Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-01-25

ons because, 1t gave every member an
opportunity OF speaking of those sub
jects most dear TO his heart of himself
and his constituents. 1t is trItc obser-
Walton, that the reason lovers are never
tired OF each others company, is, bee
cause thew are constantly talking of them
selves. The same observation might be
applied 10 the representative aud hl> con-
stituents. They are, or oughtto be, equally
alive to the interest s. reputation OF each o.
ther. Ifso, tmay reasonably be expected,
much will be said on the subject under
consideration, which may truly be termed
a selfish one. He said his constituents
had, unsolicited, reelected him, without
requiring from him any other pledge, than
that ofhis past conduct. They had conf
dedto him the free and unqualified right 10
exercise his own Judgment, after full
hearing on every question which might
arise. Such generous confidence, on
their part. al Il tune of uH,iaual excite
ment and ferment, deserved, and should
receive, Of him, the most profound regard
for their interest. Their appreciation next
To that OF his own conscience, woald be
the only boon he should aspire after, so
long Is they continued 10 honor him Will,
their suisrages
He said he was notsnre The course he
should pursue, on this occasion, was that
which was best calculated to ensure 10
him a lasting popularity. lie granted it
was in accordance with The present
prevailing opinion; but he recolcc-
ted when navy was unpopular in this
country, and particularly in this district !;
when he was charged with political here
sy for his adherence 10 That establish
ment /; when, instead of increasing Tie ma
w, it was deemed expedient, by its
friends. to yield to the popular clamor "a
gainst it, and. al the close of the most un-
popular administration, 10 pass law to
sell part Of that which existed. But a
Navy is now the favorite of the people !;
not a voice is raised against it. and It's in
crease is loudly called for. He reioiced
at the change ofthe public sentiment In
this instance. But may not the opini-
ons of the peopleundergo similar change
with regard to the compensation of mem
hers? he thought it by no means I'M
probable. How odious was the United
States Bank few years ago amongst The
Republicans ! What darling is the Ma
tional Bank now with many Of them
He said he made these observations 10
shew he was too well acquainted with the
instability of public opinion, 70 make ii
rule OF action, and 10 acquit himself of
the imputatlon of being aciuated by a
desire TO obtain popularity; desire al
WAYS honorable, when ii can be accom-
plisled by fair and honest means.
He SAID he could not agree with his We
nerable colleague (Mr. Findley) who see
med to think the great change which had
been III the representation of PennSylya-
mia at the late election, was not TO beas-
crlbod 10 the compensation law, in az
much as seven o. eight members who had
voted against that law had not been cleo
ted to the next Congress. He, Mr.. r.
thought tile compensation law had pre-
vented their reelection he was justified
IN this opinion by a recurrence 10 facts.
Uuceasing industry had been made use of
both III and oat of this House, to identify
those who had voted in favor oft, as p
qua'ly cuipabie, If not more so. For this
purpose. in Pennsylvania, on the 4th of
July last, a toast was drank, and circua-
ted with assiduiiy, at a respectable meet
ing, at which IT was said one of the judi
gcs OF the Supreme Court OF that State
presided, with a most unlaudsome 81 I'M
Just sentiment attached to 1t: If recollec-
ted right, If was this Il" The 1900 Dol
lar Compensation Law-the receiver is as
BAD as the thief. To the dissemination of
such ,uncandId sentiments may be fairly
49,, III great HltdStle, tie laIIrTe
OF the election Of the members alluded
TO- This toast should not have been no.
ticed, but for IFS accordance with more
objectionable sentiment, expressed by
the gentleman from Virginia last session.
and reiterated during the present debate
that II he hadvoted against ihecOmpensa-
ZION law, he would as soon have been
eaught with his hand in his neighbor's
pocket, as TO have taken the money!"
Are these sentiments Just, when applied
10 tbe opponeEts of The CONDENSATION
iaw viii they bear the touchsfone of
TAR and candid examination 2 Is ifnot
the duty of every good citizen 10 submit
10 The laws which are passed by maio-
rty, however injurious they NAV be in
tier operation 10 him as an individual
u he is bound TO submit TO those laws
winch Inlure him, may he moi fairly. no
nestiy, and hODorably avail himself of
those which benefit bin, although he vo-
TED against them2 Ty what system Of
morality IS member of this House ex-
Guided from the benefits and ADVANTAGES
OF the laws passed by the majority =
was moi the compensation of the mem
hers, when It was first fixed deemed too
high by MANY Did not many of the
then members oppose il on that ground
Oid any OF them refuse To receive the sum
hxed on : Was there any ether law IN
der which they could receive their paw
Was there any Political advenfurcr hard,
enough to linplicate those WHO voted -