Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1850-08-02
70 lie Editors 81 tie Enquiry. ,.,., ,o.o

10 inc f.o"' poR7 ROYAL, July 81, 1850.
Gen,lemcn-I have just seen in your paper OF YESTERDAY,
H. ,r,c.o.ipr ~ Of a meeting in King William, nominating
,"rstclf mi others a. candidates 10 represent ms distilct III
,M. Convention. Whilst feeling very grateful Tor Tie COM
nIincnt which is conveyed by this nomination, | regtet ,ha'
/ cannot accept il: my connrAlon WIN The Democratic Coh-
.an,inn l~rcly held at the Bowling Green, though II may
Is.ye me free 10 bestow my vote as please, VIII not permit
me To- nccone Il candidate. My peculiar opinions as 10 uc
III, al , Convention 10 remove, before the expiration OF
rho terms OF their appointment, the monuments OIL once,
without ccnpensating them for the loss thereby sustained,
would no douDt have defeated my election. but ! "ishee lot
= p-opcr opportunity 10 expose To the l,copie the lasIan
i,i,rsiic, III The proposed removals. Tie justices oil the
PEACE alone nun5er, presume, in the STATE three thol-
sand-io each Of Them the State owes d.1' l"a pas' =
yices-By changing The mode OF clectiig theln III p!oP,s-
I'll /, reaudil,e MI these debts. In private lite II IL consid-
cred more dishonorable 10 neglect the payment OF slla.i
no.d good wit. States. There will &c many eases oi .A1
IRENE hardship in the large counties, where men nave served
faithfully as justices al much expense, IN atteEalaS courts
for ten or fifteen wears, and ac just abon, ~ succeed Ia the
stc, i,f.jiiy. the simulated compensation for their services
The removal Of the clerks, Judges and olitr officers, "ou'd
be cases Of equal hardship and injustice. Once l. properly,
- recognised by our Lass, ana cannot DC 'aAen ava! wv
ont lIst conf cnsatinn, however gIeat The puolc htcessi't'
So l5ag rs the incumbent Prnncriy discharges his dGiits.-
III, rluposed removals would in.olve the State in breach oi
faith. rotation ol contracts, iepudiatlon oi debts ana con-
f+.u,ion of property. Besides, il would sow disaiiection IL
of institutions, broadcast through the land. and that TOO,
among tie most enlightened and intelligent part o. the COM
mrnity. Men in Convention have no Tigttto Go icron2, u
yiolar. their contracts or 10 r~epudiate their debts. II Isl
efatnitous assumption, unsupported BY reason o. authority
That Conventions have a better RICH, than ordinary leslsia-
turcs. 10 anuul Tho engagements or debts OF a STATE.
These removals would contravene the spirit, !: not the
letter OF four provisions IN The Constitution OF the United
States: NO State shall pass any ex post !acto law, or law
imluiriEg the obligation al contracts" NO person shall hc
deprived OF life, liberty or property, without due process 81
iaw; nor shall private property IL taken for public use, with
oui lust compensation"
Tlc proposed changes in The mode o! elccire various Of
scers, would no doubt be salu;ary, but they Should be mad.
gradually. a. the present incunbents jc Or resin; Moth
ina could compsusat, Tor ttc los Of Tie honor Of the State,
.,J Il, ...,. - mo raj. ,ua,ili m lpSr by fhi2 universal fI0-
scription. Indeed. if tho State is Ia derive great benefits ~
the proposed reforms, it is III additional reason why she
slau!d not throw the Whole burata of those reforms on the
office. holders. and reap all the benefits herself.
| will not trespass farther on yonr columns. now 80 cr"w-
ded with matters Of greater interest: no doubt 10 your rea-
derS, EXCERPT IL say, that in declaring myself Tree 10 vote a. !
plea, =, did rot mean 10 Intimate .hatl should not vote for
tie nominees OF the Democratic Convention.
Very respectfully, ycnr "sedicnt servt
GEO