Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1850-07-11

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inr manly sensible and well written letter uf James L.
Gordon of Louisa. addressed through the Redmond
Enquirer tn the people ot The Louisa convention dstc
We have pncurcd It's publication because II speaks
he wordsnf soherncss and tuth"and reflects II we ms
i1ke not the sentiments ofa msjhrty of the people Of
Bedford and Campbell on matters ot constitutional re-
form BEpfohD.
To The People Of Louisa, Goochlnnd and Fluralna
Fellow Citizens IL see from the Enquirer o the ath
of his month that have been nominated by some par
,a friend proper person 10 DO chosen as one o the
three delegates who to represent you III tho State
Convention which Us t. assemble in October noxt
take leave u return my thanks t. that friend far the nn
merited estimate he places upon my capacity 10 servo
yru In post responsible aud Important II carries
vi it, IN my op non responsibility which should bd
rsiher avoided than sought by any man who does pot
feel that his political ntormation ant experience In pub
lo aihs will enable him to Oil It with credit IL himself
aud benefit tu the Commonwealth. II has h,ghsr oh
leci lhan the gral6caton Of any mans ambition. lrn
the deliberations OF this body WILL IN great measure
depend the future desircs OF Virginia. The people ara
called upon, by every motive which can animate PAIN
uts select those whn from their hnnless heir talents
and Knowledge OF he principles upon which governments
should be based Will mest ably and faithfully discharge
the dutirs ol 81 nigh trust ln these hgh lualifca
iuns make no claim My experience In public lite has
been small aud know there others who may he
chosen Tar bc qualified than am. But. nj the sama
time think " is The duty Of every citizen TO hold him
self ready the people in any position 10 which II
may be their pleasure call him. and therefore, should
not consider myself NJ liberty to decline the honor. II
is their desire TO confer Il upon me.
do not know that opinions. with regard to thu re
forms proposed he made IN Constitution accord
with those of majority Of the district voted against
the call OF this Convention; not because there were not
reforms which was willing and desons should be made.
but because feared that the evil which might result
from It's action would greatly outweigh the good !
thought wild spirit of Innovation, which, DIS
gusing itself under the specous otcxls .anl the
still m seductive and dangerous guso OF respect Tor the
rights aud interests of The people seeking to over
throw every thing in organic law, hitherto esteemed
WISE and to substitute in place the visions OF policel
drsamers aud theorists. When considered the prns
periy and peace VIII ch Virginia cnys under her present
Cons tuon the perfect security ofnll tho rights VI her
people both with regard To person and property tho
impartial Justice and nspo,ted Integrity which dIs'in
puIshes her judicial tribunals her freedom from the ex
ciiemenls and corupng nrgues inciden To constant
struggle for place; the morality. the courage. tho pat
roiism and elevated virtue of her people, 81 largely
uw mo 10 the wisdom aud stability Of her institutions.
was unwilling for tho sake If few mperecons 10 risk
them all upon the boslcous and uned OF political
experiment.
We should prefer the soldy and brilliant lamp of ox
periencc that iGs iauuS OF Innovation md change.
which thinks it through the mlss and vapars IN
which il moves some political eysum where the tree Of
liberty will putiorh richer foliage and bear mo nonr-
shng fruit.
Should he called upon 10 represent YOU IN the com
COnNpntOn, I
both branch, of the Legislature upon white population
and taxation combined Those who pay MAJ 'Iity ol
taxes should have the largest voice in their mpot
aud appropriation This is principle essential 10 the
existence Of free government, especially N Nfgnia
where the interests Of the East and West In most
important rarticulars. are widely different. gov
eminent winch dscards property as mn clement ef rep
resena,ion and gives TO maprty, who do not pay The
power raise and appropriate revenue against the votes
Of thuso who do, Disguise II ns we may Is desP sn IN
ts worst and most unreleniing form II has neen the
grave Of liberty wherever ii has been tried, and in all
anos has driven seek protection, under the rule o
a single tyIaut from the more hraItless oppression o
many. The contrary principle is both wise aud Just
The West increasing ast is in population and wealth.
under periodical appor onmcn may IN few years, be
entitled to the power and then am willing they should
have it. There will then be no inducement for them To
abuse hcir interest will ac as shield for ours. as
ours now affords protection to them.
am opposed to making I the duty Of the Legislature,
by constitutional provision tax the people or gen-
eral system of education. doctrine Of this sort.
slider but part of that system Of agrarianism. which, In
other states IL attacking the rights Of property, aud
where legislative robbery assuming the scred mantle
Of love for learning and humanity to tho poor to cover
its defoml les and crafty its appetes for pnnde-
Whss am in favor of doing all ,ha can be justly done
to educate those who unable TO educate themselves,
in favor oftaxng the industrious for the beneht
of the idle. of mpalting the high moral oblgation
which every paen, under, Of educating his own chill
dren.
am orroscd TO the abolition of the county Courts,
whilst am ready 10 sanction any efbrm, calculated to
render them more efficient and useful as Judicial irbu
nails They perform vas, amonnt of bnsnes without
fee or reward, the least burdens0ne sysom to people o
any that existed, venture to assert These Courts
have become 50 interviewer with the habits and preJu
dces Of the people, that it would be difficult 10 erect
others, in which they would have equal confidence. 1t
is easy 10 destroy any system, but The task o dovlsig
new and better one is more difficult perhaps than some
are in the habit Of imagining.
The mode Of their election may be tlougt an anono-
w. and perhaps is so; but through the long course of
time for which they have existed in Virginia do not
know that this has been productive Of either corruption
oppression If any wise mode he DEVISED either by
popular election or otherwise should have no objection
to it, To paying the Justice am entirely opposed. 1t
ml- be done If at all, by giving them 80 much Tor each
case in whch they sit this will convert them into pro
motes Of strife and litigation among the people, Instead
oI being as they the conservatos oi tho peace
and quiet Of the country. 1t is hicied 10 them that
they are incapable, from their ignorance oil d,cding
questions Of law Experience will not Justify the
charge and certainly it Is one Which applies with much
greater force TO tho trial BY jury, which the widest in
noyaor does MOI propose TO abolish jury in criminal
causes has the ght To decide both law and fact, with
oui anpeal and in civil the Judge has right u
set aside two yerdcis hut the third stands IN spite OF
his opini,n The justices Of Virginia are generally
paip sensible farmers and after hearing the discussion
Of they are much apt to fer der Jhsl decision
Than any petty county Judge, who, OF course would De
a Young LAWYER without Practice or an ola one VINO
never had the capacity To obtain 1t yet ieso are Inc
sulst tues some propose for the County Courts The very
as men upon earth in whose decisions The people would
have confidence.