Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-05-16
MIR. CHESS ADDRESS

- iSv"'ihueo.I
But in 1908, / did not obey instructions. bv re-
iusing to act upon them after their presentation TO
the Senate; and was afterwards elected without
ever having been reminded OF the sin lad ire
ventIy committed; but in 1911, when had not
only obeyed the instructions OF 1910 but used NV
oes' eSertions Tor their success, then the c. A for
Inc preservation OF its own rights and dignity, fell
upon me with the most Unprecedented violence
woeu odds in conflict of opinions, between an
authoritative legislature; and a single udiviiuaIlI
never yield opinion but on conviction of error
het VIII premise, whilst upon this subject as upon
all Others ani disposed TO indulge the ~ idest range
LOT differences IN opinion; vet ! must say, that
nave never seen an argument in favor of the man.
datory night OF instructions, that was in,eligble
10 me az as bearing upon that question. So
many false statements have accompanied the men
ton of this subject; whenever an object was TO be
erected by 1T, so much parrot prstng put in mo-
'ion ana Kept IN motion by repetition, that now
reJo'ce 10 nave 1t presented 10 public view in
tangible form, and thus be afforded an opportuni-
~ OF booming these gross misrepresentation to
utter oblivion.
1t cannot escape observation that the General
Assembly In exercising this newly claimed censo-
rial power over the Senators in Congress. which
certainly cannot find its sanction in former prece-
cents, nor within the pale of the constitution and
winch 1t must be admitted, IN this first instance
mas been exertei with a severity towards the Sen
ators personally, in no respect necessary to the
establishment OF any right claimed by the General
Assembly, admitting the information upon which
1t acted 10 have been evidence of the most undou-
ed authenticity, seems nevertheless to have doubt
cd itself, the correctness of the information
employed to sanction proceedings OF this novel
ana delicate character. In the preamble hone is
expressed, that the language of the honorable
Senators was either not maturely considered or not
correctly reported. The ausion in this EXPIRES
sion, being exclusively pointed at myself, beg
leave, most respectfully, to assure the General
Assembly, that no language was used by me on
thai occasion that was not matureiy considered,
and which did not flow from the honest convictions
OF an honest judgment. No; having been app-i-ed
however, of the nature of the information adducel
TO the General Assembly, nor knowing the report
ed language alludsd 10 by ii but well knowing
that misrepresentation the most deceptive, We're
circulated through the medium Of newspapers, in
relation to the subject in question, feel myself
impelled, by sacred regard truth, to accompany
this explanation with the observations actually
made, and the language substantially used BY me
on that occasion. From these, think IT will be
difficult TO show, that have ever denied the G1t-
tioTity Of Instructions with which am charged
! by the General Assembly ; which supposed denial
has been seen by it with mingled regret and dis
pleasure, although have been so fortunate as 10
escape its resentment. If by the authority Of
instructions be meant the right OF instructions ;
then have not denied il TO the General Assembly
neither in form nor in substance. If by that
expression be meant, The obligation imposed on
zine Senators from he creJcise 0ffhat .ight
} b. ,hs General Assembly then have not denied
3 'h1t Obligation. But r The firm and undisguised
st,lit .; iId;ti haze es f',ly inquired in what
! suci obligation consists, and now far IL erfeadS
or IN other words, INTO the real foundation and true
iniiu ence of that ALLEGATION.
g Sill less would the General Assembly ne able
10 derive thererom the necessity OF calling on the
world to judge, whether it {" has been guilty OF
! usurpation, or its senators of culpabIe dsohedi-
ence.' Because, so far from the q eneral Assem-
bly, having been accused by me of any act of usur-
patton in giving the instructions in question, then
justified it tor that act ard used my best endeavoIs
to demonstrate not only that it had exercised a
right, but, under its impressions, had discharged
a duty IN giving those very instructions.
'' As TO the cnlpable disobedience, with ,vLicl
the General Assembly has been pleased 10 charge
ne, alphabetically at least, before the world, 4
will appear that voted IN conforn,'iy rim, an
der the influence o., and, if the expression BIZ
more acceptable to the General Assembly, il
obedience to these same Instructions and tllat m,
UOte was absolutely necessary TO effect, and dit
Contribute 10 effect the interesting object The Gene
raj Assembly had in view in giving the same in
siructions. IL will appear TOO, that / urged tn,
best arguments al my command, to demonstrate
the correctness of the principle upon which tho
instructions were founded; and principally viii
the view, expressed at the time of making tina
demonstration in defence Of the General Assem-
bly,, in consequence Of mpulations brought agains
1t IN debate OF incorreC motives inducing the &C
of instructions on its part.
90 If then, the instruct related 10 the vote OF
the question of the renewal Of the Bank charter
and the argument in that case, and DISCHARGED
both duties in conformity with the Instructions
with what justice can it be minated to the world
! that was guilty OF a eUipa6ie Gisobedience o
such instructions. 1t, upon the whole, it shoul,
appear, as must necessarily appear from "a recur
renee TO tie actual evidence in tine case that bay
not denied the right, nor the authority OF the &c
neral Assembly, TO give Instructions 10 the Sena
tors it chooses, nor accused il OF any act OF usur
: patton, nor committed any act of cupable di,obe
dience what Is the actual offence which has draw
upon me the reprehensions o. the General Assem-
bly,
" II is the expression Qfan opi,Hou rcspcef;,s
The foundation Of The true obligation io,pose,
on he Senator by instructions. The oTeuc
does not consist OF an act committed, but OF an o
PiniOn erPycsscd Suppose the opinion to- be no
nest bat eFroneous would The honest error iustif,
the transformation Of an hoHest oyiniog into TN
shope al cuipGbie act and hen justify the ccnsur
Of its author, for such disguised cuipabiltyM TIT
expression, even the collision Of opinion, has al
oil times been deemed essential to ne discovery q
truth. Truth is discovered, by opposing the iru,
to the false opnion-and leaving mankind +,
Judge between them.
\ "To effect this acknowledgment, opinion should b,
left as free air. Its exercise and cxpres,io,
should not sc restrained by authority Opinion f.
delicate, spontaneous, sensitive plant II fade,
and wiihers by the artificial cultivation Of autho.