Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1835-02-26
Virginia H.cSisIaivgre..
In THE SENATE OF VIRGINIA.


29h January, 1855 -
Mr. SrRAKER: pleased day or two since with
the manliness Of the ground taken by one of Mr. eL'
friends who stated that he wished to go into the Is;
OF the Senator of the u States at this session of The
gsiature, because MIR. Leigh be elected will
say or, ts precisely for the that do not
wish to go into the election; and my preferences are ss
tanned by arguments which have much weight with me
and To which wish to call your attention Tbo rnnuo
man from Albemare has included nv district i'm his LIST
us one oil those in which, from the character of the re-
personalities, there may be loub ms 10 a. st, c -
hc opinion | have no doubt myself Sir upon this sinh
lect confidently believe from evidences which hnvc
been respectfully and attentvely considered that INV
9stc IS three or four to against the Bank of The
United States-and notwithstanding the sbeldnr az
question, under the cry Of Van Burensm low prices for
Ile sword ana purse panic speeches. and
ev oil aies ana speeches, al 0nRc genus, that there
as majority of the electors of my district onDoscd n, M
election OF Mr. Leigh But, Sir, those who think
otherwlse, claim that am mistaken, land | know ann
mortal and not above the lot of humanity of course lin
bic to mistakes) would not Ahs circumstance alone
so lar as am concerned be considered annie cnnse
why should wish the postponeInent? Would not This
contrarsty OF opinion, be ofilscf sufficient tn conp
any rational friend of Mr. Leigh of the entire nro,
Oh posponng the election? am xious that the most
ponement shall take place and that an appeaI be mad TO
me People OF my District and to the whole State and
et them decide this question. There is difficulty in
my estimate of this decision and am anyous tI,t NJ
Ieighs friends should appeal TO an election as il m b
only legitimate and acknowledged mode of instr,cton
hhe question that has been raised by gentlemen as 10
helr being or not being instructed and as TO tho mod
mas peen no subject OF investigation with it is left
10 tleh ana TO Their constituents and hope will he
settled as IT should be. For myself have REGARDED tb
right of the Eector to instruct the Representative ~
beng cardinal point p nay political creed and H.
mode is with subject of indifference Whether If he
Vnder BUSH at the of fence at the fre.sid nv
at the polls il shall have its fi rcsnect e., ~ VI,
Notwithstanding its being called urn 7coyE Inv NJ
ieighs friends shall be obeyed whenever the i1str
tons are fairly drawn out And carly rs Sept last moro
IMAM months before the meeting of the Iepslntnre wos
told should be instructed for Mr. Iegh-tbot INV
constituents were much more numerous upon that side Of
the question than the other every where gave the fullest
assurance thGl would obey instructionsbut yet sir
nave received none This made the subject ofpublc
notice through newspaper printed in my District and
newspaper printed in this City, dragged bv the
maevoence of some members of party opnoscd ~ mo
before the public and vifed numerically and un
w and prosecuted by false imputations--but vet no g.;
structions for me! Sir nave seen some nsruc,; e.
one OF Mr-Leigt's Gends from my District which ao
TO susainme in my course The 0pposon d;J ne. 81
up Instructions, for the very best in the world
they could not. But sir they still claim 10 have The
power and am willing they should have further time
an elongated opportunity. hope shall be gratifed i'm
having II IN my power to fairly represent my District
anu the postponement will afford the fullest opporunit
Vi me IL thcir own mode viz at election
Inc gentleman from Albemarle has said, that the Sc
nate was the arisocrac branch of the Legislature
admit, sir that 1t was constituted part of The ecsla
lure TO guard against the influence of decisions under
nigh excitement, to which it supposed the nore M,
merous branch of the Legislature would be subject
ask that gentleman, whether the case has M, nry;, o.
rest the propriety of the existence of Senate 81 osk
him. whether the high excitement of party strife exstn
at inns me does not call upon to discharge firmly the
duty which the Constitution of State has confded 10
The Senate The excitement is too manifest to be mis-
taken IN the Legislature And look sir to vour GALLERY
disorder m
hbed, and let the gentleman then decide whether this
as time to be hurried forward in decision tbof i; 80
exert an influence against The interest of VIRGINIA
ana against me wishes OF her citizens because the ine-
rested the Idle. or the vicious may wish by ea,nor and
disorder to drive them into election because Mr.
