Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-12-03

that he had now in,crcosed would DC sufficient TO
convince him, of tho. imprudence of such
He was convinced of this from the experience Of
to-day lie would therefore enter his protest agai-
being held Ia any thing which, had the appearance &!
Il pledge to bring forward such an indictment AZ
future day--ior Il ut day would never conc. llc,
from the course which this sinue specification
had taken, ana the time had consumed, that il he
we're TO bring forward his charges, the Convention
would be occupied III trying them not only until
Christmas butprobaby until the Christmas ofthe next
Mr.. MoHrci: rose and addressed tic Commute in !
nearly the following ,vorls:
wish to submit iGwS remarks, in explanation of
me ground on which shall give my vote, rather
tHaii Win the expectation producing any effect III.
The decision This subject. it has been argued
with great ability both sides. and in Il manner
very gratifying TO ne, rs citizen nj this State and
oithe mon. The real Question bclore the Com
iUlice, Is whether the Governor Silab DC elect lly
t4-e GHicrai Assembly, III tiic annrr now N cscbct
by the Constitution. by the People a, large This
Is the qest ion before YOU. will concisclv urcsen,
ny Ficw .! 1t. stating tho objections which a,ni, TO
eachEIodc. and on Which side in nv iIir,ne' ibcy
.f"pondcrdc. | consider tic qucs ION as very
important: i9.erior. iS true 10 which lave M.
bcoFe us:-1ut involving i'll high degree The fatc
al tiic Republic. 10 believe II question illvol,
III high degree, the success Of our system Of ooy
cr!;iIut The oaec'i' L. t,c election al the ;.,r
i've ny 'he General Assembly Is founded ON The idea
l2i yo tHctcay Concentrate al the powers Of sr,y
cram nj III thai body uniting in ore ~,ncl not orl,
the lhgsiaiyc power. but Il Con;rnl over tl, ,!,c.
Two bra"c.'es, and thus bringing all the three in cr
cct into one THIS is tho objection. Let us exam
me It, adult mos; .jilly that the unqualified cf,
cufrencc Of the three great powers CT Government IN
one body, csiar!alyif III one person, gives il tic
ctarari'. Of Z. dhspGtis:I l. these rowrTs med in
monarch, WI" Is hereditary and rcspoi!> ib.e TO nllo
lH"' no."Fe Is d'Sro' ( tie people are his slaves.
iin' there Is another aspect of'tla subject
these i-TeG powers united IN !. General As
sfhoiy o. ihe people a. Ia the ancient republics
Though the govcfn'tn Is not dcsgetc, vet tic cor
ssfr -,a.s.N L..
Tic "thGr case III things soon tilrov.a in con-
is2n; there Is no security for property or any thine
else. l.'ie ss'iiis not safe. so:le popular lend.T
gels :i'c control ana soon makes iIsc,ta Gcspo.-
nt:ii'cs o these Instances, the concurrence OF the
three powers Produces despotsm but as soo, ms
you pass the y 'I.er from the ncoTc 10 their rcpr,,
taHyc7, the matter is chunged. Tbs paori. control all
'heif movements. 4fc people have complete check
gont anu riftyous. Consider the operation On tho
Lcgis:ativG pody even supnosin the whole po,v,, 70
be III IT, That power is Liable to abuse and has nn
abused there IS no ioubt But sill i!,arc is check
atH"H@I Tic Whole power ot government be in one
'odE Hni Il there be regular Constitution Hn,i
tHe juieA branches of government BE- separated md
Il ':I Is prescribed TO the legislative branc aud It's
power clearly dcined and # in Ike manner Limits
are SGT to iie Executive Department. and lis mower
also d1!!ic. ana the with respect 10 thc I,d;
caFN tie pocrs 1t al being dis inct and clearly lefn
cd; though tic election ofa Governor flor nov con-
ii myself 10 that) BE- BY Tie General Assomhv !,
crnuot be said that th. three powers are ro,,c,n
rated together i'll that body. There is . genoration
.: them. low can they cncroach on each othcr?-
!ioW can the Governor interfere with tho power Of
the Legislature or the Legislature with the Eynnr
10 1o''i.'" = hSc itScn Is a zure bur!ier. The
GlieFence OF Their Duties that OF the one beinn =,
MAKE the Avs, and that of tie othero execrtc them
Is so rhaIkcd and obvious, that they Cannot be mis-.
taken. ihe duties of the Judc;, ~ are still nav,
distinct, and its limits more clearly and moro nns;
defined 1t l. the Executive and I.ersla.iy, NOV:
efs, 1t aiiY which likely to interfere ifthe Con
- I. l..
TN De Wen drawn, / see 10 danger on that
score. The Judiciary will be independent il thev
hoia tel- Offices during good behaviour. They oucr.i
to be maintained so, and should have pov.er 70 10
clare any law which is contrary to the Constitution
ENlC. ms Is my opinion. The danger is III th,
Legislative branch should be Rad to see = choci
'2cli Il III the Executive, as well Us in Tie Judi
ciary. ~ '"H'
The success of our system OF Government deoonds
upon Its organization, the distribution ofpo,yat he
tween the different branches, AMI ON keeninr c.cb
branch independent Of the Others Power know
may be abused; that the Legislature ma influence the
Governor, cannot doubt. lcadnr man j., tI,. r -
SlSiatare VINO can contribute greatly tohis re-eIec
tion, Is likely to lave weight with him and tbo
he may turn that weight to his own account in an
improper manner, IS probable 1t is incident to
the irailty OF human nature. The check is in tnino
lgcncc OF the people, and in the crcnlatio, h., Tho
press OF the proceedings OF public bodies U.s. moo
pie are the great check upon all r.
NO" let US look to the objections which exist to
tile election Off Governor by the Deo,,ln sLrc. nv
own experience and reflection, | nave irarrcJ H.,
when the appeal isinade to the people, the most cs
I'iaDe men WIN DC sought out In the DISCHARGE nj
my 0iuclai dtlcs' have traverscd my country from
north to SOUTH and from to west am ac1uaiI,t
cd with the whole oft. know that the peonle ;,re
@Ini@ntchcd Themselves and disposed 10 select
me most enhghtend men their REPRESENTATIVES
view my ioli"w-c.tizens from the East and from
the West, from tic North and from the South. viii
tHc same confidence and attachments and consider
men. ir as PORTION OF the human more capablc Of
On i soNcIh!uelg than any other in the void When
we question is Tor giving tie election 70 the neomI
Iney my entlrcconiidencc so far as in tnar,rc
.! thngs they are qualified for sucl, an oficc, r.,
rem tsn sl'ua'on they can hardly ever be scnuoin
ch "itH INC real merits Of the caIlido.,s 'i'inr
cannot confer together 10 any yrcal extent i,. NY 10y,
hUId M general meeting where The matter aay he de-
c"SsGd' nor can they get impartial information.
ihey my Bold meetings for local purposes and to
u5rid'c AciF rniments on public subjects 81.
WI! nave weight but this is all that t6ey can d.