Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1850-08-20
Fer The Enquirer.
ADDRESS OF LANES LYONS


To the Ieople Ner Kent Charles tHy Hcnric0, and the
City Of Richmond.
FELLOW -ciTlESs.In the month al June last several
gentlemen addressed me letter asking my opinions
the measures reform which should be adopted by the Con
von,ion which will in this city for te purpose
o amending the constitution of the State To that letter
gave ihr reply which YOU will find appended part of this
address Since that period meeting oil the people OF New
Kent has been held their court house which as am in
formed the homer nominate with sever
al others as member Of The Convention confess that
this kind recollection OF me- by portion OF my old cpa-li-
nns among whom il has not been in my power 10 appear
since the official connection between us terminated mas
touched me very much il has deepencd The grateful recol
actions nj the generous support which they formerly gave
me- and feel that it is my duty thus publicly 10 make my
acknowledgements for it, feel also that il is my duty Ia
Inv nv opinions fairly and lu before the people o The dis
tct that they may understand hem and understanding nav
determine by their votes whether they approve them or NOT
for nothing could be painful me- than 10 find myself
III should be cected) differing with my constituents upon
matters of such grave importance as those upon which
should he caci 10 act in the Convention The only mode
Of avoiding the hazard OF such resnlt is 10 place opn
ions fully and frankly before You you dsapproy" them
you will be able reject them and me With lhcm while ON
The other hand ii approve hcU and shall hnna al
with your appreciation, shall in truth b. your epcsen-
ia:;c shall be the representative of concurrng and
iidng constituency, justly proud of his position Otherwise
should be miserable shadow-a representative without a
constituency.
NY opinions then, will he found briefly expressed, in
the letter before referred which in the following terms
viz: Here follows Mr. Lyons address already published
in the Enquirerto which Mr. l.. has since added the fol-
lowing powerful remarks
Since the foregoing reply written, much has been
said and written about the independence OF the Gdcilry by
gentlemen of high all RESPECTS and hear my
opinions upon the executive and judicial departments OF the
government characterized radical" This has surprised
me 4 little rs have before held opinions which
were considered radical. that am Of and think
will be found now that my opinions very far from being
radical when compared, either with the opinions generally
entertained in Virginia, those which have been embodied
in tho constitutions of other States Difference The opin
ions of ohes for whose qualities moral and intellectual
have great respect aid sincere desire all times avail
myself of the counsel of othere before make up my
opinions concusvely has induced weigh carefully ht
arguments opposed 10 me- and to reeyamne my opin
IONS although they have been slowly and deliberately
ed upon the experience of the last twenty years. and
candour say that they only entirely mistaken but
while would still change them, Il convinced they arr
wrong would notb Irtcr them away for sen; in any
DIV in the world. believing, ~ present dc, that The
form which J. and those who think with me- advocate, i:
proper and should BE- made will no, exchange my right
Citizen enforce H. and make war upon existing errors
&c. any privilege of placeman
Ii is that would destroy the independence the
judiciary and asten upon the State that great curse which
Mr. Marshall empis.icaly denounced This utterly
deny and never any mistake greater than commit
ted by those who pue such consequence TO ms opinions
ss brief examination will show
propose 10 change The mode of appointing hc crcni
judges by comforting upon the people of each circuit the gh
elect them. Now, il is very certain that If The Judge
thus elected is permitted hold his office fc during
good behaviour which practically the same that his indie
pendence be impaired BY the fact that the
people elected him. The yerest scepc OF popular wisdom
and virtue will pretend that will be and affirm that
Judge life elected y the people will be less ndepen.n
than judge for life cced BY legislature The independence
of the Judge hen depends upon The manner OF his APPOINT
ment but upon the exemption Of his Office and his salary
from the control oil the appointing power the appoint
ment; and the objection reelection of udye
objection intended guard the independence
the judiciary but 10 objection the people as the appoint