Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-05-11

lished several DAYS snce contain two communications
signed IA Voter" and, "Many VOTERS" calling on
several persons, and among them upon me- for INV
opinions the amendments proposed to DO made to
the Constitution. do not know the gentlemen who
have made these calls but, the examples which have
been set by men of distinguished merit In replying
TO slniar publications from unknown Sources forbid
me to be silent.
In the nnmbcrless efforts which mankind hnvc
made 10 restrain the wantonness and tyranny of their
rulers, no scheme hns proved salutary, That
which the infant republics of North America have
devised. Written Constitutions, framed by deputies
CHOSEN Tor the purpose. and subsequently ratified by
The suffrnges OF people, their origin to the
people of the United States. The enactment of the
fundamental law by the people, affords the best secu-
rty for its duration and their liberty and happiness:
To alter It, requires the assent of a majority of
theni that this is difficult be obtained even
when minority hold the rcins of government, is
demonstrated by the successful resistance which was
so long made to the call of Convention, designed
to accommodate the government To the spirit Of the
times; the lights of HISTORY; the experience and wish.
es OF our fellow citizens, and the genius of free
people, Judging from the past, may safely sny ,
that. in our day, no effort, which may be made to
amend the new Constitution, will be sanctioned
by majority of the people; it, therefore, becomes
every cilizen to weigh the great questions now be-
lore the pubic, with the ca'mness, the patience and
the patriotism due to the dignity of the subject, it's
probable influences society. and its contemplated
duration Holding these sentiments, feel acuteIv
inc necessity OF acting up TO them and approach the
/ ill.,
dcnce and embarrassment.
! 60, RIGHT OF SUFFRAGE.
nm in favor OF liberal extension OF the riyh. ofsuf
TRACE beyond interest i'm the so but a what prccs
Fon' should be fNed am, ON my past reflection
unable to decide. There is 10 question amonr
those which have arisen out of the present iunc
ture, so delicate aud interesting, vet so perpcy-
ing question which involves in It's consideration
the right OF man to select his lawmakers and gov.
ernors the security of personal rights the peace and
good order fsociety the security of property and
indeed in great measure personal liberty and ma
tional happiness, cannot be easily settled The prin
ciple announced in the Bill of Rights is the best
guide we have, and admit, that the citizen. who
has resided for several years IN the State paid his tux
and county levy and performed mta duty if it has
been required of him, furnishes evidence OF q Der
nanent common interest with, md attachment to tho
community.
would, however, exclude traitors, and all such as
may becondemcd to the Pententinrv or other infa
nous punishment, from the Councils of the State,
and the privilege Of voting.
. THE EXECUTIVE
am opposed TO enlarging the powers of the Gov
ernor and would not permit him To act without the
advice of council. Vested only with his present
authority, would not alter the mode of his election
Hut 1t his powers were enlarged as to give him
Ueo on the acts of the Legislature require his as
sent to the passage of laws to both of which lam de-
cidey hostile would have him to be elected by the
people, and the period of his service extended.
Inc number OF the Privy Council ought to be re-
III.
responsibility !ncreescd. / would also make them
Ineligible after certain term of service
Shcnts, Constables and others who from the ma.
ture oil their Official avocatons brought contact
with persons OF every degree ointelect and coud ion
of life, and who, through the medium of their Offices
are enabled to make uncomfortable speculations or
nv their tcrrors lay them under heavy contributions
or severe exacons ought to be elected directly by the
People. This will create dependence on the COM
nunity. upon whose misfortunes they atten and will
deter them from excesses when a volume of laws
would be euded and oontemncd
TIE JUDICIARY
am III favor OF tenure by which Jdocs Ju
cs he feace Clerks OF Courts and the Attorney General
hoi their commissions No fills an office created
o Inc ene' OF the people, should be their reach The
principle SO adeniy maintained that Judges should be indie
pendent and which Denies not conflict witt, their
to curb them in their excuses, be-
par hcir independence would nave them independent
but liable To impeachment fne imprisonment for miscon
S ~ oncc snd subject 70 removal by Of
'c Ncheia Assembly In case of impeachment should
bc tired by the Senate - ~
AN opposed to the establishment by the Constitution Of any
court except the Court of Appeals The Legislature shouId
such other courts as the public interest may time to
Justices ofe Peace should be chosen for stated criods
10 ~ liked by the General Assembly Ifhey be empowered ~
Wy cases IN which their ncighhors parties would confer
and consent ofthe Senate But their authority be LIMITED 10
preserving the pace opening and changing roads, laying
uses oi convenient slzc and that they souia elected by
ocrhs Of Courts ought 20 be appointed for short periods
,r, fmE LyoislATuEE
INC gica, object Of government, IS secure life liberty and
properly lhe preservation Of each is ndspensa "a The
comfort and happiness Of man. and every Government should
~ so framed as To afford ecciual guarantees against tho viola
n " ci'hcr Some Contend for representation of tho FREQ
N persons aud portion Of the slaves others for as; M
'y Hhh taxes am opposed N the first and in favor oft
Principle "i the last with suitable notifications Wbe,er
~ 9na consist IN the structure of the Houses of ,l,,
- n'limy on different clements embracing free white
~ ~ we Ii"nse ct Delegates and persons and taxes in the
.".' or, ~ what confess prepared To decide ie,
we nov nc unoersoo as saDcoDng, the least the lido, lie,
Ioa power should be increased Diminished in pr,,o,,;o
" I've amount of Individual taxes whenever peIoeiye IN, o
pmcPe rs !" end m this shall be ready to wage war n,
/ determination against IL. u.s. "'' VI
iho tc consists Of twenty four members Of whom ru,s
~ arc sufficient 10 transact business and ,rvtr n nn,, "a
MAJ number may pass reject the important laws Thu;
authority ~ 'oo great and ought longer to exist In ad;on
10 hs objection TO the Senate, present oTpauzsd ,.
Ho others "hcI without II, ought induce an Increase NJ tho
SIZE Of that body. " '"'o VI inc
me House o Delegates is ton numerous and until our MINI,
[ Sa nave Increased to AZ least double present amour,
k mIgh be- safely reduced one hundred and ae, h,
lr'tio small additional NUMBER to provide (o Tie
progress Of society. ~ 'f'" J" inc
Ihaye becS asked by "a Voter" III "hold Sacred tho ;
ofR fcltfs