Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-11-24
Sir, we can't shut our eyes to the Federal Govern

mont.
When in i7Ss, the Convention of Virginia adopted the
Federal government part OF her Constitution, they
effected greater change in our Constitution than the
widest rciormer now suggests 10 to estimate the
amount oil that change We must have reference TO her
interests and power at that day: il not may call
selves statesmen but the world will apply very
different epuhet. Among innumerablc causes why
now oppose change, is my full recollection of the
change which was then brought about have by cx-
pcricnce learned that changes even in the ordinary
law OF the land do not always operate the drawer of
tie bill or the Legislative body, may have anticipated
and OF all things in the world Government, whether
ready made 10 suit casual customers made per order,
the very last that operates it. trainers intended.
Governments like revolutions: you may put them in
motion, but defy you TO control them after they in
motion.
Sir il there is any ono thing clearer IN IN mother i,
iha the Federal Constitution intended that the State
Governments should issue paper money: and by Civ
ing the Federal Government power to coin money
was intended o the result that this shou ID
hard money Governments and what's it? 1t ia pa
per-moncy Government If this b. the result in spite
of all precautions TO the This il time
the Iate-luSrious President OF the Court OF Appeals
wont TO say, to mince word.,) and these govern
ments have turned TO he two corrupt paper
money Governments, and YOU could not i-how
can expect, now define and limit the operation OF
and untried principles. For new and untred they
are; and il God lends me strength will prove it.
have very high au'horiy-the authority OF the gen.
tenan from Augusta-to say that the Federal Govern.
men, intended TO be charged only with the external
relations of the country but, by strange transforms
ton, il has become the regulator abandoning the Colo.
NAL trade by negligence, incapaci,y, both, and
gripping all other trads ithss become the regua
tor Of the interior of the counry its roads, its canals
and, than all, Of it's productive, rather its
productive labor, Cor they have made il so
fetwith these facts staring MS in the face,
gravely told not TO look at the Federal Government
all And this in the Government of Virginia. where,
to use very homely phrase, but that exactly suits
the case, we can't take step without breaking
shins some Federal obstacle.
Sir,i readily a strong motive for wishing
to do away all past distinctions in politics. 10 ohliterae
the memory of old as well as OF events, and
|
| the political lottery.
Let me return to my illustration. What provision is
there, MIR. Chairman, either in the Constitution Ct Vr
ginia the Constitution Of the United States which es-
tshlishes a. principle thu, The Commonwealth OF
Virginia should be the sole restraining and regul,ng
power the mad uucuns usurDl,ions
the Federal Government? There is such provision
In eithcr;--vet, in practice and, in fact the Common
wealth OF VII gina has been, 10 my certain knowledge
for than thirty years, the sole rpoise and
check on the usurpa,ions Of the federal government,
so far they have been checked at AL wish they
h AL been checked more ehectuaily.
For long time, brethren of the S,uth, because
We were the frontier State of the great Southern divi-
sion OF the Union, dead to considerations which
they have, | fear, awaked too late. Virginia was left
alone and unsupported. unless by the feeble aid OF her
distant offspriug Kentucky. 1t is becau.e am uuwil-
ling to give up this cheek, 10 diminish its force that
am unwilling 10 pull down the cdice of our state GO
yernment from the garrett 10 the cellar aye. down 10
the foundation stone will put in hazard this sin.
gle good for all the benefits the advocate
form hope TO derive from the results Of this body.
The gentleman from Augusta told us, Yesterday fbc-
licve the day before or the day before that q re al
ly do no, remember which, That slaves have always
been subject Of taxation in Virginia. and that long
while ago neat cattle had ai,o been taxed In regard
TO these horned cattle, think they have occupied full
much attention they entitled 10 in thi, debate
But let il be RENE mbered that then not tax
ing the cattle Of the Cest, for there west hut
lew scattered settlements beyond the mountain and
what we have been discussing the proportion OF
taxes paid by the east and the west. No
interest in this subject established beyond thu
tains, than the laid aside At that time sir the
Common wealth of hos 81,
holding Commonwealth: (would to God she were so
now) And is it then wonderful that slaves should
have been subject OF taxation? Yes, sir Virginia
then only hrougoui, slave holding, but tobacco
planting Common alth. You can't ope, the statute
Imean of the old statute hooks, those that
hsve be en- deiaced by the finger Of reiorn-and
that tobacco was, in fact, the currency well
pie OF the state. We paid clerk. f es in to-
bhcco vcrdicts were given tobacco: and bonds
were executed payable in tobacco. That accounts
for it all. While large portion of the state has
ceased to be slave holding, and still larger portion
has ceased to be ,obacco-aniDg community the bur
den has rested OF the nrcks OF comparatively small,
unhappy. and will say it, prescribed caste in the
community. Not that any such effect intended.
when all were tobacco planters, taxes slaves and
barco were fair and equal But iime the greatest Of
nnovaors, has silently operated TO produce this great
and grinding oppression. My nativity cast my lot
there. am one of them ] participate in all their in
eresis and feelings. And il had been told,-until
had the evidence OF fact 10 prove -that one of the
great slave holding and tobacco planting dsrct' would
lend itself 10 Tho support OF the report of the Legislative
Committee, unmilgated, or, 10 term for which
indebted to the gentleman from SPOTS ylyania I'm
moHyed, or nndWcifed by any thing TO give il whole
operation would not have believed IL. Nothing
but oc lar auricuar demonstration would have made
me believe ii POSSIBLE. For my part-I had not only,
the gentleman from Chesterfield has said never have
been horn, but, being horn and grown up avn it
better for me hat milestone were hanged about nay
neck, AMI cast into the uttermosi depths Of the sea-
than to return 10 my constituent after haviRg given
naked vote for the report OF the Committee.
Sir, whtn ] speak of danger.-irom what quarter
does II from whom! From the and oat grow
thc The
Pamui key? From the fishermen on the Chesapeake
The pilots OF Elizabeth City? No. sr--fron ourselves
from the great slave holding and tobacco planting dis
rcts OF the state could not have brought myself 10
believe ii-noihng could have persuaded TO believe
that The real danger which threatens this great -teres
should 'priug from those districts themselves And ar
togant and presumpuous il may appear in me, Obese
ephets have been applied by the gentleman from
hugusa) will risk any tnng short of my eternal sal.
Walton or the fact that when The people Of hst region
come ia understand the real question: you will soon
force rntshdne down their throats as Constitution with
such principle in H.
The gentleman from Augusta told US Yesterday, or
the day before cannot he certain the precise day
With some appearance il were grievance that the
people had fnterfered,and he ked five are 10 be in
sructed ont Of our seats? yes. Such a. can
not be instructed IN their seats; he instructed ont
oil their se4t' He says the voices Of the people from
coun meetings and roads and t4verns will
hare and interrupt the harmony Of our deliberations
trust they will Though the people have hitherto
been supine this side the nouatsins, Itrust they
viii take the matter iuto their hands. hope they
are ht ginning 10 from their torpor and know
IT, Will stare fact. 10 shew that The current OF
public sentiment, il fast setting in side. DO not
say whether IL was for against VS. before. 7 have