Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-07-15

fulcd vf evidence und the in which they are
applied. They may learn what security they have.
for their own rghts of life. liberty, exemption from
PERSONAL injury, and the rules by which their acqusi-
lions secured TO them. IL viii serve. to remove
tho prcjudhccs which frequently exist among those
who not particularly acquainted with the procee-
dipgs of Courts OF Justice. They will here see,
and fully comprehend the OF the uncertainty
OF the result OF Judicial investigation; and, instead
OF ascr;omg II TO cause TO which IT Is attributed 10y
those who ignorant of the nature of the proceed
nSs, viz uniathtulness corruption in the agents,
they VIII attribute II to the true the intrinsic
jlficoiw of the subject, the uncertainty OF human
testimony, the Negligence fraud Of the parties to
the controversy
In short, an intelligent Juror who comes to the per-
fotmance OF his duty with proper views aud dispo-
sed to gam all the information which his situation per-
mits, VIII go home wiser aud better He will
feel kind of patriotic pride IN tho part which he is
permitted 20 Jake in the administration of Justice. He
VIII sec and feel that the protection Of the rights vi
the people is lefl II the people themselves He will
return with stronger feeling than ever that is
IN reality free government that justice admins
tered with reference to the highest good OF the
whole community, and that farther interference
with the conduct of individuals is permitted, than
the public good requires. II is error, theI fore
for those who are selected jurors endeavor to
avoid the performance OF tins duty. If it merely
an arduous and burdensome duty, they should CON
slider that Others obliged to perform it for them
when they are parties IN court, and they should be
willing to take their this necessary and mpor.
tant service Indeed there can scarcely be strong
er Illustration of the eXcelencv of our
than the calling upon the independent and intelligent
yeonan TO take an important part OF the admnistia-
ton of justice. lie is called from his home and with
others constituted distinct and independent tribunal
III trial of All questions of feet are submit.
ted to thetn aud generally their determination nal
30 tild Utmost every man IN the community is, during
the course of his life. constituent part of court
The institution OF uris is valuable and has for so
many ages substantially answered the purposes for
winch 1t was established. that would not consent to
any change N the principal features Such an inst
tu'ion should BE- approached with feelings of revcr-
ence would not agree that il should consist of
less number than twelve. | would never consent
that maj rity should render verdict but ulwavs 10
quIre nnanlmity Though the provision requiring
uHannity may occasionally b.. bur,lesomr TO ,urors
though 1t may sometimes occasion tedious and even
nocturnal Imprisonment, yet & csc inconvenlrnces
should bc cheertully borne. How often is IL that
what at trst consultation. considered as he uutea
soma Ole ohStinacy OF or a few OF the Jurors nv
farther DISCUSSION, by hearing and deibcrnting upon
MS arguments, Is the means of preventing the iury
from conserving 10 az erroneous verdict | do moi
mean 70 say that sures never give erroneous yerJcs
or that the requiring unanTmity does not sometimes
lead To tins result but that this feature in the ins
tutlonis productive of much greater alvant apes than
disadvantages, and should never be reinqushed All
our pohtica institutions deserve high commendaton
out the institution of lures is of more importa
than any other .rait in our government Bv this Tho
rights of individuals effectually secured Tho
people are admitted To an immediate participation in
the government, and they can be oppressed by
the courts while the trial by Jury is unmpnrcd Che
rish it then of your most valuable privileges
make every effort to raise he highest rcspec
liability. Thoroughly regulate your jury boxes See
inat tue name OF no one remains Il ere who is unQuu
nhed to discharge IT'S important duties and whom
called on to serve in this capacity to make the ne
cessary sacrifices cheerfully, and cndeavor to i'm
prove as much as possible by the opportunity thus
afforded and above all to discharge your arduous
duties faithfully, and in such manner as To do snh
stantial justice to the parties.