Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-10-13
To The Editors of lie Enquirer

To The Editors of lie Enquirer:
The highly important duty of filling The va
cancy in The Court Of Appeals, occasoned BY the
death OF Judge Stanard, will deyclve upon tho
next Legislature. Many nominations have al
ready been made, and il is believed that gentle
men are 10 be found in all parts Of the State well
qualified for that station.
BY what considerations, then, should the Legis-
laure be guided in making a choce2 Among
many that might be named the following, il ap-
pears 10 me, should govern In Government
like ours, protested 10 be based on The will OF The
people, and which recognises equal tights and
equal privileges as cardinal principles, il be-
comes necessary under a sense of strict justice
and as matter of sound and correct policy, that
in the bestowal Of Offices OF honor profit, regard
should be had TO the various sections composing
the Government II they be monopolised by one
portion OF the Stale 10 The exclusion OF another
equally merlorious, discomfort, jeaousies and
hearl-burnings are sure TO follow with their long
trai of evils Has this rule been followed in
Virginia On the contrary, is il mol true that
nearly all the important offices within The gin OF
The government have been conferred on Eastern
men ? The portion West OF The Allegheny
mountains contains more than one.ihird Of the
entire white population Of the Stale; and can il
be commended tina, they are less patriotic or less
intelligent than any OF their Eastern brethren q
Yet when were they entrusted with any of the
high offices OF honor or profit in The government?
They have been entirely overlooked and neglect
ed-and is il 10 be wondered al il these people,
who know how 10 appreciate their rights, have
grown disconnected and sore under ssnse o this
neglect But il is by no means my intention Ia
create or add 10 any sectional excitement.
would merely remind the Legislature, and espc-
cially Eastern members, that they now have an
opportunity TO pour oil upon The troubled wa
ters," and 10 satisfy the reasonable and just eX-
pecalions OF The West.
There is another important reason why the
West should have member in the Court OF A p
peals. A large portion OF litigation here grows
out OF, and is in some way connected with, the un-
settled stale of Western land titles. Consequent.
ly Western lawyers necessarily become familiar
with the peculiar legislation on The subject, and
with the principles OF law involved in The trial OF
such causes. And as many such causes 60 10
the Court of Appeals, il becomes not only inl-
portant TO The parties in interest, but desidera-
ium 10 the Court itself, TO have in that body the
highest degree of learning on that subject
Having promised thus much would respect
fully present 10 The consideration OF the NEXT Le-
gislalure The name of George II. Lee, Esq, oil
Harrison county, as one emineniiy qualified 10
I'LL mat important StdllOil. Having StlFtu dS d
distinguished member OF The Legislature, and
now holding The office Of Attorney in the United
States Courl for The Western District of Virginia,
Mr.. Lee has become extensively and favo,ably
known. His mind, by nature strong and vigo-
rous, has been carefully cultivated, having had
the advantage OF an early and liberal education.
From his first setting out in life he has followed
the practice Of The law, and having been close
and indeialigable student, has acquired vast
fund Of legal knowledge and is not only a sound
jurisl, but ready and able expounder Of the
law, and deservedly ranks among The very first
OF the profession, as is we'll allesled BY his es-
lensve and liberal practice. Possessing lively
genius distinguished Tor clear and quick pcrcep-
ton and powerful discriminating faculties, aided
by exemplary and industrious habits he is fitted
and qualified in high degree Tor the Judicial
Bench. In his social intercourse he has all The
qualities OF an accomplished gentleman, marked
by an affable department and inflexible integrity
and being yet in The yigor of manhood, would
be able 10 endure the labors and 10 di. patch the
business of The Judicial office with ease 10 him
self and advantage 10 The community.
LEWIS