Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-03-26
FoR We EMoULRER.

SENATOR LEIGH
Shortly afler MIR. Leigh took his the Senate of
the United States, in abiding the hostility of the pco
pie of Virginia TO the Bank of the United States as
violation of the Constitutions he remarked that he econ
tutional question entirely ana cruelty On the 18th of
September, 1881 IN replying TO the neTrogeories of
his Richmond friends he declared it his Ied opinion
That II was not constitutional to re-charter the Chem
present Bank Of the u. s., any national Bank" SO
far, so good But in the letter, Mr. Leigh made the
following startling admission " While continue (said
he) 10 represent the sovereignty of this State the Sc
nate Of the u s. shall never, even under sense of
the imperious necessity give my vote for national
Bank W eOnraryt nstructions nor ndeed ,cifout pos
tee instructions, or (cat IS in my opinion tanta,nouat
Me declared sense 81 my eonstt9ents Two years ago.
then, 1t appears that Mr. Leigh had high respect
Tor the instructions of the General Assembly, that nc
was willing to disregard his oath support tic Cons
tuition, provided the Legislature would give him "poStire
instructions to vote for a renewal of the Bank
I'm the absence OF nsuctoDs he could satisfactorily
ascertain what he considered ta1taaOuni that is sihe
deeiared sense Of lbs constituents Let the people of
Virginia remember, that upon of the important
and momentous constitutional questions agitaed in
TINS country; to wit the constitutional authority of Con-
gress TO incorporate national Bank-Mr. Leigh was
willing to vote for assuming and exercising the pow
err, if the General assembly would insr1c. him 10
do so, while at mat very time, Mr. leigh entertain
ca the '.fIsd opinion that CoDgyvas possessed no
right TO establish such an insttuionn In ntinating
as Mr.. Leigh clearly and pein,y "A intimate, in
1884, that bc would obey instructions i'm favor of
National Bank, although his opinion Congress had 10
power to establish he farther in support Of the
right OF instruction, than the General Assembly, the
people Of Virginia ever did. The Republican party of
Virginia have never maintained that Senator was
bound 10 obey instructions which ia his opinion requi
red violation OF the Constitutions the contrary the
Republican doctrine nculcatcs the duty Of obedience
resignation Should the Senator regard the instruc
tons Of the General Assembly directing him to vio
late the Constitution, lac is able relieve himself Of all
embarrassment, 10y promptly resignng the trust confd
ed TO him Aud the Senator who refuses to adopt either
alternative who continues 10 hold his office and resist
Instructions, who dees the popular will and virtually
claims greater exemption from the spirit Of party than
bis constituents cannot fail to receive the severe con
dcmnaton of his country.
Thanks 70 the General Assembly for declining TO in.
siEuct MIR Leigh 10 vote for National Bank Had the
General Assembly instructed Mr.. Leigh 10 vote for a
Bank OF the y. States think you that he would have
resisted Instructions and retained his seat in the Senator
Refer to Mr. Ieigis letter Of tie 10Th Of September,
lc31read IT, and ask yourselves whether you bciiev5
Mr. Leigh would have dsobeyed instructions directing
him 70 vote for Banki Have Mr. 1eighs opinions Of
the obligatory force Of Instructions undergone any change
since 1884 presume and the people of Virginia
would doubtless be glad hear by what process of rca.
sOning Mr. Leigh arrived the conclusion that the Jour.
nal Of the proceedings Of the Senate Of the Stlc
day book Of its aclssouid be guarded with such
strict vigilance, and preserved with 50 much patriotic
care, while the Constitution Of the u S-the work Of
enlightened ancestry and the bond which nnitcs the
great and hourshng States Of this extensive and pros.
porous conlcderacyZ be condemned oniroged md
tramPed IN The dust, whenever the General Assembly
should give him Posce Instructions vote for a CO.
ossal monicd Institution
trust the day will never arrive when vepefation for
our Constitution shall bel Surpassed by a regard for a