Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-03-20

doubt not OF one day grazing tho bench. They make
the case OF the Judges their own, because they ex
pect IN time to be Judges themselves. This motive
has banded the whole brotherhood, against touching
what they are pleased to call the Independence of
the Judges; and when come to remember their
numbers, talents aud great social influence proceed
ing from their superior intelligence and the nature
of their VOCATION is no matter of wonder that bev
have inspired others with as sincere horror of med
ding with the Judges as in their own cases it is ar
tiical and fictitious. We have nev err seen or heard
o the man, who desired to destroy the Independence
OF the judges. The utmost that the most radical
desire, is to render them espons6e so as to secure
the more faithful execution of their duties, by ma
king them periodically elective, or removable by a
JOINT vote OF the two houses of the General Assem-
bly-giving them salaries at the same time sufficient
TO place them above dependence or Temptations
Would not judiciary guarded, be INDEPENDENT
ID 1t necessary to their Independence to pnce them
utterly beyond the reach of being compelled to per.
form the important duties, which they are so well
paid to PERFORM Must they not only have high saa-
RES but hold their offices for lif and DISCHARGE their
duties not, at their sovereign flor they are sove
rclgn) Will and pleasure? The dreadful evils which
have flowed from, the present judiciary systematic
complete damming up of justice in some parts of the
State, the arbitrary and tyranncal conduct of one
or two of the General Court Judges-the delay, ex
pence and vexation, which wait upon the system eve
rywhcre Ought to be sufficient we should think to
teach every man, the necessity of making Judges
sPonst6fe. The want ofthat respoDsiblity-the fact
that the Judges placed above public opinion
aud popular retrbution-s the fruitful source of alt
the numerous grievances under which the people
nave smarted, are smarting, and will continue 10
smart until responsibility is introduced into the Judi
cary system. 1t was because we were sensible of
the opposition OF most lawyers to redressing this
grievance--an opposition resulting verify believe
from purely professional views ieelipgs-that ut all
early stage Of the for the convention we en-
treated the people of Virginia, elect all LAWYERS
to compose that assembly. Werepcat the advice, and
we assure them that if they do not follow it, that
branch ofthe government whose actionis most imme-
dately upon them, and which stands most In need of
reformation, will go without any.
To the extent of rendering the Judiciary RESPONSE
6fe' without impairng their independence, the At
torney General carries his ideas of REFORM He does
not wish to destroy their proper independence but
their ir'eponsibity only He does not wish to place
them in situation, where interest may induce tfen
As public officers paid, and well paid to render pub
lie services, he desires make it their interest to
discharge their duties promptly, faithfully and eff
GENTLY. and to remove them if they do not. He
wishes some moral restraint placed upon their con-
duct that they shall not at their arbitrary pleasure
and without listening to defence, say, s.Sheri take
that man to jail" Wheres the free man who does not
concur with him. What Republican can be in favor
OF toeratng the power of arbitrary imprisonment by
Judges orany other set of mem We honor Mr. Ro
oertson for rising superior to the prejudces and in
terests of his profession, and thinking like free ci
zen, instead Of mere lawyer; and we firmly believe
that the scare-crow Of his being favorable to the
responsibility Of judges, by which it is sought area
dy,to Tighten the ignorant, will when the peaple full
ly understand the nature andthe motives of tire
operate in his favor.
The next gentleman nominated by the meeting.
was John B. Clopton, Esq. ofNew Kent--the Sena-s
tor from this District. Mr.. C1opton is so we'll and
has SO long, been known to the people of the district
that it IS superfuous to speak of him. The name of
Clopton, is identified with Republcansrn, and the
mantle well as the name ofold John Clopton de-
scended to bis Son. Were we to speak of Mr.. CIop
ton, as We really think Of him, we should be accused
OF making studied panegyrc instead of speaking
our plain opinions of the man. There are names of
greater celebrity in the district but unacqunn
ed with the man whose historical and constitutional
requirements, better qualify him for the task of revis
ing the Fundamental laws Of the State. Mr.. Clopton
Is literally and always has bcen one of the people,
and knows their wishes, wants and pre,udices
He is lawyer indeed, but he does not appear to
US imbued with the technical formaty and hair split
fIDo trroIif ios 0f, H.
rcform--to reducing expenses, to getting
rid OF the fifth Wheel, the Council, and to some e
tension of the right of suffrage.
Toe last in the nomination, is Gun. Wni. Cham
oerlayne' OF New Kent. This gentleman is a far
ner' and In Conven on, will support the interests
ana wishes OF the llfe-givug order of which he is a
mem her. Tho