Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1830-02-02
Ure Constitutional gubtg.
.sA.rURDAY MoKNING, JAN. so, 1850.

this inoraing, Ar. Webster. Speech on this resolu-
ton, 10 which he gives what Mr.. Hayne CONSTITUTES
10 oti.nce the South and which that ctmtle,nan
urcordaaly resented such--a purpose in which he
vas scco:idcd by the redoubcd 'old fashioned Re-
pabican.". Mr. Benton-who launched into q very
unnecessary eulogy upon Virginia, a state that hap
ply stands in need of hts praises, and ut
tRsed an nrective against portion of the old thr-
teen Stascs, which probabl, equally high
above the reach of his On the character OF
speech of Mr.. Benton, letter writer in the last
Enqursr, whom the Editor of that paper states to be
. member of the New York delegation, thus CONS
snsats:@
E1fract ef a ict.c, from --7ss7 :
WASHINGTON Cry, Jaa. %.
81 envy You as q ViygasioB How grateful to
Cvcry genuine republican-not national republican,
TO hear the staunch Old Dominion SO frequently and
80 justly complimented in aebute, for her generous
devotion to the integrity of the Union!-Yes, she has
indeed been the stay and the staff of The Union
every trying OCCASION; and as Mr. Hayne eloqueutly
expressedit this day in the Senate, tho language
ofJedcrson, the patriarch of Liberty, when in 17ss
the Constitution its last gasp, Virginia saved
il and restored it to life" And so she did.
81 wish you could have heard Mr. Benton, in
Strain of unrivaed pathos, describe the sacrifices
Which she made in earlier times, to protect the "nfant
Vest from being extirpated by savages, stif1cd in
It's growth by the cold-bloodcd apathy of Eastern
politicians never felt my blo0A warm. He was
telling us Of the horrors which daily visited the de-
hnceless settlers of Kentucky under the old COMIC
deration, and Of the cruel neglect where With the
Federal Government treated them. at that period,
was the creed of the dominant party to prevent the
formation of new States in the West, and, therefore,
emgrants were forbidden under the penalties
To pass beyond the Oho.-tYes, Mr.. President, J"
said tho orator, eyery enterprising citizen who
cred to fix his dnnaic in the fertile region of Ken
lucky, did so with halter around his neck; and
when, as II often happened, his innocent wife and
children were barbayously murdered by the Indians,
and his humble dwelling was reduced to eshes, he
uud hfs comrades dared not to pursue the merciless
blood hounds, because law of the Federal Govern
ment expressly forbade H.-And when at last these
shocking deeds cried aloud for vengeance who was
that plead IN tones of melting sympathy for little
slrceour-f0r only two companies of Federal soldiers
TO defend the wretched inhabitants of Kentucky?
Who was it, that after days Of arduous debate
overuame the freezing indifference of tho north east,
and by close vote at last obtained the miserable
6oen1--It vas Virginia, generous, noble-hear.ed
VIrginfai-She even opened her own bosom for their
refef and asked liberty of Congress add to these
fdrlorn companies 1000 of her militia. And,
was 1t readily granted2-Ne, Mr.. President, the
members from the northeast Enormously opposed il;
they attempted to evade the request by sending to
coninittee. which,, after ceremonous preamble
virtually denying that Indian Tnaasncres had been
perpetrated ooldly recommended that the House
should proceed to organize department for Indian
atairs! After hard fought battle, however, Vir-
gina again succeeded and repaired with alacrty to
the aid ofthe West"
GAN this, and much moro, in language which no
pen can faithfully trace, said by Mr.. Benton in
answer to the allegation of Mr.. Webster, that the
Eastern States had in reality been the best friends of
the West.-He proved his arguments as he went
along by quoting the yeas and nays-Much as glory
IN the power and resources OF my native State,
could not help wishing that was Virginian. Bles
ssd Old Dominfon! Heaven grant that her troubles
ure now over, Tor years and years to Nay she
continue to be, as she always has been, the STEADY
ftend of state sovereignty and state rghtshe sheet
unchor of the Unoa, and the impossible barrier of
federal usurpatioH. This is the sincere prayer Of
your unknown friend, though cordial veil wisher
&c, &c"
This Is silly enoughs and part Of that system of
dexterity the fattery OF Virginia we meapl by which
Mr. Van Buren, has long been insidiousiy and indi-
virtually laboring to attach Virginia to his fortunes,
and in which he no doubt fnds many ready coadiu-
tors to assist him. OF the character OF Virginia
compared to any all parts of the world-of her
services 20 this nation and the of human right
hone can possibly think highly than ourselves.
So highly indeed, that we feel her worth and dignity
degraded, by the pnfs of selfish politicians, and the
coarse and vulgar and unmeasured fattery of the
parasites of designing men. We have not read the
Debntc with attention enough express ON opinion
upon the extent of Mr. Webster's offence if offence
was given iutended-or the necessity OF the CHI
valry displayed by Cen Hayno Oh behalf of the
South generally, or the gratuitous defence oil
Virginia In particular, by Br. Benton 5ut this much
may be safely predicated Of the whole uffar-thai
ouch sectional and invidios comparisons are highly
Improper, naammatory and dangerous, and ought
always to have cold water thrown in their faces by
every man who prizes the Union Virginia does not
and cannst, desire be complimented and aattered
(: the cxpeuce of her old 10 sisters who good bv
shoulder to shoulder. IN the perils of the Revolution
and in the achievement of the common liberty. She
has too ample fund of solid glory, and her deeds ara
Zoo brightly efnblazoned on the page of American
history, to acquire any fresh illustration from tho
meretricious pGfs of tho Missouri Senator, CT the
euvous and unjust detractoDs ofhim and this letter
writer from tue merits Of other quarters oflhe Union
we say not this I'D justification paliatten Of Mr.
Webster, whose speech have not even read tho
roughly; but IN DISGUST of the nanseous faitcrv