Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-02-07
VIRGINIA. LEGISLATURE.
HOUSE or Delegates.
CIRCUIT COURT ELL.
SPEECH Of III. lnOmpSon of .f1liicrst.

CIRCUIT COURT BILL.
Speech Of m Thompson Of .f1ilcrst.
Mr. Thompson of Amherst, said, before the
House pronounced the Judgment which he fear
fully anticipated in the passage Ct the bill, he was
constrained, much against his inclination, TO occupy
short period OF its time, and TO claim that measure
OF its patient attention X kind indulgence which hc
80 much needed, 20 sustain him under such trial.
and which he was sure the libcralty OF tlie House
would award 10 young member who had SO sell
dom obtrudcd himself upon their attention. He
lgas moi vain enough TO arrogate 10 himself the
capacity of shedding much light upon the delibe-
rations OF tn h9us-but he clt that il was an or
cason on which hc could not Justify il TO himself
and those who sent him. TO give 4 silent vule the
magnitude Of the subject. and his own inability to
do Justice 10 il, adlncni-hci him that if personal
considerations were taken into the account he
might iJsc and could not possibly gain But all
minor con Ncra,ions vau he'd before the impor-
lance of the subject, and lac was prompted alone
by a sense Of public duty He felt that it wa, a
crisis when toe Commonwealth expected IS every
man 20 do his duty
He said it was admitted On all hands tlat the
change proposed was important onc- rs it CON
templatcd radical innovation upon by far the most
ntere sting department Of the government. He
asked if it did not bcboovc the House to PAUSE and
ponder long, before it venturcd upon such an cx-
peIiment 81 said ii was easy TO discover defects
in all human Institutions but difficult and deli
cate task TO suggest and ciicctuate saluary amend
inents-thc business OF amendment was not Who'll
w 10 DC neglected., nor HGIllN uIiuGItdhSI, ola
laws had the advantage over new ones of being
better known, OF having al THEN defects disclosed
by time and experience; and IL was not unircQuent
~ the case that their defects, If not too gross
10y profess of assimilation upoite body polite
n the lapse Of time, ceased 10 be deiccts-but the
owls OF a new system know not Of. The work
Of destruction, Mr. n. said, wa, easy. but TO re-
establish tedious & dithcult--thc whole history Of
government proves how di.ncuit 1t IS to retiace
false steps in legislation. III in the every day bu
sincss Of ordinary legislation our best rnatured
schemes and attempts cad in abortions by total
/ lure OF the accomplishment OF our design, with
what awful crcumspcciion should we approach
this question Mr.. /. id, he guilty of no
hvperbofa when he sail the change proposed by
that bill was big with consequences immediate and
remote, upon the best interests Of the STATE. It's
friends doubtless believed il had in store countless
blessings. It's opponents COnscen.iously believed
It fraught with mischief. For his own part he was
constrained to fear that it would prove Nessus's
shit upon the body poll tc MIR. T. said he tremblcd
when lac reflected tho deep responsibility that
rested upon every member Of that House, and his
sensibty on the occasion not 4 little aggra-
vdted when he called 10 mind the mischci5 that
mankind had so frequently suffered from unwise
and ill-digestcd legislation. u said il was hui
sincss, whilst it was infinitely the n delicate,
interesting and important that appertains 10
Cal state; it was a business in which, perhaps,
more than any other, we sec verified the assertion
that "IOois rush III where Angels dare not tread
Mr. 4. said, il was far from his intention TO apply
iercd with hun. " lie were 20 reflect either on
fhcir intelligence Or their motives, he should do
fien injustice, and IuIsreprescnt his own feelings
towards them. lie awarded 10 them most cheer
fully both talents and patriotism. And, as in the
debate Of tho last session, attempt had been
made TO make this question between the profess
sional gentlemen 0t the House, where advocacy
of or opposition 10 the measure, II was Infatuated,
dcpened upon there particular or local interests
Mr. T. took this occasion to.dcprecate its renewal
IL In he
the members Of this House of whatever profession
and vocation in life, capable Of being influenced in
the discharge of their hi2h and responsible duties
Ly any other considerations than those which OIL
giuate in sense Of public dtiy.
Mr. T. said, lac objected % the passage Of the
lin. because the present is not the accepted time
for any legislation OH lIat 5uJjcct-the work Of
reform 20 be wholesome must he gradual. We
have every reason 20 expect that the present year
7yill be devoted TO the discussion ana decision OF
the question OF constitutional reform. 4 law has
uassed This House which ! hope, and doubt not
will receive the sanction of the other department
of this Legislature, which proposes TO take The
sense of the people the subject Of Convention.
Wehaye been told Aat thls s % oc am cSciuug qucs-
tion--thatit is 10 shake this whole Commonwealth
o. is centre ana although nu not one Of tHo3e 10
entertain fears on the subject ! anticipate that IL
Vill create d lively interest. and perhaps degree
a excitement Iuaidituu TO- this the approaching
election of O. Chief Magistrate OF Che Union, is
0uesGoz lLH now aerltts aud divides the public
sentiment to degree. perhaps, uuptrallC led since
the DAYS Of - auj 500. ] would ask this House
N there is nothing BOB these considerations ID adj
Jnonsh u5 rs tIe impoley of irthgr pressing thc
business of reform 90 tl', ,une' J tr4st that The
contests o. opinion au! ctiH iJus ot ,utiueut on
the questions ailud.d tJ, may Do. transcend thc
limits Of free disco ion and wholesome excite
mont iu tse pollea elements oul am unwilling
now 90 jeopardy Tue P~Nlil I' i'4'"l{ ny inc a1-
d.uon Of another source Of disc1sd md confusion.
FOR thaf such ID iIl must prove, j eHuI Cuieu-