Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1821-03-31
rHE SPEECH OF Mr.. rIrzHueH

z. the Sesnfe If Virginin, on The preamble
and resolutions, protesting against tie Jn-
-;.iicfion of ire Supreme court. IN the cGse
Of me Cohsns IS me sslte IF TIrsin,a.
Nr. Fi,zhngh said that he differed ve-y
materially with both the gentlemen. tMr.
H.y and Mr.. Tucker. who bad addressed
the char, and that had il been bis good for
tune 20 possess any portion OF the talents
ard elocu%nce Of celebrated orator, VITO
had. ~; many years since, sunk below the
r,ii,icai horizon, he should not have been
content 10 shew that difference by vote on
tie simple question, propounded from the
chair. No Sir, said he, animated by the
genius. and avsiing myself of the sugges.
ions Of flat distinguished statesman
should have proposed 10 substitute for the
preamble and resolutions on your table, a
deciataiion. that ths SPIRIT Of anneeessnr.
aud Improper interference on The part Of the
states. 1siii the operations Of the general sov-
srnmea. had Increased. ara, increasing, &
opgit 10 Be etfoked" And in supporting
this proposition, should have conten'ed
myself with simple reference TO the late
history Of Virginia.
But twelve short months have elapsed,
and We have been invited TO less than three
times, 10 arraign the government OF the u
mon Il the bar of public opinion. On the
hrst occasion, the bank resolutions the
good sense and sober reflection OF this house
prevailed. We saw the improperly OF pas
sing sentence Of condemnation. at this late
day, on a measure, which had stood the
test OF time, OF wisdom, and even OF party
spirit-a measure which the trainers OF the
constitution bad adopted. every department
ii The government recognized, and every
administration sanctioned. We recollected
100, Sir, tina; the votes OF our own senators,
when we nave so frequently declared to be
our servants, the mere organs Of our will
tina; The appreciation of president, Mr.
Nadison.l who had been the man of our
choice, and who, on tbIs subject, had not
hesiia,ed, 10 expose himself 10 the charge
OF the grossest inconsis'ency-Nsy. Strive
recoIlected that orr own conduct, our own
sc9uiescenoe, Our own feelings, had led to
ibe adoption OF this very measure, and we
arted as became u.. The miserable sophis-
,ry. and unmsriied censures of. red for our
adoption, passed in silence to their fate.
The second subject he Missouri re.olu-
tinns, presented for our consideration. was
one OF a more imposing character. 1t was
indeed, Sir, subject calculated TO arouse
every feeling of our natures, and 10 call into
action, cur best, our worst. and oar strong
,st passions. You remember the shape, in
which this subject va, presented 10 US
you remember the language in which, II was
Clraibed, and the threatening aspect 1t had
assumed, under the guidance OF the other
houSe-N Nor. Sir, can you fail 10 remember
with rninglc emotions of pride and exul-
ts'ion, the manly, generous. and dignIhed
course Of this body. Influenced by the same
feelings. animated by the same wishes, aud
looking 10 the same results, with the house
1T delegates, we nevertheless had discre-
i'On enough. 10 seek FOR the best means in
Gus power. for the accomplishment of our
ends. A moments reflection satisfied US,
that il was lille for the weak 10 attempt 10
intimidate the sirOng--tbat the language of
passion was the language Of impotence
and that although The feelings OF our oppo-
nents might not be subdued, their respect
and the good opinion OF the world might be
commanded BY scool, dispassonate and
cignihed argument. The subject wa. &C
eordingly committed TO proper hands, and
We have ad ~ reason 10 regret the result.
The bushes OF our friends we're spared
the ridicule aud contempt Of our enemies
sver,ed-shd all the sympathy we had
rsh. tc anticipate Tor our cause, enlisted in
its behalf. For my own part, then as now,
| saw no necessity Tor the int ference of
tins Legislature. no goodlhsi couldcome
OF II. And preferred 10 leave the subject
TO the entire management Of those, 10 whom
the constitution Of our country had wisely
committed it, But majority of this house
thought differently-and ! cbeerfuly acqui-
esced in decision, made with so much
dignity, and sustained with 50 much ability.
And now, Sir, We are about TO enter on
the third act of this melancholy drama For
he third time in the course of one year, we
are invited TO array ourselves against the
NJ tha rn;on