Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-04-07
TO THE CITIZENS OF RICHMOND.


FsLlow-CIrnkss; have perceived with great
regret, an attempt made 10 produce an excitement
among you at the ensuing election Tor Members Of
the Common Hall and Magistrates of the City; a
regret founded, solemnly affirm, on no personal
predictions, but based upon the anxious fears
which cannot but entertain that the course pro-
posed, IL pursued and adopted, frausht with evil OF
the alarming description, and is well oalcula-
ted to overthrow and break into a thousand irag-
ments the strongest fortress that guards the sacred
fabric Of rational liberty, namely the independence
Of the judiciary. Let II be once known, telt and
understood that the judicial and Ministerial acts of
your magstracy are to be tested, not by purity Of
motive not by an honest exercise OF Judgment, but
by the unstable and ever shifting demonstration of
popular feeling, and the tenure by which We hold
our property, nay the security in which we hold
lives, "thc rights OF persons and the rights OF
things" mere names, or rather chains thrown
around the industrious and well principled, while
the idle and wicked are left nj freedom to work
the malice and mischief OF their corrupt hearts.-A
dependent judiciary, and that dependence on popu-
lar will Better, thousand times better, a mere
desposm. IL is in the nature of things to have an
upright and merciul despot, but Is not all expert
ence-sad, sad xperience-againsta government Of
unchecked unconhned and uncomfortable demo-
cracy1 do not wish, and do not mean TO be
misunderstood. am, as who with us indeed is not
one Of the peoplel am mphatically SO | have no
ancestry that foster my pride, no wealth TO place
me above my fellow-citizens. BY the sweat OF my
brow earn my daily bread, an humble but spffi-
cling pitance; the general good Is my good, end the
people cannot suffer, but must suffer with them.
Now know that II is the principle OF our govera-
ment (and i know Of no better government, none
on the whole good that all power springs from
the people; but know too, that TO render that GO
vernment wholesome and benehcent, the power
that has been parted with by the people themselves
the restraints which they by common consent have
imposed upon themselves must be held involate,
or anarchy and misrule are the inevitable conse-
quence. In the soundness OF the peoples judg-
ment, when that judgment is the result OF debera-
ton and reflection have the utmost confidence,
but who among is not aware that II Is capable
Of perversion under the influence Of sudden ex-
element nd the designing arts OF the demagogue7
Are the citizens of Richmond, the sturdy Wing
City of Richmond, to be told how tearfully the
best interests OF the country may be leoparded, by
acting the passions of the people, after the ar
duous struggle which we have had for the last
twelve years? During which time the very watch
word Of the Administration party was: THE peo
pie, the dear people" No fellow citizens, leave
your judiciary alone to TO the best Of their
science; when you find them corrupt, visit them
with your wrath and hurl them from their seats
But do not say TO them, If you dare do this, which
Is not wrong but dspleasng TO U.S. If you dare omit
that, which is not absolutely necessary proper,
but choose that it should be done, will dis
place you. Do not say to your Magistrates, you are
there the mere images of our creation, the mere
gans OF our will our pleasure, and not your iudg-
ment is to be exercised IN your official capacity :"
but rather hold this language: "reying your in
tegrity and ability, elect you 10 office; exercice
that ability, perscrve that integrity and reap your
reward in the sanction of your consciences and the
respect and appreciation of the community which
you serve" So much for this view of the subject:
let us look little further.
vacancy occurs IN an important office, the FILL
ing OF which is, by the charter of the city, excu-
sively confined to its magistrates. Two persons
present themselves candidates for the Office both
contessedly well qualified to perform its duties
both possessing and deservedly possessing the con-
hdence of the communicating merits and capa-
billuies of both tried and ascertained. The one
having, tho in an inferior capacity, already per-
formed in great degree the duties Of the Office
sought the other in like pacity, having perform
ed the duties of an Office of a similar character
would it, ask in all candor be very wrong step
TO appoint either Of these gentlemen7 Is il an out
rageocs act, TO give the place To the one who has
already performed the duties OF the office satisfaco
nly-an act so outrageous as TO be visited with
downright denuncstionl What is there, ask TO
constitute this measure a dire offence The unas-
certained, or IT you please, the ascerained wishes
OF a ma ority OF the peoplel Will you compel your
magistrates TO be governed by bare majority Of
the people in the performance Of duties exclusively
conhded TO their dscretionl IL so, look to the con-
sequences; instead Of a fair and impartial bench.
exercising their powers honestly and fearlessy you
will necessarily have plant supple, time serving
set, who dare not act, until they have aScertaned
that their aets will please ma oriiy, and although
have arisen from the appointment Of either of the
candidates. yet what will this thing inevitably lead
10, If once the rule be established A hunting at
ter popularity both on the part OF the candidate and
the appointing power. And ! pray you, what
would be the most likely mode on the part of a ci-
val officer, to gain the good will of a ma orIty, the
strict performance of his disagreeabe duty, or a
remssness caTelessness, and criminal indulgence
towards the unfortunate2 There are more debt.
ors than credltors-to say nothing about crimi- |
mails.
You shortly about TO elect your magistrates, |
who in March next to elect your Sergeant. Will
you listen TO the proposition that you should require
Of them pledge that they would dispIace at that time
the present incumbent, however ably and satisiacto
rY he may in the interval have performed his duty?
And that, because it is asserted, and after all il is
but assertion although see weight in 1t If it
were true) thata majority Of the people would, at
The period OF the past election, have preferred his
-ompet.tor1 One word more and am done. By
charter the officer who holds the election OF Com
mon Councilmen is he Sergeant. He who keeps
he polls, will, under this state Of things, look
% you for his Office. Think then what door you
nay hereafter open TO corruption, If you Indirectly
violate that very charter, by substituting the ex-
preston of mere temporary public opinion, the ir-
acts Of an irresponsible minority, for
he cool, deliberate and independent judgment Of
POUR magistrates.
More, much more might he said on this subject,
but have no wish TO tire you, to occupy lar
ger place in the public prints, lin which be 1t said
In passing, have scarcely ever appeaTed) to the
exclusion perhaps OF matter, certainly not more i'm.
portant, but undoubtedly more ably and agreeably
set forth.
In conclusion, let me beseech you, most earnestly
beseech you, to pause you commit an act whose
propnety is at least doubted; act 10 the present
state OF things utterly uncaled for, and which may
be Taught with consequences Of the most drefu
import TO ourselves and to those who arc to after
US. HOMO.