Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1829-11-19

sao,e .,isdotn dictated our statute OF desoeuts-
that Law which declared properi, should pass
40 all children equally. rather than 10 The hfsi
harm sov Are not these rules OF reason, and
usht not they 10 be eounienanced let Us
enquire what these doctrines are. and where
fore they are thus obnoxious, and ehersiors
ve should 40, reverence them. The first pro.
vision Of our Bill Of Rights Is here he read the
Is, article. The frs, line then Is the lang isge
of Locke himself. with but = very siight sitera-
ton. Locke declares that all men are born E
qusliy free, equal and independent our Bill
OF Rights, thai ell men are by nature equally
free and independent. We have heard COM
n,entsry already upon this word born, aud
shall not extend IL; but this sentence has
given rise 20 all this dissertation upon the ma.
turai rights of man. Gentlemen have doubt.
ed whether any such righls,conld be traced To
a state Of nature, or whether there could be
any state pr oeden, TO civil society. ! am rca-
DIV 10 concur in the opinion, that msn can no
where he found except in a state Of society.
that be can no where be found without the
Laws incident 10 society this state winch
precedes slI sociefy, never did exist, unless IN
deed Robinson Crusoe be an instance 10 the
contrary. and the instaDee given IN Bible histo-
~ j; aud then il existed only during ihht time
" wbrn man the hermit sighed, and disap-
pssred as soon " ss woman smiled and ter.
minated this state Of nature. II is as well n
law Of our nature that ws shall be governed by
Jules spper,aining to society, as that we shall
/" live, aud move, Rnd have our being for Nor
cannot eIsi without some law. governing their
relations one 10 another--be Is compelled 10
isbonr for his subsstenee-he IS neiusted by
Instinct 20 preserve his being aud promote his
enmforts--ihat instinct which promotes iba
comfort and preserves thar being, poinis at the
same time TO the law which auhorizes him 10
rspel tho s,sa,lsnt and punish the offender
whether written or unwri'ier. implied or ea
prsssed--and vain is the enquiry INTO that state
supposed 10 exit with man as an nnsooisl be.
ing When the Declaration of Rights tells US
that men are by nature equally free and indie
pendent, IL tells us thai hose laws gives to'a O.
eusi freedom and independence These doc
uines were maintained add hsrs avowed, not
FOR tb.ir simple truth, but 10 declare The more
important law directly applicable 20 The doc
uines Of government, winch ~as reared upon
this foundation, all msn are by nature equal
" free" &r. This declaration, Which, thank
God We have the authority of the highest tribu-
nal IN the State. for saying part Of The Cons6
tuition, was intended Tor the wise purpose Of de-
clsring the natural limit TO be placed upon all
governments, which the government Of laws
intended fot the protection OF these rights.
could not be made 10 destroy. You are 10
yield 10 The government only those things
which nre necessary 10 attain the legitimate
sndt Of government, MOTTO yield every thing
Nhieh COVE, nmsnt is intended 10 guard. Your
liberty aud yonr lives. are not TO be yielded
FOR no government IN ITS legitimate sphere, un.
derakrs To CLAIM lite, liberty, and the earnings
n labour for they are the righiful aud unali.
enable privileges OF the individual citizens. |
sou give II 10 rescue the declaration ol rights
from the tnesu aud obliqpy which have been
tL'o~o uron II. Here second article was
fssd
I'M J did not close his argument, in eonss
suence Of fatigue.
On Mr. Gies's motion, the Committee then
sDs and on Mr.. Masons IN lotion, the Conven.
Ton immediately adjourned.