Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-10-10

the case OF Sanator Geibg called 10 order BY a
Ssnator and accordingly it was decided, that this
gene Il power could only be exercised on such
call 10 order.
| Fo' ,hv. deciding, for sefusing to exercise IL
will rot say doubtful power,) but power new er
granted, have been denounced in terms as harsh
| as would bent traitor TO bis country I, howe
yer, have borne it, trust, with for,tude, as /
ielt conscious that it was wholly unmerited.
have even rejoiced, if must at all events be at
lacked, that my enemies found nothing on which
| TO assault me, but on too much suppo-ed attach
meat to the power OF the Senate and TOO little to
my own. Yes, gentlemen, it will ever be to me a
! proud reflection, that have been thought worthy
OF suffering in the great cause 10 which you have
referred, the freedom of debate; cause more sa-
cred than even the liberty of the press. Exper-
! fence, in another country, has shown tibet with
this great power secured, the liberty of the press
! may be forced from the hand of power but we have
no experience to show that, iihout it, the liberty
OF the press can ever maintain itself against the
I assaults of power.
The attack on this port, however, is but part
OF system that has grown out of a series of e.
vents which no one more deeply deplore than
myself; and the rernicious effects of which, fear
will long be felt by our country.
1t would not be proper in me, occupying the station
that do, TO speak of the conduct of others in
la,on to these events, either with appreciation or
censure; but as mine has been freely arraigned, /
trust that may be INDUCED in few very brief re-
| marks explanatory of the principles which have
governed me.
You will readily see, that the events to which
have alluded, placed me in a situation OF no small
difficulty; but part of that difficulty consisted in
pcrceiving the that duty and patriotism die
tated. The path of principle was clear. had
but to act consistently with myself-but to look
back TO the past, TO see to what point ought to
| go for~ard. If be asked, in what those princi-
PIES, which have heretofore governed ME, consist
my answer IS, that they will be found in those
that led to the Of the Revolutions; that they
contained in the Declaration of Independence
in the Constitution which happily uues as p
People; and that they illustrated by the great
civil revolution that brought Mr.. Jefferson into
power in 1901 and by the very able report of Mr.
Madison, of l1oS, which emnentlT contributed
to that great, and wall add, harry change, as is
now almost unanimously acknowledged
These principles have fer their basis the grea,
doctrines of the rights OF man, which teach that all
just governments originate with the People. and
are established for their happiness; and that liberty
can only be preserved by the responsibility of
pubic servants; ,r, to express the same thing diff.
ierently, that liberty is that state ia Which those
,Oho make and erecute the iat0s are controlled
through The po'Oer Of frequent elections dy those
on w!iOm tie lars operate
To strengthen this control of the rule,l over ru-
ers. through the great fundamentally of election
ano to prevent II from being weakened By accident
or design, particularly in the highest instance OF its
exercise by the People of these States has been IN
constant aim; ana, gentlemen, trust that ,,ili
never shrink from this great object, under am cir
cumstance of difficulty or danger. IF am to be
denounced, 1t Is In this great that will re-
joice to it.
will conclude by Offering as a sentiment
The People Of the u. Sta;cs-the depositary
of the most precious of all rights-,hat o. self 90
vernment; may they, by their wisdom and virtue
ever prove themselves worthy OF the sacred trust