Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-05-12

To Enroas or Tte CovsTIrrrroy,r. yyHIa.
GENrLENEN: | have noticed. in vonr paper or the
9th inst communication addressed to myself and
hcssrs p. n. Nicholas. Nym. Cha ulherlaYne, John
Tyler, John Marshall, B. Bassett and r. Saunders,
requesting to know opinions upon certain points
Having consented to serve tho district if elected
convention, can have objection to an avowol
of my opinions; the contrary, the consciousness
that the people had reposcd their confidence in me
with full knowledge of my sentiments, would be
of much satisfaction, and the only rerrnt
now feel, if I may use strong term, is that the
enquiry has heeB made after election has passed
and others must be before my answer can be
disseminated.
| think no government entitled TO the na1rc of
republic, unless its powers be exercised by full and
decide: minority of the community, and believe
this is not the fact in Virginia, OF the right
| of suffrage ought TO be extended and in the Ian
pi,age Of the Bill of Rights, to 'saU men, having
sufficient ecdence Of PerrHanet coD'mpn interest aci
md aytochmcntto lie community" Iuestimating this
evidence although the possession OF land be safe
rule il is not the only safe in my opinion, the
proper rlc. That sentiment without the prevalence
~ which, in the oftle community IL is Of little
value 10 talk of securities for Just government called
love ct country results only partially, not mainly,
from the possession of lunds; liz more important
sources are be sought where they only be fonnd,
in the social relations Of his attachments his
friends, his relatives, his family, his children, com
biDed with satisfying assurance, that the govern
Inent under which he lives, to himself and to
these (without whom he would claim no country as
his) an entirety Of right in SHE ejoyment IF ft
and liberty, sriLt The If acquiring and pos
sessing property, md pursuing and o5ioining hap
piness and safety" The attainment Of these ends
; consider not only consistent WITH but requiring
RI Some limitation unen that abstract equality Of man
which would give universal suffrage; the necessa.
ry limitation may probably be indicated by the fol
lowing rules
list. All who now vote shall continue to exercise
the right
Z, Cd. All having an interest in land to Tic value
! of 500, and
Cd. Al natives land those nos natives, being cit
gems who have previously resided two years in the
STATED who, or whose property, shall have been as
sessed with and paid taxes, amounting TO dollar
:, shall be admitted TO the right.
! believe that the judicial system Of the State, re-.
ouires entire reformatoD the details, however must
be LEFT to the future legislature (who, have doubt
will find that the evils under hich we labor, result
not more from the defects inthe system Of judiciary
than from the imperfecons Of the system of laws sub
rnlted 10 their administrator the mode of appoint
rncut tenure of Office and means Of removal, only
being Of constitutional provson-upon these subjects
am of opinion that the judges ought to be appoint
Isl cd bv the Legislature, that they shoudhold their Off
- ces during rood BEHAVIOUR be compensated for the
services with permanent salaries not reducble during
their continuance in Office that for ncapacity menta
4 or pbyscal-they should be removed by concurren
vote ofboth branclesofte Legislature and for crimes
+ imisbehaviour in Office, gross neglect Of duty, &c
> rennovedupon conviction by impeachment institute
nv the House Of Delegates and tried by tc Senate
Il I would make the judiciary both Independent an