Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1834-06-17
Legislature of Virginia.

Legislature Of Virginia.
Remarks Of Mr. Cooke, on the motion 10 strike out
The Resolution from the House Of Delegates deeiay-
ing the unconstfutiOaay IF the Bank f the United
states, dettDered in Committee of the IPhoie
MIR. CHAIRMAN: When had the honor OF abdre ss ne
the Committee lew days ago, expressed the opinion
that we were about TO enter upon debate which
unnecessary IL would prove unprof table. Ti.
has now been prorsced through FIVE days sessions and
think hazard nothing in saying, that not tho slightest
impression Ia been made upon the long settled opinions
OF any member oil this body, the ,u,ionality
or Internationally OF the Bank of the u. States Gem
uemen have launched out upon the broad aud
Gus sea OF debate in quest OF convertsnow wateu along
by the gentle breeze OF reason-now propeled by the
influence OF the high pressure OF passion party
Judce and, after having ouudered aud tossed for
days and almost for weeks have TO port without
having made single prize compensate for the tolls and
dangers OF the cruise.
No, Mr. Chairman, in grave assembly like this COM
posed OF the grey heads OF the land there be one
so perfect tyro in politics have found his du.
y many adsy ago. 10 have considered have made
up dehnitive opinion this much vexed question:
question: long regarded as presenting OF the Of
political orthodoxy.
After these remarks, need say to the committee
That have no intention OF following the gentlemen from,
through the imabe field of debate which they LA We
entered shall content myself with just pesping over
the hedge into narrow corner OF this field.
Sir, would not have done violence my own feel
ings by again obtrudng myself, unacceptabIy know
upon The exhausted patience OF the conltnse but that
deem my duty to enter my solemn protest against
tain doctrines which, originating else here other
lines have been urged here by my friend from snawha
(hr Smith, with manner aud emphasis that seemed
say, they must be decisive OF The question in hand
alude' sir 10 the authority Of great names aud Of pre-
cedent.
Among all the enemies land they are as numerous as
the bad passions OF make heln our sacred
Constitution the bond which alCne hold together
as conederaIed People, there cautiously
TO be guarded against because there sly
insidous, rTessbe in their influence as this doctrine
ot authority and precedent. The open darng as
sumption OF power by the usurper whether that usnrper
be an lDdvidua all OF the departments the 90
vernment, al once eSces The alarm and eciion
people VINO know how 10 value and todeieud their
and liberties and the evil is at corrected But not
so with these doctrines OF authority aud ysecedehey
the thief that steals upon us al nighttime cs,,k ar
which, ever gnawDg at the vitas OF The ConsIu on do
their work the more surely because unseen
The gentleman from Kanawha ha. ciIed long list OF
names, aud referred TO the history OF the times TO prove
that the consIuionaity OF the Bank settled question
which il is now TOO late 10 discuss. Among the dsn-
gusbed individuals referred authority this subject
Chiei Justice Marshall, MIR. NJ ad-on. &C. For the
private worth and virtue Of these individuals no one
who hears me can enef,an more profound respect than
do, warmer admiration Of their dsug used pu bic
services and eminent abilities They whose pu-
riiy aud patriotism are beyond all question: and whose
Tents and learning would do honor any age or country
Their opinions subject are emitted 10 and will ever
command the highest respect-bui they are oIy The
opinions Of imperfect apd (abie men-snd cam
not be set standard by which the judgment and the
consequences OF those who after them to be
measured.
Sir, does not the gentleman from anawha see that, by
substituting the oPi"ons OF individuals Tor the text Of the
Constitution, lie is nvcrting the order OF hngs-Men are
TO be measured by tile ConstituioD-Ho Constitution
by men, The Constitution is compound cf political
trines and principles, which government is based
These principles, like truth, are immutable-wbe men,
fsilibe and ambitious men, chaDging-lke
ship, veering about with every change OF wind.
measure, then, does not become constitutional
publican, because he no advocates il tcos formerly Re-
publican; but the man is Federal Republican as he
supports federal or republican doctrines.
have said, sir, the principles OF the Constitution may
be misinerPfeed but they change. Is IL 90 with
men? Take the whole history Of our Government, and
how rare indeed are the instances Of individuals holding
10 the last TO the political faith with which they OUT
The lew ilusifous exceptions 10 which we might point,
only 10 mark strongly the general detection
And regret TO say Mr. Chairman het these xcepons
in the ranks OF the party he Republican, 10
which we belong, than in those Of political opponents
Indeed, sir, while we are constantly goisg the
ranks OF the enemy, pick Up desertefs in renro
We battered ourselves al ole time that We had made
Iich acquisition in this way We were asked 10 receive
into the true Church repensu sinner who confessed
the error OF his ways. Ever cTedUlous aud tolerant the
door thrown open for the admission Of an er Presi
dent, whom 6nd speedily rospsng into lie heres.es
OF the afitudinafian church from which had
him TO have secededl
Sir, tits somewhat Notifying TO our pride Of psriy, hat
20 many Republicans should turn Fedcssis, and
Federalists come to side. But the per-
fecty obvious aud expicable: The FedeT0 is the self
oggrondlSing-the Republican, tho seD.denyi,g doc
tfine. The ground which these parties divided ogi-
Daliy vouId God they we're now so divided T. wac Re
principle OF interpretation TO be applied 70 the Constitution
IL ascertainng the power conferred bv ths,
The Republicans commended for fesicted coostrucon nj
the COnsuIion-the Federasts Tor lhe largest posbIe
extension Of the powers Of the Governmsnte most a
W., IL can
hardly be necessary for say that never doubted
that The parties were equally honest Ia their views.
The Federal doctrine enidges the Republican restricts
the powers 0t those M az horythe Que leads to con.
ceDsiion OF power In the hands Of the fewfbe ofber
seeks TO preserve the rghtsof te sny Our political op.
pOnents, theu, able hold teutbatton IN teir
converts which we have no. 20 oGer--Thsy tender IN
them the food on which hungry ambition subyis,s-t,e
hope Of eUtr Increasing po,oef.
fhis view Of tie subject ihnk satisfactorily aeco,
for the greater sieadslnsss with which Federa adhere
70 their doctrines Than do the Republicans They have
adopted them 81 iFs no doubt, honest conviction and
are under the influence OF temptation to desert them
while all he Inducements OF sefnefest are leading Re-
PuDhcans away from The standard around which they at
first rallied ny ~
am sensible, Mr. Chairman. that owe an apology IN
The Committee Tor having Fundamentally and iroerccgG
0y wandered into ihis depression. con offer no escnss
unless one con be found in The latitude given to dis de-
bate. ' 'o
cannot TOO often repeat NY strong add 6red opposition
70 ihis doctrine Of The authority Of names The docsne
i'''s 10 ''' and mod dangerous aud slsrmiog In lie