Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-01-28
SUBSTANCE OF THE SPEECH OF MIR.
TAZEWELL.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY Il

Ia Committee ofthc Hhoic-Mr HAY in the Char
Mr. 2d=eweH said, that entertaining u
unions, as he did, very different from
those of many gentlemen who hvd adj
dressed the chair, and probably very dii-
terent from the majority of this House,
and impelled to pursue a course which
may not he understood without some ex-
PLANTATION, he owed il 20 himself and 30 the
House, in this early stage ofthe discussi
on, to state what those opinions are, what
that course will be, 81 what motives iulpei
him TO both.
He was opposed 70 the Substitute Of
fered bv the gentleman from Wyihe (Mr.
Smyth,) as well as TO the Report of the
Select Committce.-iie WAS opposed 10
the adoption Of dat Substitute because
this body does not possess the legitimate
power 10 adopt such ameasure; secause,
If they did posses it, il was highly ineXpe-
dent to exercise ii al this time and be-
cause, if they both possessed the power,
and it was expedient for them 10 exercise
if, they were called on 60 exercise il in the
most objectionable Of all possible modes.
Disagrceing, then, with the mover, bothas
10 the end and as TO the means WHICH lie
had selected, he should think himself
bound TO oppose it, so long as it waspen-
ding before that House.
He was opposed TO the Report of the
s Iect Committee but, his objectionw was
of a character somewhat distinct from that
which he entertained towards the Substl-
tute. Should the majority think fit 10
sanction that Report, he Should be prepa-
ed to surrender his opposition TO IT, as one
of the minority; and the moment ii goes
into action, the moment IT was to form
guide for the proceedings of the House.
he would unite with the friends of the mea
sure to give it such shape as would rem
der IFS obi ectth most palatable az perfect.
But, against the Substitute, he must hold
up his hand always in no possible shape,
with no possible modification, could he
he reconcled 10 It's provisions; bnt, with
the Report of the Select Committee, he
would unite, and he would unite in good
faith, to give il the Dost desirable shape.
Entertaining these opinions, he should
pursue this course he should votes against
the Substitute proposed by the gentlenaan
from Wythe. He should, for tie present,
say very little against the Report bni, the
moment the Committee rises, he should
mo to postpone it TO the 3;st o. March,
because (ln lis opinion) il involved the
exercise of power, which did not belong
to the legislative body; if that motion
failed, lie would then in sincerity and
good faith unite with the majority TO carry
IT into effect, and hewould oileran amend
meit, which he conceived best calculated
to give il the most eligible form.-l. e wis
opposed to bnth;iie propositions ihen be-
fOrethe Committee and Hnier ihis i'm
preston, this was the only course which
he could consistentlypu'sue
Having thus announced his opinions.
and the course he meant 20 pursue, -
welfas the motives wilicb dictated holh, lie
should deiain tie Committee aslIOft 'imr.
while he detailed TO them fhe arguments
which led to these conclusions.
Stall this Substitute, then. be ado ted
(sa'd Mr.. I'll say. No aud for the
reasons ann about to deyeicpe. We!ave
not The power to adoptit. IN all free 10
vcrnments, the power Of the GOverDors,
whether il be tie power of The Leeisls-
tive, the Judiciary, or the Executive
branches, is derived from the grant oftle
People. This, Sir, is tie Oaly legifimaf.
source ofpOwer; all others are but the
results oftyranny and oppression. In al
tree GOV, rnlpcnts, where a written cOnsti-
tuition IS to be found, that instrument Is
the only evidence of the grant the onle
evid nee Oithe power wllcli is tfausnr-
red by tlePeople IN This free andhappt
land, then, wien apv man aaserts thar arv
department IS possessed of pdrticulse
power, IT isincumbenl upon him 10 Iav
his finger on ikatclause Of the Cons!iinfi-
Oh winch warrants It's exercise. IF Won es-
ercisr any power, which * not cxpressiy
granted, or waIranied by fair inference
from Tie Constitutions, YOU ar nOf,irr
but ts'rpcrs. Il Is rank usurpaG0n. ~
assured nothing else. Tie very powtr
vhiclfSon assume would only serve as a
precedent Tor any otlcr power which you
tt.L e.,
Does, then, the written Constitution Of
Virginia convey the power which is IN
Vowed ~ the substitute before vou o.
What is i IT dsip prchenA iiTiGhf. (said
Mr.. 10 effects 90 immediate call a.
--.....sl,l 80. ss6a.,