Republican Virginia Lawyers Association

Comment

Comment by Chris Winslow on October 14, 2010 at 12:53am

Justice investigates Illinois

Comment by Chris Winslow on October 12, 2010 at 6:20pm

GOP Prods Justice on Military Vote

Comment by Chris Winslow on May 14, 2009 at 11:09am

To our newest members, welcome to the Republican Virginia Lawyers Association. I had a recent question regarding the picture above that serves as our logo here on RPV Network. The above is a painting by George Catlin of the Virginia Constitutional Convention of 1830. The Virginia Historical Society has a splendid write-up of the history and significance of this painting:

Virginia Constitutional Convention

Richmond during the winter of 1829–30 was crowded with celebrities assembled to revamp the state constitution. Former presidents James Madison and James Monroe, future president John Tyler, and Chief Justice John Marshall were among the delegates. Their presence led to its being called the last meeting of giants of the Revolutionary generation.

The artist George Catlin was seized with the idea of capturing the likenesses of the assembled statesman in a single grand style painting, copies of which would be sold as prints.

Eventually, all 101 delegates went to Catlin's studio to have their portraits painted in watercolors. Then Catlin painted this oil version on a walnut board. Catlin slightly enlarged the heads in proportion to the bodies to give a good likeness of each man. Catlin's miniatures are the only surviving portraits of many of the delegates. No prints ever were made, but Catlin went on to win fame as a painter of American Indians.

Over the convention there was a heavy pall of pessimism. "Whither has the Genius of Virginia fled?" asked William Leigh, who provided his own answer, saying "of all the old States, none has contributed more to the peopling of the new States than Virginia. This is the reason of what gentlemen call the decline of Virginia." Leigh blamed Virginia's troubles on the North. "The influenza," he said, "the small pox, the Hessian fly, the circuit court system, universal suffrage—all come from the North." By 1830, men such as Leigh considered themselves as something besides Virginians and Americans—they were southerners.

Pictured is Monroe presiding (sitting), Madison speaking with Chief Justice John Marshall directly behind him.

One other interesting tidbit that comes to mind is that Marshall and Thomas Jefferson were cousins but they disagreed on plenty. Marshall believed in a strong federal government to meet the needs of all the people. Jefferson of course believed that the power of government should remain largely in the hands of the states. Marshall and Jefferson also took opposing positions at the trial of former Vice President Aaron Burr in 1807.

Comment by Audrey Lee on May 14, 2009 at 10:39am

As an Asian-American attorney, I support conservative ideals and policies. I look forward to being a supportive member of this group.

Comment by Tyler Rauert on January 25, 2009 at 3:38pm

Thanks for setting up this group Chris.

Comment by Chris Winslow on December 9, 2008 at 11:50am

Thanks for joining Deborah. For anyone interested in civics, I'd start with the Federalist Papers. Perhaps we could start a discussion on the various papers - I think that would be worthwhile.

Comment by Deborah Munoz on December 9, 2008 at 5:59am

Chris; Thank you for forming the group. One of my goals is to help aspiring new citizens to understand civics and I hope you can help us with that.

Comment by Jim Riley on December 8, 2008 at 11:35pm

I used to be involved in the Republican National Lawyers Association, serving as their Events and Activities National Chairman from 1998-2000. Haven't really been much involved at all since 2001, though.

Comment by Tom Whitmore on December 8, 2008 at 4:06pm

Welcome aboard. Looking forward to some insight here from legal minds. Don't mistake me for a lawyer, folks, joining the group is how I get my email updates thru the day!