Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1830-01-01


erument its administration being introduced here
Sir, the gentleman is too great aawyer not to know
that the Federal Government Is our Government;-t
is the Government of Virgina:-and if a man were
disposed to shut his eyes to the Constitution and the
administration of the Federal Government, he could
not do it: they would be forced o1en sir, by the in
tcrests and feelings, aye, 81 by the passions too, which
have existed, dc exist and will continue TO exist as
long Virginia herself shall have existence.
II is not the least of my regrets that one of the
most inevitable consequences of these changes If
they shall take effect will be totally to change all the
politics of Virginia in reference to the Federal govern
ment--(without considering the hands i'll which 1t
may happen to be placed and do confidently believe
that the greatest cause of them to be found in the
hope of producing that all desired change. In many
cases know it to exist, of my own personal know
ledge.
Sir, we can't shut eyes to the Fedral Govern
mcnt.
When i'll 1855, the Convention of Virgnia adopted
thc feuerai Government as part OF her ConstittI-
tion they effected greater change in our Constitt
ton than the widest reforcr suggests to U.s. to
estimate the amount of that change we must have
reference to her interests and power at that dnv If
Motive may cali ourselves statesmen but the world
Nlsk apply to very different epithct Among
innuuierabc causes why now oppose change is nv
i"h change which then brought
about. have by experience learned that changes,
even III the ordinary law nf the land do not alwnvs
operate as tho drawer of the bill or the Legislative
body, may have anticipated aud of all things in the
world Governments whether ready made, to suit
casual customers or nude per order, is the very last
that operates us its trainers intended. Governments
are IKE revolutions: you may put them motion bit
defy you to control them afer they are-in motion
Sir If there is amy one thing clearer than another
1t is thotth Federal Constitution intended that the
,'ld.c government should issue no paper money! and
oy giving the Federal Government power ssto coin
money! 1t was intended to the result that
this should be hurd money Government, and what
Is IL! 1t Is paper money Governments. II this he
the result in spite of all precautions to the contrary
-ir, Tins is no time, the late llustrious President
OF the Court OF Appeals was wont to say, to mnce
Words') and these governments have turned out to
DC '''o most corrupt paper money Governments and
you could not prevent it,-how we eXpect now
10 define and limit the operation of new and untried
principles For new and untred they are; and If
u1d tends me strength will prove it.
nave very high authorty--the author y of the
gentleman ftom Augusta--to say that the Federal
Government was intended to be CHARGED only with
the external relations of counry but, by strange
slasofnaton, IT has become the regulator (nban
ty or both, and GRIPPING oil other trade1 il has
become the regulator OF the interior of the country
It's roads; It's canas and, more, than ALL OF its pro-
ductIvc, or rather its unproductive labor or thew
have made it SOL
Yet with these facts staring us in the face we are
grave'y told not to look at the Federal Government
Ut all. And this, IN the Government of VIRGINIA
where, to- use very homely phrase, but one that
exactly suits the case, esE't take n step vii bout
breaking our Sims over some Federal obstacle
Sir lean readily see very strong motive for wish
ing to do away all past distinctions in politics tn
obliterate the memory of old well as of recent
events, ana once more to come with something like
lottery.
Let Inc return to my illust ration. What provis-
ION is there, MIR. Chairman either in the Constitu
ton of Virginia the Constitution of the limited
Stat's which established it as principle that the
Commonwealth Of Virginia should be the sole re-
strain'ng and regulating power the mad and un-
constitutional usurpation of the Fedora. Governments
There is no such provision in either:-yet, in prac-
tce and IN fact, the Commonwealth of Virginia has
been, to my certain knowledge, for more than thirty
years, the sole counterpoise and check on the
asurPations OF the Federal government,-so far as
they have been checked at all; wish thew had been
checked more effectuafly.
For long time, our brethren of the South be-
cause we were the frontier State of the great Sou-
thern division OF the Union, We're dead to considera-
tons to which they have, fear. awaked too late
Virginia was left alone and unsupported, unless by
the feeble aid of her distant offspring Kentucky 1t
is because am unwilling to give up this check, or
to diminish Its force, that am unwilling pull down
the edifce of our state government from the garnet
to the cellar aye down to the foundation stone will
not put in hazard this single good for all the benefits
the warmest advocate of reform can hope to derive
from the results of this body.
The gentleman from Augusta told us, Yesterday
believe, or the day before, the, day be-
fore that, Il really do not remember which)
that slaves have always been q subject of
taxation IN Virginia, and that long while
ago neat cattle had also been taxed. In regard to
these horned cattle, think they have occupied full
as much attention as theyaTe entitled to in this de-
bate. But let it be remembered that we were then
not taxing the cattle of the West for there was no
West, but few scattered settlements beyond the
mountain; and What we have been discussing the
proportion of taxes paid by the East and the West.
NO sooner was an interest in this subject established
beyond the mountains, than the tax was laid aside
At that time, sir, the Commonwealth of Virginia
was throughout saveholding Commemorative
(woud to God she were SO now.) And is it then
wonderful that slaves should have been a subject
Of taxaton? Yes, sir Virginia was then not only
throughout slaveholdiDg, bit tobacco planting
Commonwealth. You can't open the statute book
y mean one of the old statute books not those
that have been defaccd By the finger ofreforn--and
not that tobacco was, in fact, the CURRENCY as
well the staple ofthe state. We paid our clerks
fees in tobocco verdcts given in tobacco; and
bonds were executed payable in tobacco. That ac-
counts for it all. While large portion ofthe state
has ceased to be slave holding, still larger por-
zion has ceased to be tobacco planting community the
burden has rested on the Decks Of a compa fativey
small, unhappy, and will say it, prescribed caste
- lf, nL..r.. ,-a1n.t.- - Il.