Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1830-02-26
RICHMOND, FRIDAY FEBR U.qRY &c
VIRGINIA LEGISLATURES

(THE PAST AND THE FUTURE.)
The Legislature adj ourned on the ISL, after SEES
zion OF serenity nine days,-havng passed Isl Acts
a Summary OF these acts, and the contents Of such
as are OF general description, laid before the Rea
der, In the last and this days Nos Of the Enquirer
There are, comparatively. few acts Of very general
concern-Nor would the Session have been srun Out,
to the length, Of 10 days, but for the Conpcn
tion qe, and the Act re-chartering the Bank Of CIR
ginia
We're the materials FOR criticism, upon the proceed
Tugs of the last Legislature, ever 50 proely offered
to eur hands, we should be unwilling TO employ the
on the present occasion. The Speakers of the two
Houses, have sung the Requiem Of the o d Constitu.
ton, In their respective Valcdiciorics-Tbe Members
have parted with each other with the lngs men
who were not all likely TO meet again-The kndesi
sprit seemed to bind together the Delegates OF the
East aud the West, the North and the Sou,h--
They have laid their Legislative honors in the tomb
with the best feelings OF conciliaton And we I'M
willing to disturb the general sentiment either by Just
or fastidious animadversons. (Though one may sup.
pose that being nearly FIVE months engaged in deber-
alive body, must be nearly saated with speeches. s.
resolutions and Bills yet have never parted with the
members OF the Legislature with more regret.-The
more one knows them, the better he likes them.-Aud
we believe the niments towards each other per-
vaded all the members, in spite OF the little sparrngs
which had been thrown into their debates.
The reader will, we trust this Valcdctory of our
own; for many have gore away, who will not probably
soon return old constitutions as il werc "qui-
city nurncd. The PA members Of the II. Of Delegates
are TO be reduced TO l34-many countless which have
sent two Burgesscs will be entitled to but one-and ma
ny oil the present members therefore, will saryb
shom OF their honors-Ins,ead OF critcisnp the past
therefore, let US look to the futureor, the next Lcgs
lature Of Virginia will be of the most important
winch has ever assembled in the walls Of the Capitol
IL Is, indeed new az in the State. The new
Con 'fituion has bat laid the founJaon-and il will he
the oil OF the Il 81 Legislature IN December ne xt 10
build uron IL the eifce of our civil institutions. Two
of the departments of the Government are to re-
ceive their final organization The Judiciary in par
cular will call for great deal of time, discretion aud
talent. Scarcely its ounda ion lie said 10 he laid
at all We are TO have Court Of Appeals and County
Courts--These the only tribunals, which the Con-
stituon rece gnises-but even their number. ana al
most every thing pertaining hem l. left TO the Dis
erection Of the Legislaure-Anh he numbers iuri.dic-
lion, powers, The very names 81 the informed ate
Courts are submitted To their authority All the ex
listing Judges Only 10 be suspended; an! tie deli
cate ard important rus il to be exercised oi re elect
ing or rejecting such OF them, the public in,erc st.
acting upon the most enlarged consle NAV re.
quire THE next Legislature. il. in fact, suborina.,
only TO the Convention. Whst the enc has begun the
other must tiuh-what the one has conc lived in wis
dom, the other must execute in wi dom-And a.
In selecting the Delegates fer the Conventirn, we
thought ourselves bound TO call upan our fellow
citizens TO employ the greatest talents within
Their reach, 20 must we now invite them 10 put
In reqnsition such are best fitted 10
re-ors anize and build un and e-touch and take care
OF our best INTEREST," whether they be those of the State
or OF The Nai'on.-It may premature, perhaps TO
open upon This subject at The ime-to touch IN
on elections, which will not he made before October
nex-But cannot he denied, that of the PARTIES
concerned are already moving in this husness-and
why the great body Of The People should not move in
IT, a. early as the caoates themselves are al som.
loss to divine. They scarcely soon turn IN cir
attentions to the great object in view. II the peo-
pies government, and the people should do az mu
as they can te administer their own government
The first great object they ought 10 have in view is
TO select the best agents, for session of the Legislature
which may give its hue and character wears TO come
Give the new government but a fair sart-aunch well
the new ship from her ways, into her destined element
and may hope to her go gallanty on with ease
20 herself, and with bonor to the