Leigh be elected. do contend that IL. -
element is in itself Just cause to induce lire e,, -
pause and permit the excitement suhside and tbis Is
pest effected by Posponement. and the appeal neces
barIy consequent upon it, 10 the great body Of the Poo
pie
It is commended, that the last Spring elections were
test, not 20 be disrcgarded that as there was oor;,
ofthe members OF the House of Delegates from any d
trct, IL should be the decision of the question n Ill;
decision OF an election Gas the gentleman will take no
olher MODE OF nstructons now propose appeal end
an tins appeal. give the people better opportunity 10
arrive at correct conclusions by furnishing thorn viii
an elongated opportunity of inspecting Mr. Ieirhs CON
duct. At the last Spring elections Mr. LEIGH had lecr
about two months in the Senate of the United St,cs
By the 4t Of March next he will have scrvcd -,
eght months Does not this elongated service rive -
better opportunity Of correctly Understanding ,vIai ,
should say 10 MIR Leigh DO not the eight months
wish to decide this question correctly may stand bei
Ter chance TO make such deductions such conclusions
as may be relied with more confidence Tbis 10
oDiged To be Yielded obliged 10 be admitted VIII NV
hiend go with me- therefore, and pospone the olecf
NO, moths Is NOT his game he las noty a constitutional
oDJecbon We'll sir, as am very anxious 10 arrive NJ
the most correct conclusions; especially when he ub
rity Of the Constitution is invoked will examine bi
constitutional difficulties II is true sir ftof tho Corst
tton OF The u . does prescribe that the Senators of the
u ) shall be elected for years and hare bee dsir
that the force which the law ofcusto rave 10
L H. w un
Of NC - > senator IN The latter part Of the session inn
medlatcy preceding the expiration of the term of Tho
senator service From the most and deliberate
examination, am perfectly convinced that VIC sbould
not do the Constitution az much violence by postpone
ment as by going into the election al This time and tis
single reason WILL think satisfy every impartial mind
mat am right viz that the people Of virginia win NOT
be represented by Mr.. Leigh lie will be the Srnator
RON virginia, to be sure but be viii represent The
VIII or the wishes Of the people Of Virginia gnt c,,
friends differ With me, and say he win represent liz
peoples wishes and their will Gentlemen call ON Won
to sub1it this matter 20 the people hemselves hcv can
alone decide this question: and feel fuller confidence
now than heretofore u that decision nasnuch as IL v
at least be much superior TO The decision of last Srn
az the proportion Of eight months 10 two months tic
relative periods Of Mr.. Iei0h's service n the sen,fc
rom which opinion is 10 be formed ly Tho noonIo
The Constitution Of The United States is am iuefrp,nont
called into existence by the people Of the several eots
% me Union Tor specified purpose; and is limited in
iH authority to The powers rplicty expressed upon h.
mce III special power Of attorney the authorize ~
winch IS guarded by the terms Of the grant ielfend
thalmitation by Che old Republican party was intended
70 guard against that tendency existing in all oovefu
mcnts 20 caimby precedent and infcrcntn couetefiop
more power than the government possesses n has ye
~ rarely q ever happened, tat tle people have been
injured BY The governments claiming less power fan If
was entitled o. exercise Hence no coropant basbo.
made when Virginia has elected her members h Con-
gress for y months instead If ~ months no, have fo
people OF Virginia regarded it, Ear as ! have hoard ne
an nifact0n ct the Constitution Of the United gsios
and, yet This very Constitution us distinctly dcci9rc