Moorish bondage? Had she
yieideo 10 him, whose eagles spread their triumpb
ant wings over distant and warlike nations she
might nave found some consolation in the grandeur
and magnincence other foe; but him she successful
iy opposed-overthrew the giants of combat. in
ScrutlDie event. TO hef0 NJ, m
IS indeed to drain the cup of misery to the dreps 10
be spurned by the ignoble beast of the fableSAnd
rance degenerate France, the friend of free
dom d OF man, now "fallen from her high estateo &
STOPPING to act the deSpots readiest tool in binding
chains on those who OF like herself wear them,
lightly and shamelessly before the scornf,l GLANCE
and whitening scow of the votaries of liberty doubt
ing her former virtue, and despising her present
groyeiing debasencnt. But still there is a peonle.
IN Europe too admit, which commands orr warm,
est sympathy-Greece, once the seat of gods, and
god-like men, breaks through the dark Y;ebt j.,
which she has long been drugged in deepest sleen
The trophies of Miiitades will let her sleen nc.
more SHE boldly strikes for the enjoyment of this
our glorious era, with its political and moral Truths
more worthy of admiration, than, even tina. ca
did, which once was all her own. MAY her banners
wave triumphant DER her inspiring fields and b;Ils
ana streams, and groves and Of yore mere rods
suthced to chase host of slaves so rnnv The n.r,
and memories OF her mighty dead strike terror
through the barbarous horles which dare nou,e ho
soil.
Were the wretcbed populace of Western Eurone
alone concerned in the conduct of their masters
whether monarch, priest, or noble. we might be con-
tent to bestow in silence on the one and the other
our pity and contempt; but none, but the wIfullv
blind, can avoid seeing, that the war of the nrezent
time, is "a war not of ambition, hut of principle--
directed with deadly aim against free government.
wherever 1t exists and although the sword is not
yet drawn against ourselves, the heralds announce
hostility. The cloud is dark III the distance. and
whether the bolt be sped, depends ON its power to
reach us For are We not already told that orr
neighbors, on this continent of America are TO no
brou7 1t within the pale of legitimate government.
through the tender merces of an unhoIv hand of
crowned conspirators9 If this be so-apd we stand
aione-an Oasis in the otherwise deser, world-a
IcProach to the demons of destruction, which shall
nave so far prevailed will Sc the daily beauty in
our ilfe, which makes them ugy,r prove protecti-
on or shall ave not rather, be considered as the
sole remaining bead Of the hydra, TO be Iopped off
that the Hercules of dcspotism may rest from their
labours."
House Of Representatives., January 10.
THE TARIFF BILL.
I..gfs Ill.,,