Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1844-11-29

forty miles from his CONTINUOUSLY or the witness
or officer NAV not be compelled 10 devote part OF
Sunday in going 10 or preparing for Court. Every
citizen has The unrestrained, and should be- un-
trarnmeled right TO pursue what profession he
NAV prefer Again, the rights and dearest interests
of the humblest citizen may be invaded, (would
TO God il were not so, as il often is the CASEY and
such an one, no matter who he may be, has a
right 10 obtain the acknowledged great legal ia
Tents, which belong TO each Of you, as great ad-
vocae. to assert and maintain his rights =
his cause may be in the Court of distant
county from your home, but in the range OF
your practice, and may be called on Monday:
You NAV desire TO serve such Client as know
you would, even without hope or expectation OF
fee or reward you say 10 him, that you cannot
conscieniiously leave your home for the forum OF
his rights on Sunday, and occupy much OF the
day in travelling; that you desire. with your ia
mily, 10 60 10 your usual place OF religious wor-
ship: that YOU will be wholly upreparcd 10 do
him Justice on Monday, ifyou delay TO commence
your tourney till that day. This, as one Of you
NAV know, is no mere imaginary case. Now,
Sirs. is not gross injustice done lawyer and eli
ent in such a case? And have not such of our
citizens right to complain that they labor under
an inconvenience and grievance?
Let us for moment examine this question OF
true, tina, ours is Government of the people
but il is equally true, that orr Government should
throw its protecting shield over each and every
member and class OF society; that il is also in
tended 10 be Government for minorities And
he is the wise legislator, who, while he pays that
high regard TO the wishes OF majority OF his
constituents, which majori,ies carry with them,
will vet, not disregard the rights, interests, and
even the opinions OF the hlmblest citizen, provid-
ell such regard does mol lead him 10 trespass on
the rights of others. That malorties may do
wrong and think enormously, every political and
parry minority daily asserts; and also every page
Of mans history confirms the truth; and, that The
voice of the people is the voice OF God is not now
even as erted, BY the most unb!ushins demasogue
who ever insulted the intelligence OF people,
from whom he seeks power, in order that he may
betray them. And, Sirs, that is a wise ma ority,
who will not misuse that power which they may
hold, and which they know may be temporary /;
who will Justly regard the views OF q minority
entitled to their respect. Who, Sis let me ask,
are those desiring change Of the court days7
They are tax payers and voters Of Virginia; ma
nv are members of respected useful and growing
religious denominations; many, too desire the
change proposed, because they desire TO see, in
this land, unrammelled, and unrestrained, and
EQUAL liberty and Justice. In word, every De-
mocralic Republican (lhough not III the party
scnsc OF the erm) should desire the change. And
what do the friends Of this measure ask =? do they
ask the granting oil any exclusive privilege 10
any class or community of individuals? do they
seek that, the granting Of which will infringe
or affect The rights or privileges of those who diff
fer with them do they desire 10 take from any
man in this Commonwealth the right if nc wish
es il, 10 spend the Sabbath as he thinks proper-o
engage in any work or amusement ne may wish!
do they wish 10 compel any one 10 embrace this
or thai, or any religious opinion? No, Sirs;
they only ask, that they and others may not he re-
duccd 10 tic necessity oil doing that which they be-
licyc wrong; they only ask practical meaning
10 be given 10 that very expressive clause OF your
Bill OF Rights-to enjoy the 'jrcc erereise OF their
religion, according 10 The dictates Of TIER con-
sciences"
But, sirs, the laws of the land require tie at
tendance of Virginans at the bar of the Courts OF
many counties, to perform public duties, as grand
jurors, or 10 protect private rights, as witnesses
In the large counties the party summoned may
live at great distance from the Court. he
cannot possibly attend TO this requisition, unless
he trespasses on the Sabbath, or be put 10 the in
convenience and expense OF leaving his home
before Sunday-and the lawyer must, TO attend
foreign Court, be sub ecied 10 similar inconye-
nience. Remembering the unGuestioned right Of
entertaining HIS peCuIIdli dHu III YOU p!cdSei 6p-
surd views Of duty and his religious belief, is it
JUST, to place even small class OF individuals
under such Inconvenience and grievances,
amounting almost 10 oppression? Can The Le-
gislature properly require me TO obey the laws as
every good citizen should without compusion do,
al the same time, trespassing on opinions which
hold TO be dear and sacred
The proposed change of the Court days recon-
mends itself from the fact, that in thus justly re-
garding the wishes of the friends of the measure
YOU do not place others to serious Inconvenience.
TO many, If not all, il is equally convenient to
attend the Courts on Tuesday or Wednesday,
And fear!esSly and confident Of success, would
appeal TO every high-mnded and liberal Virgil
MAN. and calmly ask him. if he is not willing TO
be subjected 10 some inconvenience, if such were
the fact in the case before us 10 every ci
tizen he Stree exercise" This religious opinions
Ave would 20 farther, and whatever might be
his own opinions of the nature and character OF
the generally regarded Sacredness of the Sabbath
day, would ask him. are not the opinions OF his
ncghbor or felow-citiZen entitled 10 respect, who
believes that i. is day of peculiar interest 10
himself-who prefers 10 attend, with his family,
friends and neighbors, his usual place Of worship
Though it might be his privilege 70 20 else
whcre)-a spot endcarcd 10 him by thousand
OF the ,enderest associations.
But, srs, will not trouble you with reflections
on subject which appears 10 me 10 be an i'm
portant one; and wha! legislative action should
be had in reference 10 the grievance complained,
appears TO me TO be SO clear, that he who runs
may read Uncommon with many others, trust,
you will give this matter your attention during
the coming session. JUSTICE.