Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-02-02
DEBATE ON THE CONVENTION.
Reply Of Jnr. Miller, to Mr.. Doddrdges speech last
Dublishsds

Reply Of Jur. Miller, To Mr. Dodirid-e's speech In
Mr.. MILLER of Po vsi'eu, rose and said that
he would not trespass upon the patience of the COM
mittee at this late hour of the day after it had been
SO much exhausted, but for his peculiar situation
Being an administrator of the late Jernan Baker he
was obliged to attend the sale Of his estate on Mon
day. Indeed he should have left Richmond this
morning, but that he had waited to hear the rcplv of
the gentleman from Brooke. Mr. NJ said that the
concluding remark of that gentleman would ntjrcly
change the tone of the observations which Re Mn
NJ. should submit TO the commttee-neverthc Iess
II was proper that he should reply to some personal
illusions which had been made TO his political course
The gentleman from Brooke had said thai IL y-as
reported that Mr.. NJ. had belonged to different poll
teal scots. Mr.. NJ said with the permission Of the
committee, and Ill justification Of himself he would
give brief history of his political life Mr. NJ gaid
he was educated at Princeton. and returned from
that institution in the fall Of 1893. While there he
was hard student, and had no time 60 attend 20
practical politics. lie did not recollect hayl,, heard
but one subject ofthe kind discussed and that VA the
consttutonay and policy of the alien and sedltion
laws. They decided 70 be unconstitutional and
impoltc, and 50 he Mr. M voted. But be this &C
it may, MIR. NJ. asked what liberal mind would hold
man of his age responsible for opinions entertained
while at school, hlr VI said the first books thar he
ever studied, practical politics. were the Debates
ON John 1aylors resolutions of 90, and Mr.. Madi-
sons report of l799-1200. To the principles con-
tanned in these books, he had remained n ste4!y ad-
herent eyer since. The gentleman docs not pre-. nnd
10 SPEAK OF MS own knowledge on this subject: md
Dir. NJ. would therefore, not violate order when he
pronounced the charge untrue in the face Of thu,
world. Mr.. NJ. said It was true that he opposed Mr.
JefcrsODs embargo and whole restrictive system rs
well as the measures consequent thereon-bccausc
he thought thcn impotC. AS we'll as nj variance with
tho principles laid down in the books TO which he had
reference. lie thought still; and believed thni
they laid tie foundation Of the present disastrous
condition 0! the country, and particularly Of the
southern States. Mr.. NJ said. about the consttu-
zion Of Virginia, his sentiments had been entirely uni
form but that he did not blame gentlemen for chm
glng thor vCws-all he complained Of was that thoy
should dcnOuncc those nrstOcras and olipircbis9
who entertained tho opinions which they Lad aLan.
doncd. Mr.. NJ. s1id that ne had been charged wit
ndmirng and initiating distinguished man in Tho
councils OF the nation. The gentleman from Brooke.
little understood tn" character Of Mr. NJ irhc thought
that nc Jr. NJ ever had the vanity to believe tl1t
ne could initiate that gentleman A. 20 the cbnrpc Of
ms uniform admiration or md friendship for that
gentleman, it was freely admitted. lie had known
HIM long and Whatever others Inivht think, or pre-
tend to think, no knew that he possessed n kind
heart, n frank heart and brave heart--a noble
spirit, and genius brilliant as ever adorned
any man OF his country. Mr.. NJ said he Ind sup
ported mat gentleman through good and evil report
ana that he was not foolish ng TO desert him IN
the hour OF his resurrection-hc v,ag the man e1r
VINO bad the ntrcpidity and talent on late Occasion
70 pnt the wave Of the multitude in motion, which
bad rolled, and swelIcd as " rolled from psesoroa
quoddy 70 the Baze. Sir, said Mr. ~ the gentle
man from Brooke dsayows any inputation. ON the
great mon OF orr Revolution and saws shat he decar
cd ~ debate that they entitled 10 tho gratitude
of their country. Mr.. NJ said he was aware that
the speech 81 The gentleman had been 50 reported;
NoteJhe remark a. delivered was that exon after wb.,
had passed, the gentleman from Brooke was determined an AM
'V "Pf' v" ,'e'''h "i' 'e ccnierG1- ;-.r Fowl 1iar.