Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-09-27
CHANCELLOR TAYLOR.

In examining and refutng tia weak and frivolous
grounds on which Chancellor Taylor justified his disobe
dence of the law of 1913, which required him TO reside
IN the City of Richmond, we considered il superfou,
and unnecessary to inform the PUBLIC of the motives
by which influenced. The question which
we submitted to its consideration was whether o
was sanctioned by the fundamental PRINCIPLES of orr
Governments and we humbly conceived no matter what
may be the opinion of Caro- that the communication
of our motives whether pure impure selfish or dis
interested, friendly hostile TO the Chancellor would
throw very little light the subect--wouId be no ar
gument either in support of its constitutionaty or
against it. We can, however assure Caro- that we do
not esteem any Legislative Executive, Judicial OH
GER towards none of whom by the way do we intend
the slightest disrespect object of sufficient mpor
lance TO excite either envy or our hatred; nor
were we, in criticsng the defence of the Chancellor
actuaed in the least degree by private pque or personal
resentment.
1t is a singular and extraordinary fact too well at
tested however by the history of all ages and all coIn
tries TO be doubted, that man can ever undertake to
point out any existing abuse, to expose the uslrpa
tons of rights and privileges, by arisocratic class
incompatible with the public good, and which the peo
pie never intended to confer but some such character
as CATO, interested perhaps in perpeuatng the abuse
and the nsWrpa!ioas in iattering the vanity or
fobles of those who guilty both of the one
and the other, is at all times and all occasions ore
pared 10 enter the lists, to sustain and uphold them by
that weapon, conceived by some TO be strong and rro
ssable which in the language of the Schoolnen IS
denominated 'argumentum theologicum.D 4 finer and
happier illustration of ths argument (Which is some
in fl,p u
hingng,) than that furnished by CARO-, we have sell
dom had the good fortune to meet with. 1t is com
pound argument, if we may be allowed the expression
consisting of the Petitio priucp, vuIgariy called
begging tine question, and taking that for rlnfed which
ought TO be proceed, and the argumenum alb invilia
ductun, which is either begging the question: or at
tempting to expose adversary TO contempt odium,
or suspicion, both combined, but is principally
confined to the second class or species. This argu-
is in great demand and frequently used by those
who for want of sound reasons common sense never
expect 10 attain their ends unless by employing CLASH
cal and elegant eptet5 intended TO doubt of The
sincerity, honesty purity, of the motives by which
their opponents actuated Our readers need be
alarmed. We do not intend TO undergo the drudgery
Of Rajiug through the first two or three columns Of
CAToS essay again; the greater part of which equally
edifyng the obscure subtle and metaphysical dis
QUESTIONS Of the erulc Kant, In this portion of the
address It's true sometimes discover attempts at wit
and sarcasm, awkward, strained and aboriyc, tie
general reasoning is inconcusye uneuabe and iIlogi-
ca-sometimes too very sublime, and original dscove-
es may be found, that the Government Of Virginia
consists Of three separate and distinct departments;
that DO department possesses oRGGUAL POWER of any
sor-that ALL the POWERS of the several departments
are uERnATtvE and LIMITED modifed--tbat the
Legislature is not absolute; and that the odious doctrine
that 'sovoreigniy and legislation" convertible
terms has been long exploded and the people have
not forgot the blood and treasure which it cost.
We SHALL however, select such passages, as in our
opinion will exemphfy what we have said, and show
that We have done injustice to CARO- Is iustra-
tons Of his assumption Of The question, which he SET
out with intention Of proving, shall offer the fol-
lowing remarks: The powers Of the Government bav-
ing been distributed by the people into Executive, LIE
gislave and Judicial CATO observes, that the seyera
departments all coordinate, deriving ;heir re-
speclve powers at the same time, under the char
ter, aud from the same common source, and neither