Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-03-03

displayed in the formation OF tie executive, as Ia
either of the other departments. For this depart
ment, the British Governmen, furnished no model
The executive department, of the BtI'ish Govern
ment, is founded neither in principle nor IN sci
encr. It, origin is OF Oh, Inc right; or, at least,
il founded in claim or pre'exi paramount 20
the ,ch,s of man. Hence, the irres on iblty and
in volabiiity of the King 1t is dene! that there
is 81 principle OF irrespons'hlny O.. mviosbihty
IN nature-and of course. MOI IN science; ana
hence, | deny the as-.i ion OF the late MIR. Al
ans, tina the British Government is the onl,
scien ific one in the world On the ether hand,
assert ths, the executive OF Virginia, being 'ound-
el in principle of responsibility, which Is iound
|, in nature, and of course in science, connected
with other great scientific principles in its torn-
| dation. heretofore developed, makes /, the Only
scientific government in the world. Besides, the
executive is elected upon the principle o ln'erme-
date agents, that is to ay, by the legislature, "nu
not by the people; which principle, also COZ
ceve founded in nature aud science Elec sons
are better made IN that way; with less expense,
with legs intrigue, and with less corrnp ION: Aud
as to the powers of he executive, al hough they
are said to tie nominal, they are, as conceive,
great as ough ever be iutrusied 10 any execu-
tive, under any legitimate and righiful government
whatever. In regard TO The executive council, or
council of state. snail merely observe, that that
branch OF the departm ent also, is founded in the
scientific principle of responsibility; re'hap-
| resPon >ibilty too severe Compitinis have been
| made agalns' lis organization; bur know oil none,
having any Just foundation, which may not be
easily remedied by wise and correct legislation.
| have now exhibited to you. Mr. Speaker, an
outline view of the four great pillars, upon which
our Constitution IL founded, with a more strict ex-
animation analysis of some of its most imporian:
component parts. And permit 20 ak you, sir,
what impressions have been made upon YOUR mind
By the exhibition? DO you no. find 1t tie best,as
II was the first great written. charter of human
rights and hurnan liberties? Do you not find it
based upon solid, at!e, and intesruc,ibe
suh-tance? Approved and sanctioned by nature,
| cy reason, by phl!o-oph by science and by expe
r:ence! Has II not completely answered all The
! great ends of is institution? Have not all its
tendencies over society been moral, and all lis eff
iects beneficial? If so, sir, whs, more could have
been done by the best code of fundlmentai laws,
ha human wisdom could devise? No hing, sir.
All hat can be done by fundamental laws, is to
| INK upon some great principles of truth founded
in nature, and 80 10 apply them to society as 10
produce at all times good moral tendencies. Three
and tv eniy constitutions have been formed in the
Omied y 'Ies, since the rmstion of the Virginia
Constitution and in my judgment not one OF them
comparable 10 It IN point of excellence and utility;
! In my judgment, not one of hem founded in sci
en'itic r'ncip!es. Their great error generally,
appears 10 me 10 consist IN this Eutopean idea,
that every Office should be filled by lie votes of
every man In his indis idual character In conse
qIence OF this unfortunate miscouception, the in
rigues and articles of he elec;oneering spirit have
! eXerted their baneiu dominion over society, end
corruP,edit % IT'S very SO far, then, from.
| improving upon the original model they have be-
come deterioraied in proportion tn their aberra-
! lions from it. These are not propi;ious days MIR.
Speaker, for constitution making. The erroneous
aoons OF he pegiect;bilty, the liberty and .quali-
| " OF man have not ct entirely eysporated. And
oui OF these has grown the great error of ~ otr.n
| constitution making. | consists in the chirnerI-
cal, mpractcable notion, Of max ny man perfo IN
all his political duties in his Individual character
a. being indispensable TO self government. am
| therefore, inclined TO think, Mr.. Speaker, tina,
the last constitutions formed have been the worst
and that tolerabl, correct scale of their relative
dement's may be icrnd IN their dates from he orr
| sInal model, beginning with The last, first, SIEVE
| raj OF the sta'e- MIR Speaker, have been engaged
IN attempts 10 amend their constitutions; but be-
!ieve With very little protit 1, the people WLv
then, Mr.. Speaker, rhould we ini ate such I'M
| profitable examples; and With ,houshiless haste,
proceed 10 demoish our beloved, venerable
| and veneraied constitution? The first holy ark of
| safety erected Tor the preservation OF the rights
and Liberties OF mankind Surely this can never be
especially when We recolect, that, through the
| benign influence OF its moral tendencies, has
givan virginia name pTe,emDent with her Sis
| Ter states. Yes, sir, Frginans Stand pre- eminent
! for political virtues. morals and principles A
midst the tTsthcking scenes Of legislation which
have lately disgraced the United States no one
would dare TO approach Firginian, to attempt %
corrupt his principles by oyertures of interest
Whence this honorable celebrity for the Yirginiar
but fr ON the Uniform moral tendencies of our fun
damental laws for above half century? With
these blessed effects before our eyes, would il not
1 be wonderful that we 81 1uld become their des-
troyers, and in their ruin pros rate own fame?
And will noi this prostrstion be the ineti;abe eff
feet OF becoming traitors 10 own institutonss
! And can we hope 10 triumph, when we ourselves
tear down The noble buIw arks which have hereto
I fore sustsined and protected us' For, trust me-
| Mr.. Speaker, whoever shall form the Convention
10 amend this constitution, will approach il with
| hostile hearts and unrelenng hands, and scatter
| lis last fragment the wind. They will never
be content with substitute, without something
new, something entire, something :. endd. some
thing grand. Ought not then TO pause. Mr..
Speaker. and think little, beore We give the las,
| irrevOcabe stroke TO this SAD work? Can we not
venture afford ourselves lille lime for rehec-
iion? Do we really fear that little time will
furnish own convictions OF our own errors; and
if conviction should come, would il moi be infin-
IteIy better before, than after the Trevocabs deed
| is done? There is no urgency. The people are
! not pressing upon us. Tbey can bear their unpa.
raIleed happiness little longer. FIR, cir. 50 far
as relates 20 their own fundamental laws they are
enjoying more political blessing than ans people
under the sun. Let them then still continue Their
enjoyment. Hr. Speaker, permit me now to adj
dress myself TO those gentlemen, who sill -een 10
be under the influence Of some trepidsnon and
alarm at the apprehension that this honorable bo-
a eli of Oft ii T,s,o