Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-12-02


to-ay he would therefore enter his protest against
beng held 10 any thing which had the appearance OF
pledge to bring forward such an Indictment at
future day--for t,at day world never come. lie
saw from the course which tbs single specification
had taken, and tho c il had consumed, that if he
were to bring forward has charges, the Convention
would be- occupied IN trying them not only until
Christmas, butpr0babiy until the Christmas of. next
year.
Mr.. Mo~Rox rose and addressed the Commute in
nearly the following words:
wish Ia submit n few remarks, in eNpanai ion of
the ground which shall give nv own vote rather
than with the expectation of producing any effect i'm
thu decision on this subject. II has been argued
with great ability oH both sides, and in a manner
very gratifying To me, citizen OF this State and
of the Union. The real question be fore the Com
mitlce, is, whether the Governor shall be elected by
the General Assembly, in the manner now prescribed
by the Constitution, Or by the People at large. This
Is the question briOr" you. will conciscly present
my view OF At, stating the objections which apply 10
each BIoGc, aud on which side. in nv iugnie { they
prePondcra,c. | consider the qucs, Uu as very
mpOrtan inferior, 1t is true, some which have ,me
before us-but involving IN high degree, the fate
OF tie Republic. do believe question invoking.
III high degree, the success OF our system of GOV
ernnemt. The Objects To the election ofthc ENccu-
tive by the General Assembly Is founded ON the idea
that you thereby concentrate all the powers of c,v-
ernm' at IN that body, uniting IN one branch only
tie Legislative power, but control over the other
two branches, and thus br.ngng all the ;hrcs in cf
iect INTO one. In Is the objection. Let exam
ina Ii. admit mos. fully that the unqualified con
currencc ottle thee great powers OF Government IN
one body, especially Il III one person, gives II tie
character of despo,ism !! these powers meet il
monarch, who hereditary and T"spons to DObndy,
ii,ut mOnarc Is drSpot, u He people his slaves
Bn, there l. anot!:cr aspect cfiEe subject.
Irtncse three powers united Il General As
sCIHhly e the people, in the ancient republics
though the government Is dcSpotic, vet the con
sequences equally fatal and even worse than M
The ether csc AT ilingS ere Soon thrown ~
fusion; there Is no secnri'y FIR prrory any thing
Il 81, T.,f- 4
gets tho control. ana s'ru makes hin.scia dcsyot-
In either Of these iis;."ccs, Tie concurrence OF the
three puECIs produces despo,iSn. lu' As soon Us 1
you pass the power from tic pcUpc 20 their represent
tatIvc, the matter Is changed. The people control all
their movements. The people have complete check
upon them, /: they .:Iy :.lc - ;hers.vs intel
hgcnt and virtuous. Consider lie operation on the |
Legislative body even surprising The whole power 10
be III It, That power is liable 40 abuse, and has been
abused there is no doubt. But III there check,
although the whole power o. Gove-nacIt be in one
body. But ii there b. regular Constitution and
tn" iirc2 branches OF government be separated, and
limit Is prescribed 10 the Legislative branch and It's
power clearly defined; and + in Ike manner, limits
arc set 70 the Executive Department. and its power
also defined; anu the same with respect the Judi
cary he powers of all being distinct and clearly dcn
ed; though the election ola Governor flor now con
c myself to thit) b. by the General Assembly 1t
clnnnt be SAID that the three powers are conceu- /
traied together In that body. There Is separation
OF them. How can they encroach on each other?-- |
HOW Col! tue GoFcrnOr interfere with the mower
the Legislature? or the Legislature with the Excc-
uvc' Common sense itsc!fiS sure barrier The
difference OF their duties, that of the ono being to
maze the laws anu that OF the othcrto execute them
Is so marked ana obvious, that they cannot be mis-
taken. The duties OF the Judiciary are still more
dsilnct, and It's limits clearly and more easily
denied 1t T. the Executive anA Legislative pow
ers II any, which ar, likely 10 Interfere 1.-THE Con
stItution be well drawn, re- no danger On that
score The Judiciary Will be independent, if they
hold their oi'es during good behaviour. They ought
ITO be maintained 50, and should have power 10 de.
clare any law which IS c0Htriryt5 the Constitution
Yoid rus Is my opinion. The danger is IN the
Legislative branch. should be glad 10 sec a chcc,
upon it in the Executive, as well as in the Judi
ciary.4
ThSsuccess Of our system OF Government depends
upon It's organization on thc di tribuon ofpowe be-
tween the different branches, ami ON keeping each
branch independent OF The others. Power ] know
may be abused: that the Legislature may influence the
Governor, cannot doubt. leading man in the Lee
gslatVre who can contribute greatly tohis re-eec
ton is likely to have weight with him. and that
he may turn that weight TO his own account in an
improper manner, IS probable. It is incident to
the iraty of human nature The check is in the intel
lgcncc Of the people, and i'll the circulation by the,
press Of the proceedings of public bodies The pco.
pic arc the great check upc. all.
Now let US look to the objections which exist, to
tue election ola GoYernor by thGpeople. FROM my
own experience and reflection, | have leaned that
when the appeal ismade to The people, the most es
Unable wiil be sought out. In the discharge "
my official duties, have trayerscd M country from
north TO south, and from cast to west. ain acquaiut
ed with the whole of it. know that the people arc
enlightened thcmselves, and disposed to sc,ect
the most cnlightend mon as their representatives,
view my iclluw-ciiZou. from the East, and from
the West, from the North and ifoIL the South witt.
the same confidence and a'tachrn m; ana consider
them as portion oitbe Imau rac1 more caouble Of
self government than any other n the world. yVhcn
the question: for giving the election 90 the pcople
they haycmy cutrgconidcncc so ior as IN the nature
Of things they are qualified for such an Office. But
from their situation, they hardly ever be scquain.
ted with the rea! merits Of the candidates. Thcy
cannot confer together 10 any great cEtcu they can
hold no general meeting whore lhc matter may 6c dis
cuSs q, nor ca" ihey get impartial information.
They may ho.I meetings. for local purposes, and to
declare Ecir sentiments OIL public sIii.ci5 which
will have weight, but this j. oh that they .an d.:
Great coucUs.cs formed, who make tic noiDna.
tons, und lnio who's hands the body Of tic peopIc
fall ii Is BY their agency and under their influence
TINT the Governor is elected
/ lie then looks 10 his friends and tLcy IN return