Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-03-26
FOR TIE E.VQ UFRER.
GIN hTrnn ETEI1


Shortly AFTER Mr. Lei took his seat in the Senate Of
the United States in abiding to the hostility of the pco-
pie of Virginia to the Bank of the United States,
violation of tho Constitution he remarked that he
Cured in the opinion of his constituents OH the consli
tutional question entirely and eracty On the 18th OF
September 1881, in replying to the inerrogatorlcs of
his Richmond friends, he declared as his h1ed onton
that not constitutional TO rc-chartrr the Chem
present Bank of the u S. or any national Bank" So
far SO good! But in the same letter, Mr.. Leigh made the
following startling admission while continue (sad
hc represent the sovereignty OF this Stale Ill tile Sc
of the u s., shall never, even under sense oi
the most imperious necessity give my vote for national
Bank IT, coutraryto Instructions, indeed rithOn pOSi
tire instructions, or (rhat Is in my opinion tantam0a"D
the declared II constituents Two years ago,
then it appears that MIR Leigh had high respect
for the instructions Of the General Assembly, that lie
was willing to disregard his oath to support the Consil-
tuition. provided the Legislature would give him posre
Instructions TO vote for renewal oil tile Bank, even
if lin the absence Of nsructions he could satisfactorily
ascertain what he considered ''taatamoun that is, Hic
declared Of his constituents Let the people of
Virginia remember, that upon OF The most important
and ,nnmrntos constitutional questions agtatcd il
this country. wit the constitutional authority OF Con-
grcss to incorporate national liank-hr Leigh was
willing to vote for assuming and exercising the pow
er, if the General Assembly would instruct him to
do So while at that very time, MIR. Lcgh entertain
cd the '.fxcd opinion that Congress possessed no
right establish such instituoni In intinstlng,
as Mr. Leigh clearly and plainly did intimate, in
1881 that he would obey instructions in favor of
National Bank although in his opinion Congress had no
power 10 establish one lie went farther support OF the
rphl of instruction. than the General Assembly, or the
peopc of Virginia ever did The Republican party OF
firania have never maintained that Senator was
bound to obey instructions which in his opinion requl-
red violation OF the Constitutions the contrary, the
Republican doctrine incucaics the duty OF OBEDIENCE
or rcsgnatOn Should the Senator regard the nstruc-
tons Of the General Assembly directing him to VIC.
late the Constitution lie is able 10 relieve himself OF all
EMBARRASSMENT by promptly reSigninE the trust conhd-
ed 10 iu And the Senator who refuses 10 adopt either
-I,n IN, haiti nd resi-
Instructions who deics the popular WILL and virtually
claims greater exemption from the spirit Of party than
his constituents, cannot fail 10 receive the con-
domination of his country.
Thanks to the General Assembly for declining 10 in
sruct Mr. Leigh vote for National Bank! Had the
General Assembly instructed Mr.. Leigh to vote for
Bank of the IT, States, think you, that he would have
resisted Instructions and retained his in the Senate:
Refer to Mr. Leiglis letter OF The 10Th Ut September
lS34-rcad it, and ask yourselves whether you believe
Mr. Leigh would have iSnbeyed instructions directing
him 10 vote for Bank? Have Mr. Legh's opinions OF
the obligatory force OF instructions undergo any change
since 1884? presume not and the people OF Virginia
would doubtless be glad 10 hear by what process u rca-
soning Mr. Leigh arrived at The conclusion, that the jour
nal OF the proceedings of the Senate oc the u. S-llie
mere duy-boot of its acts-shoud BE- guarded with such
strict vigance and preserved with so much patriotic
care while the Constitution Of the u S.-the work OF
an enlightened ancestry aud the bond which nnites the
great and Aourshing States Of this extensive and pros
porous conederacy-shoud be conemued outraged, and
tramped in the dust, whenever the General Assembly
should give him poSitire Instructions 10 vote Tor CO.
lossal monicd institution.
trust the day will arrive, when generation for
our Constitution shall bel surpassed by regard for