Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1829-05-18
.yudpe Daniels first Letter.

1feSSrs 3dl0rS-i cohsiteI tue op"'"hs VI
Judge Daniel, as given IN ms reply 10 tue a"-
dress Of Thomas Hoieo'noe' ana o'"e' gem
,ls,,e,. IN he communicated 10 the freehoders
" 80 so,,torial district, a text book, from
,.1;,h ~ draw such inf rences and conclusions
- ,hev may think are fairly exprfs ed, or
.ioarly imnlied Some of them appear TO be
sneei6c and plain as language can make them,
while others Ito those who do not possess rea-
DIV conpre hension) may appear rather ainblgu-
nus, or wanting in perspicnIty. bni as all class
ss Of Freeholdels TO whom it appears. only,
20 have been adiressed) nave an equal right to
understand them properly, IT would be invid-
ious 20 suppose that The iatenton OF The writer
.ves mn, TO adant them to the understanding of
the mos, common capacity, and that whatever
obscur,y does appear in them may be justly at
,r,bated 10 that breyiiy which the nature of all
such communications require, and not 10 de.
,esable insincerity, 10 deceive theipeople into
disposition to vote for him Conclusion that
NOTHING but malice could originate. But to n
dopt and utter erroneous npmions IS expected,
IA common 10 all men and is OF very different
import.
Icennot snppdse that any man who is desi-
rous 20 write plain truth, or 10 understand
plain truth, would not, 10 obtain that end, be e.
quaIly DESTROYS TO have his errors exposed. (be
ing of no yalue y and to do this, is not only
ntude and Importance of the subject imposes
On every one who can be made TO feel an inter
est in the public good. Upon this question eve
~ freeman who can give sufficient evidence oil
permanent common interest in, and attach
nen 10 the community, ought fully aud freely
10 express his opinions, IN relation 10 tue 20
litcal teneis Of every man who may be before
the public as a candidate for an agency to as
sist in framing the constitution, which is TO 60
sern him; and in SO doing, to consider him
self as exercising right TO which he Is as Just
!y entitled as any man whatever can he to the
right of occupying place IN the public a,ten.
ion, for the purpose OF being elected and any
man that would he awed into silehce or ser
vile enervaied acQuiescence, either by wealth,
learning or talents or by the badges of little
3" brief authority" has already lost his inde.
pendence, and given up his liberty without
struggle. BY his own act he declares himself
unworth, OF freedom. Let him 60 ; he has
right TO pursue happiness in his own way, and
10 enjoy il according TO his own modes Of CON
ception. As TO the standing OF the candidate,
be II what II may in society, he should recol-
lsct thar, when he gives his opinions to the pub.
hc for their appreciation or rejection, upon
questions Of great general interest, If they
should be condemned. he has no rig to muir
MIR, because he holds but one interest among
many thousands and If he expects his opin-
IONS 10 receive auy other eu'ogy than that OF
simple indiy ldua appreciation, he ought 10 be
disappointed. lffiom his wealth. talents, or
learning, he expects them 10 be above criticism,
he ought ts be told that such cases are not cog
nizahle before any republican tribunal. WI,
therefore, proceed, upon the Judges own prem
ises 10 the examination of his opinions reia-
tive 10 the fitness OF persons 10 serve in the ap.
preaching Convention, without imputing 10
him anV m amhip,iiv mr. unfairne.S
He says he can see 10 just ground for ex-
cgiing Judge, more than any other person,
from joining in deliberations upon the impor-
tani subjects that must necessarily came before
the Convention" and that he considers himself
and other Judges 20 be very proper persons for
the people to advise with on these important
rights which a majority of the people are deep
~ interested in OBJ aiming; and they are equal
~ interested in Withholding. This, however,
may be very good logic though " not for me,
but for my native couniry, and Ton poslerity' 10
understand.
Before remaiking on the prepricty of Judges
being elected, would just observe that he says
every man has an original and iadefcasible
right TO his faculties they constitute the means
by which he acquires property and distinction;
he cannot be rightfully deprived OF the use OF
these means but we know that he faculties
OF men are naturally unequal &c. This pc.
Sllion must he plain 10 every man of common
observation. Some have the faculty OF detect
ing error by fair and logical exposition, while
'hers, who do not possess this desirable tscui-
", arrive at the same end by irony or some o
liner obllque means Oihrrs. again. acquire dis.
'incton by making the faculty of ignorance
pioneer to all their actions and others, without
any extraordinary aid. proceed With great Ia
eilily TO open the way for the exposure OF their
own errors, which is a means OF great public
saving. Thus. like the inequality upon the face
oil the file when applied 10 the genuine da
mond, the friction produces much more vivid
aud glowing briliancy Just so the continual
tncton of these unedual faculties upon the o.
poIons OF public men, 1t they are the offspring
oil wisdom, will give them more bright and
agreeable lustre, and they will be held IN homo,
rable reserve to be affixed as an arm to the
great political chandelier, 70 illuminate the
council hall OF the nation; but, if erroneous,
shey are worth nothing. either TO the author OF
10 the public, and noregret ought 10 be ex-
pressed at seemg them peaceably float down
tue public sewer, to that oblivion which BELTS
Them
cannot think, with his honor, that Judge
would be very proper person 20 advise with
on the important subjects OF the Convention, be-
cause such advice might give an improper d.
reciion 10 public opinion, by which INA ority
might be induced to favor his professions,
which ought to be particularly guarded against,
especially where there is the least probability
oil his being elected. He himself admits that ii
Is barely possible case, that man might be
iouhu VINO would upon all occasions be supe-
hor 10 temptation but should that man now
10 De IN existence, 10 the Judges own person,
no one can know it, "All motive, therefore,
ought to be removed from the Judge that might
possibly induce him to decide one way or ano-
'nef' except that which the law T. justice Of each
Ease should prescribe But why the necessi-
y oil such particular caution7 Because " few
.pen nave virtue so inflexible and integrity SO
."s'hciole as upon all occasions TO be superior
10 temptation aud TO the influence of self inter
winch IS in fact, self preservaiion,-s
!" 'e she hrst paramount law of nature and hold