Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1827-02-02

o
regret but my course of Conduct through the future
VIII be nothing varied by this consideration. The
principles on which have acted without abandon
meat IN any one instance. for the last sixteen years,
III congress and IN The Legislative Hall oil this State
wal be the principles by which will regulate my f.,
tuEe political life. Keeping them continually in view,
-yieiing them neither 10 the force of
or 10 the suggestions of expcdiency and there by seek
ing to promote the interests of our beloved country f
do not acquire the individual confidence of Virginia.
shah al least have preserved my owu consistency,
and secured my peace Of mind through the days of my
increasing years and in The hour Of my final dissolu-
ton With sentiments of high respect,
Your most obcdient servant,
Hon. LINN BANKS. JOHN TYLER.
MIR. Watkins of u. C. from the Committee ofpriyi.
leges and elections made report unfavorable TO the
'iS OF humphrey Biilups from the county OF NIah
e'vs 10 seat ON the floor, the score Of his being
minister of the gospel.
YIN motion of MIR. Rives of p. G.. the Report was
MIR. Segar moved 10 lay the Rcpor, on the table
ncgaved unanimously
MIR. B'lIups objected to the Report, because il did
not contain certain certificate, proving that he
had no authority in the Methodist Church to which
lie belonged. He said the question was an important
one 10 him and his constituents, and wished TO have
mad time to prove his standing and grade in the church
lie said he had no voice in the legislation of the church
bad never received enUlument--yas no; recp.rized
by his church, Minister Of the Gospel. He quo
led the language of the constitutions excluding "NIn
listers of the Gospel of all those
VINO were acknowledged by their respective churches
as ministers. He took distinction between preach-
ers and ministers. He acknowledged himself prea-
cher, but csned he was minister. He said the Gues.
ton was, was deacon Minister Of the GospeP He
moved TO strike out the word minister in the resolution
oil the Committee and insert Deacon-tat his true
standing might he designated.
NiF Watkins explained in reference to the certili-
cate that the person who gave il afterwards beto
the Committee, and the certificate thereby rendered
unnecessary He said that the question was whether
Deacon was or yeas not. Minister of the Gospel
question: oil which he presumed there small
donht.
Mr.. Billups replied al considerable length, vindi
caS ms "'e U" his seat on the ground OF his be;,
Deacon only, wittou, legislative power in tlr,
Church and arguing that the Constitution embraced
such on!y as exercise power in their respective
churches.
Mr. Rives Of 7. C. replied 10 Mr. Bnns lie
said tina, there evidence of Mr. B,lu,s, cons;
iering himself Minister in seeking TO be exenn,ed
from militia duty; and of his actually being such as
he soiernnized The rites OF malrimcny, besides preach
ing, &c.
Mr. Ghoson spoke in surport of lie repor, ,u,
commended that the local ministry were particuIar in
tended 10y the Constitution, itencraut ministe,
were incapable as non residents, of being returned 10
seats on tins hoor lie complimentcd the ingenuity
which MIR. Bi'nps had displayed, AMI said that if he
were permitted 10 hold his seat and other nreachers
possessed tie same talents and bunour tina. their Nun
hers on this floor would become formidahe He cx
patated at large the wisdom OF the Constitution
lind the necessity OF enforcing it, The ministers of
the Gospel were Justly the most popular men in th,
country, and if this case became a precedent, their nm
puiatI,y would return them in great numbers to the
Legislature lie moved 10 amend the report by i'm
sorting that Humphrey Billups n minister Of the
Gospel in the spirit Of the Constitution AMI as s,if
not entitled tOretain ls seat.
Mr. Billups replied 10 Mr.. Gio.son
MIR. Davis of Hanover said il had been his mai;
tune to entci tain this subject, wheel, he
very delicate ard important one. an opinion which
Gentlemen considered most eXiraoiG binary u ,roS
that the people originally the ,ces g no VOC
itptn
opinion bad been formed he confessed the arguments
and reasoning of gentlemen had not cradle if
his mind tie believed the entire Legislature ha. .
ght to prescribe the mode by which those jneoil,e
TO seat here might be removed. bit commended ,i
unless tile mode prescribed by the law was observed
IL was not proper that enquiry should be Instituted
ne sad t!at The Constitution bad given eaci, brare
oil The Legislature certain powers, but he did rot ii,
IN the enumeration of those Conceded 10 his Home,
The power OF Judging ri the qualifications the eIect
me Constitution Of The United State, unlike that f
FIrG ma gives TO each House of Congress exnrcs.rv
the i'wer now claimed ivr This. But said Mr. Davis.
suppose the Constitution of the United States ,,s
rent upon the subject and a u einbcr from Mae..ch
seiis au risen IN 'Is place and suggested 70 Instance
t'"t our Senator MIR. Randolph, who has bc en- f,e
quentiy to England not in fact an nI,,h;,,rt 3
irginia, aud therefore lncg lev ouId il not he
answered ne electors the Legislature of Virginia
are The lndgeso This, said HIr. D. woud he ,ons,lI
Ell even worse than trying 10 XIII our Senator AaaiD
slI, suppose minister of the Gospel elected to tI,n
Executive branch OF tie Governments TO yybj, II he js
equally ineligible as TO this House, would the Priyy
Council have he power 10 expeiI for want of opJ (;
cation, would we, the electo,s be considered fi
Judges OF that matte?
Gentlemen have said hat unless we exercise Tbs
power minority OF Tie House may be elected, WHO
ineligible. This think proves The mower Of the
people upon tie subject, for if there were majority
OF BilnPs' here, bow would you exclude them, The
majority exclude tbemscre,M
But sir, the House having determined 10 act and
the question being upon NIr. Bups' eligibility, he
believed now as he had expressed himself heretofore
that he was minister in the meaning OF the COnsii
'"tioh can MN what yon viii deacon preacher; he
must therefore vote against the amendment no,,y;tb
standing his opposition TO the original enquiry
MIR. BiIlups' amendment was rejected MIR. C;ho, |
sons adopied-aDd thus amended, thc resolution was
adopted by ayes ard noes, nnanimousIv with t,e on
cert'on OF MIR. PattesoU and MIR Tayenner
On motion Of MIR. Digs, writ oG ecc ton v as or
dered to issue TO supply TIE vacancy
Mr. Giles called up his resoiutions-wiich having
been read,
Gen. Taylor, before The question was put wished