Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-04-24

CITIZEN.
present professions.
| During the nine years represented The county
| OF Spottsylvsnia, the question, whether Con-
ven'ion should be called or not, was frequently
agltated in The House Of Delegates. 1 voted in
the negative on the various propositions TO cal,
Convention, or Leading TO that result; and when
ina, question was, during thepast year, PROFOUND.
ed to the people, l, as private citizen voted in
accordance with the opinions that had governed
me as representative OF the people. did not,
however, oppose the call of Convention, be-
cause thought the Constitution was free from
defects On contrary, / thought il suscepti-
BILE OF many S49hd,ncnts. The most important
were the dirninu,ion of Tho number OF theH Of d.,
tive Department The House of Delegates,
thought, was too unwieldy for prompt, economical
anu Judicious legis!atiop and the Executive Couo-
ch'n not superfiuous, was Objectionable for its
NUMBER and mode oil appointment and removal
But, notwithstanding the conviction, that benef.
ciai changes could be made in these and other res
spec's, i have been opposed to Convention, be-
4 cause UNPRECEDENTED. that some of the most valu.
aoJje pSoytsions OF The Constitution would be en-
dangerrd, If. one were called. feared the preya.
lence Of a reckless spirit Of innovation, andnks
predominance in Convention, instead of a calm
n3d temperate one OF reform.-.
The destruction OF the County Courts, de-
pendent judiciary and Universal Suffrage, were,
as thought, favorite objects Of some of the most
active advocates Of Convention; and tho by ma
ny OF them, these extreme innovations were dis.
countenanced, l. had no adequate security, that
when the settled order Of things were disturbed,
ana the passions aroused by the exciting effects
oil The struggle, they would be able to arrest the
Impulse, short OF the extreme point 10 which all
such excitements by the law OF our nature, tend
with strong and almost irresistible force. The
question, however, has been submitted to the PEG.
| pie, and largo majority has decided in favor of
the call of Convention. To that decision obc-
dience is due. No one more unreservedly ac-
knowIedges its authority than l do, and mono
would, with more entire good faith, enter on the
duty oil preparing plan Of Amendment, should il
De the pleasure OF any portion of the people to
designste me for that service. But should en-.
ter on it with the caution which has hitherto regu
lated my opinions the subject,-a caution, in
cuicated by the firm and deep rooted conviction,
that change should not be made for the sake of
change merely; that there is intrinsic mischief
and inconvenience in disturbing long established
| and well understood usages and arrangements OF
political power, which should not be incurred,
unless on the clear assurance, that il will be
than counter-balanced, by averting apparent evil
or securing some desirable benefit. Guarded by
this caution, shall endeavor to distinguish most
! carefully between innovation and reform, TO i'm
prove rather than abrogate, and building on ex-
listing foundations, to repair the edfce of consti.u-
tionai law, rather than adventure the hszardou.
experiment of demolishing and re constructing it,
such have been and are the general tenor Of my
| opinions.
Having promised thons come to a more par
|
your inquiries) of the opinions entertain respect
ing the most important questions that will probably
be agitated in the Convention.
My opinion respecting the diminuton of the
number OF the House of Delegates, and the or
ganization Of the Executive, have been already
indicated. Respecting the first I think il one of
the most serious Inconvenience, and may add
rnischiels, that we suffer under the present cons-
tuition. Ii furthermore is increasing eviI--It
has been much aggravated since was first called
1 hath Al
should be Convention; and at this day it not on
! iy encumbers and retards the business of Legsla-
ton. but produces most nordinite charge on the
l Treasury, for which IL yields nc adequate equva-
| !snt.
There are three other questions that will 4 pre-.
sumo claim the particular attention Of the Conven-
ton, & are of great Importance. They are the ten
ure OF the Judicial office-the qualifications Of
those who are to exercise the Right of Suffrage;
and the principles on which the Right of Repre-
sentation shall be apportioned.--As to the first
there is nothing that l more deprccate than an
elective and dependent Judiciary. Judges, I ad-
init, should be responsible should be all public
functionares. But to impair the tenure of their
Offices so as to expose them TO the political pas
sions OF the day-to make them mingle in the par
ty strtes, that from time to time disturb and agi-
tate the couniry-to subject them to the fluctua-
lions OF popular feeling, alternately its agents or
It's victims, would diminish or annihilate the re-
spect for them, and that reverencefor the laws.
whose ministers they are, which form the strong
est bond OF civil society, and the only sure guar
anty OF the rights OF persons and property. In a
Republican Government especially, its power is
felt and is authority is mainly exercised thro' the
Judicial organ. Expose that organ to the excite
ments of party struggIes,-inake il ductile to the
impressions Of popular feeling. you incur the risk
| OF making ii the instrument of party violence or
popular resentment, Of bringing to the judgment
seat the pervertng influence Of party passions and
interests, and Of communicating at the fountain the
stream of justice. No greater curse could be Wis
tied on the country; None, that would more
surely ALLEVIATE the confidence and affections of
the people from their government, and thereby
Withdraw the most important if not only, safe
guard of its stability.
am opposed to Universal Suffrage; and, indeed,
to any, but very measured and cautious extern
sion Of it, My opinion is, that in prescribing the
qualification for the exercise Of that right the best
basis OF general rule, IL that which the Constu-
ton furnishes. But I think, that that rule re-
qures modification, even tho an interest in inc
soil should be made indispensable This rule.
which comedies that right TO the freehold owner
OF given quantity Of land, without regard to its
value, isitself unequal, and the consequence is
that the qualification is much higher and more
restricted in the Eastern than in the Western part
OF the State. In the Western part of the State.
the restrictions, in great manner, nominal; be.
cause almost every inhabitant OF that part of the
State, in consequence OF a large portion of
its territory being inarable and worthless inoun-
tain, may, at an expence that very little exceeds
the price OF the sheet Of paper on which his deed
may be written, qualify himself 10 vote I
would, therefore, make the value of the land. or
the tax that might be paid on IT, the criterion of
The Right OF Suffrage, rather than the quantity of
land While should advocate such modifica-
ton OF the Right Of Suffrage. in respect TO the re-
al property Of the voter, should probably 90 fu,
Their, and extend the Right of S,,fr,oa ~ a,,,r,,