Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-03-12
VIRGINIA LEGTsLATUgsHs.


VIRGINIA AEGHSLATURE.
The Substance e 6tc remarks .uade 5v J. " FLOOD in
me Senate Of Isrginia Pc. l7th, 1885, he E1pang-
ing Resolutions
MIR. FLOOD said-Mr. Speaker, so far from expecting
to engage in this debate he had determined TO give
silent vote only, believing he should better discharge his
duty by closing subject already too much discussed
than by entering this wordy war; and thereby procras
nate inc accession OF subject of vital importance But
the agumentS OF gentlemen their
assertions SO roundy made the mpuations upon those
with whom he acted, entirely gratutous and the
challenge by the Opposition, often so loudly re-
erated, TO show upon what grounds predicated the
propriey OF ocr support o The resolutions now in your
had, that he had thought IT best 70 reply though before
he proceeded, he wosld enquire Of gentlemen who OBJ
pose these resolutions, why consume the time of the
House, why delay the action of the Senate this perod
OF the sessions by forcing it unweIcome debate
when even themselves acknowledge that no vote is 10
be changed by their eforts' lie kac they had
ed wish 70 ehghteR dePaIlo 5aisd make speeches
mere at The expense OF the people, for effect out of doors
Sir, The said there necessity for this The Deone
ot Virginia require discussion here TO teach them
their rights. They know them we'll sir both in relation
70 what IS dueto them from this House and in other re-
spects and genteEien will Hd enough for their
tns,e' mat "knowng, they dare maintain them" He
had no notes the result oflong and lSborious
put ne mao IN TINS instance, TO give merely the re-.
suit OF e train Of reflections which had served 10 CON
Vnce ms own ln'nd OF The proPriety of his own
coarse anu ne tel that the .,spur of the occasion
which had forced him, in seledafence upon Ibe
notice OF the Senate denied him the opportsay of pre-
senng them in the most acceptable d.rss- bri - Con
heG'en found bus remarks little crude1 ihey should re-
collect, that they called for them short noticethat he
came TO the confessional called fer By with
out That preparation Which worldenable him 10 compare
with those who had takea time epaTe tn eIi0hien
the pubic mind, by the citation of much auhority and
anch aniheElty as ~bea properly construed would be
plaeee on different side of the account from that on
which they had placed it, Seven or eight DAYS arc
these resolutions had been reported TO this House He
wasready then, 10 gre tc same vote which he was
anxious record ia bclafof the rights of The neo
pie; but time scas necessary sad gcntenen prepare
20 discuss this subject The justice and courtesy of the
was NJ In fo.s
lion an opportunity 10 prepare for discussion which
they deemed important. lthad beca accorded TO them
lie never bed, AID trusied he should violate that
character for courteous regard the feelings and wishes
oil members of this body for which the Senate of yr-
gina was Justly celebrated But it he felt the Impotence
which long Protraced and unnecessary discussion else
where ia the Capitol well TO produce If
would avail nothing members here said they were
determined that the subject should be discussed; and
sn9uifen, wherefore this urgent aud indecent hast.
ahe time ask ed for granted 10 them he thought
unnecessarily Five days spent by them in prepa.
ration, aud at the expiration of That time we heard for
me 1rs time, motion made by nber their side
OF the House.to commit the resolutions TO Select Com
mittee. He understood TIE gentleman who made that
motion 20 De very unwilling to pass the resolutions in
your hands; bat lac would put il 10 the OpDost6n
whether this fair for the courtesy which had
been extended 10 them by the majority Of This House
whether they intended to seek unfair delay by unfair
means He hoped NOT but when this motion and pre-
Tious circumstances recolcced attention was
very naturally drawn to that point. The House rave in
lcations OF uHwngness to commit the resolutions
desired, and the motion Withdrawn. Since tue
withdfawal the discussion has progressed-vhoie days
nave DeeD taken Up ny gentlemen ia the Opposition who
wish TO eatgteH The public mind with but one short in
SerrpPton and they sill unprepared for the vote
although they tell vote is to be changed ON either
side. Then why continue dscussions Was it DELAY or
was an Opportunity 10 abuse the Admnist ration and
hr Van Buren,, that sought for. He was bound 10
believe that both had their weight with gentlemen who
coured debate and their remarks and wishes would be
hastily taken notice of in the sequel. He would now
briefly state The arguments which induced him to believe
that The Legislature Of Virginia should pass the resoa
nom but would say, sen passani taJ e had discovered
by the course pursued by MEMBERS that in the W big yo
cabulaTy ndeco haste five wecls of the Tine Of
tne virginia Legislature to give the Opposition members
an opportunity to eaiigAteH the puJiic mini
1here we're two positions which he would take oilser
OF which TO his mind had weight enough ensure the
they claimed the peculiar attention of the Iegslalor
IheIr force was to him irresistible The conviction Of the
Shue Poprey OF their passage perfect; and ne should
suppose If the minds Of gentlemen we're al liberty TO
atend 70 TIE reasoning which had satisfied him that
they TOO might be convinced. But IT is true that
ceiyed opinions and Obligations do eomet,,nes eveut
Us from drawing Conclusions and in fbs cas
The Preconceived opinions Of the consttaionaEty and
excellence OF the U. 5. Bank and the peculiar obliga
tons which gentlemen were under to reverence q sen.
ate OF The United States, majority Of that Senate
Whlch was 50 jealous IN support Of that Bank, might
prevent talented genlcmen, veil qualified "fO eagca
the public mini from arriving At as correct conciasion
IN hve weeks as plain, folks would do in
two days. You, Mr.. Speaker haze often uoticed lie
ehects Of tie influence Of preconoeiyed opinons Il
amounts sometimes almost 10 iHfatuaon: carly associa
TOES ~ fagor Of United States Bank for instance
f'otttpto NJ
resolution passed by the Senate of the Unied Sises
declaring That the President in his effort defend inc
people and Government Of the United States from Inc
seductive power and influence Of an Unconstitutional
bank, by removing the deposles was in deropaii0a Of
the Constitution and laws vas itself asurgatiou Of
authority, and that The Constitution violated by is
passage and rccofdaon upon the journal Of the Senatc
ana thai u was incnmbent upon te people Of Veinia
70 restore The Constitution 10 is original power and ou
MY ~ rebuking this usufpoon The part Of tls Sc
pate Of the United Smtrs; whicb would, be thought be-
suihciently wen done by tie order 70 c1puDge which
these resolutions gave
"a The election Of one or both Senators was made
Under circumstance which rendered IT peculiarly pro-
per 70 reasscr (and prcss az this une) the ancient doc
tnnes Of Virginia which claimed ulc obedicnce Of the
representative 10 the commands Of the copstitnent
power
" will be recolcced that tie Constitution Of The m
states expressly requires that The Executive Iegisia
i've and Judicial powers shall be separate and distinct
sld vests the Executive IN the President II will sso
pc recollscted that BY The Constitution sensto