Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-02-16

mean and humble posture of Lcggars, for gratuity
to that Government l. for ono, will never con.
sent to il.
would not place old Virginia III such n poor and
pitiablc condition. Would you go to the oppross-
| or, who had kicked you through the land, and ask
| HIM Tor bounty Would you ask alrns of man
who had seized you tho high way, and dcspoil.
ed YOU of your goods! Would YOU do worse
even than this-cmgogo deliberately in an import.
ant undertaking, from which there was no retreat
depending for success on the prospect o: liberal
| gratuity, from an opprcsscr, who had conhscutcd
| your property? And yet, sir this is precisely tho
despicablc position Virgins. must occupy, when
ever she makes her application.
There is another impeachment in the way of this
! application TO the General Government for aid,
which TO my mind, seems entirely it surmouutabc.
! We are the greatest sicklcrs for Constitutional
scrupeS IN the world We will not receive oven
money, "a most powerful pcrsuadcr.) unless it he
in accordance with The strict rules of constitutional
law andSspon principles Unrestricted construction.
Now il happens in this case, shat there is power
in the constitution, perccptiblc to obtuso
s;itutional faculties, which would authorize such
| appropriation, though the General Government
was never so willing and able to mako it. This
difficulty great in my mind, is small Il matter
in the conception of some gentlemen, that they
seem To regard it scarcely worthy of serious
attention. This small difficulty, they tell us, and
tell Nth much gravity, yanishcs before the
consideration, that no matter what wc may think,
|
stitution. Let us advert them but for instant,
to the very ludcrous view in which, undcr this as
poet of tho subject, We arc to be held up to the
public gaze. A Member from Virginia, rises the
ioor OF Congress, and says-"Mr. Speaker: We
want money TO remove this black curse Of slavery
from our land. Wo have sworn not to violate the
Constitution. 1t gives no power to- make tho do
| nation we humbly beg at your hands; but, sir, we
want the money" This, sir, must be tho language
OF Virginia. whenever she Stops low, and de-
| grades herself IA TO IN
And in tho place of tho money which she humbly
begs, she would DO subjected TO the laughter, and
the scorn, and tho ridicue of the whole nation
But gentlemen say, if nothing less will do, they
will amend the Constitution. Now, Mr.. Speaker,
can any man be serious i'll thinking that that OBJ
ject can DO attained-that amendment will really
be tackled TO that instrument for the sole purpose of
enabling TO receive a donation, in a manner,
which does not sink the dignity of the State, or
disturb tho rigid scrupuloSity of Constitutional
opinion, which Virginia has mantaincd? Wo
are to ask those who are in the constant habit of
plundoring pockets, and taking from the
very means of existence, under cover of the lattu-
dinous construction hey put upon the Consti-
tution-wo to ask them to give that Con-
stltuton power which they have often
times exercised, greatly to our injury, order
! that this new power may be used for our
especial BENEFIT We should hc told that an amend
nrent would direct acknow lcdement that that
power had heretofore been exercised without the author
iy OF the COnstuuon-that the fist place the Co
vernmemt had nothing TO give, and the second place
should lie told that applicants without number were
ever ready 10 receive, all 1t would be the pleasure
of the Government to bcstow under the Constitution as
II stands without amendment We should he reminded
OF the utility at an unnecessary amendment, made
merely to enable the Government force money our
reluctant cosisCe"Ces SIR, would he the language
win which We would be tainted
Ei5u gentlemen # appalled, the prospect before
them IN their efforts Ia approach the Public Treasury
lily for refuge to the public lands Let pursue then,
aud survey this rich domain You told yesier-
day. believe, that proportion of the emolumens
/ division, ciT-
enmsianccs, would possibly be hundred thousand
dollars anmally-an amount ,oa ly n,deoua,e 10 efcct
the Object contemplated. But sir the very purpose 10
which the proceeds OF these lands intended to he ap-
pied will sink their value at least fifty per cent mean
IL we can ever make any body believe that the object
attanab!e The removal of the slaves inevitably
produce fall in the price of lands every where The
very icea now becoming common that it is unwise to
hoii slaves, must aec the price OF all lands, greater
or less degree But really should be pleased 10 know
whence the certainty is nerable that these lands are
shortly to come into our possession Do gentlemen re-
member the debate Foot's resolutonhe most splep
ui ever witnessed, Except perhaps this) when as in
TINS debate such the boundiess range of argument
that might well be doubled whether it in order to
touch the only question actually before the House? Did
they not discover that time powerful party rising in
opposition to division OF the public lands? Yet, sir
upon The superstition that will certainly get our mort
on th'se iands-and upon the further Supposon that an
immense revenue will Immediately be derived from them
That Tins revenue VIII enable effect the great pur,
pose we have IN views urged to take step never
10 he ieifaccdto adopt plan which end only i'm the
obstruction of the country if ii do not succcedy Gentle
yefnmen seem 10 forget the Lerod of the presen, debate
They forget the in which we live Time WAS when
we WERE indee;i powerful people-when had only TO
say "do this, and done The times have chauSed
IL true we cut many capeIs and vapour whe the Ce,
neral Government pushes her eXacons upon us But
sI', when we demand EVEN rights, are spuned
a"ay-ihey tell us "dcparl We cursed know Won no,
Gentlemen seem to think that old Virginia has not only
to say 10 te General Government scnd 20 900 600
want to send of few OF my slaves" aud Immediately
whcHef mat Government have the money or no. shin
arrives WIN tho specie Mr. Speaker nave in ,icsu,
tory manner, examined the vaJoLs sources which gentle
men nave brought to our Consideration III the course of
thIs deNa!e as Involvement 10 the present. time
And think, sir, ought to be admitted that there is MOI,
one oiineGi on which the slightest reliance can be placed
Cn@Ss reed we find comfort in those sources to which
'e gentleman from kanawha referred the other day in thai
part OF his speech i'll which he told u.s. that if we would
ohy TAKE some step adopt some plan Of emancipaon
'hh"'nefaDIe unknown sources would pour their waters
upon US am rather disposed TO think that we should
renuel an unsatisfactory and mysterious account to cur
| constituents. " "
lMH' SHELLS SPEECH TO CoNCLUDEp1
REPORT ON TIE TARIFF.
CONCLUDED.