Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-04-17

dence defective, aud but believe, that its chic
evil Is to be found in the underlined aud unlimited
tenure by which the Judges hold their Office. l
am aware that the judiciary is the most delicate,
as well as most important member Of every body
polite. l think. however, that even this tender
organ may be safely conhded TO the Christening
wisdom Of a Virginia Convention. certainly
do not teel the same sensitive awe at touching il
which some gentlemen manifest. yield 10 nc
man in my desire. that our Judges should be, in
the full and true sense Of the term independent--
that in the administration OF justice they should be
above fear, above hope, and above reward; but
cannot believe, that In order to attain ts desira
Bile end. ii is necessary that they should be above
The Government, above the Pcope,-in a word,
be irresponsible. i would have them to he, and
10 feet, that they were the Servants Of the People
he polsr star OF my politics, on all such subjects
is that no man shall draw money from thu Public
Treasury, but in consideration OF public services
Several plans OF remedy Tor this grievance. have
oeen suggested. have not formed an opinion as
TO the best. Surely. however, some mode may
be adopted. whereby our Judscs can be rendered
more useful and more responsible than they now
are, without so impairing their indie penience as
TO weaken the current or cOrrup, the fountains OF
justice. certainly would not subject their an.
ponment or tenure Of Office 10 the CAPRICE or po-
MAR elections.
oi our whole system OF iurisprudencc, the
county courts is the last portion with which I
would part. They are doniciiiary tribunals, dis
Y,
The obvious principles of justice and the plain die
rates oil coumon sense. Such tribunals are in
dispensaby necessary to the local police and fire.
side happiness Of the Community. Some salute
~ changes may think, be male in their organi-
za'ion touching their mode of appointment, term
OF Office. powers, duties, &c. SC.
Asrrgards the Right Of Suffrage. must say. in
the language OF the Constitution, wish il TO sre-
main as exercised at prescnt."-Upiversal Suf.
frage exists no where. In all governments.
.,.l -.
OF that ines,imable privilege No principle, then,
can be involved in deciding the character or de-
gree OF its Limitation. II is question Of expe-
diency anil policy, about which men may web and
fairly d'i!er. gran: that under the present reg
u'ation, many are kept from the polls, who are
more competent to vote than some who enjoy the
privilege. But, it should be recollected that ca
ses OF Individual hardship and injury, are necessa-
riy incident TO all general rules; and that on this
Sub)ec no regulation, short of Universal Suffrage
can bc made, which would not exclude some who
are worthy, and embrace many who are unworthy
oil this important power. To shew that no arsto-
cratic principle (or such epi,het has been applied,
IS interviewer III my preference of the Freehold
Suffrage, have no hesitation in saying, that un-
der other circumstances, than those which do,
and must continue 10 characterize our State
should be in favor Of other restriction OH its
enjoyment. IL, for instance, ! was called on to
say what shou!d limit its exercise in some of the
commercial and manufacturing States of the North
and East, where the population Is all white, free
and dense 70 OVERLOOKING, and land scarce and
dear, think our freehold principle would be the
last would adopt In the formation and ar
rangement OF Government, we must consult the
siuatonof the country, and the character, habits
and pursuits OF the people to be governed. Pr
s'nia is and must continue to be, in spite Of all
governmental " regulntian Of her ta5our,' an
agricultural State. Infested as she is with pop
ula'ion, which is source of perpetual danger to
her tranquility, and an irremeiiable drawback to
her growth and prosperity, l cannot but rscog-
nize apeculiar propriety in identifying with her
government the land of the country. know of
nothing else which SO completely fills the mea-
sure of the excellent rule laid down on this sub
jeet in the Bill of Rights, and furnishes ut the
same time, " evidence O. a permanent, common IT,
terest with, and attachment TO, the Community ="
With view, however, OF harInonising public
opinion, could have no objection TO some modifi-
cation OF the present rule, whereby, not losing
sight OF the principle involved, many might be
embraced who are now excluded by its operation.
VI all subjects likely TO engage the notice of
the Convention, that OF representation is .he most
important, and at the same time the most delicate
and perplexing. The different and conflicting in
teres's which prevail in the Western and Eastern
DIVISIONS of the State growing out of the unequal
distribution between them OF taxable property
renders IL one OF peculiar difficulty. L am bound
TO saw, that have not vet formed a satisfactory
opinion or the connected question. Itrequires
more de!iberation and more information than am
vet able to apply TO it. / am inclined though, TO
the opinion, that however theoretical propriety
would seem to indicate, that representation should
be based on white population; we of the East cam
moi, consistently with duty. safety, and the implied
bIiga;ions of our original compact, concsde the
intleucc which our blacks should have in gradual
ing the scale of representation. This is question
OF vita! Importance, and viii, no doubt, receive all
the attention il merits, and such decision as the
good Of the Uhele reQayes.
believe have nOyy tDuchel all the
save one, presented by the two Queris,s in the
Enquirer. One propounded by " Many Free
holders" is IN these words; " did you or did YOU
not receive Your Right of Suffrage in the last
some error (most probable geographically in the
diction OF this query: Ipresume il was intended
TO ask me, whether | exercised that right on that
occasion. Without percciving or recognizing the
relevancy OF the enquiry, can have objection
to answering il under either construction en-
Joyed the Right Of Suffrage long prior TO that i'm
portant contest, and exercised il last November,
IN aid OF expelling from power an administration,
whose principles and conduct were objectioabe.
In conclusion. permit me 10 say, that many Of
the ideas which have now hastily thrown out,
cannot be yet said TO have gained the strength of
they are frankly given, in their und-
ges.ed form, in the full confidence that they will
not he received as binding pledges of my future
opinions. They will be retained by me, subject TO
:urh modification and improvement, as further
ieiIoeration and new lights may suggest Those
who compose the Convention will, as your agents,
he under the control of your future and matured
instruction and their work, when finished, will
be submitted to your revision and final ratification
ne only Pledge, which can now freely and
'sely give, is never TO abandon the principics of
Liberty and Republican Government, o, The in
eTeSi Of Nte CoatMoNwEALTH or VIRGINIA..
VIM. II. ROANE.
SrRtNs GARDEN, Hanover, April H.
O.lI.nU.lTCGTED
Notwithstanding Che idea we have seen al