Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-12-24
FRIDAY. DECEMBER "a, 1850.

back To the people. "esuoJoii an e~"oS' "O"'
Gov. Barbour's speech before the House OF De
locates. Yesterday week, which will be read with
pleasure BY every man of good sense and feeling
MIR. Barbour said-i came here to-day, Mr..
chairman, merely To take an aHectlonate leave OF
the few friends which time and circumstance had
left me, without the expectation OF saying word,
as thought the unpleasant contest IN which had
been so long engaged, had been terminated 10y
what had passed in the cOmmittee-to which as
set forth in their resolution, mean invioably to
adhere; and while readily agree, that no mem
Der of the House is bound by that resolution, and
therefore at liberty to take any step in relation
thereto. which his own Judgment approves, yet
think it is obligatory on my opponent. My pur-
nose. from the beginning OF the controversy,
urged through every stage thereof, from the she
riffs return TO the meeting of the committee, has
heen TO arrive at the sentiments OF majority OF
the constitutional voters, disregarding ali TORN;
and whenever that was ascertained, to yield lm-
,,icit obedience to their voice-as It is not per-
United 10 me to sorutinize the polls to ascertain
what they did say, | am content to appeal to
Them again, TO learn what they will say. Before
Inc peope. we shall be relieved from forms and
technicalties, aud in Their responses at the polls
there can be no mistake.
If can find favor in the sight of TIE House. |
wish to avail myself of the opportunity to make
a few general remarks personally interesting To
myself-for | am infinitely mere anxious, Mr.
Sneaker. 10 have my conduct and that of my
friends, approved oil III this aha'f' u'ah 10 retain
nv seat.
For after upwards OF thirty years OF public ser
vice. feel the deepest solciude that this, in all
nr,babl,y the las, act of nv public life, may
no, he attended with any circumstance on my
mart. that NAV cancel any little claim may have
on the Kindness and consideration Ut my country.
You and the House are aware, that the late reyo-
luton in the political parties placed me IN the
exalted condition of a private citizen win
this result was satisfied. Ny march OF thirty
years had been over the troublous sea OF public
life. found retreat from the storm In the bo-
som of my native mountains. AS TO the
manner in which it had been effected, that is lett
without remark. to be appreciated, according to
each mans taste. derived consolation from the
rcection that nalignity itself has not ascrbed it
70 any official delinquency, but that II IS part OF
A system in which thousands have been 0l'ed,
presenting question where al! private grieis ale
tosi in It's national Importance, and which ire
sistihly addresses itself TO the justice and the
s.ner6a;:v Of the American people, with whom
am content tn leave il. Yes, sir, | was entirely
content with the condition III which found my
self by the current of afairs-for however dis.
courasing to the impatient asP'rer Tor pontlcai
!iIe-however dazzling to the eye The bauDes II
holds ont may be. | can safely say That IN
traversine the field. | have found more tares
than wheat-although | am most ready 10 ADMIT
that the harvest have gathered Is fully eqaai 10
nv claims. Others may say tar oey0na mem
II was in my peaceful retirement, 1hat my TEL
law citizens came to solicit me to serve them IN
this session of Assembly kindly urging that my
rxne,icnce mi.ht be serviceable to the State
Wba, could DO but submit to this call. coming
from the citizens of my own native county, who
had cherished me when beardless boy. and by
whose support had succeeded to whatever OF
homo, and distinc ton had enjoyed: Was 1t
not my duty as republican to obey!
For. sir, however NAV be denounced by some,
~ no longer euttled to the name. | deny their
competencv TO Judge unexpectedly your late
converts, some of whom of Yesterday suddenly
Ill, whole. presume tn send me out of a church
whose foundations contributed to lay. as well
rs 20 endow il. and arrogantIy claiming to be ex-
elusive in the purity of their faith refuse me the
cup of communion. Thirty-two years ago, IN
this House, lifted my youthful voice against the
alien and sedition laws--thirty-one years past l
stood where Inow stand, the feeble colleague OF
the illustnous Madison engaged IN the same no.
" cause-contribuiing my mite In the great
struoule that was then carried on. and now hear
myself denounced by men who were then In the
ranks of our decided opponents They. now
send forth their anathemas as the intiexible re-
publicans who have never changed, with the en-
dorsement to that effect of the High Priest o! the
Hierarchy.
Tho age in which have lived. has been one OF
revolutions and great cvents-equal in the space
of something more than fifty years. to all that
had occurred before in the whole extent Of back
ward time. have seen my country disenthrall-
ed. becoming the great pioneer in the cause of
human emancipation-l have seem what has been
happily said bv another. the reform which bad
hsen 6anished from England to America advance
IN the revolution OF the latter. like the shepherd
lad. in holy writ. and overthrow Goliath
have seen it return, riding on the wave OF the AT.
lantic. and its spirit moving on the waters OF
Fprope-- have seen. a"id 'hr CONFUSION OF
reyslu,ions, princip.iitiss powers, and Kingdoms