Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1850-07-04
Fon ENotIRER.
.,.,a,,,, abo,ayesr. Esser and Hing and
10 "e ''''@" Queen Contention District

men determined offer myself TO his ois.ie a. ;ih
~ hsy response made TO it, has already peen pun
Ii.hed in thc Richmond Enquirer hope na S mi and
~ - ,;ci,inr all the counties oil the DlStIic, anu
opportunity " 1as;no the voters in explanation and en-
pavement of the views enertaln Us " VIE Pasarv
Of the convention and me eSih u deem duty
S,,rs If which you have right to demand .lia
should take some certain method OF PlacihE d c,csn,
ia nn;nnns before YOU, for your examination anu
ta pa believe that they, and consequently .ie l nI
advocate will receive your favor ana supp b reaecon
be disappointed shall nave and boldly ayowed
IT, yd;con of John Randolph, that the consu.ion ~
1880 would last twenty years mas ef ,, 400 Of the voters
r h Sat- indicates the desire OF the people ioT chanse
and reform and establishes beyond question .as .el.
be substantial grounds OF o ooJee"o'' - WV
laws of the commonwealth -. a. e,r, boinp
aI,hongh entertain this opinion am YET lar rom p ui
destructive. 1t is much easier 70 pun s; If the reform Of
,b constitution with great caution and dhdence recoee
ing that lis articers were wise men anu mug dav and
Ve nov ye moi believe that had they lived 10 inns uay, anu
u. iia! h many advances made towards proper con-
e,;o NJ nonula rights and been again called on 10 perform
siai SCI W no declaration of the Bill OF Rights, "lha
N ,me vested in and consequently derived from the
people that magistrates are their trustees anu nu
nre M nil times amenablc TO theIn! In ais eos'tu
on me note of such instrument should DC recoecteo
10 merely general expression OF the phclpes winch are
IN serve ms aides of action to the government lherc are
@ h'ses that it would be improper 10 introduce in
consm,ion for fear of making il complicated ana anogu
on nd thereby rendering liable TO mlsconsrucon
and abuse There also other reasons why II should be
aha aous; f., structure and general in its terms 1t is dan
eerous experiment interfere with the organic laws oil
state il should be attempted except under the pres
o the strongest necessity Even under circumstances
most favorable their correct action human wisdom ana
foresight very Detective the managers OF almost every
mporfant make many miscalculaons and commit
many mistakes But when as will certainly Dc the case IN
the convention theories and opinions most fondy cherished
nye 10 be modified for the sake OF harmony
and COMPROMISE can there be any doubt that body 80
constituted they attempt too much will be guilty OF many
serious errors the consequences of which we Will have to
IN havo
convention? These views afford explanation and uslfl-
of several of the opinions that shall hereafter eX-
press.
As citizen Of Virginia. am favorable 10 changes which
should oppose were resident of northern State In
that section of the conederacy the spirit OF radicalsm and
socialism already wears threatening aspect ana should In
stead of receiving encouragement be decidedly checked
springs great degree from the immense foreign emigra-
on and the between labor the one SIDE and
capital the other. No such warfare is raging in our
midst from It's evil results we exempt and ever Will be
so long retain untouched the institution OF slavery
would require changes more radical Than are ever likely TO be
effected seriously impair, its
live influence With these general remarks, proceed now
examine slightly those subjects of reform which seem
prominently to occupy the public attention. and briefly
! 10 express my opinions upon them
And first of the Fright Of Suffrage" am favorable 10
its extension every white male citizen, who has reached
twenty years of age and has resided in the county In
which he offers VOTE for six months preceding the election
and is enrolled in the militia has paid any State or coun-
with which he has been assessed on the commissions
era book for the previous year. Even those who avo
Die TO the former freehold SYSTEM but are aware
OF its mprac;cabity, must acknowledge the justice and
expediency OF This extension The present system very
detective and is the fruitful parent OF difficulty ard fraud
il has few defenders and therefore an attack upon IT, In
detail unnecessary On various grounds of expedency,
and may say of justice, have thought proper 10 place
the slight limitation upon universal suffrage have above
stated 1t is necessary TO have some record To which To
appeal in determining the right OF voting in particular
county and know of none so convenient or proper as
the militia roll or the tax book / pass subject closely
connected with this in its character: am in favor OF retain
ing the present basis Of representation unless which en-
remey improbable secure more efficient guarantee
of eastern rights. Compared with this all other SUBJECTS
which will engage the attention of the convention nsig
niican-t will be the great subject OF contest ana VIII pro-
duce more excitement than any other, because it will array
one section the State against the other II is especially
mportan; the East that check be established which
will only protect her peculiar property from Improper
taxation but will preserve intact the property itself II has
been suggested that provision in the Constitution requir
ing an affirmative Of two thirds for the passage OF any
tax or appropriation BILL would be sufficient OF
the rights o. The East very slight examination would,
believe convince any one, that such plan, il adopted,
would seriously reard and hinder necessary and proper e-
gisaton ana but little avail as security to our r2hts
of property. might preserve peculiar property from
excessive taxaon but this benefit is mingled with evil
results thai is doubtful whether in this respect eyen II
would not be disadvantageous But what security have
that the power could thus surrender might mol be
used in such manner Dis 10 impair ,he full enjoyment or
even uficc rights shareholders!
