Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-04-13
FRIDAY, APRIL is, 1889.

Eno.irer. II is in Justification OF his omission
TO vote on the question of incorporating Ma
,;onaI Bank in 1915. The present political situa-
ton of Judge Barbour renders it proper that we
should spread this letter before our readers:
To me Editors of the Richmond Enquirer:
GENTLEMEN the FIRST time IN INV life,
feel that it is a duty which owe to myself, To
make an exposition to the Public, in relation 10
one incident in my political course.
Hitherto, have felt, that owed an account
ability oaly to nv constituents; to them, 1t has
been my good fortune, to have rendered an ac-
sount which was satisfactory, and from them TO
have received the reward Of their appreciation.
Recently, however, one particular subject has
been brought so prominently to the public view,
that the community must, aud will, pass judg-
ment upon it, either of approval or disapproval;
and cannot but think il an act OF sheer justice
20 myself. 10 present TO them the facts anu cir
cumstances Of the case, so as to enable them to
decide Understandings, as know that they will
impartiallv. The subject to which allude, is
the objection which has been urged against me,
for ..not having voted against the charter OF the
Bank of the United States.' l do not complain
of this, because the public acts OF every man are
the fair subject of investigation; but, as 1t is an
objection which implies censure, and As was
able, seventeen wears ago, tn vndlcate myself
before my constituents, so Halter myself, that
shall be able to DO it again, before that greater
tribunal, tile whole community. feel the more
sclictude TO do so, as have been gratiied by
the declaration, that this was the only objection
my political friends had to urge against me.
IL there were even one conceded fault imput-
able to me. think that might put in very
strong Claim to Indulgence. when it is recoected
that was the representative of the people from
1914 to 1850 inclusive. with the exception Of
the I9th Congress- and that, during that period,
the most difficult and important questions were
agta,ed in the Federal Legislature. Upon that
admission, might not ask, aud riumphantly
ask, Who is there who could venture 10 cast the
trst stone? But | assert higher claim than
that Of mere indulgence or excuse; set up one
20 Justification in the course which pursued
It NAV be that, in doing this, may arrogate too
much; that question it is not for me to decide.
To enable others to do so, now proceed to state
the facts and circumstances of the case. take
II for granted. that the charge was not intended
To refer TO the Bank which was chartered in 1916;
in relation ID that Bank, did vote, and voted
against the passage of the bill, also in favor of
its indefinite postponenent. with the amendments
of the Senate, as will appear by the Journals of
the FIRST session Of the 18th Congress, pages 489,
sos.
| presume it had reference to the bill which
that therefore, my statement will be directed.
took nv seat IN Congress at the session which
commenced on the 18th September. At this
point must pause for moment and take short
retrospect. Ii is, in some respects, not altOge
Their 8 pleasant one; but 1t is necessary to the
purpose which have in view, in this communi,
cation. Imean the ,indica,ion Of the part which
acted, upon the subject now in question. To
be able to decide the proprlety Of others acts,
l..
ton, in the situation in which they stood; aud the
question to be asked and decided, is not what
would We hoW do in our present circumstances,
out what ought we 10 have dOue under the cir
cumstances in which they were placed, whose
acts we are called to Judge?
The then raging in all its violence,
both by sea and land. The enemy had. within
few weeks. made an irruptiOn into Washing
ton, and had burned the Capitol and Presidents
House, those splendid monuments of the arts,
which were then smouldering in ruins. Within
week previous 10 the opening OF Congress, the
enemy had attacked Baltimore; and. within two
weeks, had also attacked P'attsburg: to the ho-
nor OF our arms, both these invasions had been
vaIiantly and triumphantly repelled Richmond
was believed. too, to have been object Of the
enemy's attack; but Why rnumerate particulars.
Ii will be enough briefly to say, that Admiral
Cochrane. under pretence Of retaliation, had is
sued an order To the naval force under his COM
mand on the 18th August, 1914. Ito destroy
and lay waste such towns and districts upon the
coast. as might be found assailable:" and that
the President had issued hs proclamation. ex-
hor,ing the people to join heart and hand to ex-
pei the invader; and had appealed to the duty
they owed to themselves, to their country and to
the glory acquired by their fathers. Even at
this time. the political horizon wore lowering
aspect. No one doubted the courage and patri.
otism of our people. or the heroic valor of our
army and navy. Ample proof Of these had been
afforded at Baltimore. at PIattsburg, on the Ma
CARA frontier. and the lakes, as well as on the
high seas Nevertheless. the prospect before US
was, for q time. somewhat ciouded, and was soon
overcast with deep and settled gloom. There
was. indeed, no reason for despair; that is not.
and need not. ever be felt BY brave people,
wasiog just and necessary war; but the condi-
tion OF the country. urgently, nav. imperiously,
demanded, that all the energies Of the Govern