Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1850-08-01
STATE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. IN
I.YNCHBURG.

STATE REFORM-nISCUSSIO IN
LYNCHBURG.
The citizens of Lynchburg were addressed up
on the questions OF State Reform, now before the
people of Virginia, on Monday last by several of
the candidates for seats in the Convention. The
discussion commenced about o'clock in the al
ternoon, and was continued until about II, eX-
cepiIng a short Ir.termisSion for supper.
The discussion was opened by MIR. JOHN F.
SALE, of Bedford, in an able speech of about
two hours. MIR. Sale, after abiding to the fond
ness of his opponents for the name of reiormers
and their disposition to make the term conserva-
tive synonymous with anti-reformer, proceeded
ably and orcby 10 argue the independence Of
the judiciary and the benefits Of the County
Court System. We were peculiarly pleased with
MIR. Sale S argument upon the independence Of
the Judiciary. Among other arguments, he used
one OF this substance: The Judge who is made
re-eliglblc is apt to be socious about his e-elec-
ton, and tins solicitude will shape his decisions
upon all questions Of justice, which will come be-
fore BIN; hence, such man will be ruled by pop
ular sentiment. II is often that popular sent-
ment is IN direct opposition to the dictates of JUS
tee and right aud, therefore, the Judge, who
yields to il, will be apt In the Welding thereof,
- sacrifice ustice and become the tool of amb-
ton. As an illustrative proof of his views upon
tins subject, Mr.. Sale cited the recent outrage in
Culpcper County. In stating this argument, we
make no pretension to the use OF Mr.. Sale S
words or even to the preservation of his terms,
but we have stated, in general terms, the sub
stance of the argument
/ MIR. Sale, III discussing the County Court SyS-
TEN, showed 1t to be an agent of administering
justice, both expeditions and beneficial in lis OPP
crations. Mr.. Sale successfully comhatted the
rmiCat rcjoRerS doctrine of electing all the Off
GERS, from the Governor 10 the Constable, by the
people, showing that this was either impractica-
bic, or injurious when practicable. While dis
cussing this part of the subject, Mr.. S. alluded
10 the fact, that the people were invested with
the power to elect the ovelseerS Of the poor, and
yet so little is the interest felt in the election OF
this officer, that in but few cases had this pow
er been exercised in fact, none of which he was
aware. He said tothiS argument, which he used
upon u former occasion that Mr. Mari (who after
wards addl cSsed the audienCo) had replied 1T was
an unimportant office Yet, continued Mr. Sale
the oyelScer Of the poor has full power TO levy
taxes to an indefinite degree. This argument, we
regard, as full and sufficient, and, had Mr. s
used no, other, his point would have been well
exceedingly well sustained. Mr.. Sale is gentle
man OF extensive legal reputation. He makes nc
pretenSionS TO oratory, and cannot be called an
orator but he is more. lie thinks closely and
N,
We admired his ingenuity, and could not but be
convinced oithe superior endowments of his rea-
soning faculties.
Mr.. DANIEL MARR, of Campbell, followed in
an address Of about two hours and half. We
certainly have no disposition 10 take an uniavora
BILE view of Mr., MARI but when we attempt tc
write a history, we shall write facts, undsguised
and entire The address of Mr.. Mari was loose
and unconnected, much the greater part without
any force or bearing upon the questions before the
people. He was evidently not much disposed t.
enter into the questions previously discussed by
Mr.. Sale but contented himself with showing the
people that Mr.. Sale and his coadiutors were
sadly at variance" upon some points. The dis.
cusson was evaded and the only question which
MIR. Mar took up was that of the County Courts
Even here, he did not pretend 10 answer the ar
gumcnts of bis opponent. He stated some facts
said to be connected with the history Of the Ma.
giSIacy Of Campbell, and which were nicely
turned upon him by Mr. Mosby. He produced
however several charges against the Magistracv
OF Campbell and Bedford, which are mere mat
terS OF opinion, and we do not believe that Mr.
Mari produced them as facts; at all events, he did
not sustain them with details. He endeavored,
in concluding, TO amuse the audience, by abiding
in satirical manner to Mr. Mosby. lie told the
people that he was the only ''radical reform
candidate from the body of the county of Camp
bell. Tins remark was connected with one upon
the propncty OF sending two members from Bed
ford and two from Campbell, one of which latter
two should be from the body of the county that
is. not citizen OF Lynchburg. This suggestion
OF MIR. Mari we repeat for his benefit, and hope
the people of the District will attend 10 this sug-
gestlon, if they should be convinced of the con.
venIence' Of "electing Daniel MARI
Mr.. Mari was followed by Mr.. CHARLES L..
MosBN, of this place. Mr.. Mosby made some
general remarks, in an eloquent and happy strain:
eloquent because sound, happy because we'll ex-
pressed; after which he ran over the measures.
which he should advocate, pausing for while
upon the Judiciary and the basis of representa-
ton, and then proceeded to discuss, in all of its
departments, the County Court system. Mr..
Nlosby showed, in the discussion of This measure
the utmost acquaintance with its history and orr
Gun, which he traced from the early practice of
The colonial fathers, for the purpose of showing
that this system did not originate, as some sun
pose, in the colonial governments, chalked out
by the regal power of the mother country. He
alluded to the oplonions of the great statesmen
early Virginia, and drew from the re cords of their
speeches strong testimonials in favor of the still
existing County Court System. lie showed, by
d couISe ol reasoning which We cannot follow,