The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1827-02-20
ofthe c~onsthutisn, and opposed to

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nation from Mr.. Nash. lie understood that
gentleman 10 say, that sIr Giles vas opposed TO
Internal state Improvement. With his feeble
lights he was opposed TO thai power by Congress,
but II was the more ,scuunbcut on the Ststes ON
that account, to prosecute them. lie wished to
know Nh Ghes opinions on State Improvement,
by STATE authority.
Mr.. Nash explained. Mr.. Giles was opposed
10 III maturcd and exiraragant schemes of Inter
nal Improvement, but not 10 improvements with
IN the means Of the state. He alluded by way
oi planning his meaning, 10 the schemes OF la
temal Improvement unfolded ~ the recent Mes
sage ofthc Governor, which he had seen with
alarm. IL was To these eAtrayagant schemes
thut Mr. Giles was opposed.
Mr.. Christian of Charles CITY, aided In the
nomination OF Mr.. Floyd. Aier cDmpiimeniiug
his talents, he alluded 10 the relation between
the l.. ;. and Georgia, and asked # the time
might not be near al hand, when Virginia might
occupy the attitude ofthai State suci a lime
would need Gen. Floyd. He considered him as
SLOW IN coming TO ms eonclusions-as femarka-
bly, cool and temperate. Tne argument that
Gen. Floyd ought Ia remain where he lE, was an
nnfiiendly one. lie could do more GOOD as Gov
ernor. There were many members Of Congress
and but one Governor. He thought from the
talent exhibited y Gen. FIpyd's District on THIS
floor. that his place IN Congress might be ably
supplied
Mr.. Craig ianented Nj. Floyd's nomination
under the circumstances. But rs he WIS nomi-
natcd, he should render HIM ms hearty support.
He assured thu House that Gen. FLOYD was vii.
IIng 10 accept the office, and read a letter from
bm, stating his wish 10 accept the office ifleif TO
the suggestions ofhis own feelings IL advert
I'd IN tlIe steady political course of Mr. Floyd in
{ ongress-as equally r%esistine the irowns and
/ - I..f 4.a. ~ ,.9..I =. l..I,
wrought c%nlogium upon his political and moral
mefit,.
Mr. Christian ofC. {. took occasion to observe
thai unless Gen Floyd hao been fot Jackson he
should have been against Gen Floyd.
Mr. Griffin aided in the nomination of Mr..
MISUNDERSTANDING by disca,e-respect le iclt
fol the ilouse-the duty he owed To himself, had
detefm ned him To remain "A silent spectator Of
passing occurrences, untilltl - gentleman who has
been nominated by The worthy member from
Nelson. had been announced as a candidate, Tor
the high office, the legislature were this day call.
ed upon To oil. twas only on this morning that
he had heard and only since the recent nonina
ton. HAT lac knew With certainty that the name
of VI. Nelson would be presented To the house.
In this state ofthines. the demands of friendship
tbe pa amount duts he owed the county, com
PEELED him, briefly TO ttespass upon the attention
- - 'f''' III i'A ~ AHN'A WI ~ itAbJ
obtrlde upon this house a long or labored pane
gtric, ON the merits. OF worth of Mr.. Nelson
LIE various appointments heretofore conferred
on hun are sufficient evidence of the estimation
In which he had been held by the pubIlc-thc a
biliiy with winch he discharged the dutrs inn
posed on him, by those app.iutments. the house
are ~ capable as myself Of approaching yet
si,, ! will say, thai have known him int matcly.
Born IN the samc village, educated in the same
semtaaly Of -cence, have had opportunities
ol Judging al the qualities Of his heart and now
adj nv T. stlmonY 10 their " nth. The worthy
gentleman, who commenced the nomination has
ieit me but little To SAY, vet there is one view in
which | wish to present Nh. Nclson to this house.
Sir, when ! took 10 the events of our revolution,
| feel Il heavy debt of gratitude, which | fear |
sltall never be able 10 discharge, towards those
tbo happily y yled a few layS p st, by ~ en- ,gh'-
snrd member irom Amelta) godlkc patriots who
So iriunphanily conducted our country through
the perils of that awful crisis: aud 10 whose
wisdom aud daring courage. Sc are indebted for
the privilege of debating IN safety and tranquil
". sir, there nov flows IN the veins OF Nj.
Nelson, a kindred blood to tbat, which once wa 70
med those Of senerated patriot. Mr.. II. Mel
son is the son u be- the house 10 hear it in mind
is the son Of ONE al those hcroe, who breasted
thu storm IN the tented field. In those tunes
which tried mems souls-whcu liberty. dropping
aud IN despair, was driven from oui happy land
when other souls Shrmk from the fearful con-
test and lowered al tie approach OF The foe, Mr..
Nelson's father rushed 10 the defence OF his coun-
try graspcd the reIns of government, which o.
ther hands were too feeble to retain, and cuntri-
bnted, prc-cmlucntly contributed, by his ind,vid-
ual e%xertlons aud sacrifices, TO the successful ter
n|linatIon Of thar vel timed, brilliant and glori-
Gus achievement, which fastened the return of
- .l II I-4
try. He retired from the field, covered with
honors. aud vlih ii reduced fortune. a diniliSh-
ed %pdtrimony, wrecked in the molly cause of IL
berty aud ol his country. lfthesr are not CLAIMS
upon tine gratitude of the state where shall any
he found If these are not claims upon the IA
Nor and friendship OF this Legislature, | know OF
nahr=-or, | am one OF those, who would visit
the rewards due TO the virtues Il a father on a
deserving son. | am one of those, Who would
bestoA the need of worth aud merit due the pa
rent upon his deserving offspring. II is on &C
casinaN ike tbs alone, that II can b. done; aud
IN al similar circumstances; on all occas ons in
which may have AN opportunity, viii SO far
as my tecbln voice may SO, contribute 10 d iinish
the debt of national gratitude, yet so justly due
10 the soldiers of the revolution.
MIR. smyth of Wvthe had not designed to de.
tract from the office OF Governor ofk itginia. 1t
WIS a distinguished office and worthy OF the de-
Ginning wears of a patriot. bat not of his youthful
vigor. Tie thought Gen. Floyd ought TO be left
TO select for himself, the theatre ON which he
should serve the state Under these c%ireumstan-
ces, he should give his ballot as he thought
best.
Mr.. Wilson supported the nomination of VIM.
Il. Giles Actuated solely by tlewlsh of advan-
eng the interest of the country-looking TO Mr.,
Giles former services and his prcsent efforts 10
EaFX, fl, g,,arp, la, tI,,rht tbaf pf-attf.,lN
ought to eject him. He did not say, that he en-
tireiv approved all OF Mr.. Giles political course,
but he saw nothing in il to render his election TO
the office ofGo,etnor improper.
Mr.. Epl,S Thought that the question was one
big with the fate otthe state and the Union. No
man was more devoted 10 the Union than him
self. but il was impossible TO concel the fact
that the elements of dissolution were al work.
We had been already invited to look AT the de
voted State of Georgia-and we had 10 decide
upon the means OF a%verting the catastrophe of
I-.