Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-01-20

public less Independence of opinion and speech and
more tespotisln over thongt than exist in England
and set OF men debating what is orthodox with papal
arrogance, aud obeycd with supersttious reverence
Such has been the state of things inthe legislature
OF Virginia for sea-s back Particular indiv-
duais to answer extrinsic political purposes acting
upon the known weakness ofmen, their love of ma
lorities and anpathy to minontes have led the Le-
glsature of Virginia into measures, which in the alb
sence OF this weakaess,t could have been made
toembrace. 1t was only necessary Tor tneseself.con-
sitatc arbiters of Repit,ilicansm to draw the Iine
to make theobedient General Assembly toe it, When
the subject of State Rights ia reduced in the Ie
slsnture, an awful pause ensued until it could be
what should be declared orthodox; and when SO de-
ciared, twas adopted of course. We have seen the
prevalence of this system m arrogant d;ctatun on
tue one hand, and unn,aHfy subseTviency on the
!ofhcr, With astonishmant and disgust. Unless we
had seen it. anu seen it enacted over and over we
couid never have believed, that Americans, Virgin
ians, and Republicans, possessed souls so mean and
gsoveing, as to have words put in their mouths
which they repudiated and from the fear of being
called Federalsts, made to adopt sentiments which
they disbelieved. Who docs not know that this is
aithit picture of the Transactions Of preceding ses-
sions of the General Assembly.
| The General Assembly is again called npon by
Georgia and s. Carolina to declare the Tariff laws
institutional, and to protest against them on the
Journals of the Senate of the U. States. he shape
IN which tie subject this year before the Lee
gstatare Is more favourable an unbiased decision
than IN former years. Con. Jackson is elected and
1t Is not necessary for any political purpose unconnec-
ted with the subject, TO resolve way or the 9th
er In the name IA the people Of Virginia who paw
more for the lnakiu of laws than any other ON the
lace OF the earth, protest inst the unnecessary
waste OF time and treasure, WINCH must result from
legislative enquiry the cons,itutionality of the
Tariff: Exercising the right which belongs to the
Press Of this country, and'with the Ere edom which
belongs OF right to its czens we call upon the Gen
raj Assembly to fulfil what the people sent them for
especially to relieve the public mind by passing the
Convention BILL and then to spare the Treasury the
expenses of abstract and fruitless legislation
But if tits determined osuspendthe regular business
OF iegsiation IN the Quixotte enterprise Of defen-
ding the constitution of the U. States we hope that
the subject will receive the full and mature conside
| ration which its Importance merits. This House
OF Delegates, SO superior to any that Virgin
10 has assembled for a long time will not we
hope tread in the serve footsteps of of its pre-
decessors and reject this swallow that at the bd
ding OF any man OF set of men, We have reason to
think that majority of that body believe in the con-
situtionality ofthe Tariff andhave more confidence
In Mr.. Madison S, than in Mr.. Giles, Mr. Hanilton's
or Mr. Rliclne's ability of expounding IL That pub
lie opinion has undergone, and is now undergoing
most rapid and striking change-and that the time is
not far distant when Virginia will by grea. ,na;or-
y, subscribe to the expedency of protecting manu-
features, very few we believe, deny. We hope Then
that those who in their conscience believe, that the
power was given, and intended to be given to Con-
gress, viii not yield their sentiments. but at once
make stand and resist the annual resolving which
has no other effect than to make Virginia contempt
ble and diminish her proper influence in the Union
Col. Benton has made speech III the g ,natc of
the u setes, in favor of getting interest from Depo-
sits in the Bank of the u. States Quere-Would
it not be well before this were DONE to get paid to
that institution the principal due it from the Bank of
Missouri
Futchins G.. Burton, late Governor of N Carolina
is appointed Governor of Arkansas, in place of Gen.
lizard, doo.
We have received communication containing
nterrogatories addressed to the Governor and Coun
Gil, in relation to the contract with Lyon for pou-
Tertiary conycts. We solicit an interview with the
author, before we publish his communication
GEORGE COOKE This gentleman, who is
well remembered in Richmond a successful portrait
painter and whose early and seIftaught proficiency
gave earnest of bis rejecting future honour upon
American Genius, has resided for nearly three years
alternately in Rome and Florence applying himself
with unwearied assduity to the study ofthe immortal
Chef dOuvrcs In those venerable cities. What pro-
gress he has made in this period, may be readily in
ferrcd, where so much genius and application have
been 50 niich faunrnd h,, hnin. L