Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-02-27
VIRGINIA
!. 4 G. 7 S I, n II u r. r.
HOUSE OF DELEGATES.

Substance Of ". Bryce's remarks an
he debate on the Report of the Com
m:.tce of Privileges and Elections on
Mr.. Douthdt's Case.
He was gratfied in the belief ths, the
decision OF the qnesti n proposed in the
resolution Of the Committee, would no, es-
senti-iiy affect the individual, whose case
has given rise 10 IL, and. therefore, he
cltild approach the point uatrimnel!eI by
the aiec ion, and respect which he eater
til ed for the gentlemen ron Chir'es City.
Alter he elGqIence when has been used
20 support The opinion of the Committee, i,
may be proper, in order to eusu jndi-
eio1s determination, 20 call bark the atten
ton Of The House to simple consijera-
ton Of the nature and purposes of the oath
nov under discussion. Oaths have been
COMMONLY u-el in all nations from. the re-
N test antiquity down 10 the present day.
They a-e designed 10 cab in the religion
a nntu.e to ari in CO .rcipg the discharge
of iltr; aad their efficacy for this pu pasc
ha- been approved by The concutring wis
dom of all i.ose who have contributed t.
the adoption snd improvement OF the ci,il
AMI pJ!.tical ms i'u' ons OF society. The
ubiis ;ticn Of man u OBEY al natural, civil.
ard political Laws under whose direction
he is placed. canno, te doubted. An oath
IS but sanction TO this duty, which the
in:IfTDity Of man requires. The more gene
ri IN IL nature any iuiy may be; the more
remote The responsibility demanding it,
discharge, the greater necessity for giving
10 constance a force which shall compel
q protection OF a common in crest. -
iIsnce, the Introduction of official os!hs.
For va:iovs purposes oa'hs were req'Iir
ei 10 enforce natural. social, political, and
religion. du les III TO protect corresponds
ing rish's Thay had 5eca distinguished a.
Judicial, Official ami les: oa,lIs. Oa'hs
Teqnifei in cnui;s OF jY t!ce are for the as
surance of indi, idual rights; that they may
be enforced, CT protected by The power Of
sociey. Official oa,hs connected with no
liiicai Institutions are intended 10 ceerce
aand pTotec; poliiicsl rights. To justify tiS
assumption ard exercise OF socIsi or po-
iNisal Ti.hi. test caihs are sometimes eY-
acie'; they may relate TO things VIII ch are
vi-ibe; or to actions " hich conce n the
~ eFest o. society; CO to MATTERS of thought
and the qualifications of the mind. Tn.
two former kind5 are within the sphere OF
social power, and where an III pouani
Fl-p &c is to be accomplished, may be re-
qiirei; the last. touching what is secret
and invisible, belongs alone 10 individual
requires that polit;ca, rights as well as indi.
vi5tlal rights should be protected; and that
corTellatiye duties should be enforced For
This purpose many oliici, oaths had been
required by our predeces or4, and should
W. regard it hardship TO come under their
obligation? The oath now undeI consiIe-
ration, - designed for this purpose. II is
not punishment. II is a remuneration o.
guilt; an ayowal Of undertaking aspect and
obedience 10 the laws of the land. Should
not every good citizen feel it his duty, al;
al times. TO possess such disposition to
respect the laws as not 10 consider as a
punishment, the oath eKacted ia some in
sjapces, TO induce him TO act correctly.
The oath in question had been called by
great variety of names. Ii was said 10
be in violation of'he principles Of our state
ana FEDERAL constitutions, IN its reirosp &c
ton 10 seek 10 ascertain aud punish past
iniTactions OF the law. II. indeed, il were
~ this Character, IL was singular that it,
enofmiiy and hileOusness had not present ed
themselves TO the fninds Of tie intelligen,
men who enacted it. Ii was SAID, ti.li
this oa'h was a nods Of trial a statutory
mode OF prosecution. WHAT sort of trial
what does the gentleman from Norfolk
mean by the term trial? In approaching a
grave question like this, ain not acru..
iomei 10 allow my Imagination to hlrl and
fir about upon the fsnias'ic.l insaes of Il )
own creation. Let me ask who can come
under this mole Of Legislative rial; Can
The yiolatofs Of The anti -deelling lawi lie
presumed they could not. lie noder-tood
The honorable gen lefnsn from Norf Tx 10
~, That The gain provisions Of the l,w
We're good. low can the viola;ors Of liii-
'v be placed In sifa,ii5n 10 have thi-
o.lh PIT to him, lie cannot come hefe 10
pstriI .yi'houI ffI breaking through a
s's aiory law OF he land he y meHgi
bie. None bat those not galty we're Ell
Ei'le or could come 10 ,bis tfisi
a nd most singular trial that m13i hs
which can OILY Prove the man - inao.
ceai
Al'ew msto ask. Mf. Speaker, icon.
iinned MIR Bryce what great purpose did
the trainers OF the constitution int end Ia
effect by, providing that none should be
deprived OF life, liberty, or properly with.
%; due process Of law? What is jesivn er