Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1830-07-20
SPEECH OF THE
HON. PHILIP DODDRIDGE.
Delivered at ihe Pubtsc Dinner .r;sen him at d


tom such occasions, owe 10 the company here
semblcd an expression Of the feelings of gratitude
which the Kind sentiments avowed in the last toast
cannot fail 10 inspire The appreciation Of my
stiiucntS, in the Convention and in Congress-, had
expected To experience, because determined, by
tho best aud most constant exerton of feeble tai
ents, to merit It. Had not succeeded IN obtaining
that appreciation, it would have been owing to weak
ness in me, to nattention, something worse be
cause no man in Virginia had better opportunities OF
knowing both the interests aud the wishes OF his con-
stuents. From the beginning it was my opinion,
that gentleman ought to accept seat in the late
Convent ion unless he knew and felt that his own
views all questions of constitutional reform, were
IN harmony With those of hs constituents; and 1t was
my hope. that gentema views that assembly,
would be found a: with the wishes Of those vino
sent him: aud had this been the from The begin
mug to the end. it may be safely affirmed, that rule
for periodical appointments Of representation would
lave occupied conspicuous place in the new Con-
stuton, aud that most our regrets this subject
would have had no existence.
My apprehensions, that the adoption Of the new
Constitution would deprive us OF our allies IN far
ther struggle for our rights were well known to YOU.
These tears now confess have been greatly alay
ed Since the vote on the question of adoption. and
P'.nJing that vote, i have been favored with many
communications from friends, andfrom strangers,
both IN the Valley and of it, all breathing senti
ments of attachment to us and to cause and ex-
pressing unalterable dete, animation to adhere TO
US in our future struggle, and contend with to
the last Indeed, wherever the real friends reform
invoked to give affirmative vote, that invoca
ton supported by the argument that the friends
of reform, remaining united would acquire additional
strength under the new Constitution. And should
remain united, it must be admitted that this ar
gument we'll founded. Had the Constitution
been rejected, we were sure of perfect unon and OF
complete SUCCESS. As 1t is, may strongly hope
for BOTH Should we eventually fall our Efforts to
Hacs ourselves footing of political equality with
eastern cou trymen, have hesitation in pro-
nouncng the state of vassalage to which will be
reduced, too ins'pportabe to be BONE On this sub
Jcct my opinions are well known. They have never
ueen concealed.
During The next session oPour Assembly, it is in-
tended 10 propose Just apportunmcnt of tepresenta
ton among the white population and TO persevere in
this attempt until we succeed, until shall be-
come satisfied that there is impossible. NV
fer 10, that we wall have become sat
Isfied that success Will only be altanabe by popu-
lar effort. Had not the hand of death snatched him
from us, Wan. II. FITzHuGn of Fairfax, intended to
submit the first proposition in the House of Dele
gates, in behalf OF equal representation the white
basis. For this purpose he emIneutly qualified.
TIE alents aud II Quence of Mr.. Ftzhugh, added to
his known candor, and his devotion to free principles
had pointed him out the proper person to
commence The effort while his residence in the ems
and The circumstance that, though large land nd
slave holder, he had steadily opposed the represent,
ton OF every species of property-oands of slaves
gave him decided superiority over almost every
ot1er person attached to reform. The deal OF this
gent eman, 10 the midst Of his days, is not OILY
Loss irrepaTable TO hiI fainy and friends but one
greatly TO be deposed by the friends of free principles
throughout the State.
Ely services in Congress have occupied go short
period OF time that cannot hope TO .,,n1uncate to
my friends in the district, any information which NAV
not have reached them through other channels; nor
even to exchange many sentiments already felt by
most of you. One thing know to a certainty. Il
ID this that the attention of my constituents
out the strict most have been intensely turned since
the commencement of the late session of Congress-
to the Tariff, and to In ernal improvement 10 nv
constituents, and to all Western and Middle Virgin-
is these involve interests of the most vital
importan Th" popularity of the system OF Inter-
nal Improvement, and of the Tarf Laws for the pro
lection # domestic industry, was increasing. The
experience Of every year and month"; brought 10 the
American System new trends. Our convictions bad
ceased to be the results Of theory OF argument:
they rested on fact.
Internal improvements. and protection of home |
productions, were first suggested and supported by |
Sou,herns statesmen bn' before the last Presidential
election the mAoie South were in opposition TO those
measures, and almost threa tenng disunon if thev
enould be PERSISTED in. At the same time we saw
me ohofe South supporting tho election of General
1nckson Duriug the whole canvass, the friends of
the General were active IN representing him the
decided friend and advocate of the Tar and of In
tornal Improyements-of Internal improvements as |
nDdcrsood, and as pracised and sustained thon and
from the beginning. That lie an ardent friend
% both systems, urged and asserted by his friends
aud the presses devoted 10 him, every where where
these systems wore themselves popular Neither tho
General himself the Nashville committee under
his own eye, contredcted these assertions The
BenSroly ana OIL the v al
Icy of the Ohio, believed them. Yet there were
doubts; and it was anxiousy expected that the late
would solve them and expose to the world The
real constitutional opinions and all the political views
of the President in relation the power of the 90
yernment over the long agitated questions of the
Tariff and Internal Improvement, and the policy off
both. The friends of President Jackson, who were
opposed to the American System, laboured zealously
they LEFT no stone unturned, prevent the passage
of any bill which might the Presidents opinions
whether they knew hls opinions, and desired their
further concealment do not pretend to say Their
zeal was enough to awaken this suspicion, and did
awaken t
While tho bill for enforcing tho Tariff Laws was
onlef consideration, and until its final passage it was
evident to the common observer that these Ia s
and Internal Improvement were gaining around |
The constitutional scruples of some were removed
by argument; while experience had tested their effects
American System viewed the Tariff as coming in aid