Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1825-07-05
.risr but ofthelr capacitr for rfectuatnr ih. re-

90 tney not point them out! L know of none.
But if there any defects, they not complete
ly within the Legislative powerf Cannot any al
teration be made by the legislature which public
good may require or experience suggest Ii GER
tainly cannot be commended that a convention Is
necessary 10 effect change ofthis sort. What
then, does this objection prove? Why, il proves
too much Ii proves not only that they very de-
iective in objections to constitution, or that they
are either excessively ignorant themselves, think
you so. Doyou not know that in the Sessions
OF 1873 1924, an attempt made by the
Legislature to make such amendments in our
Judicial system as 1t was supposed, would have
remedied all the evils then complained off But il was
said that the people unwilling for any change
and the Legislature thought it most wise TO frame
such bill, as the best heads, aided by experience
could suggest-have it printed and sent out for the
consideration OF the people, to be acted upon at
the next session should they approve and require it
But the subsequent session approached and passed
without any expression OF the public sentiment and
the bill was permitted 10 die. Could it have been
possible that our legislature could have permitted
session 10 pass, whilst such evils existed as would
have justified the people in resoriing to conven-
ton, could they have been remedied in no other
way, and not member utter single word upon
the subject! Where then, feow-ctizens, is the
necessity of this complaint! Where the business
OF IT! 1t is ONLY mentioned to swell a list of evils
almost wholly Imaginary, and Is the offspring OF
motives they are unwillingto avow.
Is It possible that their real objection is to the
independence of our Judges If this is the defect
for this, indeed, would require a convention lei me
ask you, are you prepared for the monstrous doc
trine OF the dependence of your judiciary? Is it
possible that you require any argument 10 induce
you to explode this idea 10 cast it from YOU with
Indignation and horror! Are you willing 10 de-
form the fairest feature of your constitution
Whatever arguments might be derived, in favor of
innovation In other respects from the time at, and
the circumstances under which our constitution was
framed, they cannot apply here; changes might be-
come necessary from an Increase in our population
and alterations in our habits and pursuits such as
the dininuilon OF our representations Sc because
these are things operated upon by time and ciIcum
stance-but upon the great principles OF wise 60
vernment, derived from a thorough acquaintance
win political science, and such as derive their
shape from knowlese of mankind, aud the secret
springs OF the human heart, we must believe that
our forefahers thought most profoundly and design
ed most wisely. No attempt whatever was made
10 introduce IN our constitution feature of this
Kind No man had the hardihood TO pIolrude such
AN idea ino that assembly of wise heads and viz
tuous hearts that gave existence 10 this instrument
The independence of the Judiciary considered by
them the favorite feature of the constitution and
mas ever since been esteemed and cherished as the
most valuable Characteristic OF cur government
This wish to make dependent judiciary is another
and stronger evidence of the assertion | have
| made that these would-be patriots, aim al power
What delightful thought il is to little minds thai
those Offices and appointments which have ALWAYS
been held IN deserved respect, andtwhic they ne
yer could obtain by fair eXertion of their talents
ana just estimate OF merit, can be brought within
their reach, and can be grasped, by atiice by in
trigue and corruption. The prize is great, the
means too easily essayed, and the possession too
certainly attained to be neglected at this time
DO you want example. Look at your sister
State, kentucky. See to what situation she has
been brought by demagogues Not only have her
own private Contracts been suspended, her currency
destroyed, her courts OF justice Frustrated and pros
ttuted--bat her most sacred pledges of national
ialth violated and dsregarded. Because her Judges
would not unite IN giving effect to a system of e-
glsiation as wicked as IL was unwlse, they sought
to remove theul-and in their zeal for reform they
tTampled upon every barrier of the constitution,
and Ievelled them with the dust. Residents or
non-residents cannot obtain their rights Individu-
ais seeking 10 prosecute their claims under existing
laws, think themselves just at the end of the ex-
penses and Vexatons attendant upon the progress of
the law, when they ind themselves nsupeIably
barred, by some alteration Intentionally introduced
with view to create new delays. The state and
the world have witnessed disgraceful contest be-
| tween the old, and the Judges foi the records
OF the courts-r the relatives and friends of the men
ers laughing the public authorities to scorn, and
outragins every law of God and man--they appear
TO want nothing TO consummate their degradation
and misery, but general resort TO arms, and for
force and violence to become the arbiters of the
contest. This, and even worse, can and may be
your lotif you give up yourselves % the designing
DISCLAIMERS OF the day Ii men in their zeal to accom-
Pish their wishes will as in Kentucky ,trample up
on every sacred principle OF the constitution, what
would they not do here or elsewhere, when I'M
shackled by constitutional restraint! To pursue
this subject further, would be TO enter upon the
Whole range OF topics connected with it, and
weu exceed my powers well as my limits
nope, my ieow-czens, that il is only nece sa-
~ to warn you, to make you wary. have all
confidence in your virtue, but my fears are derived
from tie very consequence of this quality, gen.
erous, confding and unsuspicious temper. You
SHAH again hear from JUNIUS.