Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1818-02-12
MIR. TYIER'S SPEECH

Mr. Tyler being informed that some of his
constituents would be gratifed at seeing his
remarks in extenso," has been polite enough TO
sketch copy OF them, as nearly as he could
Tecollect them, and forward them 10 MS for pnb-
licatioD We thank him for the present he
makes 10 the public:
On the motion to reverse the decision of the
Committee of Ways and Means on the peti-
ten praying the remission of duties on an
Organ, imported for the MONUMENTAL
CHURCH, an richmond
Mr.. TYLER said, that he did not intend
10 deiain the house by any lengthy re-
marks on the motion which he had lust
mad the honor TO submit. The commit
tee of ways and means has not assigned
any particular reason for having reported
unfayorably OH the petiiion-but has CON
tented itself with the suggestion that in
asmuch as the law is made for all, it
should operate equally on all. In order
to overthrow this position, If would only
be necessary TO shew that this house has
already made frequent exceptions to the
rule adopted by the committee. Nor can
be called upon to support by argument
the decisions already pronounced, as it
must OF necessity be presumed that rea-
sons sufficiently strong operated on Con
gress IN making those exceptions. But
would it not be worse than idle to say,
that you would in no instance admit of
exceptions to your general law? Would
YOU not by adopting such principle of
action, assimllatc your code 10 the inflex-
lble and lron-like code Of the Modes and
PcrsIans! When any citizen of this coun-
try presents petition To this BODY, he
appeals as well 10 your principles of equi-
ty, as 10 your principles of law--and he
has right to demand relief at your hands,
IT he be cOuntenanced in that demand.
by the principles ofhumaniiy, Of Justice,
of honor.
have said, sir, that Congress have in
several instances relaxed lie severity of
the revenue laws. Suffice il that cite the
instance of the remission of duties on the
marble imported for the monument erect
ed to the memory Of those gallant spirits
who fell AT 'Fripoli and TO this let me add
the more recent instance of the remission
OF duties on painting imported from
England for the Pennsylvania hospital
1t only then remains TO be enquired whe-
tl1er the case presented by this petition,
is entitled To similar favors.
is IT necessary that should inform this
house of the causes which led to the e.
recflon OF the Monumental Church, i'm
| the City OF Richmond Sir. it is erected
'iiN SPUt WliNit lUilUtIiN SlOOU our
Theatre. aud is the tomb of age, of wis
dom, ct loneliness, of virtue. The ashes
OF the generous and patriotic are com
| mingled with those of the innocent and
beautiful. | believe that every section ei
this extensive Republic sympathized with
MS III this most melancholy event. But
IN what language. said Mr.. II. can de-
scribe IFS effects on us, who were eyr-wit.
nesses to the scene What tongue can
do justice to his feelings, whose only
| child, or the wife Of whose bosom, ha.
been torn from lis embrace bya calamu,
so awfully affecting Dare | attempt 10
paint the frenzy Other, whose stay snc
support has fallen victim to the devonr
ing famest No, Sir, dare not attempt it,
ScHslblllty may weep over their lot, an,
the soul OF sympathy be torn with an
gulsh, but the tongue hath no words in
which TO describe their suffering
citizens of Richmond have wepi tears o
blood over this calamity Their smile.
have been changed into glOom-thcir 10,