The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1832-06-20

!, gives me no pleasure to speak thus of Virginia
Virginia is . my own, my native State ); and al
though her leading party differ with me in politics
as widely as tie poles; although we are separated
on political principles as far from each other as
the east H. from the west yet the remembrance OF
carly days, tie remembrance that my ancestors,
lneal and coiiateFa FOR generations gone by, were
Nirginians, inclined me TO view all that Virginia
Nirginians did with partial eye. Nothing but an
imperious sense of duty TO my country, coudover
have brought me in AZ: attitude that wore even the
semblance of hostility TO Virginia. And, sir, with
unaffected sincerity do I say, that il her destiny
in my hands, | would exert every faculty /
possess TO promote her prosperity and happiness
If | thought il would avail any thing, would CRY
unto her from The rising Of the until the going
down OF the same. | would implore her to re-
member the precepts and examples of her vener-
aied Washington and TO turn from the error of her
ways
But confess sir, Of the present ruling party in
Virginia have but faint hope They are en-
velnped in Egyptian darkness, and will not be
" convinced although one rose from the dead" -
Sir, wish To he distinctly understood that sneak
not of Virginia indiseriminately-l speak Of her
system of policy and her dominant party There
are yet reuaining Ia Virginia some noble boods
who cannot be trammelled by the narrow and SUI
clda policy which now prevails. These would fain
carry her back to those days when liberal and ex-
banded policy was adopted by her heroes and
men at the close of the revolution. Virginia has
who would dc honor to any age and any country.
They have llbored almost night and day 10 per-
snade Virginia to adept system of policy worthy
Of herself. They have seen her, with profound
regret, in the broad road 10 ruin, and they have
used every means in their power to stay her
downward course, and to bring her hack 10 her
ancient grandeur. when her precepts were liberal,
expanded and patriotic and were felt and respect
ed throughout the Union. But their powerful ar
guments to her judgment, their eloquent appeals
to her former magnanimous 9-l liberal feelings,
have been wholly dsregarded
Virginia may empha,ically be considered the
spoiled Child Of the nation. She has had her own
way so long, that she cannot brook the least re-
straint. Unless she can have every thing Just as
she wants IT, she will have nothing unless the
whole Union will obey her, why she is for dissolS-
ing the Union.
Sir, regret to say it, but feel it my mperioas
duty 10 say it, that the dominant party in the
South at this time, seem 10 be more inclined TO
have intercourse with foreign powers than with
their sister States. This is most calamitous
state of things state OF things which serously
threatens the integrity of the Union. | for one
would he willing TO make very great sacrifices to
keep the Union together. and in har:rony. have
no doubt that this is the feeling OF all my caastltu
ents. But communities, like individuals, may be
humored too much. They may be humored until
humoring only makes them worse. | am almost
inclined 10 believe that this is the with the
South at this time.
These reflections, sir, lead me to make Z re-
inirk the subject of consolidation that fright
inl state oi things which the opponents of internal
IMPROVEMENT are ever thrustng into our teeth Sir
Lave always believed, and my constituents be
lieve, that consolidation is not the evil which the
American People have to dread. Wy constituents
believe, and have taught me TO believe that the
centrifugal force, if may be permitted to illus
trate the idea in astronomical language, is uuc!
greater in this Government thee .hc centripetal
Ia nf he 10 IN Az
off from each other rat than 10 consolidate -
What 50 the tendency of the Government at this
tine Constellation Oh, no. sir but on The
contrary, the very pillars of the temple are reced-
ing from each oiher-the gulf OF anarchy yawI
before us. Is not South Carolina threatening ey-
cry day 10 " nuIlJy'' every law she does not like
Sir what has Georgia done She not only threat
ems, but she has actually nullfed the Constitution
Itself And as to the treaties and laws Of the Unit
cd States, and the decisions of the Supreme Court
they are no more binding upon her than a thread
Of tow.
Here Mr. Lamar of Georgia called Dir. Arnold
to order The Speaker decided that it not in
order 10 bring into this discussion the treaties
with the Indians and the decisions OF the Supreme
Court
Mr. Arnold re. 1med lie said he thought it a
fair argument to shew that :here was no danger TO
lie approhended from consolidation, and i'll this
point OF view he using it-hut If this was con-
s;dered out Of order he did not know what argu-
ment would vibrate in unison with the feelings Of
the Chair
Here the Speaker called Mr.. Arnold to order
and stated that lie THE Speaker had no feelings"
on the sr:jnct.]
Mr.. Arnold SAID he must submit to ,he decision
Of the Chair. lie had, however, some views on
the subject of our Indian relations which he had
The vanity to believe would be acceptable to the
House but he must reserve them for some occa-
sio more congcnial to the discussion Of that inter-
esting question.
Mr.. 4. said in conclusion, he would say that lie
staked himself tV re Constitution aud the Union
OF the States Whenever they overthrown, and
he confessed that the times very threatening,
the liberty of the People will be gone for ever /;
and when the liberty of the People leaves this
country, then | want to leave it myself. Sir, ]
call upon gentlemen TO remember what this day
utter. IF this Union is once dissolved, the People
cf the United States will be the Host wre;ched
upon the face Of the earth. The South American
provinces will have perfect system and harmony
compared with ours. The worst and most san
culinary scenes Of the French Revolution will 30
thrown in the shade by the civil wars which will
desoate this country, and drench it in the blood
of its own citizens.