Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1822-02-02

i
enforced with the utmost perspicui,y, Yet with
the most apparent disnterestedness the opin-
ions OF many elected, not well formed or ma
tured, and from which it may be afterwards
difficult To recede, and retain the semblance of
consistency: IN the meantime, their minds have
been imbued with new, often erroneous inn
pressions and opinions which regulate their
future decisions, and To this kind of influence,
man, while man, will be more or less exposed
as differently situated. There are, Mr. Speak
or, great, almost infinite dirersities and pecu-
liaritics in the human mind, and equally nu-
merous perhaps, are the avenues 10 the heart
of man, of which none are more direct, open
and less guarded, than that which tckes his
vanity. How often do we see the patriot,
the statesman, the man of frr- unbending
manners, incorruptible integrity undoubted
honor, of the most rigid and scrupulors mo-
rafity most unsuspectngly drinking in ikc
water, the sly insinuations ofthc smooth faced,
oily tongneu flatterer, and that too, not as To
the highest productions of lris head, and the
best qualities of his heart, but descending To
the contour of his foot and ANGLE, the eyaui-
site taste IN the cut of his coat, or the bow in
ms shoe knot now, sir, this is as true as con-
temptblc, as true as ridiculous, this is human
nature of which we hear SD much, this is the
boosted perfectibility of man.
few words now, Mr.. Speaker. as to the
expense of this undertaking: this is tender
point to the dear iorers Of The people in this
house, who with eyes more numerous and
walleful than Argus himself, with scepless.
unwinking vigilance guard the Treasury, that
holy deposit, as vestal virgins the holy flame
committed to their charge. WHY, sir. this
every miser can do, every miser has done
since the first invention of circulating me-
dunn, but especially since the first discovery
and coinage of the precious metals and their
modern fictitious representatives be it nv
task, my more honorable duty to guard the
rights, appreciate the privations and meiorate
the condition of man. Believe me, sir,
would not as public character deal in that
vile trash. | would not barter or exchange a
grain of right, grain of privilege for tons of
eagles, d )llars and cents. | would not adopt
a principle or continue an abuse which might
lead to or even squirt ut violation of right,
for the wealth of the Indies or the diamonds
oil Goiconda. 1 would rather see this huge
building sinking TO the centre with all its con
tents and appendages, 1.-THE legislative and ex-
ecutive bodies excepted) than by my vote
sanction thecontnuance of the seat of govern
ment five years longer in the city of Rich
mond, in violation of right-the example of
our sister states, and the provisions of your
constitution, based on the immutable princi-
pie OF justice, and the equal distribution of
privilege and accommodation to all her CHI
ze'iS yes, SIR, If there are within the hearing
ol my voice, any slaves to power or advocates
Tor prerogative, let them bend the supple knee
at the shrine of unrghteous mammon let
them console themselves in the undsturbed
possession of this building, this palace, their
three Banks, their Penitentiary and other
Punhc institutions, acquired by the joint eff
forts OF this commonwealth. | envy them
not power fortuitously obtained, or uniusty
retained, bat as for myself ] am fully deter
mined that let Others do as they NAV, [ am,
will be free. / have and will identify myself
with the best interests of my country, and
while can be heard here or elsewhere. will
raise my voice and both my hands against all
encroachments OF power or assumption of pri-
vilege. Let us hear no more, then, of this
mercenary apology for the prostratun of our
privileges, this barering of our birihraghls, for
less, Tor uorSe than a mess of pottage: and
let not our brethren TO the east impose upon
us, .idcob-like, so hard, so UNEQUAL a bargain.
lest they IN return, conscious of their Injustice.
trenibe before their brethren of the qoeSi, as
dId this same successful, hard hearted Jacob,
when flying from his father-n-law Laban, Gin
consequence OF the tricks and impositions
practised on him. met his elder, his more gen
confidence he had abused, and whom he lad
in two instances most shamefuly oppressed
and defrauded.
hope any enquiries in this house for slaves
TO power, and advocates for prerogatve, (iIst
mentloned,) would be fiuitless. | trust we
nave not even IA Jacob here, who for one coarse
meal would cxtort the birthright of an hungry,
Vanished brother; much less bv art and col
fusion, possess himself of his fathers blessing :
but think am certain we have no Judas here
who would sell his master, much less his
country, for thirty pieces of siIver-I mean for
the value, the expense of this capitol. No.
sir, If have not been egregiously mistaken,
the creed OF large majority of this house is
eqaataty their course cGndOr, their polar Std1.
justice, and the contamination of their wishes
the PuOtc good. What then can we have to
lear on tie subject OF expense,a mere phantom
hatched up IN this place, indnstriously incul-
Gated on all who come here, but believed by
no man in the nation, who takes trouble to
think an hour on the subject. Who that
knows any thing of the original cost of lots
composing the public property here, of their
rate nominal value, of their even now depre-
GATED value, added To the improvements
made thereon, can for moment believe, that
al falr price the gentlemen of capital in this
pace, would not give sum much greater for
them as food for the vanity or accommodation
Tor their wants, real or imaginary, than would
erect elsewhere in the abodes of health. secu-
rty, peace, and innocence, buildings equally
elegant and cOmmodious, much more substan-
tial for every Department., for one, do most
rellSiously believe it. Although am willing
to concede that public buildings here have
been erected, repaired, and re-repaired at a
most enormous expense, and shameful aban-
dohment ofprinciple, and waste of public mo-
ney, Tor the expresspUpOse of aHchorng for
ever the seat of government here-and hence,
MIR Snn.ILrnr Ih.. IL