Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1830-09-24


net 1t be granted that Mr. leigh is in the abstract
IN favor of preserving the chancery system as
present. We do not believe that be Is-we believs
that he acknowledges the necessity of reforma ton
and will aid in making it with all his heart, all bis
ability and perfect honestly while he will not COMM,
himself to any particular scheme of Reform for the
very sufficient and unanswerable reason that perhaps
still better scheme may be discovered 5y legiso
t0e ,cisdous and elaboration, which would place him
and the.people of Henrico in the silly and ridiculous
position of choosing bad thing, when good thing
was in their reachbut suppose, for argument sake,
that he does specuiaoey prefer to keep the chance
ry courts exactly as they ares What then? Can
| there be doubt, that Mr. Leigh knows the people
of Henrico wish change, and that knowing this he
will promote their wishes the of his abilty
Can any man doubt this? AS faithful representa-
tive honest man, he is bound to do it, and he
has said he you'd do it. Here then, in Mr.. Leighs
self acknowledged duty to represent the wishes of
those who elect him. in his veracity and honesty
man, never yet called in question, the people of Hen
rico, have the strongest guarantee they could possibly
ask, that Mr. Leigh will promote the desired reform
IN the chancery courts. He will net pledge himself
to Mr.. Williams particular scheme of reformation,
nor TO Mr. Mosbys, to that of any other gentle
still better scheme may be offered the Legislature
--b ecause he knows that in multitude of counsel
ors there is wisdom. and hat when the subject
comes to be discussed in the General Assembly,
even he may learn something new. Are not these
excellent for his refusing to say that be
will support this that, or the other scheme?
He will support some scheme of reforming the Chan
Gerry Courts-tbe best scheme that is offered to the
satisfy every man. We have never heard Mr. Leigh
speak this subiect-but We understand ne admits,
that the whole country almost is in favor of refor-
nation in the Chancery Courts and that consequent
y great majority of the General Assembly will al
so be in favor of it. This being the case, change
of some is inevitable and Mr. Leigh hns pledged
himself to all his exertions to make that change
convenient and beneficial to the people of Virginia
as possible What more can be asked of him? What
more can be desired of any MANI What possible
ground Is there toy fear Mr.. Leigh the question of
the Chancery Courtss Meme whatever. This being
certainly true, what man could the people of Henri
co elect. SO able to make the change they wish In
the Chancery Courts, safe, beneficial ard available?
We have heard of no other positive objection to
Mr. Leigh. "Nsthanie Bacon appeals to the con-
rentionsts, and the new voters, but bis appeal is
founded upon principle which good feeling rejects,
and patriotism abhors--upon principle of resent
n,ent He wishes them to vote against Mr. Leigh,
because Mr.. Leigh was opposed to the Convention,
and to extending the right of suffrage. What have
those questions to de with the next Legislatures? No
thing in the world. They have been settled long a
60, and Mr Leigh could not unsette thea, if he
would VIII any patriot carry vindctire feelings to
the Polls? In the exercise of his sacred public
duty, will he suffer himself to be governed by his bad
passions? Will he punish Mr.. leigh for exercising
his freedom of opinion and speech? VIII he punish
himself, by voting against the man most able to rem
der him service in the Legislature? o. will he car
re- only enlightened and patriotic feelings to the Pos
Will he CO. resolved to execute BIZ, high trust in the
way most serviceabe to his country Will be vote
for the man whom ne knows to be the ablest, e,.ose
honesty he knows he can trust? Yhus patriotism
will reason and act and disdan be ioGue need by
appeals to feelings unworthy gifts association.
OF piece with this appeal to the resentment of
the voters, is the appeal to the Jackson men, Mr..
Leigh freely canvassed Gen. Jackson's public
duct, many years ago, and censured what he consid
sred inffacons of the constitution, and of the ber
ty of the citizen--and, Give Ear Earth! twelve
years afterwards, the People Of Henrico invoked
to punish Mr. Leigh for his presumption in crtici
sing Gen Jackson's public conducti! Do we live
in land of Liberty, land of Despotsn' Are
we freemen, slaves? Is Cen Jackson our
MASTER too high and sacred to be approached by the
irreveren voice of enquiry? Has it already to
this that Virgiuians are publicly called upon to pup
ish fellow citizen, for daring to act the part of n
free man, and rudely enquring if Gen. Jackson had
not transcribed his authority? Is the voice of en-
uury to be stifed lest Gen Jackson s feelings should
be hurt? People of Hcnrico you must and sill feel
indgnat that any has presumed to address to you
such an argument this! That any man should
think you such slaves and asses, to be influenced
against Mr. Leigh by an argument which presupposes
his independence and love of country and its institu
tons, and degree of scottish ard beastly ignorance on
your part utterly unworthy Of liberty and free Go