Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1830-01-09
COMMENTATORS
THURSDAY. Nov. 20
MR. II. III. HENDERSON'S SPEECH,
On rH@ ELECTION OF GOVERNOR


tune again, to differ with the estimabc gentleman who
had just favored The committee with his views. will
not laid Mr. H., detain the committee long, because
am aware, that what may say, vii come recommend
ed neither by weight OF reputation nor by any grace
OF manner. ] agree, MIR. Chairman, tkat the friends
Il The PROPOSE Ion under consideration, bound TO
give reasons to this Convention and to the ope them
selves, Tor the contemplated change--and sound and
strong reasons too. Unless this DONE let The
l.ting mode oil election continue. Such. admit, is
the &C. rse of prudence and common IL really
does seem TO me- sir, that Il diff suit to place
this matter in point Of light clearly wing the pro-
prirty Of electiog the Chief Msgi.rAte OF The State
by the citizens in their primary capacity. The n
t.enan HON this city, who hss just taken his sent,
has amused us with eihng like decla ,iion upon
he topic oil splendid Executive In this, the gentle
man has ieaped before he reached the ste. He has
invested the Governor with i,nagnary splcnLur; a
having done this, he has very grav.ly proceeded TO
prove that this gorgeous ought not be elected
by the people Now sir, this il varying theguc-lion
ia manner singular enough We contend that The Co
vernon SHOULD be elected by the people; and prove
TINS political position untrue, told that he ought
not TO be so elected, because lie is to be armed with
great powers, and arraysd in great msgniic .nce The
presumption is that this boiy, in its wisdom will give
to this department OF the government such powers
are consistent with the interest and honor OF the Co,a
monwealth. Thus presumng, we are called upon to
decide the mode of hs election NV opinion tina,
he ought to be elected by the people and for the spacs
oil three years. voted for striking out the term OF
years. concsving il regular to test the principle
hrst, and I'LL the hlatk afterwards.
Let us then, Mr. Chairman. without needing nick
proceed with the enquiry. And here sir I venture to
assume ground, The soundness Of which may defy cri.
ticsm that, as an indiuduai ought, in important
concern 10 d0 6y another Uhat he nell do by
htms'D, so people ought not fo execute By agency
that to tchich IL is competent in is proper original
character IL this be true, then, have 10
whether the citizens at large perform this duty
we'll as their Legislature, or not | maintain the afir-
nation not only Of this proposition, but Of the other
one, that they can perform better; AMI that strong
very strong, objections to tho acton Of the Legislature
upon the subject exist
wha, is the nature Of the duty' What the quAlif-
cations necessary TO IFS discharge? SCUM! understand
ing ard honesty Are there any recon'lite principles
OF science in the matter? Is it complete in its part
do any peculiar difficulties attend, ohscu,ies hang
over il! Noman ought To be Governor OF Virginia. who
has not attained considerable age, pei formed emn
public services and required dfusive reputa lion,
high standing. All men OF that iescripon are, in the
very nature OF the thing, generally kro to the poo
pie. Have the people, then, not judgment enough T..
discern who is FIT, and recude enough to have sui
cient regard indeed Tor their interests and dgni "
to chuye him when dseerned. cannot and will not,
impu'e to the sovereign people OF this ancient Common
wealth. so much folly, or oblifuity as to doubt it,
may moi be amiss Sir, advert our sister States
for moment; eighteen e'ct their Chief Magisrnts by
the people; *, including Virginia. by their Ircsa-
lures This is not referred 10, in the expectations that
shall blindy follow their exsmpie; hut in the hone
'ha, gentlemen will be per.uadrd TO pause, AM ponder
on the fact that three ourths OF The States in Union
have adopted the system which advocate.
He who will study the Europe IN Governments and
especially that OF England. will be struck with the idea
that they are built upon the ground OF making the prn
ciples OF monarchy, dristocrdcy and denocracy con-
iic with each other in such proportions, preserve
the energy OF the whoe--Such IL the theory of the
British Government. will examine il now in the
abstract or in its supposed aptitude napte TO the
circumstances or character OF that any other ope
Suffice il TO say, that American politician ought TO
resist the declaration, that the theory OF govern
nents Is the Sovereignty Of the people, and the respon-
stbhfy Of their agents Aud, to maintain this respou-
eiliy in its full vigor, the wise who framed on
institutions have ordered, thet the ,gislaiive s-
Executive Departments, should emanat. directly from
the People themselves. Thus each looking TO is sourc
will fe that jeao usy OF the ohcr, (which Inspires
ual vigilance perpetuates liberty and establishes pub.
lie securily--1his is the broad, the vital the beauti
u principle which stands Substitute for ha Europe
plan OF checks and bAlanccsTh. il IT, that gives Ia
the governments composing our happy political frarrni-
~, the spii which assures they will prove
loyal TO the societies over which they Iresde.--Re-
thi, responsibility, destroy this lauab and man
" iealou<y,-and, although circumstances may pros
trate the existence OF free institutions, they are the
speft of casua ty.It il 10 this argument 10
s%y that all the powers Of the G,vernmq ut are vested
rot in one man but in many Many fWan;s more
folera6!c than one 1t il against The principle OF ty-
ranDv, that struggle WITH in is details Sir said
MIR. III am advancing novelties. ! am the hum
BILE - ho OF the voice Of the fathers of the Revolution;
The Statesmen, whom Virgin, has delighted to honor.
Few Of those to whom alluds, gathered to their
fathers; another graces by his venerable press the
deliberations Of this body
Here Mr.. ii. read, from Jeer.on'a Notes on Virgil
MIA, as follows -" All the powers Legislative, Execu.
tive, and Judici,ry, result to the Legislative Body.
eiseiy The H. fnifion If despofic government. IL will
be no aeviation that these powers will be exercised
by plurality of hands, and by single one. one
hundred and serenity three Depos, toould surely b,
as oppressive as one"
Agsin-Mr. II read, "They, (meaning the Legi.,.
ture) have, accordingly, in many instances, decide
rights which shculd have been left 10 judiciary con
troversy; and The direction Of The Executive, dDins
The chois fin'e@ their Session, is becoming ha6ifud
and familiar"
He then referred TO the 18th No. of the Federaist
written by Mr.. Madison and read follows: No po
tcd truth is Of greater intrinsic value or is stamped
with the authority OF more enlightened patrons Of Hler
ty, than that which the objection is founded. Tn,
accumulation Of all powers, Legislative Executive am
many. and whether hereditary, selappontcd, eiec
ftUe may Justly be pronounced the very definition Of ty
ranny." Mr.. II. here called the attention of tho Com
| mtee TO the 10th No. Of the same work. written by
the same gentleman and read follows: 'i IL agreed
all sides, that the powers properly belonging 10 of tho
departments ought not TO be directly completely admin
istered by either of the other Departments isequaly
evident that in reference TO each other, neither of then
ought 10 possess, directly indirectly, oueyThinl
influence in the administration Of their respective pow
| crs" Mr. H. then referred to the 5lst No. OF the
Federalist, written by General Hamilton and read as
follows I'm order TO lay due foundation for that Sc
parate and distinct exercise OF the different powers
government, which, TO certain extent, is admitted Ia
be essential 10 the preservation Of liberty IS evident
that each department should have toiH NJ its otcn
and, consequently, should be 50 constituted, that this
members Of each should have as hHfe agency as pos
sbie in the 0ppotntmeatof the members Of the others.
Again" But the great security against gradual con
cenra9n Of the several powers in the department
consists IN giving those who administer each depart
nen the necessary constitutional means and persona
motives TO resist the encroachments Of the others The
provision for defence must in this, as in al other cases