Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-02-25

Bank of the United States, and thus appear IN
the attitude of disregarding and thwartlng the
declared wishes of the General Assembly OF
Virginia. am sure but respond to the honor
able feelings of all who hear me- in saying that
the first branch Of the alternative is impossible,
while the latter is no less forbidden by my prln-
ciples, and proper sense OF duty to the consti-
tinted authorities of my state. The only course
left to me, then, is one which the Senate can be
at no loss to anticipate.
Before close the few remarks with which
have felt myself called on to trouble the Senate,
beg leave to say that, while recognise mpli-
city the resolutions just read as the legitimate
and constitutional expression of the opinion OF
my State wish not to be understood, as saying
that they express the real public opinion OF the
State-that is of the PEOPLE On the contrary, my
firm and clear conviction is, that the sentiments
of the people in the present instance are not IN
unison with the proceedings OF the Legislative
authority. The manifestations of popular SEN
timent already commencing in various quarters
of the State-the principles and opinions hereto
fore steadily cherished by Virgnia-multiplied
communications received from the most respec-
table sources; and my own knowledge, may
be permitted to add, of people with whom
have been connected, in the relations OF pubic
service for now near twenty years, assure me
that they are not; and the revolution OF lew
months, WILL confidently believe, render the
fact manifest to all the world. But in the regu-
lation of my official conduct here am not per-
mitted to look beyond the constitutional express
sion of the opinion of the State, by its regular
and proper organ. If Senator were allowed
to set up against the public opinion OF his State
as officially and solemnly declared by her Lee
gislature, hypothetical public opinion, which
may or may not be that of the people OF the
State, it is obvious that door would be opened
for the total evasion of all effective responslblll-
ty of this body to public opinion. 1t is on the
Legislatures of the States that the constitution
has devolved the choice of members of this bo-
dy, and the same Legislatures must be the inter-
prefers of the public opinion of their respective
States to the Senators chosen by them, wheneV-
er an occasion shall arise which may call for
solemn manifestation of that opinion.
This is indeed the only practicable mode OF
bringing the opinion of the sovereign ccmmunl-
ties represented in this body to act with autho-
ritatve influence, on its proceedings; and
when it is considered that the Senate is, by the
greater permanency Gifts official tenure, farther
removed from the salutary controls of the re-
preventative system than any other branch OF
the Government, all will see the necessity OF
keeping open clear and designated channel
by which public opinion may promptly reach 1t,
i'm an authoritative form. and be made ettectual
on its deliberations. 1t is thus, essential to the
practical supremacy of the popular will itself,
that the State Legislatures should be recognised
~
the popular opinion of the respective States, in
all relations with this body. If in any instance,
the Legislatures of the States shall mistake the
opinions of the people, it is, as conceive, for
the people themselves, and not for us, to correct
the mistake.
These, Mr.. President are very briefly the
opinions entertain on the delicate questions
presented for my consideration by the instruc-
tons of the Legislature of my State just read;
and the only alternative they leave me, in the
circumstances in which am placed, is to sur
render the trust with which have been honored
as a member of this body into the hands of those
from whom received it. know well, Mr. Presi
dent, and feel how much ofhonor and ofsatisfac-
ton give up in abandoning my seat on this
floor | abandon what have ever regarded
the highest honor of my public life-an honor
than which none higher, in my opinion, can be
presented to the ambition of an American citi-
zen. Isacrifce social and kindly relations with
many members Of this body--I would fain hope
with aH-whch have been the source Of the
highest satisfaction, to me here, and the remem-
brance of which | shall cherish with sin
cere pleasure in the retirement whittier go.
know and feel the weight of these sacrifices, but
great as they are, | make them without sigh,
as the most emphatic homage can render to "a
principal believe vital to the republican system,
and indispensable to the safe and salutary &C
ton ofour political institutions