Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1835-02-07

dead under the presidential reto. Let me ask,
does any one believe that any bill for the re-
charter Of the Bank can possibly receive the
sanction of the President or that the constitu-
tional majority can be obtained in Congress in
furtherance of this object, in opposition to his
wishes? These questions being answered in
the negative, as am confident that they must
be, it follows, Of course, that the Bank must be
Frustrated, the charter expiring before the pre-
sidential term. Need remind you Of the rumor
previous to my leaving the county, and indeed
commencing directly after the election and con.
tinuing throughout the summer, that an effort
would be made to bind me to contingency,
which my acknowledgment Of the right of in
struction gave those who had so earnestly sought
my defeat hope of accomplishments that,
although many Of my friends thought the deci-
sion solemnly made at the polls, (when the ques-
ton was fully UNDERSTOOD with all the checks
and guards which the law provides for fair
and unbiased expression Of public sentiment,
should be my guide, yet l. on all occasions, de.
cared my readiness to test the question again
before the people, and invited those with whom
conversed (some OF whom appeared so very
Rives,) to call the voters together that the sub
ject might be again discussed and settled; stat.
ing, at the same time, that would would cheer
fully meet them, and participate in their delbe-
rations: and that | conceived this to be the on
ly legitimate mode Of obtaining fair express
sion ofthe public will-that any other being ex.
parte in its character, could not be relied upon
.ro6a, tin frrIu fbo of
This proposition, so fair in ITSELF not having been
acceded to, considered the scheme abandoned.
But what does the event PROVED Scarcely had
reached Richmond, when operations were
commencement in the usual mode Of conduct
ing these matters in NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. even the
Intervention of call ofthe people. have thus
been deprived of an opportunity ofpartcipatng
in the movement (Which was axious to do
during the seven months which elapsed between
the election and the meeting Of the Legislature)
or any personal knowledge Of the plan of pro-
ceeding. OF the means resorted to, by those
deputed to obtain your signatures, you are bet
ter informed than myself; and rely upon your
justice and intelligence TO determine, it, in all
cases, they have been in accordance with fair
dealing. l am warranted, from evidence in
my possession which cannot be questioned, in
believing, that in some instances, the rules which
should govern those in search of correct infor-
nation, have not been strictly followed. And
from the papers themselves, shall be sustained
in the inference, that Mr.. Leigh's opinions In
relation to the Bank, have not been correctly
understood. 1t is stated in the caption to those
papers. that he is in favor Of recharter of the
Bank, when he has solemnly declared not only
once, but repeatedly, that he is opposed to the
Bank on constitutional grounds; and that he
would vote against recharter, or any elonga-
ton of the charter How, then, can the charge
be sustalned?-unless you believe him to be mo-
rally debased. The high reputation which he
sustains, in every relation oflfe, orbids that the
idea should be entertained for one moment. II
is not my intention, however, in this communi-
cation, to enter into defence of Mr.. Leigh. |
have simply desired to place my own conduct
fairly before you, and to assign the reasons
which governed my vote. And now let me ask,
under all the circumstances, and upon calm
review of the whole question, as il was present
ell for my consideration, is it expected, by the
gentlemen themselves who have been SO active
in this business, that could have disregarded
considerations of such high importance, for the
purpose of promoting the wishes Of a minority,
however respectable After mature delibera-
ton, and the most careful examination of the
entire subject, was irresistably led to the con-
cusion, that it was my imperative duty in &C.
cordance with what conscentiously believed
to be the wishes ofa majority of my constituents,
to record my vote in favor of Mr.. Leigh. My
acts, iellow-citzens, are before you; and, with
firm reliance upon your justice and intelI-
gence, do nothestate to submit my case to
your decision.
am, very respectfully,
Your fellow citizen,
SPENCER NJ. BALL.
Richmond, January 30 1885