Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-02-23

7
expressed on this subject, and that there was no
thug IN the report and resolutions of Georgia and
>. carolina which he did not heartily approve, ex-
cept, perhaps, single expression in th., Georpin
report, that they would not submit 10 the princi-
pies acted on by the government. He had no
uoubt Out that rs the true principles of the Con-
Su'uuon boco'ne better understood and more fully
eanva'sed, they would ultimately prevail
Mr. bryce was opposed as upon former
can 10 taking up the report. lie thought no good
coua result rom the consideration of il at present
4 ne report contained nothing whc,, mantle sled
.he Proprcty OF acting upon it AT this tim. I'm
iesSlt offered some additional arguments to adj
'dce our doctrines, or presented our principles in
some new and interesting light, the simple repet-
luton OF them could add nothing TO their force. No
one can suppose for moment, that by refusing to
act now upon this subject, Virginia had abandoned
ner principles, or departed from her policy. Her
opinions on the topics cmbraccdEby the report had
been repeatedly declared and were w,.ll known
he was as strongly attached TO them now as ever.
ne insinuations thrown out against those who
should take the course which he now indicated he
| entirely diSregarded; but nc thought il very i'm
poftant to preserve the character and dignity of
the state; the unity and integrity Oft the party who
are 20 sustain her policy, and who are endeavour-
ing to engrat it on tn. General Government. What
would he the consequence OF agiating the question
al TINS time: Various substitutes, he understood
were ready 70 be offered for the report. Gentle
men may suppose that by getting il up thew might
acquire the celebrity of MIR. Madison. But an in
cident, Ike that on which his glory was displayed
has not occurred. The only effect of subn,ittipe-
their substitutes will be much discussion great d
VISION and distraction. The adoption OF the most
beautiful report cannot cure these evils nor give
additional energy TO our principles
MIR. Mason OF X. George, opposed taking up the
report; he said his views were similar 10 those
expressed by Mr.. Craig.
Mr Smith OF kanawha, also opposed the motion
air. Patteson remarked, that on Monday he had
opposed the motion to take up the Report, and had
pedged himself TO vote for taking il up on We'd
hesday. 1t the offer he had made when that pledge
was gwen, had been acceded 10, he should now
redeem 1t; but as it was not, he should vote a.
gainst taking up the Report
Mr.. irvine also opposed the motion, and said
that II the Report was taken up he should not
vote for it. He would not go into an examination
on TIE constitutional question, although he thought
the measures OF the government complained of
unconstitutional and of most dangerous tendency
ana might IN the end, ii not checked, lead to con-
sodation. Mr.. Irvine was about to comment on
the character Of the Governors MESSAGE when he
was declared to be out of order and tool. his seat
Mr. Hungerfoord remarked, that ne had voted
Tor the resolutions OF the last year. aud should vote
for the present Report. He did not consider the
questions as different.
Mr. Barton made few remarks against TAKING
up the Report
Mr. Witcher regretted that the motion had been
made; but as it had been, would vote for taking
up the Report He wished that all questions in
that House could be decided by ayes and Noes
II they had been so decided, ne asked what would
be the justification of those gentlemen who had
voted te reference OF the subject, and now refused
70 take up and act upon the Report. The people
iiad expressed their will on this subject; and if
tue Report was not agreeable to the House, il
was within its power, and might be altered or
modified as they pleased. He could not think that
gentlemen wished to evade the question. If the
report be taken up, it would take no more time tn
vote Tor, than to vote against it.
In reply TO the remark made on the word Ssrasie
lance IN the Georgia report, he said, that he put
oiierent construction on il. That State had only
SAID that She would not quietly submit to encroach-
ments on her rights s. on the principles of the Com
stitution; but would resist them by all constitu-
1onal means in her power. If gentlemen on that
foor would not say they also were prepared TO re-
sist IN that acdy they must surely be prepared to
submit lie saw no material difference between
the preamble TO the resolutions of last wear and
the communication OF the Governor that had been
objected TO. except that the Governor ha, entered
into some specuiatons on the pecuniary atvanta-
ges that would be enjoyed by the Southern States
under particular state OF thing, (hir Witcher
was here called 10 order and took his seat)
Mr.. Gordon said that his own opinions were ne
veroi character not TO yield to the opinions and
wishes OF others, and particularly of those of his
PoiItical friends. When he honorable and
sensible men, OF pure principles differing with one
another, he always paused 10 reflect. In relation
TO the present subject, he had not aspircd 10 any
but an humble part in the discharge of his public
duty. Unwilling even to seem to seek aDy hatter-
ing distinction OH this subject, he had earnestly
requested other gentlemen in vain TO move its re-
ference and had at length made that motion in
good faith He had seen the peaceful progress of
public opinion on this great question with salts
iacu)n. South Carolina had, at one time, voted
against the principles we advocated; some of the
prominent men N Georgia had done the same
ana when these States presented TO Virginia their
concurrence in her principles, he thought it due
to them and TO ourselves, that their communion
tons should be referred and considered Ii would
De remembered that when they were presented to
The House, they were not read, from their great
length, and were ordered 90 be printed On the
question OF reference, all opposed TO the Virrinia
doctrines voted IN the negative. The Committee
had examined the subject with the utmost care :
they had taken all the circumstances into conside-
ration, and had carefully endeavored 10 avoid all
cause OF offence to political opponents
stronger report was prepared but the Committee
decided against elaboration and length and in ia
vor oil brevity and cancellation. 1t was not his in
tention again to move to take up the report: but
lie did not wish to confine others 10 that course
and since the motion was made, he should vote for
it.
Mr.. Gordon acknowledged that he felt some diff
hcuity in keeping strictly within the rules of order
IN discussing the motion then pending In show
ing the importance of the subject and the neces-
sity OF acting upon it, il was almost impossible not
to go somewhat into the merits of the report and
The documents on which it was founded Nothing
was more common than difference of opinion a.
Inong men, on almost all subjects. Messrs Jeffcr-
son and Madison differed OH the very subject of
State resolutions against the policy or measures Of
the federal government. Mr. Madison thought
That II was only on great occasions that State
ought to protest or demonstrate. Mr. Jefferson
thought on the contrary, that as the Legislators
were the immediate servants & sentnels ofthe peo-
pie, placed as IT were on the watch tower not ses
sion should 20 by durn the e,istence If danoero,,