Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1824-03-06


neigllsouriig state? on The encouragement Of
foreign, in the place of domestic agriculture?
Did any Wise government ever pursue such IA
policy
Here Mr.. p. p. BARBOUR rose, and apollo
gis'd Tor again occupying the committee,
cOctrary To his usual habit of never rising
twice To speak 10 the sanrs general subject ON
the same day. But he felt himself constrain
ed to make some reply to Il remark that had
fallen FROM the gentleman from Pennsy lvania.
He said something about my claiming for
Virginia an exclusive dominion over the grow
ing of wheat. I never advanced any such
claim. I said, that wheat was IA great staple
in that part of the state from which came
and said no more. Blu. the gentleman farther
sand If rightly heard aud understood him, that
If Virginia erer looked beyond her oun confines
for amy thing but potiiicut po,rer she night
have sren that her ueghburs were interested
in this duty.
Mr. INGHAM observed, that he had not
used the word" ever" but had said, :" if She
could look beyond her own boundary" &C.
ut the gentleman might, if he chose, take
the word ever, and make the best of il.
Mr.. BARBOUR resumed. should not rise
here To be The euogist of Virginia, born and
nurtured within the bounds of that state.
should be lacking in duty, which is even pri-
or to the duty owe TO this House, did not
vindicate her character from such AN aspersion
as that cast upon il by the gentleman from
Pennsylvania. What ~ there in the conduct
Of Virginia TO merit such reflection? Ii She
has enjoyed at any timr, in this confederacy,
more power than has been enjoyed by other
states, whence was that power derived p
Whence did she obtain i, /? From the free
consent of the people of this Union, as ex-
al.
from the consent OF Pennsylvania herself
Did she possess more power than was Justly
due 10 her ? He would appeal 10 all who heard
him, whether these United States were not
indebted to Virginia for many and signal bene-
fits 1t was Virginia that laid the very foun-
dation of the federal government and, ever
since ITS formation, that share OF political
power, which her sister states have granted
tn her, has been exercised for the benefit and
prosperity of the whole cOhfederacy. OF
this, there has been the most distinct and uni
vrrsal acknowledgment. Look, said Mr.. b
at her moneyed sacrifices TO the interest oi
this government. Virginia led the way in the
voluntary surrender of her immense Territory
"A territory which has since furnished Ia thi.
contederacy three entire states, that are now
| rising monthly, weekly, aye hourly, in dignity
in Importance, and power. He did think III,
gentleman from Pennsylvania might Ina, il,
spared The rejection We live in country
where all are free. The way Ia power Is
alike open IT, all. II cannot be obtained or
held but by the voluntary assent ola majnri-
ty of citizens. If Virginia gave To the confe-
deracy great men in the field and in the cab
met, was this to be made Il rcproach? If her
citizens had attained to an exalted station who
placed them there and was il not acknow-
iedgrd that they had filled that station with
an honest and a successful endeavor 10 pro-
mote the public good ? and if she had poured
millions into the Treasury of the general gov
eminent, from the sale of lands that once
were hers, should this be imputed to her as n
fault If such things AS these were grounds
ofreproach. then was Virginia indeed TO blame.
Mr. lNGHAM rose in reply. He said, that
The passing remark he had made, was one
which grew out of the gentlenan's own course
OF debate. When the gentleman said, that
Virginia had no interest in, or wish for the pro-
tecllng duty proposed in the bill, he seemed
to think he had stated sufficient reason why
II should be stricken out at once. But, in such
circumstances, Mr.. l. said he could not but
advert to another bill that had lately been be-
fore this House, the bill for internal improve
,nenls, against which Virginia had set herself
IN array, with all the immense powers Of her
line. He was not now inclined TO cOntruyert
The statement the gentleman had made as to
the lofty claims and merits of Virginia. He
did not think il properly belonged to the pre- =
sent debate, though, if that subject came fair
~ up for discussion, he beley ed it would he
found there were TWO sides to that question.
In stating the political course of Virginia in es-
tablisbing the interests of this confederacy,
the gentleman might have remembered that,
IN the whole of that course, she was essential
ly aided by her old friend Pennsylvania hut
now she had increased in power and impor-
lance, I'LL she seemed to think she might set
up for herself throw off her old friend and
co-adjutor, and say to Pennsylvania, 4" we
don't want you" Pennsylvania, the moment
she could be relieved from that struggle in
which she had so essentially supported Vir-
GINA for the general good, turned her anxeiies
tn her individual interests, and, as a darling
Object, took up the plan Of internal improve
,nents, OF the domestic policy Of the country
But no sooner did she appear with it on this
floor. than she was met by her old companion
and friend with ieproach, with rdcule, and,
he would add, with coniumely. Who was
there but would say with him that Virginia
hat looked over this nation with view TO pow
er y? The gentleman says she merited il. Ii
may he go. | shall say nothing 10 her dIspar-
agement. shall not dispute that she has
given many great men 10 the republic. and
approve her general political course. But it
might be said, it had been said, though he
should not say it, that she had pursued that
course with selfish view to her own ascen-
dancy. Here the Chairman called Mr.. Ing
ham TO order.
Mr.. CLAY regretted, exceedingly, the course
The debate had taken. IT was certainly alto
gether unnecessary. The great merits Of
Virginia and Pennsylvania were known 90 all,
and need not be repeated on this floor. Why
should gentlemen indulge in such course Of
reflection II had no connection with the sub
ject before the House, and he hoped it was
now over.