Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-02-15


could not give pleasant answer; sometimes be-
cause the answer would defeat their views. He
suspected that the last was the real motive with
the member from Amelia; that his would
disclose too much of the probable results Of his
measures; that famiiarzed he had been TO
plans ofopposiiion, and strong as his nerves were,
he Iecoiled aud rembed from the possible operation
of his own measures, or feared 10 lie: the public
see their whole tendency. If rhis SO,
why should be withhold his plans to reinstate the
liberties of Virginia from him, Gen. T., who wa. .
Virgnian, bound "a her by vows OF early devo
ton, which no time could obl,era,e, no denun-
citation absolve, no extremity of her fortune
eel.
Blu, the gentleman had said, that i, was only an
enquiry, and the adoption of the resolutions settled
nothirI. II the resolutions meant nothing, but
simply enquiries, if nothing was to grow out of
them, why should the Safe be exp ,sed il
would be, to the charge of many thousands Of
dollars? Why enquire at all? This part of
the very system of (which he complained by which
are 10 be led on blindfod, till reach the
edge of the precipice and when retreat. becoming
dishonorable, no longer possible. These
o.utions the Trojan horse, in which luIked
concealed the armed hand by whom, in the I'M
suspecting hour of night, Troy to be set on
fire. (Gen. II. here asked, that the resolutions
might be read, which was done> lie then pro-
ceedel. The first part wac, indeed, only enquiry !;
bu, the latter showed the objects of the enquiry
u, II,
enquiries resulted, no doubt, the mover Intended
they should then the committee were instructed
to r.. ort the measures, " TO say that despotsm
and reinsale the liberties of Virginia. No other
discretion allowed them but The selection OF
the measurest attain these objects, and the adop-
.on of the resolutions committed the House that
some measures were to be presented. lie knew
Indeed, that the House nigh; afterwards rescind
that resolution. But the effect OF the adoption
now, would be to msnacle the House; AID they
would be pressed by all the argument. about CON
sistency and state pride, 10 preserve IL they were
adopted, the principle of resistance or retaliation
contained Ia the resolutions. We already told
that " consistency required 10 protect State
Rights; and that would be pressed more strongly
TO consuminate what hid once comm enceri.
The gentleman had said, his scheme was entire
ly pacific. How could he tell whether the result.
would be peaceful or wsrlike, if, he said he had
not devised any means or redress, s that they were
10 depend wholly on the Committee? How could
he answer for the temper with which they nigh,
be disposed to provide measures TO "srre.t despo-
Iisn and stay usurpaon?' But, in spite of ali bi-
caution. through little Granny The light within
would appear. An expression in the gentleman.
speech had given glimpse of what wa, within hi.
mial Mr. Giles here said, he was not respon-
s5le for the printed speech he had discovered in
accuracics in 1t. Gea. I. proceeded. know tina,
the printers make mistakes and the gentleman or
another occasion hal been misunderstood by the
printers. His own speeches had been mi-print ed
but he did no, think them worth correcting. But
IN tins instance, the memory OF many gentlemen in
the House would correct the memory of the mem.
bsr from Amelia ii 1t was defective and the min.
Ter had made 10 mistake. The gentleman had
said, - No man here dreamed OF war; IL IL come
IT r'iil DE from another quarter The gentleman
then, did contemplate that war might come
though IL would be s. from another quarter Than
Virginia. From what quarter could il come but
from Washington? The only consolation lie af-
lords us is, that Ii war comes it vii! be defensive
jsste3d oil ofensiye; that are to be the victim
cot the aggressor, 10 this domestic feud; that Yir-
gnia,;nsiead OF aiming the Paricidal weapon at the
life OF our common parent, is TO defend her own
life from the arms OF the Union.
Ihsse resolutions are said only to be a reteration
OF what the Legislature Of Virginia had done las,
winter. II SO, what occasion. was there 10 rei,e-
rate II: Could new asset ,ioa of The pr:ucples
give Them any new validity or weight? And if
the committee, In this pretended inquiry, yen,ured
to differ from what hsd been resolved last wear
hal we not beea told already, that it would be to
abandon our lormer ground and TO surrender State
flights, and all our consistency: Why then in
CURE II nothing more de-. isn ed ,haa had then
been done: his eternal aTguInrn, OF CONSISTENCY
was The mighty iastrument which party used 10
rive the si.atest hearts, and bend the mo stub
born TO p!i1ncy and submission. Bat, here again.
through another Granny, the light had apoesrej f.
The gentleman had said, that BE wished TO 90
only HHleJarther than we had gone las; wear.
ana mus step, Dy s;eP, we were uncoasciou-ly 10
be led on; the argument OF consistency acquired
eHen9th rs we progressed. until we ere gradually
prepared for thai state Of Things, which, if pre-
sentsd at once TO our View, we SHOULD ,ecou
iioin with horror. The parIcde himself, no doubt
was hoHor-struck, at the first cOnceDtion Of the
thoueht,whlch becoming more familiar 10 his mind
led Inn to crime and misery unspeakable
tie Begged the House to pause at the outset, and
10 Consider ceoily their wrongs ami the remedy
before they commit ed themselves. To commence
oppoHtion to The national government by CONNER
cia! retaliation, is 10 begin system whose end
must be submission by Virginia or the IT, States.
dishonor or war. And ali were too full of ruin
Gus results to be unnecessarily hazsrded Let the
gentleman, then, instead of the resolutions, brina
forward resolution proposing specific plans Of
redress, no, in detail, but if he peases only ts mn,
line. We shall then be able TO act adyisedv and
know the extent OF our measures. we NAV then
examine into the a!iedged wrongs, the consti,u-
tIonaliiy OF the tariff law, aad the laws respecting
roads and canals; the measure, mode of resistance
and redress. We shall then be able 10 saw if tbev
be such as may he redfessed by the ordinary con-
siitulionsl coneciives, or demand resort 10 this
perilous array OF the State sgains, the Union.
Wben this is done, he should offer his ouinions
without disguise, although he might not as 10 ell
OF them, agree with the majority of the House: he
would, perhaps, be found not to differ in all mat
tiers: that he was un pledged, and would never sub
init his neck 10 party yoke, or take any fest
oath. political or relig ous that he should feel him
self degraded by becoming the pledged advorats
Oh either the administration or opposition, or wear
ing the livery Of any man, Adams or Jsckson
and would belong 10 party, but that of the
Republic; Judging of measures according TO their
merit, and their fitness TO promote the public good