Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1830-07-27

h>~.st to MI. Senatorial District will thank you TO
give speedy publication In the columns OF your pa
per. Respectfully, Yours. &c. ~
WILLIAM JONES.
MATHEWS CouRr-tousE. July 18th. 1880.
Sir-Understanding that you have offered your
vices TO represent this Senatorial Ditct. in tho frs,
Legislature under the amended Constitution,
OF the District, take the liberty of addressing you.
for the purpose Of making enquiries concerning
your political opinions. We entertain high esteem for
perform the duties which may devolve you
Senator Of Virginia; but believing il important to the
country that offices Of high responsibility shsll be fill
ed by Republicans, and that liberal supper, Of the pre-
sent Administration Of the General Government, will
best promote the interests Of the Republican Party,
regard for political consistency induces US TO enquire
how far may expect your cooperation In views
In the event Of your election. You will oblige US
likewise by stating how far you disposed reform
any other questions Of State policy, which you may
consider worthy Of particular notice. will be
Your friends, Sc.
wM. JONES. CHARLES ATKINSON
VIM. H. ROY, ALFRED BILLUPS,
CATESBY JONES, CHARES BLAKE.
JNO B; ROBERTS: RICHARD BILLUps,
yeINJ HUDGINs, NJ. J. DAVIS.
JOHN II. BILLUPS,I
To AUGUSTINE l.. OApNEY, Esq.
GLOUCESTER, July If, 1890.
Gentlemen: Your letter of the 18th inst handed
the day of its date, and should be unworthy OF
the regard you have oblgngly expressed for me, IL
iaed 10 return you SPECIFY anu candid reply. nave
ever ,nsidercd. myself Republican, and those who
have known me best, have doubted my claim to
such character. am aware, indeed, that my course
in the last presidential election subjected my political
principles TO much misconstructon II was the fashion
at that period of excitement to style Gen. Jackson the
Republican, aud Mr. Adams the Federal candidate.-
But did not the propriety of this distinction, and
believing that neither Of them was in truth Republi-
can selected MIR. Adams, whose past life appeared to
me best calculated to qualify him for civil Office and
gave him my support 1t was, for the reason already
stated reluctantly given. He had never been favor
lite with me, and the of his administration was
directly at variance with the principles which had
over Advocated But did not entertain hope that the
proposed change OF men would effect any change OF
Both candidates seemed pledged to the same
parties; for Mr. Adams's message of December, 1925,
when stripped of the mists of his rhetoric,
ed principles that Gen. Jacksons in the Senate
had not previously sanctioned. My choice, them was
merely one between men, and i'm making il was infu-
cncod simply by the consideration that an ex-
perenced statesman, and the other gallant soldier.
How much of the federalism of l79S now survives I
have not the means Of judging, having never enjoyed
the confidence ct any person who protested it his
crecd and know nothing of its principles but they
were developed in the prominent official acts of the
elder Mr. Adams These, in the earliest lessons my
licai preceptors, taught to disapprove; and my
subsequent reflections Invested, far could dvest
them oil the preudices of my educaton have strength
my conviction of their unness for such govern
ment as But the principles that divide par
ties in the u States easily understood, and may
accurately stated and shall object, if you please,
to make these the tests OF repubcansm and federalism.
They are the Tariff and Internal Improvement by the
general government and united, they are styled the
american System" Against this system, and each
branch OF it, have ever contenled earnestly and sim
cerey and no candidate for preerment, protesting
principles, can ever gain my confidence.
towards Gen. Jackson my feelings favora-
Die than they have been. He has adopted South
ern principles distinctly and avowedly-so withhold nv
appreciation, then, would be glaringy inconsistent with
the whole tenor of my professions His rejection of the
Maysville Road Bill, Sc had not been expected by me
and had seemed rather be wished than anticipated by
many OF his avowed supporters But my neutrality had
been established long before. had opposed his cleo
ton openly and zeaously, until opposition hopeless
from the moment of his election regarded him as the
President, not of party but of the naon and entitled
therefore, to the liberal support Of all who enjoyed the
benefit OF his government And l judge his ac-
tons, precisely would do if my vote had assisted to
place him where he is
recognise among you, gentlemen a member OF the
electoral college which gave the votes of Virginia tt
Zen. Jackson How far my opinions the subject o.
his administration, may affect my fitness for the station
oil Senator of this district shall determine. You
have required them of me and have not hesitated t,
meet the requisition.
You have asked my opinions aso on matters of State
policy and more particularly the chancery portion Of
our judiciary system. This, consider, radically wrong
Every thing that patchwork can do has been done al
ready any further efforts amend it, would pro
badly cause as many mischiefs they would cure
Theidelay, expence and inconvenience of Court
situted as this is, must continue while the cour
continues. But much Of the delay may, think, be
avoided by transferring the Courts of Laws large
portion OF the cases now entertained by the chancery
COURTS and correct the expense and inconvenience
uioSc KNOW DeUer metn0d tnaT
that Of having Chancery Courts at every Courthouse ir
the State. The Court of Appeals, too, needs much
form. But am not prepared to speak very definitely
on this subject. That must have tribunal o
ultimate resort, all seem ready to admit. But whether
this shall be constituted II is; whether ou
Judges like those of England, shall perform the duties
oil the Circuits at some periods, and of the Supreme
Court at others; whether lastly, they SHALL like those
OF the Supreme Court of the United States do part
iy OF the circuit duties, will be best determined if lief
to the discretion of the Representatives after full dis
cusson shall have ELECTED every argument for each
or left for the present to form subject for speca
instructions from the district competent, alon,
and unasssted, to form opinion the subject
will call your attention to matter of ser
Gus mportapce it is the style Legislation that has pre-
vailed in Virginia. II is really Notifying to percev,
how few OF our statutes precise to admit but
single Interpretation. II is expected that revisal
our laws will be made, the pressure of bust
ness under the New Constitution shall have passed. AM
then, much good may be effected by members who hav,
the industry and other requisite TO correct tho
phraseology. am, very respectfully,
Your friend,
A. L. DABNEY.
- To Col. WM. JONES, &c.