Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1829-05-21

Ihave employed language unsuitaole for pub
lie paper, let the example of high Judicial dig
nitary, and the manner In which | have been
aggrieved he, TO them, nv apoiogt. NO matter
how poor a may be. his character aud feel
ings are dear 80 him WM NJ. RlpES
May 30, 1929.
ia e,Frefholders ofthe eounty Of Bedford.
Having the support Of ma joriiy of my conn
~ TO seat in the Convention, and ioresee-
ing snail not have an opportunity for per
sonal communication with some of you, take
his mode OF presenting 10 yon same of the
Considerations and opinions by which shall
probably be governed IL charged with the i'm.
portant duty OF taking part in ihe effort to a
N and our State Constitution.
If elected | shall avail m, selfof all he lights
which the deliberations of that bady may pro-
duce. Who shall command the purse and
WELD the sword, is the most lmportan, qnes
ton TO be decided. Connected with this are
the interesting quesi,oHs--Hho shall enjoy the
right of suffrage And on what oasis shall re-
presentation be fixed Political power should
be- n responsible hands and be exercised by
those who cannot make rod for others, which
does not affect Themselves. lagree tha!the right
OF suffrage ought 10 b. extended. But, shall
The agIiculturisis, who support the whole com
munmy by their labors, put to hazard their in
who have 90 immediate coucern IN project.
ing the iaierest ofthe liler of the earth TIE
owner of the soil aud the grower OF the crop
have community and permarency of in crest
giving them n right 20 suffrage and ruiz: SO
have all men who by their pursuits in lifr are
locally fastened and must remain IN their pIa-
ces and answer the calls Of their country upon
chem. Stopping short of this would exclude
from political power, many valuable men
-.
evil. The poorest man. who has this connex-
ion with society, should have the same power
as the richest landbolders because the poor
man all is as dear TO him as the rich mans
abundance. Many talk of personal rights and
derive them from hedrgn but, OF " hat use are
our personal rights it We may not employ euI
faculties in the pursuit aud enjoyment of pro
perry Ifnumbers be the only basis of yuie,
what guard have we that those who may have
the power will moi use II WITHOUT regard TO jus
tlcei and especially to the prejudice OF he cu-
sivators of the earth VIII they give const
iuiional assurances We,woud not lead them
into temptation. II it be asked what gnaraa
~ they have that their personal rights will be
maintained? The voice OF more than half a
century answers the ques ion
The legislation of This commonwealth from
IFS foundation, defying the most usiute effort to
designate Law discriminating between the
two classes and injuriousy to the rights OF
those who now claim the rnle--farnishes he
pledge. But, if the power Of taxing property
be based exclusively upon numbers, is il not
PLAIN that The agrlculturist below thc noun
'ains holds his property AT the viii of the men
above II is known, that, with reference 10
the schemes OF improvement, they levy taxes
freely. Why? They contribute about one
ipaf'h-Ue pay three fOurth,--and in the dis
nurseinent they take three fonTihs L leave us one
WIN yoa give them this pernicious powers
she great question you are now cailrd upon 10 !
decide Oar brethren of the north claim !
through the Tariff protection for heir manu.
factu es-onr State brethren Of the West mat !
heir Country be improved aud, with IA view
to this end, seek to place The power to lux in
those who do moi pay. The country. East OF |
Che mountains, has suffered much-and If the |
Designs now developing be executed. mus, suffer
more from their twofold action
sregard the Bill OF Rights of Virginia, as the |
grand depository of he best principles Jf go
Vernment, aud as the invaluable legacy of
tne nnres patriots II is expedient, | think, |
the legislative power should be vested
:" TWO bodeS-.ne one sufficiently Du-
,'herous and not more than sufficiently so, to
hno" and be known By The peope--the other.
numerous enough 10 secure to lis deliberations
caution, wisdom, and re,peClabiiity. Under
me operation ofths principle, the one house
mould consist OF 81 or 100 members, the other |
nf30 or 20. !
IT'S not right. it is unsafe, that the legisla- |
Vufe or any other funclionaries of the -overn-
n'en' should have authority 10 increase, during |
tdfir continuance in Office, THEN own official e.
monuments
A"e Independence Of the Judiciary is, with !
"e, cardinal point in goycrnment II is e. !
STu',y important, that Judges he responsi ble.-
-"er independence is essential to the proiec- |
n'm OF the righ's OF persons and pfoperty, as
zen against the attacks Of unconstitutional !
.s.s,a'ion as Of private force and fraud Ju-
responsibility IS necessary TO secure a |
9ssness-noing character IN the body without
men they institute an iniolerable grievance.
n.'.he strongly 10 the opinion, thar the de |
s saa' Independence and accountability will be
su'eo ny periodical elections by the legisla.
ne recurring at long intervals and by crea-
"s she haing some where net too remote The