Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1835-02-24
Virginia Legislature.
DEFERRED PR0CEEDiNGS.--( Second day)
HOUSE OF DELEGATES-Bedn sso,ay. Jannayu %

ELECTION OF UNITED STATES sENAtQR.
Speech Of MIR. GARLAND, of .hockioA4rg
have been long Impressed, MIR. Speaker, with the
oeei that the question this day to decide is
tngushed individuals who are placed in nomination.
Remove them if you please and bring theiconsidera
ton OF hls House the hualbcst parsonage this Com
nonwealth the same absorbing interest would be felt
the same abiding Impression would every mind
that this is no ordinary subject the present common
occasion Every man. acquainted with the history of
our country, who has observed the combining elements
OF political parties and marked the rapid Development
OF new and unforeseen agents OF strife, fail to
be satisfied that the elevation OF men however
citing for the moment forms but smaltporon OF the
interest which has been impaired tie present Contest
lie Is shortsighed observer indeed whodces not
clearly perceive that the passing before US
single act only in the great drnma-a change of posi-
ton merely in the fierce conflict of political and soca
principles which has been waxing hotter and hotter for
more than forty years, and must finally terminate in
Ting our institutions frmer basis, ia the subvcr
sion of the Union and total revolution in the structure
of society.
feel Mr. Speaker, in the midst of such manifest i'm.
patience and indsposton TO protracted discussion.
more than ordinary reluctance rise up in your pre-.
sencc, and enter ON field of argument wide and va,
rious as must necessarily within the scope of the
present occasion. But, sir cannot reconcile il my
duty as faithful representatives to hold my peace when
much of interest is staked the issue of tine present
trial of political parties This day may decide the
ny OF Virginia The gallant patriotism of the Ancient
Dominion in former times her dsinteresedness and
devotion to the common welfare her unllnchng adj
herence to principle regardless of her interest have
always given her controlling influence over her sister
States. We all feel proud consciousness that the fe
OF this Union depends small degree on the future
course OF Virginia; and am that the fearful foe
bodings of every patriot heart will respond to the sug
gcstlon, that IN the integrity descriptions of this Union
IS involved the veal Of the whole human family
Then sir can but feel the soemnity of the OCCASION
the magnitude OF the subject, and the mighty
quences that mast flow from its decision Those with
whom has been my pleasure 10 act the trying
soS OF the past and present sessions of the Legislature
profess TO have drawn rom the CONSTITUTION ITSELF the
principles by which they guided They profess TO
have followed the interpretation and the practice of those
| vsltn
best understood its meaning, most interested i'm IFS
success-who most ably expounded its provisions and
most successfully administered the Government reared
| on its basis.
But il has been our misfortune in these DAYS of UNI
spaiing denunciaon, TO be charged with abandon
ment OF all principle to be- denounced tle pazaas
of men, and the advocates of usurpaon and oppression
stand forth this day in defence ofmy companions who
have acted the high and noble principles of a most
dlsinerested patriotism and shall attempt to prove
that the reflection cast upon their character is fake
and ungenerous imputation Men, sir should be more
charitable towards those who may differ from them in
opinion 1t is our misfortune, If misfortune it be- and
not our fault, that cannot think alike on the same
things The human mind is 80 constituted that men
cannon view SUBJECTS in the same way, deduce similar
conclusions from the premises. Look at Tie op-
poste interpretations which have been given TO that sa
cred yolune the fountain of light and OF life Look at
s sgcse 1I eSss
from the unpoutcd source. The benc violent How
ard whs sacrificed his life in bringing succour TO the
poor, tie afflicted the iInprisoued and the ncrcjless
the ncxorablc inqustor who orures on the rack the
miserable victim that dares to differ from him in opinion
both profess TO have the sanctions of Scripture for their
principles and their practice. The important and
affecting the subject-the nearer it TO our home
and BOSOM the more widely variant win be the feelings
and opinions of men And, sir, il has been wisely or
dained that these things should be So
IL by the contact Of mind against mind the concus
sion of uncongenia sentiments and the conflict of OPP
posing opinions, that the truth is elected and sound
principles established 1t is in this shirt of cnourv
Mr. Speaker that have entered into the present debate
know have been esteemed by many Jealous paTt-an
but have consciousness Sir that the cpthei ne
yer more unjustly applied. assure YOU in the honest
sincerity OF my heart that have ever been humble
searchcr after the truth In morals politics and rcligon
The three sources of human happiness here and hereaf
ter have diligently sought TO be guided by the light of
reason. And whenever ! found the truth, however
! humble in itself, however humliang to my own pride
| / have endcayored God helping me, to practise IT,
! In my investigation of political institutions
have abored TO discover their meaning and spirit
without following implicitly the dogmas of any party
whatsoever that could long exist en-
brace many in its numbers, Of the wise and intelligent
without having truth mingled with its errors and
mperiecilons So far as have had the and the
leisure nave studied the history OF our Government in
its formation and have carefully marked the opinions
aud the practice of those who have been most successful
! in its Administrations The American Constitution form
new era in the history Of man. Our Federal system is
step political science beyond other and other
agesan experiment. in self government, so far emneny
successfully but the wisest men, and those familiar
withits structure having no guide their expe-
renee have often erred in their estimation of its charac-
ter, influence and consequences. The definitions and
naXs, therefore, which constitute our political creed,
should be drawn, not much from the opinions of men,
from careful study of the provisions Of the Constu.
ton The opinions Of men may be based prejudice
or gnorahco but the Constitulon--our Constitutions |
repeat, with pride and cXul:ajon is founded the i'm.
mutable law Of truth and The history Of Reli-
gon has been unbroen series of perversions and
rupuons because have abandoned the Onh in(dibe
RUE, ercH scripture, and yielded blind adherence 10
the DEGREES ofcouncils and the doctrines of learned d.
vines, as prcjudiced and as iable as themselves The
history Of Government also presents the blind and
| fatal devotion TO aud their opinions. Should we
follow the example Of other countries yield up our own
Judgment trust To- the infallby Of the wise disregard
u lrrcn Constitution, that interchangeable and undalnen-
tai law, nelgblc alike TO the learned and the uncarn-
ed, the frc StTs in the armament distinctly
by the humble peasant the noun luin-top ns by
the philosopher with his Telescope suffer the
least deviation from the plain meaning and letter Of that
1aib'e rule, then shall have proftted nothing by
our Improvement in political science; but shall SUM
bic ON through brief career Of turbulent freedom,
and sink at last helpless prey 10 all The evils and Gala
mites that bcia those wretched countries, which are
dependent for life and liberty the kind orbcarance of
their rulers
repeat therefore sir that what have to say on the
present occasion las been drawn, far have had
Tho and Che leisure, from careful study OF cur
own political institutions. I have cndcnvorcd 20 make
my opinions far possible purely AucricaR disre-
gardng those writer's who knew nothing of the
things exhibited 20 the world by the American Con-
| stituiions.
The first and most important inquiry, which may solve
many OF our difficulties is, to determine uc meaning Of
S'ac in the American State is association
# HdcidUois who have agreed for their mutual bcne-
m and general welfare, be controlled by one common
Convention by their delegates. convention of dele
gates thus chosen by the people in their primary
bcs constitutes the identity, tic mOrat bcHg If suite;
through that organ she expresses her sovereign will and
thing that may be for her good for her prejudice.
Whatever the Convention shall AGREE 1oon must be.