Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1834-03-25
Twenty-tlhird Congrcss.--Ist Scss.
In NATE "Wednesday, Jforch ~
MEMORIAL FROM PETERSRuRG

and would he feared but too long continue TO
'hls great and lately hourishng countryside Senate
wouu understands oil course that he alluded 10 the SUBJ
Ject oil the deposites. Ii q memorial from the mer
chants, manufac turers mechanics aud other citizens OF
ne 'owh OF petersburg, in Virginia. town always dis
uhguhed Tor ITS steady adherence republican prnci
pies and which, he took upon him say, had given
many ana signal proofs OF patriotism and devotion the
interests the honor and the happiness of the Nation
any town in the Union lis export trade consisted chief
ly, in the two staples OF cotton and tobacco; and the
m n were perfectly competent to judge OF the
eHects oil public measures their interests, and
those oil the country OF which their town the home
market.
The memorial, said he, is ned by the principaI
most active, and intelligent merchants OF the place. the
most respectable artizsns, many persons of other
professions have not Thought it necessary inquire.
OF 10 TAX my own recollection to ascertain which
memori'isfs were friendly to the present Chief Magi
Ta'e, and which OF them opposed to his election tc
the station he now fills. Indeed, have been surprised
beyond measure, 10 find such inquiries nade and ans
ed upon this hSor TO find, that the friends of The Adj
mlms'rauon upon the presentation OF memorials
Pahg Of It's measures, have scruped object, that
the memorialisis were hostile TO the President, with
view 10 deract from the weight OF their evidence to
the existence and extent OF the public and
distress, and OF their opinions TO the causes of their
grievances aud the remedies proper TO relieve the
anu WA. gentlemen In The opposon even the mos,
strenuous anu 'ntrepid either by their deep
oil the general distress which pcrvajes the community and
willing that relief should be administered UPON any
terms or some what astoUnded perhaps at the ne no
er which has lately arisen in the State have Welded an
involuntary respect to it, and in manner admitted the
principle oil the objection, by oveIng the fact
be understood that there is substantial p actical differ
ence, IN The nature and extent Of their political rights
between The friends OF the President and his
Is asserted and acknowledged that the moral weight
and influence OF the evidence and opinions of citizens of
one party H. in act and ought TO be, Inferior those
the other! That dsapprobalion of Presidents con.
duct couched in language, however respectful founded
on reasons, however clear and cogent the
lions oil grievances from every quarter OF the country the
cries oil distress and alarm La reounding the
land, the OF The proper remedies and
pen ions Tor relief ae not worthy to be regarded ind
cations oil pubic opinion, unless they person.
who have been. the friends OF the Presiden? That
The only indication OF public feeling or opinion entitled 10
respect in the Halls of Congress- be found in those
professions OF content and bounless confidence that are
sent us from the friends of the Presidents! II such dis
tncon shall be established and ced inf il be
even countenanced them indeed has change been al
ready effected in the relation oil the people towards each
other, and in the moral feelings OF the country which
cannot but end ia total change in political nstu-
tons In the beginning OF the reign of George ILL., there
party who proessed themselves The Kings friends
end never was there in Great Britain, since The famous
caba in The days OF Charles H. miscbevous and
Pestlent neutrality-suspicious. the naiior-pernico, s
especially 10 their royal MASTER who knew pros.
peri'y I'LL he rcnounced the principle of favori sm
trust, in Heaven that system ayori,sm far broader
anu more comprehensive, cannot be established in this
country and that an attempt to do il will be endured
Tor a moment.
These memorisss for the part, are merchants of
character and fence in business; and other memo.
rails (severa from our great cies have been sent TO us
by men OF the class. pray the Senate TO remem.
Der me course OF government in all other countries and
particularly in England under circumstances of general
commercial embarrassment OF public distress OF any
KIND Committees raised collect information of
aets men OF business, likely from nature of their oc-
cupations, 10 possess experience and Of tho
subject, called before them and their oninons tab
as 10 the causes OF the mischief their nOds operad the
precise nature and extent of the evil and the remedies
which the symptoms OF the disease in cae; and thus they
throw lights on the subject by which they NAV see heir
way to relief There is a maxim Of the law of evidence
founded in obvious good and the soundes prac
Ph'iosophy-Cu'tibef sud arte credendum est But with
u.s. the examples OF other nations other time, are de.
sPsedthe wisdom OF the very proverbs is
rejected with scorn Cencede 10 the President the
greatest extent OF general that ever
possessed-concede TO him the utmost sagacity and wi,
dom that can be ascrbed TO mortal rnan-yet, upon
que son OF this kind would take the opinion of an in.
tellgent experienced, practical chant much more
what we have, the concurring opinions Of multitude of
such men, as surer guide 10 truth and safety than apy
opinion he be capable FORM or the nj
gentlemen this floor.
The character OF the memorial ITSELF which now pre-.
sent, may serve TO commend it TO the attention Of this
House Its language is temperate--ie sentiments il ex
presses moderate and cauous- prepared circu
lated for subscription, and submitted to the examna-
deiberaiion, dispassonate and concaory spirit and
anxious wish 10 avoid whatever mig lat produce re
ment mention this because think that the right of
petition Tor redress oil grievances, which all profess land
shall not doubt, sincerely respect has been in sct
disparsged in the debates Of the Senate ON this subject
by sezing every circumstance Of disorder every inci
dent evincing confusion or irregulay, in the meetings
OF the people in which resolutions or memorials have
been prepared: witness the remarks made by the gen.
tleInan from Georgia (Mr. Forsytb) on the proceedings
in Morris county, New Jersey, presented ycs'erdsy The
general effect Of those remarks whatever was the design
10 shew that the memorials this subject are en
tied TO little or no consider alton, aud throw ridicule
and coDtumey upon the memoriaIsts Now beg leave
10 suggest him, with perfect respect and indeed in
duty towards him. surprising, do that he sincere i'm
bis professions OF respect Tor the right petition that
such professions have little effect While thew are ac
companied with expressions OF contempt for the pe
ers Such remarks are in my opinion, more calculated
TO impair the value OF the right VI petition than the most
explicit denial OF il Tor this would hardly be borne
We all know that Irregularities disorder, aud confusion
AZ i'm he pfiuga nj tho,
casions OF this kind; and yet doubt that the
truth OF facts, the state OF pub ic opinion, the wisdom
that resides in the constituent body of the people NAV
with little and reasonable attention 10 their
sensations, be fairly collected from their resolves e
tons, and memorials. The like disorder aud confusion
error mistake, and the sudden effects calunnies
cuuu ely devised, sometimes affect the result of bem
but who, Tor that reason undefvolues representative
government who doubts, that the Interests the Vi Sbts
aud the ill Of the constituent body, are, in the general
and in the long run, fairly represented that they can be
otherwise so fairly repfcsentedl The right OF pe
lions Is part, and essential part OF the system OF re
preventative government These memorials, daily pour.
ing in from many and such various must be
specied. cannot doubt, that they will ultifnstely com
maud entire respect The evidence they adv
convinced all, that the distress which enbartasses the
whole business Of the country is real general, aggra
led almost beg ond nrsnce; and they will soon con
vince u.s. too tat the memoriasts understand the causes
which have produced this disastrous state OF trgs and
Justly the grievances 10 The OF tile txe
tive. And hope the Senate will consi Ter the represso
taons they make, with due regard 10 their oppot M
10 know the iscts their competency from their
In business 10 fam correct jude men aid the rca-
Of the evils they suffering under, and the proper