Suppose the contingency OF the Introduction OF gradual
emancipation bill occur? Recollec that with
this power vested in those most interested in lis defeat
once narrowly escaped The passage of such BILL My IN
cnations decidedly favorable 10 the election OF the Co.
vernon by the people. think IL would tend to turn the al
ention OF the people, from the undue contemplation 81 the
central power Washington 10 their Old Mother al home
They would more scnsby feel and realize the sovereignty
and independence State government and the fac: that
its acts though generally attracting much attention.
because fheir limited circle Of operations yet o much
real Importance and more seriously affect their inter
est than those Of the federal government But though TINS
and perhaps other advantages would flow from the adoption
of this measure and though DESTROYS OF replacing in
the hands of the people, from whom originally sprung, all
the power that they with any proprey exercise still
my advocacy OF this change must greatly depend upon the
action of the convention in other respects may be OF
such character that my sectional feelings my regard Tor
Eastern rights and interests will force 10 control this
natural Of my mind 1t would be needless TO attempt
TO specify all the particular contingencies which might
cur that would affect my OF action IL must be evil
dent ALL that the power and patronage OF this government
may be disposed Of among the different branches c
make the Office of Governor of much greater Importance
than present. thereby rendering IL exceedingly desirable
the Eas, continue in the Legislature the right OF
eecting that Office. As it is only in that body the power
derived from the mixed basis can be felt those who have
heard my addresses TO the people of Essex and iddesex
may perceive slight discrepancy between what have
written and what spoke upon this question This differ
cncc which grew Of misrepresentation OF the elect oi
the mixed basis is ony Of detail and does not aec, any
principle have advanced ii will therefore be the more rea-
Oily excused by my fellow citizens
The Court of Appeals is the only Court that should be
cons,ituionay organized would also make the mode OF
appointing the members OF this Court exception 10 the
general rule which should guide us in the election OF our
State officers and magistrates. have no objection to con-
nung the present mode Of appointment provided some re-
srcton be adopted which will able experienced
and efficient Judges Such perhaps would be the tendency
of requiring the selection TO be made from the General Court
Bench, and resignation certain age am in favor oil
eectng the Judges of the Circuit Court by the people d.
rectly can perceive good why they should not
exercise this power with much Judgment and with as
good results the Legislature having generally much bet
ter opportunity than that body of knowing the capacity and
integrity of any residing in their midst To have an
able and upright judiciary of the utmost Importance for
the preservation of lives liberty and property and above
all is the man of moderate circumstances, and of little nfu
ence interested in preserving unstaned the crninc OF The
Judge To pure and able Judiciary must make
TO reasonable extent independent The independence
of Judge is affected by the mode of his appointment
but by the of his office If YOU should elect your
Judge short term and he should prove not TO be of the
most unyiedng integrity of character instead of vndca
ting the Of Justice he might shape his 10 gain
popular favor and this might happen though he were no,
reelgbe for the udgep for he might be asprant for
other Offices within the gift of the people, II would be I'M
proper expose one much less person whom
conded dearest interests TO such frequent and need
less temptations How you reasonably expect, under
such system, to obtain OF the requisite qualifications
of character mind and aainments! Will who has by
long years OF perseycrng Toll acquired lucrative practice
be willing surrender for the honor and glory Of being
Judge with the certain prospect before him Of having again
renew that trying contest in which all engage in
the effort to obtain business employment The neyita-
BILE result of the adoption of such plan would be feeble
judiciary whose opinions would be little respected by those
keen observers people, and consequently often appealed