Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-10-27


sures now under our consideration. If the reso-
utons be adopted, they cannot be considered in any
other light, than an act OF hostility towards the
| General Government.
| Even suppose, sir, that our opinions are diff
| ferent from those who administer the Government
! OF United States-we ought to leave such
things 10 fhe people. So long as the elective prin-
ciple remains unimpaired, so long will the Repre-
sentatives OF the people consult their true interests
II the President enter,ains opinions nnical to the
Rights of the States, still he can adopt no mea-
sures without the assent of both branches of the
National Legislature And when his term of service
expires, he is again eligible, and, if he proves him
sell an untai'hiul servant, the people will give
hun up TO the shades OF retirement. The Execu-
tive of the United States is under our direct con-
| troll: we can restrain, can coerce, we can
change II. Every Jour years, the President is re-
sponsbe to us; and at the expiration of that period
we can either retain, or dismiss him. Where then,
sir, is the necessity OF travelling out of the ordnsry
course of Legislation?
The resolutions mpolitic, they are useless
Leave the subjects TO which they relate, to be SET
| tied by the nation. We are told Mr.. Speaker
that this n Crisis. Let take care, sir, tha,
we do not be,ray improper feelings. Let us take
| care that we do not depart from the maxim we
have hitherto pretended to revere-princples
not men. Let us take care, sir, that our obiec-
lions are not much TO the principles in
voved in the measure, as to the men by whom
they are at this time recommended, and patronized
! Various circumstances combine to induce this opn-
on The same measures " ere adopted, and the same
powers exercised by preceding administrations; YET
| this General Assembly did not complain did not
protest; and if these Resolutions now pass fear
that 1t will be considered, rather a denunciation
against those who preside over the nation
than against the principle OF the acts, imposing
duties for the encouragement OF domestic manu-
iac'ues, and tor surveying routes for roads and
canals.
! All the principles, Mr. Speaker, which these
resolutions now condemn, have been recommended
| by Republican Presidents. But remained ra-
| listed. They sanctioned By them without
murmur, without reproach from US. The, we
/ were governed by men OF our own choice, who
adopted our own opinions. But now the General
Tickle; System has been found TO tail US, and all
our exerlionS could not exclude Northern man
from The presidency. The prelensions OF the pre-
sent incumbent have been supported by Congress,
representing the States of the Union and if we ap-
prove OF these Resolutions, the general impression
viii be that =" Virginia having exhausted her arsu-
ment. intends now TO stand to her arms
| The subjects Of the Tariff and Internal Improve
ment, have been, year alter year, sanctioned by u.s.
| | could refer 10 the Message of Mr.. Jefferson on
| the Cumberland Road: Ito his Message on Inter
! nal Improvement, and Manufactures In Mr.
! Madison's Message in 1915, the subjects were
pressed on the attention of Congress, as matters
OF primary importance; and MIR. Gallatin also re-
commented general system OF Internal Improve
ment. Mr.. Gallain, SIR, is not Yirginian, but
he is an Enlightened Apostle of truth, firm, in.
! flexible, and seadfast votary of liberty, and the
welfare of bis adopted country; and the American
| Nation, sir, well know That used every effort
to elevate him TO the Vice Presidency of the u
States. Virginia herself has taken up this matter
and the attention Of the Legislature has been di-
rected 10 these very subjects. Governor Cabell,
~
| ta5e 10 tie State, the distinguished station OF
Judge of the Court OF Appeals, and who has al
ways retained the public confidence, recommended
the Report of Mr.. Gaatin, IN his Message to the
General Assembly, in the strongest terms: there
Mr.. Page read passage from Governor Cabeil $
Message, but the Reporter not having access 10
the work, caanot traDscribe it. }
That Report just referred 10 recommended the
adoption OF system Of Internal Improve uent by
he General Government, and the Message was
received by the Legislature Of Virginia without
the slightest symptoms of di-pleasure That Gem
| eral Assembly, deeply imbded with the prin-
cipIes of rs, and yet, have never found any ey-
dence of their reprobation OF the principle nyo,y-
| ed in the
Bat this, sir. is not all. The General Assembly
passed, in 1909 an act, by which they authorized
| the General Government to cut Canal from E
zabeth River to AlEemarle Sound, - thus in effect
| surTenderine the whole ground. When, in 1919 q,
! our laws were revised, ths Act was still retained
in our CODE and as it is literary curiosity, beg
| eaveto read It 10 the Senate. (Here Mr.. Page
| read the latC.)
Where, Mr.. Speaker, were then the wise and
vigant guardians OF the Rights of the States /!
! Certainly there were some gentlemen old enough
! % act on that occasion, and why their voices
not raised against lis passage? | Go not, sir, wish
10 convict This Legislature OF Inconsistency; bat
| the adoption of these resolutions will unuueston-
| ably have that effect. These subjects now so O.
dious and hateful, were once popular in Virginia
| While inyeighing against the measures reprobat-
ed by the Resolutions, forget, sir that we par
ticpated in the error most prevalent these sub
| jects. Virginia herself has inisled the Congress-
! by light eInana:ing from her councils Some
gentlemen will say that their acts were the result
OF negligence, passed during the time of
| Embargo and War. Ii our politicians, keen
sighted they were, could not forese the danger
Gus consequences resulting from the exercise Of
The powers in question;l( they could not perceive
In them violation of the constitution; If then
could not " snuf in the tainted gale this "tyran-
NY" De have not mush TO fear. If the servants
OF the People have abused their trust the elective
privilege will all the evils under which we
labour; We the States, and the people, have them
completely within our power. At any time we
can dismiss them, and elect those who will speak
our sentiments and execute our will.
But, sir, IL will be said, the Acts were passed
under the pressure of great embarrassment. Prin-
ciples sir the same, to-day and forever These
measures are now the settled policy of the nation,
and nothing we can do, will change them. How
stands the case? 1t is found that they are sum
| ported by few detached States, or by siuqie
| President. Many years have rolled away since
they were originally adopted, and mum er Gus cleo
tons have occurred, and instead Of diminishing,