Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1835-02-24


virtue of the great body of the People, and i'm Difference
TO their ascertaned will, will yield TO those
who habituay bedaub them with praise and flattery.
Sir, If had not this abiding confidence in the good
and virtue of the People should despair OF the
stability of itcal Institutions and of the liberties
OF my country These the foundations which
al me those institutions and the liberties they intend
ed to protect, securely rest For one, then,
not consent to have my motives for the vote about
to give Observation-Disclosures misrepresented.
MIR. Speaker, am persuaded that my friends from
Botetourt and Prince George have not duly considered
the tendency of the measure they proposing, or
strictly enquire into our authority to adopt IT, In the
dent pursuit of what they regard oudabc object,
they have not examined into the means 10y which they
propose 20 effect it, with that strict attention. which
think the occasion calls for If could faiter myself
that such an appeal would have any effect would en-.
treat gentlemen to look well to the consequences ofths
step, before they take ito sss from their minds the
influence of party feeling, which, however honcst-and
in this instance, know It is honest-is tempting
ostray-and to bring their calm and dspassonae judy
mens to bear on the important question about
TO decide.
On this, all other OCCASIONS the first enquiry is
have ihe right TO do the thing required? do ask
whether we have tic pO,cor-ior have the power to
decline the performance Of all Legislative duties
but not the right beg you look TO the consequences
that would flow from the establishment of such right
II we have the right to refuse Joint order
reed 0r gire day by agreement detacea e teo Houses
Tor the purpose of defeating the election of Senator of
.e United States who is offensive to majority OF this
body, so may we for the reason, postpone from
year to yeoI the election of Governor and Council and
thus IN three years. virtually abolish the Executive De-
partment of the Government The remark applies
also to your Judges Treasurer, Auditor, &c &c. The
duty Of keeping up the organization of the Executive
Judicial and Ministerial Departments of the Govern
ment is assigned by the Constitution to the General AS
semby; and in the faithful discharge of the trust
miitcd TO u.s. cannot be cvaded or neglected.
| Unlike manner bound to the people of Virginia
whose agents we are TO that the State has, all
times It's due weight in the Federal Legislature This
Mr. Speaker, will not be the If adjourn without
elechng Senator TO fill the vacancy which will occur
on the 4th of March nextor shall presently attempt
to show that if we fail to make the election the vacan-
q bk He'd nf tha(.
neral Assembywhich could not meet earlier than the
middle or last of Mayor at the annual session in De-
cember next
MIR. Speaker, that the duty of electing Senator =
the u States TO supply the vacancy occasoned by the
expiration OF Mr.. Leghs term would devolve upon this
LegiSaturc and not upon succeeding one, was known
presume, to every voter in the Commonwealth. Ii was
known at least in every county where there party
contest for il in fact, the piv on which many of
The elections turnedit the rery question taken to
the polls by the appeal of MIR. Leigh's predecessor.
Not only then is the duty of making this election
signed to us by the Constitution but it was one of the
most prominent objects in the view of the people the
spring clectonso say nothing of the practice cock
tensive with the existence ofthe Government appoint
the Senator ut the session preceding the expiration the
term of service of the incumbent
Having shown think have that it is Our bounde
duty 60 into this election, might here safely rest the
defence those who will vote with me against the post
ponement If we decline to make appeal to the peo-
| pie, 1t is because believe in this case we have no
rgM TO make such appeal But sir, will still farther
trespass on the patience of the Senate while examine
into the urged support of this measure and
the consequences likely to follow upon its adoption The
rodSoas, did say? beg pardon-the sole and Soitary
reason yet assigned for posponng the election is the
DOUBT and uncertainty TO the wishes of the people in re-
ation TO the pending election of Senator-the belief en-
crtaned by the Administration party in the Legislature
that the majority of the present General Assembly will
IN voting Tor Mr. Leigh, mSrepresen the will OF their
constituents
Sir, it is becoming matter of curious enquiry what
sort OF evidencewiat ofestmony will satisfy this
d0nbfng party that they do not understand the opinions
and wishes OF the people better than the people them
seves' You know sir that when the favorite candidate
OF the party thought proper to resign his scat in the Sc
nate he asserted that the Legislature isrepresent
ing the people, and made solemn appeal the polls at
the April elections. The battle fought and won
the people by decided majority, sustained their Repre-
enatves IN their measures condemnaory OF the
OF the Administration Vanqushed in the field of their
own selection the friends OF the Administration endea-
youred TO entrench themselves behind Constructions
from the people to the people to their rcprcse natives
Accordingly, an excitement, evaporation of party
feeling, Unprecedented in the history of Virginia. was
created ana studously kept up throughout the
and fall But falling in this Se~cnd cslg 20 TugGGioR-
e public opinions they yet boldly assert that the Opposi
ton majority in the present General Assembly like that
in the last not truly representing the will ofthe peo-
ple and upon tbs ground ask decline the perform
ance of duty enjoined on MS by the Constitution
MIR. Speaker, should like to know the source from
which we derive the authority to 5"dge Letceea iadoi
dua members of either branch of the Legislature and
tier cOnSftuetSand to decide whether the former
truly and honestly representing obeyng the will and
wishes of the latter Gentleman the other side tell
you they dsclam all right of ntcrposng in this matter
yet strange to tell, they allege their Leef of the fact
be spoken BY their representatives, in the election of
Senator, the rcasOn-the 0Ri reaS0n for putting off
that election They make this bcef the foundation of
course of action, which trust have shewn is unwar-
Tantcd by the Constitution, and incompatible with the
duties we have undertaken to perform.
Sir have always supposed that should look TO the
Constitution rs furnishing the only Legitimate by
which We legislators, ascertain public opinion on
subjects connected with duty. is by bringing
geher, in mass the scattered fragments, collected by
the Senators and Delegates every quarter ofthe State
Each representative is presumed TO know and speak
the will and wishes of his constituents and the strict ac-
countability TO which he is held furnishes a sufficient
guarantee for true reflection of that will and should
any unhappy wight mistake that will refuse conform
to II when ascertained, those whose agent he is will
know how To punish his contumacy. We sir. as body.
have cognizancc ofthe natert enough that each
one, for himself takes faithfully and honestly TO
discharge his duty according to the requirements the
charter under which he is acting and the high response
billty ne owes to those whose agent he is.
repeat Mr. Speaker, that the General Assembly arc
bound by the Constitution and their duty the People
to 60 into this election at this plead
our bci suspicion that portion Of the members OF
this or the other House is msrepresenng their consti-
tuents, "a an excnse for falling TO perform this duty
and above all sir shall We, the aristocratic branch
Of the Legislature, take upon ourselves the RESPONSIBLE
lily Of defeating the election, by refusing to execute an
order already agreed on by the two Houses?
Before we determine this course, it viii be well TO
enquire into the consequences likely follow its adoD.
ton say nothing OF the incieaiiy towards a co-ordi-
nate branch of the Legislature, with which might
think Justly chargcable for cGncCAing iothOak their
co"srat, an agreement s'ipuiag 10 pcrJorn Il ccrafn
datg c0si'gOH Ia botb given daynor of the moral
effect of arraying the two Houses in attitude hos
uily on question touching their mutual rights but
shall conne myself TO the consequences of the mea-
sure, they will affect the State in its relation TO the
Federal Government
Mr. Speaker. if adjourn without elpcting Gnp,.