Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1830-02-20
HOUSE OF DELEGATEs-FEn. 10.
SPEECH OF MIR. HPPEs,

country from the deg hon, which viii 10 cast up
on il by the success of this bill. aware OF the
diicuites by which am surrounded. The olaoo-
rate discussion which has already occurred, the ayi
andingenuity which have been so shitely prSctise1
and resortcd 20 by its adcoca es and the talent anu
ability, united in support Of it. while they may have
amused and enlightened, have also iafigued the
house. Many gentlemen, am also aware nave
made up their opinions in favor of the bill ana
the ptriiss fficulty IN explaining and simplifying
the mode oil operation, and the Judgment and saSac
IT, necessary to detect well as TO deciSe upon
tho causes winch produce the varied effects OF n
monied cooperation, old as this, must be greatly
augmented, when this duty is 10 be performed. with
view convince the judgment, and that ludg'ne
shall have taken decided stand in opposition.
There difficulties not less appalling, arising
from another quarter. As long as we are IN search
cF truth, and in the performance OF our duty d,scon
nccted with any immediate interest, the candid, the
liberal, ana he ingenious mind, readily yields TO
the tedinlnence of fact and reason But SIR, I'M
DER the powerful impulse OF subsistng interest,
real or imaginary, personal or peeuniary, 1t amounts
10 moral certainly that any rational hope OF sue
cess rest upon the 'cton of vast supcrior-
ty of mentA power, over those to whom we arc OPP
posed. That power iuusi be united with the skill
necessary 10 discG;hrGl the mind, and then by the
Establishment OF It's clocu,ion and the charms OF
It's ecquenoo, ndnce it TO trace, stop by step, the
path OF duty. AM gentlemen had doubted upon
tnis subject, na OF interest, the perspicu-
view presented this morning by the gentleman
Som Ches -rhei fthe united Efforts of those
Pc aions. support OF each other, and The cause OF
that univn wei "a lie mode If It's operation here;
-
have yielded.
That gentleman predicts the success of this bill,
and has shewn if ii does succeed, that is to be as
cFibed solely, to the united power of the corporation
influence; although the intercourse between them,
IN reference to their individual interests is charac
terzed, by the strongest suspicious, constant RI
vary, and perpetual dscord II this he sir, and
we know If is so gentlemen, will readily perceive
the proPriety of examining most carefully the posi-
lion they occupy.
Sir. why is IT, that this is the only subject of gen.
81 SUI
port of majority of this house! II was urged at
an early day, that ought dispatch the ncccssa
ny business of the session and go home. l yielded,
and yet, the very members who constantly re-
curing to the propriety of this course, indeed sir.
clamorous for it, moving under the banner Of
the Banks, with the Pr0mp'ness, concert, and bold
ness of the veteran. Whence this change Of policy
and action? This sir, appears to me, to be done by
command, not by argument; and is because OF this
course of command and obey, that the difficulties in
the way of proper judgment of this measure, are
great and obvious. Ihayc therefore sir 10 ask, not
favor to me, alone; but act of duty to
themselves and ofjustice TO the country; 10 those
who sent US here; chat gentlemen who pressing
this question upon with pertinacity and bodncss
worthy OF better cause, will pause: revoye the
argument III which they seem to confde once more;
and to admit, land it is slight admission sir for
enti-us mind, the pess lty of some aspect
Of this question: which may have escaped the acute
OF their perceptions their diligence s. sagacity;
f&f,hey shall have their confidence the conclusions
TO which they have been brought, substituted by q
g!immering doubt, or an evanescent suspicion,
treat them to forbear. BY every consideration o!
-pQcy, of principle, or of DUTY to the country. "a
press this question at this time, TINS manner.
Sir wish could add, my hopes 10 my wishes
and entreates But its success is go distinctly per-
ceptibe, as not to justify rational hope; and it
Leaves the alternative, of doing my duty, under
q command Tot less imperative, than that under
which the advocates of the Bank may act l should
prove recrcant TO my principles, treacherous to
my constituents, If | permit this bill to pass,
without effort to arrest ito avoid au i'm
putatIon of arrogance, Will carry my duty no far
ther, than my constituents and myself. And to this
extent may be allowed TO say sir in all humility
that il is not IN the nature Of the patriot to despar
The difficulties winch surround him, serve but TO an
imnte and cheer him in his course. If defeated in
his purpose he has reproaches, the regrets of the
wise aud the viriuous attend him, dcbasng pity
mingled IN the feeling and in the moment of defeat
his conscious integrity, teaches him a confident re-
lance, on the regeneratng influence of public opiu-
ion, under the guidance of the virtue and intelligence
which never commits fatal error. Sir lot mis-
taken in the character of the Virginia people. I
know my constituents, aud this knowledge, will not
allow me despair if the circumstance 10 which
have alluded, leave but little to hore.
What sir, Is the argument, by which this measure
has been, and is supported? l will state It. If |
err, hope to be corrected, and will esteem it an
act Of personal kindness in any gentleman to make
the correction before i enter upon its examination
1t is this:--
That there is not moro banking capital, than our
commercial and mere lntle nee assities require.
That we must continue our capital and circulation
topreveni an iutuX Of less valuable pnper from abroad
That the charter must be renewed now or the
market price OF all productions, Of the farmer and
PLANTER, will decline for that purpose.
That it ought TO BE- renewed at this time and if re-
lsed L will enable the bank to close gradually with
de,lers
t.at DOR own capital ought to be continued and
got mnishcd' 10 prevent monopoly by the y. 5.
janks and
Unlrs- hn caar'er is renewed ut tf. time tic
bic funds VIII be injured. This is the argument .
and ,he whole Of II, have understood it. Here
Rir paused Tor some time, and resiituedl I havo
ep rtedf accurately
D. argument may be reduced to two propositions
' first, that ~ IS necessary to preserve our ns;itu
oBs--The second that in order To- do SO il ,7 ,n
re--a', 20 renew the Charter Of the Bank Of Viz
giHa at this tune.
Now sir. il will be readily perceived that # Tho
first proportion is admitted 10 bc true tic adnis,
grat. tou, far that portion of the arrumcn,
involved. hi.h nllnmp,G lu an-lain i. - -