Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1835-03-14
S.E I'UK D.P q.
Virginia Legislature.

JOHUuFN.
Mr. BRowN said, lie trusted the House would believe
him sincere when he declared that nothing less than an
imperative sense OF duty, could have induced him.
that late stage of protracted debate to throw himself
upon their indulgence, Tor the purpose of explaining his
views OF the principles invalved in the official they
were about to perform. If the importance of the occi-
SION had not been greatly exaggerated and the interest
with which the public looking TO that election
were really as intense they had been led suppose
the result must have extensive influence on future
political events and party combinations within the State
iere mad already been movements that floor which, |
although 1t could not be said they were so intended
were nevertheless so well calculated for effect before
People that could scarcely be doubted they would be
'nousuiousiy used IN the coming elections. The oppo-
hcS OF Mr Leigh, protesting TO be refer the
matter again TO the people had forced upon his friends
Tue responsibility OF rejecting proposition for post
ponng Tic election until the next session of the AS
sembly and it would be of surprise TO him. it.
while the merit of great Difference for the popular
WI was was claimed in the one quarter, the imputa,on
should be made of disposition in another quarter
evade ana set 1T ut naugh He trusted however in
teligent people would through the thin disguise
What ground was there for alleging that they had not
already decided the question: When the election of
Mr. Leigh occurred last winter it was said on that floor
that at the ensuing April Elections the people in voice
oil thunder, would pronounce sentence OF condemna-
ton ON the act but the elections came and the act was
approved The subject warmly agitated through
out the summer and autumn and it was confidently pro-
CANNED, that the people, stimulated by subsequent
velopencnts, would reverse the Judgment of April
throughthe medium of Instructions be made out in
time Tor the meeting of the Assemblv but when il was
proposed to into the election earlier day of the
session, further delay asked and the assurance
oil lew weeks would have manifested their will in a
manner not to be misunderstood The postponemcnt was
agreed to-the day proposed by the opponents of Mr.
Leigh was liked uponit had arrived, and still
gravey asserted that the wishes of the people un-
known and could only be ascertaned troug tile results
the approaching elections. What assurance was there
he would ask, that they would then be ascertained 1t
was sad that the people, at the late election de-
luded and nisled by panic; but would there be such
deuson at the ensuing clections Could il be believed
that the public mind would then be free than on
the former oceasion from that passion and irritation
which in the estimation of some had much couded
It's per ephon: Were not, gentlemen then en-
gagged IN ashng up to still more fearful pitch the already
painful excitement oihe people, by endeavourng per-
suade them that the almporant right of instruction was
about to be wrcsted from them? Suppose they should
succeed ia their object and the people, under the niu
OF this counter panic should return majority ofthe
opponents of Mr. Leigh TO the Assembly might not his
friends at the ensuing session with equal plausbity in
sst ON further posponement of the election and claim
the benefit of third trial at the polls? He would not
consent, without an indication of such wish the
part OF the people themselves, subject them to repeat
cd and harassng agitaos in order subserve the pur
poses oil any party, or minister to the ambition of any
asprants.
He (Nr. Brown yielded to no man in his respect and
deicrcnce-he might add affection for the People Tic
looked upon them not only the repository of all poll
tca power but mbued in the mass with the highest
attributes OF justice generosity, and virtue They sell
oom erred even unIr the influence of transient ex-
citencnttIcy ncyeR inflicted intentional injury and
never icd when conscious of the fact fedrcss to
the ui extent OF their power, wrong done either by
themselves others, to faithful public servant Drea-
y indeed would be the prospect of the statesman it, in
he
with which Inc was assaed, the vindctive rivalry by
which he was often stricken down, he could not turn for
coun;enance and protection to that bengnant resist
less multitude whose happiness lie had nobly STRUGGLED
to promote Brief that portion of his own life
which, with the appreciation of his constituents he in
tended devotng TO the public service should be brief
er s we're 1T not for the cheering which he
felt, that whilst he honestly endeavoued dscarrc his
duty, lie might safely rely in the hour of his great
est encouragement upon the support of Just and en-
hghtcned community God forbid that this rcdceninp
influence should ever be withdrawn from the public co,n
sells that extensive field for selfish macnaiion where
Dut Tor the awe-lnsprng presence of tile People, man
would prey upon his fellow and restless spirits for
ever torn by the iuries of ambition, might march unno
Tested along the path of thei@ guilt
lie said he not only regarded the virtues of the pcole
with admiration, but he felt uneigncd Difference for
the wisdom Of their opinions lac ready, at all
times to be governed by them, when known and wonld
throw no obstacles IN the way OF their expression
When jehovah is abroad, let the nations Of the earth be
stun, was the language ola sublime reverence, and he
would say, when the People, whose voice was to the
representative, the voice of God, about TO sneak il
was the duty Of their servants listen in respectful ST.
cncc. lie had given practical evidences chat he neither
feared nor deprecated the commands Of his constituents
tor when they engaged in ascertanng the public
wan, he had carefully perhaps too scrupulousy for
him, in common with others a citizen over their pro
ceedDgs Whatever the conclusion at which they should
arrive, and however painfully il might feet himself he
hau never LOT a moment thought OF bringing his own
views and interests in conflict with those the peoplc TO
whom every right appcraincd whilst himscfihcre be-
onged but one, the right Of resignation lie had never dis
c0uraged the ntcrposion Of the people and lac had never
invited H. being ready and willing under all conceva
pic circumstances, to execute, according best Of
his judgment and capacity, whatever portion of the re-
preventative trust his constituents might do him the ho
nor to conide TO his discretion. He should cheerfnlly
acquiesce in their mandate. whenever they should think
proper to utter H but in the absence Of such guide
ne ielt 1t equally incumbent him shrink from no
Just responsibility and not TO halt in the plain and usual
path OF his duty, from affected ncapacity Which if
1t really existed, would prove him unfit for the Office
he held. Much as the people might differ in their
WISHES as to the result Of this election lac thought there
uot q md I'M IL ,II.
desire, that il should be made without further delay
No member Of that body had asked postponcment of
1T on his own account He was ready. for his own
part To enter upon it, and he believed in his consc
ence, that he prepared 60 do justice to his constu
ents They had been much divided in opinion upon the
SUBJECT but the conclusion TO which nc had brought his
mind was, that majority of them either wished him
TO vote for Mr. Leigh designed TO leave him free TO
act according TO his discretion, with full know
ledge OF the course he likely to pursue under such
circumstances. Ieshould state 20 the House Lc rca
sons which had brought him to the conclusion that lac was
not instructed because the minority, who might entertain
different opinion not prcscn, 30 vndicaie their
cause and ne would not avail hmsclfof the ADVANTAGES
Of his position, TO paint the thc back Of Che lion
when If that noble animal held the pencil perhaps the
picture might Ice reversed IL was matter Of fact i'm re-
lation TO which he responsible 10 his constituents
and 10 bis constituents only. To them he should be ALL
cd upon at IN early day. 70 render account Of the
grounds which hc had acted and should the reckon
ing be unsatisfactory, lac could not escape fIe heavy
penalty Of his dsobedcncc If they believed lac had
mistaken their will they would probably eSpcl him from
their service; bat should they find that he had wanony
and wiiiuy dsregardcd IT, they would fix a mark upon
uo, politically, which should not ony attend him through
lne, but serve perpetual warning 10 all who
might succeed him in his Office. And here he