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

considered by far the most valuable part of
our whole system OF Juri,rru'ence; can /
conceive il possible that any thing resembling
reason could be given for destroying them;-un-
less, perhaps, that by substituting other Courts,
might provide places and certain emolumen,s
Tor potion OF our superrumcrary Lawyers That
some Improvement might he made in our county
courts, i am ready 20 admit; should be very un-
willing TO see any material change made therein
Like the Judges Of our Superior Courts, the Jus
uces, think. should hold their Offices during
good behaviour, and be liable 10 impeachment
and removal for similar offences against the COM
munity. more specific enumeration Of them
might, perhaps, be advan.agcously made. One OF
the best Republicans, and wsest Politicians that
ever had the good fortune 10 know,-the vencra-
bic Col. John Taylor OF Caroline used to say, that
our County Courts, and freehold qua,itic alton for
voters were worth all the other provisions OF our
constitution put together; and the more I have
known and seen of their practical advantages, the
more thoroughly have been convinced Of the
correctness OF his opinion The affords US
the cbeapcst,-most ready administration Of JUS
tfcc; while tho other secures the great Body Of
property -ho!aers from having any more Of il taken
from them, than the cxigencies Of Government re-
quire.
The last request of your Correspondent is of so
gcneral,-so indefinite nature, that scarcely
know in what way 10 comply with it;-restricted
as feel myself by the limits of letter 10 be pub
Iished in Newspaper. The request is,--that we
would add to our answers to his specific inquiries,
90 Dh0teper else may thia. necessary to enable
thcFTeehotdcrs to erercise sound discretion ,rhen
they p0te. Were 10 do this 10 the required extent
am very sure that both his patience and yours
would be utterly worn out long before my topics
and their expositions would he exhausted. l
must, therefore, coufine myself 10 a very few
points, which deem of vital importance. These
are that the voters,-rot only in this but in every
other District, Cor, be it ever remembered that
our whole state is deeply concerned in the ISSUE
should select for the Convention, the men whom
they conscientiously believe to be the best tho
wisest the most experienced they can chuse, and
none other: That they should neither ask, nor
wish these men to 60 TO the discharge Of tho mo-
nentous duties assigned TO them, pledged I'M
changeably TO any particular opinion; for, if they
do meet thus committed, il is most manifest that
they cannot possibly form such dispassiona.e. IN
prcjudced, delibera,iye Body, as every such Cen.
venon should be 20 insure the production OF good
Constitution. Where the baneful torch osdiscord
continues TO be so indus,riously,I must say rash
" bTan!ished by the numerous anonymous wsi-
cars who have volunteered in this cause; where so
much cxci.eEeI.. has been kindled By these, and
other equally ENTHUSIASTICALLY culpable
-neahs,-whero there are many iarIng, and
apparently hostile interest, TO be reconciled the
Members Of our Convention must meet in the most
dnicable possible spirit OF compromise, and be pre-
pared to oct under its benign Influence in all their
deliberations, nothing but aggravation Of |
present anmosites, and probably dsunion can fol- !
low. They must az far as possible, equally avoid
such tenacious adherence TO old usages, as will
debar them entirely from beneft,ing by the ligh,
OF experience; and that restless, daring spir Of
with an utter disregard and reckiessness of conse
Guences TO the community ct large. The first il
the disease Of obstinate dogged eeiii;y and CO.
iage; the latter is too often the resort OF unprnci
pled Demagogues, Office hunters and men whose
situations can scarcely be made worse by any
change which can turn up in the chapter OF acct
dents. Equally important and essential does it APP |
pear to me-, that the members o! our Convention |
should be exempt possible from that most de-
pforable,-most poisonous party spirit, which has
proved the great source Of all political evil that has
over afflicted our otherwise happy country
Well has an admirable writer arked OF this
SPIRIT that IL is Of its pery essence 10 put heI
ein1eIstdldl1g IN tramneis;to PROSTATE conscience
TO intereSf;-to destroy independence; and TO
co7'stgn the faculties and principles to the 1y-
Talsny of offers"
I have thus endeavoured, Mr.. Editor, to reply
as fully and distinctly could, within such IL |
mfts, to all the inquiries Of your espondent.
a. b.; and trusting that my answer will be deem
ed sufficiently free, candid, and explicit shall |
conclude with hoping that they will be received
both by him, and tho peopleof our District, the
honest conviction ola mind long exercised in earn
est endeayourS to form correct Judgment of our |
Constitution, in relation both to its principles
and their practical peration. While the eues-
ton was yet before the people, whether we |
should have Convention not, one oil
the many thousands opposed 10 tue measure:-noi |
because deemed the Constitution perfect, bu. !
because it appeared manifest, that most of the G.
wills Attributed toit we're remarkable by cgis!ation
slone;-while the objections TO the theory had |
DceH OUT niue, II al All SuDStaDated by the prac-
lice. Another reason with was, that feared the
"signs o! the times" augured greater loss than |
gain from the proposed changes;-so far, at least,
as these could be conectured from the numerous, |
wild, and most extraordinary projects which !
swarmed forth in our public journals. But now,
that the Convention is certainly to be held, I |
thfis every member Of it should be willing, cord-
ly, TO unite in accomplishing all the good can:
Ito effect which, each individual should have his
mind so open to conviction, "a 10 be ready to vote
for any change which he could be fully f. tho |
roughly conUinced would prove beneficial.
There are two, however, in favour of which | am
reason OF sufficient power TO alter my opnion.--I
mean the abolition Of the freehold qualification of
voters and of the County Courts. To some ex-
tension Ct the FIRST and TO some few notifications
OF the last, might consent; but if both are TO be
utterly destroyed, should deplore their extinction
az one Of the heaviest political calamies that
could well befa
Surely ,-Tnost surely ills hardly possible Ia an
hcipate any events more deeply interesting 10 our
selves and TO our posterity, than the contempist-
ed changes in our Constitution. II is hardly pos
sb'e to conceive any State concern requiring
more full, fair temperate and candid discussion.
Can this ever be given to it, If all who differ in
regard to what is best to be done, shall continue TO
pour forth language tho most offensive 10 each
other, that can well be uttered? Can ever The
semblance oi an improved Constitution result from Il
constantly brandshng their weapons in each 9th
eTs faces, like impacable enemies just rushing in
20 deadly conflict, instead Of felow-c citizens OF the
Same State, whose great duty it should be 20 draw
the bon.is Of aIniiy and perpetual union still
closer, If possible, than they ever have been
There is one measure, Mr. Editor,-if il will
not be deemed presumptuous in me 10 suc-
of f,tcl, ynt,lA 81, &. I