Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1850-08-02
To McssrS. Benjamin Sheppard, Nicholas Mills, Geo. Fishe
w. Barrett, J. II. Eastacc aad others.
MR. MACFAaLAND'S VIEWS on THE RIGHT OF
SUFFRAGE.

In my reply TO the gentlemen who had invited me 10 ex-
press my opinions on certain questions expected 10 arise De-
iirf III" convention, | confined inrse.i ~ the enquiries made
Of ne. l have oeea since requested IL state my views ot
the rgh; Of suffrage. ard I give. me pl.asQ,, 10 comply.
In ny opinion, The r!sht =. sai'taIe, - now established. is
hnc'! IAN, and proceeds u?pn arbitrary distinctions. In
practice, Il has been & source III ~irr?..>ty ard confusion. /
am n FAVOR 81 extending he RICH; an rendering il simple;
and la fivof 81 ~.hpi-hing q, .alc voting.
y word in oehal! OF oar judicial t.Iutc, in addition t. The
suggestions IL my .1Iiicr hot.
Occasions may and DO arise in ,lc lie Vi every l..gc, OF Il
niit.c u try IL tr ntrlosl MS f:nress arc integrity. and -
call Tor all thc support which can hc derived from an inyiola-
ole Gniciai position. Such occasions niay occur IL any mo-
rleht; ana w3ald occur WIN startling frequency, were il
supposed that lie judy could Re int.lnriaici or Impressed
troni without. When"y.r they oocrr, and in Instances when
q 'trici h,i.e observation. ard arc ry 20 rleans rare " uau-
sun'. our main, i: ~. ous orly sccdtit:. hat lgsticc wll i,
administered without fear, iavo. or affection. is in that s,,r
ara i%n'inc'hi= sentiment; and habi; ri Independence, when =
MED "ihi pernin'Gi Official TENT, +. calculated To rnerish
ana confirm. without II, lesrnirg ai .ooI intentions serve
only 10 5ctray.
Their, the goat practical question j., whether human Of
tinahccs aai BE- invoked with ciitct t. prcs..Yc ana Confirm
in orr Judges IN Intrepid resolution IL act ard decide right.
fearless oi the consequences 10 ii,liScis :; auG. if 50. what
ordinance VIII ;eni - thai result \ question vi the deeg-
est Interest, ana which we sloui. iutct liz 4 spirit OF The
greatest candor AM tlirncss, prepared 10 :,i!o,. out the suc-
geslIors" III adIspdssionatn and unprcju!iccd Judgment.
Ny. can We h,si'.'e in our .i,Sv:2r - ;his question, Is
II ic:iii,ieni M,'eth-r = jadcc ue llil- =. l,se lis Office In
rccu:r.'i- election. "r ia: he b. re.GaSi l. o:ig :r ,.;..o..
dac,, ''''Sde.@H n reference 10 ;uiS eject, ii. ,slinia! Tin.
10 'r h'"ss' ic''2t,iiai'cc d ~ dd.,e,. often un:Aank!liiy
received Wien faithfully discharged! Under which system
will ne he most t,ciy 10 dismiss evrry care OF CONCERN. saw
~ honest anxiety - do riAhf, come what NAV? Answer
re, is II mat "aic1 Keeps before Ms ey5s the fact, that those
who gaze nm p!iice CIR ~ their fleasace tax i: away, or
him to removal
A word more on tire mode Of election.
The election oi circuit Judges BY general ticket would
seem 10 Dr. out o: the question. Il would BE- impossible
:or the people in one quarter 0: the State, 10 inform them.
sslsIs d ,ni pf.'ens.gns Of candidates for their s%rfragcs from
State wonld know - lille Of The ,ne.its Of mo- be,wrra
whom i section "as to he made, that such an election
wound " Lllie more ''san a laockcry ana a tannt.
linen, o. me "i''c: haad, j. Ci.-uii lud.c bc a.cctcd BIZ dis
tric:s, the Sia'ea ~ large, and every part OF il. is exposed 10 SUI.
Ter .? ihe ih!?'0icn"", ~irrcgui.rity or misconduct % any one
district. l! Is 'iiidv9i5 !olc, inlsnuch as the ;adycs OF aav
district i 4 Jc-s- ii The Who'll: State, with i JURISDICTION en-
tliIns Fnn To SCI in judgement on the gr,.es. Questions.
without regard 10 the place OF tnei. origin, or the evidence
i: must be 50 under any rgini.atiop. unless which i
scarcely possible, j. DC determine 10 dispense with a I.nc.rl
Court; and even then il would happen, that \ md, .; nn.
eHcu' "ouio Dc sa!led 10 presided III another, and more FIRE.