Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1831-01-12

GOV. BARBOURs SPEECH.

hStrsct from tsov bAkboCh's Speech before
the House Of Delegates In reference To the cleo
ton eon,es, between hin and Mr.. Davis:
/ Mr.. barbour said-l came here TO.
day, Mr.. Chairman, merely ~ take an
afirctionatc leave Of the few friends
which time and circumstances had left
me, without the expectation Of saving
word, as ] thought the unpleasant
contest in which had been so long
engaged, had been terminated by what
had passed in the committee-to which.
as set forth in their resolution, l mean
inviolably TO adhere; and while ! rea-
dlly agree, that no member Of the
House 10 bound by that resolution, and
therefore at liberty to take any step in
relation thereto, which his own judy
ment approves, yet think il is obliga-
tory on my opponent. My purpose,
from the beginning Of the controversy,
urged through every stage thereof, from
the SherIf's return to the NEE ting Of
the committee, has been to arrive at
the sentiments Of a majority Of the con-
stitutional notwithstanding all form;
and whenever that was ascertained. to
yield implicit obedience to their voice.
AS it is not permitted to me to scruti-
nlze the polls TO ascertain what they
did say, i am content to appeal 10
them again, To learn what they riH
say. Before the people. We shall be
relieved from forms aud tcchnic alities,
and in their responses at the polls there
can be no mistake.
IL can find favor in the sight Of the
House, | wish to avail myself of the
opportunity to make a few general re-
marks personally interesting to myself
for | am infinitely more anxious,
Mr.. Speaker, to have my conduct, and
that Of my friends, approved Of in this
affair, than to retain my seat.
For after upwards Of thirty years Of
public service, l feel the dee pest soil
citude that this, in all probability, the
last act OF my public life, may not be
attended with any Circumstance on my
part, that may cancel any little claim
| may bave on the kindness and con
sideration Of my country. You and
the House are aware, that the late
revolution in political parties placed
me in the exalted condition of private
citizen. With this result / was salts.
fled. My march of thirty years had
been over the troublous sea Of public
life. found a retreat from the storm
IN the bosom Of my native mountains.
AS TO the manner in which il had been
effected, that is left, without remark,
TO be appreciated, according to each
mans taste. derived consolation
from the reflection that malignity itself
has not nscribed il TO any offic ial delin-
quency, but that il is past Of system
IN which thousands have been invoiv-
ed, presenting question where all pri-
vate griefs are lost in its national i'm
portahoe. and which irresistibIy ad-
dresses itself to the justice and the ge-
nerosity Of the American people, with
whom l am content to leave il. Yes,
sir, | was entirely content with the
condition in which found myself by
the current Of affairs: for, however
discouraging TO the impatient aspirer
for political life-however dazzling to
the eye the baublcs IL holds out ma
be, can safely say, that in traversing
the field, have found more tares than
wheat; although am most ready TO
admit that the harvest have gathered
IS fully equal TO my claims; others NAV
say, far beyond them. IL was in my
peaceful retirement. that my fellow.
citizens came To solicit me 10 serve
them in this session of Assembly
kindly urging that my experience might
be servioesble to the State. " lat
could | do but submit TO this call. com
Iing from the citizens Of NV native
comfy. who had cherished me when
beardless boy. and by whose support
bad succeeded TO whatever of honor or
distinction, had enjoyedi Was it
not my duty as Republican 10 obey I:
For, sir, however may be dcnoune.
ed by some. as no longer entitled To
the name. deny their competency to
Judge unexpectedly your late con.
verts. some u whom, Of yesterday. sud
denly made whole, presume 10 send
me oot of a church whose foundations
contributed 10 lay, as we'll as to en-
dow ~, and srrogantly claiming Ia be
exclusive ia the purity Of their faith,
refuse me the cup of communion
Ihtiy-t~o years ago, 10 this House.
.lilled my youthful voice sgsinst alien
and SedliiOn lawS--ihfty one wears
past ! stood where | nov stand. tie
feeble colleague of the illustfious Ma.
DisoS, engaged in the same holy csasc
contributing my mite ~ tie great
Struggle that was then carried ON, aud
J nov hear myself denounced by men
Who were then IN the ranks of our dc
cided opponents. They nov send
forth their anaihemas ~ tie infex,ble
Republicans Who have never char gcd,
With the endorsement 10 that ID, Il Of
tie ilioh Priest az tie Iltefarrkv