Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1834-12-23


temporary adjournment dispersion nemers
prevented VA oai applying for hsr speeches The speeches
M'slrs Cooke and Anderson on, AS
they were under disadvantage of Lastly notes. But
th'y pFssen, interesting views opposite Sides qur
tion Of bsfrseiOns
IN THE SENATE
Substance of the remarks Of Mr. CocKE on Tie Resolution,
from The House Of Delegates Jing day for the election
Of u. States Seaator-detrcred December gti les3i
The resolution sent from tho House of Delegates pro-
poses Friday next the 18th inst the day for going
into the election of Senator to represent this State
from the 9TH of March next propose. Mr. Speaker to
amend that resolution by striking Friday the 18th
INST and inserting Thursday, the 18th January next
and must ask the indulgence of the Senate for n few
moments while shall state the for this motion
Mr. Speaker, am not such novice in politics as moi
long since to have learnt that he who in times high
party excitement ventures reject the trammcs of par
ty and to think and to act according his honest
CONVICTIONS rs mourning the hazard OF losing the favor of
his friends without concang that of hs opponents The
dread of the first, and, in my individual case the utter
hopelcssness of the latter shall not deter me from mr.
suing that course this and every other occasion
winch my conscience and the principles profess
as proper to be taken.
Were the question now depending before the Senate
one of mere expediency should be found as ready az
any other, TO yield my individual opinions in Difference
to the will OF those having the great objects in view
Nay, SIR were 1t only question ofexpcdicncy should
have no hesitation in saying that could not at too
early day, dispose OF this agtating and absorbing
subject believe that to delay It's decision will be but
TO keep open the door for intrigue and caha [ be-
lieve, that until it is disposed Of the Legislature will
not be able far TO free their minds from exciting
influence to give their undivided the other
important matters which were sent here to act
But Mr. Speaker this question is presented to ma in an
aspect entirely new might say unprecedented in our
legislative history. For the first time do we find the
people in the exercise Of the Right of Instruction at the
moment when their Representa- are in the actna
discharge of their official duties The question then is
presented to under such circumstances that il seems
to me cannot consent adopt the resolution in your
hand without arrayng ourselves aguns of the
sacred and holy principles Of Representative Govern
ment-the Right of instruction Sir, this right, | am
persuaded will not lie denied in any quarter For N.Y.
self hold, that it is neither to be denied nor eyadcd
This sentiment uttered in the commencement of my
political career, and yet believe it be founded on tho
true theory of our Government
IT, them all acknowledge the right of instruction to
belong to the People, who shall to restrict and
tt this right; or to prescribe the apanner in which il
shall be exercised? Above ALL Mr. Speaker, shall the
representative, the immediate subject Of his rigid and on
To DO this? trust not, sir.
We should recolect that this right of instruction is
not conventional-is not constitutional but an extra
vefhieefon2 ght II is inherent in form Of GO
hold 70 reside in the People, and therefore can no more
DC nodyed restricted than taken a,cay without the con-
sent OF inc People If the right itself exist it carries
WIN II The corrcative right of deciding 3ohe and ,cnrc
and ho,o it shall be exercised ''
God forbid that should be understood from these re-
MARKS as expressing any thing like appreciation of the
mode OF instructions, which all know has been re-
sorted to since our Spring Elections which is at this
IN actSe operation IN some of the counties, and
districts oil the State. believe that of all the methods
ever pracsed upon for ascertaining public opinion il is
the most aaeousthe most open fraud and deception,
= o ascertain Pu1tle opinion did say? No sr-its inc
vabe tendency if not its object is to 7oork anon IN ,Vo
mrtdet"re public opinion! look upon it as am ATTEMPT
TO introduce into this good Old Dominion whose cL;Tf
boast heretofore has been her adherence of the nr f
me srhe'atng GenagOgHe, that political MACHINERY which
70 perfection IN the land of its invention has lett
To the Icope--aye sir the S0g61cien Peoplc-st about
tread-inill. - 80 " "
Sir, the proceeding to which | have referred is but
inc preliminary step of cnsng and making out e mus
torr0H ohe r0k and file Of political yartthe ne xt will
DC 70 select the commanders who issue orders To this
motions. W
But, Mr.. Speaker, whatever may be our individual
opinions, as to this mode Of getting up oust
Whatever danger TO political institutions we NAV he
eye u to be iraught this is uc plGrs nor are w tho
authority ITO correct the evil The matter beonos cxcn
svcly to The People and TO that enlightened intelligence
mat manly independence that doesaiion of every hng
IKE trck and arhhce, which have disting ushed
tle ir6cmen OF this good old '.unicrrified Common
wealth., look with confidence to save Us from the con-
Illuminating influence of New York tactics
should instructions II me, gotten 90 In il,s or
any oIicr mode will give 70 them thc respectful
and trust disPassonatc consideration hodiug nvsoIf
St heesy-nay bound in weighing the Testimony they
ufhsn 10 look into all the circumstances that may add
10, or deiract FROM that testimony; and iFI know NV
se VIII cndeavor to come to honest decision as Ia
the course 1T may be my duty 10 pursue
Conceding then, that the people have the rght of de-
Gliding when and how they will proceed in MAXIM,
nown ther VIII to their representatives, and knowing
mat they are now IN moonycs. sir in one District ~
least Chat OF the Senator from Northumberland march
ing forward in that bold and manly manner which be-
comes ireemen who know how to protect their right
follows as matter Of course that we have no otbort
10 toresal their action by proceeding to The election n
~ o ''ehdu"r at an earlier day than has been usueI
we are bound to suppose that the people were aware OF
inc uslal period Of the session. which this election
aAes place and that they have governed their move
nnents accOIdnply ''''
am glad TO find, SIR that this consideration bas ia
iull weight an this bodyOr, do not hear ofa qino -,
divdun disposed 10 go into the election on Frday mr.,
inc DAY designated by tho resolution ON your table
But, Mr. Speaker, while we are forbidden IN b,sic
ms election and thereby csop the people in their legit
mate movements on the other hand every consideration
OF Pnbc interest and public duty calls npon me- nor -
"ttGy our action on this exciting question beyond t.
period at which this election has usually taken place
10 ascertain what this period was asked the favor IF
me Jerk to examine the Journal for the last rs or ~
hoio IN my hand the memorandum he has furnished
me, containing the dates of four several elections Inc
average OF winch is the 18th January But it should be
poIne ~ MIND that the average is thrown thus late i'm
INC session, BY embracing the election Of Mr. Tgcr l.;
~, which was fixed for some day carly in The month
OF January out was teico yosponed fr special reosons
~ ue Otnct three the election was hold on Tho t
81, and 18th OF JonuaTylus brin0ns il,o aycr,e, ,
within the first week Of that month
Guided then, by the principle have laid do,y, ,t.,
we moun under existing circumstances neither Lgrfeo
or F,ofd TINS election, have proposed To amend The
resolution from the House Of Delegates by snlsf,
hg inc Dth Jan for The 18th inst, which aatlcr nv
SCH VIII be acceptable TO both parties
AZ later period Of The debate, Mr. Cooke rose and
should hold myself unfortunate indeed IL ca,ld
psc mat Iie rev remarks had the honor a while 400
"iDmlung had becn as grossly misunderstood bv Tic
- ,ee as thy seem 70 have been by the gentlemen from
=. george (fir Rves0 and Bot (Mf Anderson ,f1tosc
gentlemen have argued as if had denied The risb,
stfuction. had thought Mr. spcaio , 's ~ I'D '
gnage l had used plain and ,,nsrnIi,, ''i.
scarcely to be susceptible of tnean,,rc ~