Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-05-06
MIR. HENDERsoN.S REPLY.

MIR. HENDERSON'S REPLY.
a., WIscHEsrER. April is, 1879.
Messrs. Ssml. M. Edwards, William Elzey
Nathaniel Tyler, Jas. McIlhany, John
Janney, Burr w. Harrison, Sam'l Daw-N y
son, John II. McCabe, Ii. ID. Powell,
and F. Ball.
GENTLEMEN,
received, to day, your favour Of the 18th inst. in
winch, rs committee of fellow citizens, who as
scnbedon the day of the Loudoun election, you pro-
pound to me series of qucstons.-I will freely and
cheeriully answer you.
In regard to the first, am of opinion tha, every
"te male citizen. above che age twenty ore years
resident where no offers vute n reasonable time
anu paying his public dues, ought to enjoy the right
vi suffrage, unless he shall have forfeited it BY the
commission OF such crime rs may properly dsfran-
chlse INN. Such man, IN my Judgment, exhibits
sufficient evidence of permanent common interest
with, and attachment to, the community. as
TO the second question, answer that am deci-
dey and uequioocafiy, in favour of founding repre-
sentaton on white population of the state; and far
.her, that never will consent To any other basis
Let me present familiar Observation-Disclosures were.
by the census OF 1920, to speak in round numbers
600 900 whites and 100 900 saves.-Suppose IOI
COO of the whites TO be masters OF the 400 OOO
slaves upon the principle representing slaves, they
the 10ip 900 whites, possess the power of the COM
monwcalth, and ccntroul its political tesiinesAl,
not such IN idea abhorrent to every feeling of right
to all the honest pride of reemans nature. II go in
the whole, the admission of the principle in part cx-
IL
der the domination of slaves; what is equally nje-
icnsbc, of making one slave holder equal to ma nv
non-slavc holders!-This as revolving i'm theory as
IT. has proved ruinous III practice.-And here the
friends Of reform must make their stand, yield i'm
gorlousy, oil TINT belongs to them men, and all
that they have commended for in years that are past
| To your third and fourth questions answer YES;
and would remark that to reduce the numbers of the
house of delegates one half and thereby 10 save 10
the state S5O,000 year, white the LEGISLATURE
| ne m hn
as IT would unquestonably be, to relieve the people
from the useless and causeless expense attending the
council of state-The dignity and accountability OF
the executive would, also, be increased by such a
modification of il.
On the subject of the fifth question I should be
tempted to enlarge.-lt is equally delicate and i'm
portant.-We have all witnessed, with profound re-
greet, the evils arising from the present structure of
the ludiciary.-The judges ought to be independent.
-Lifc liberty, reputation, property, all that is dear
TO social man, is intimately connected with it. But
virtue tsefis susceptible of excess. No GOOD Judge
ought to desire tenure of office frmer than that
which would require the concurrence Of thirds
of the legislature in order to his removal with fair
specification ofthe grounds of churge.-Nor does it
become wise people to accord to any man in public
ife substantial responsibility to public opinion.
Again, man who is sriperannuated, or untitled by
the visitation of God, for the discharge of the duties
OF an office, ought TO cease to hold it.-Common
sense declares that the place not made for him.
but for the people whose agent he is. Judge like
any other public officer, ought also to be dismissed
for gross negligence The delay of justice is too of
ten its denia.-These views plainly expressed,
but they may challenge examination.-An admins
traitor ofthe law ought to be rewarded for the talents
the integrity. and fidelity which he brings to the pub
lie services but should be permitted to hold
public station when he fails to unite tho will with
the ability to fill 1t for the public good.
To the sixth question, / answer, yes, clearly
The too obvious to render it necessary to
enlarge.
Allow me, gentlemen, to remark, in conclusion
that have been long, ardently and zeaously devo-
ted to the cause of reorm.--f nd although the ap-
preaching convention will be unfairly and unequaily
constituted, congratulate you upon the progress Of
truth and justiccupon the prospect which opens
upon US of eventually triumphing long cherish
ed error and prejudice. and Of laying the foundations
of the government of ancient and beloved state
in those principles, dear the affections as they are
identified with the best interests Of free people.
The only public body, of which ever was member,
was the convention that assembled at Stanton in
the yenr 1925, whittier | accompanied my worthy
friend whose name is first on your list. If has
contributed in any degree, as verify bseye it has,
to the accomplishment of our Plans to have been ho-
nouled by the citizens Of Loudon with n scat in it,
VII be QUO of the most treasured rccolec.ons of nv
life. 10y
! am, gentlemen,
With much respect,
RiCHD. ii. HENDERSON.