Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1837-02-24
paEsroN,s LAMENT ron VIRGINIA.

FKEtTON'6 AAMENf EOks
The following cl,queut Lament forthe
lost honor and fallen fortunes Of Virginia
lis from the speech Of Mn SENATOR Pnrs.
TON on the Expunging Resolutions. Well
may he say Of the Old Dominion that the
"Glory has departedI"
Sir, when first heard that n State Legis-
ature had instructed her Senators on this
floor to vote in favor OF this thing, It struck
me with inexpressibIe sorrow and dlsmay
But when from time TO time beheld various
other State Legislatures acting under the
same dictation, or at least mislcd into the
same mistake, sorrow assumed IN my bosom
the complexion OF despair. But there was
sill one ingredient 10 be added 70 this cup,
to render the odious draught more intoler-
ably bitter. could, will confess il, with
some comparative degree'of philosophy. have
seen certain States of this Confederacy one
after another giving way and bringing their
successive sacrifices 10 this altar Of execu-
tive power could have borne to see this
and that and the other State prostraiing her
self and aiding in the general conspiracy TO
PROSTATE the Senate But when al length
il came to pass that the ancient and power
fol Common wealth Of Virginia was brought
to bow her venerable locks before the foot
stool Of power, forgot her past history, Tor
got who and what she is and what she has
been. and associated herself in combina-
ton like this, how shall describe 10 you
my feelings. As a politician, might have
been mortified at such a spectacle, as a
statesman, belonging 10 the United States,
turned from II with shame bu: as native
of Virginia. deplore lament from the
bottom OF my heart, that she, TOO, has joined
the funeral procession oithe Constitution. -
Sir, was proud TO remember her in her
proud day; TO consider her as she once was,
and perhaps still is-the great mother Of
men to look back to that bright, that i'm
mortal period in our history when she re-
called her children from these halls Of ma
tional legislation into her own Legislature,
there to vindicale the rights and independ-
ence OF the State and TO re-assert the VIC,
lated Constitution against the usurpations Of
this Government Then, indeed, Virginia
preserved that illustrious character which
had descended with her from the Revolution
Then she put herself on her State rights,
and on the popular doctrines Of II free Gov
crnmen, and all who witnessed the ami
mating sight must have concluded that,
throughout her existence she would ever
continue 10 vindicate and 10 perpetuate the
doctrine and the spirit OF liberty Sir. |
could have wished that the honorable gentle
man who now represents that distinguished
State could have found in his own mind
reasons for taking different course from
that which he has pursued in this matter.
With The powers which he PROFESSIONALLY
possesses, with his liberal education and
large experience. and especially with the
good fortune Of growing up amidst the very
men who laid the foundations of our Re-
public, had hoped that he would have in.
voked the ancient spirit Of his State. and
would have added the soffrage OF his voice
to save the trembling Constitution. about TO
be inundated at the footsiool Of Executive
power Butt was my lot to be disappoini.
ed aud | mourn, from the bottom Of my
heart, the instruction under which he feels
himself constrained to vote for this very ex-
traordinary resolution. Where the philo.
sophie spirit the enlarged views, and popu-
lar predictions Of Jefserson2 Where the
sturdy republicanism of John Taylor o.
Where those bright names which make her
history2 They are gone--gone. and 9TH
ers control her destiny. Sir. | lament, |
mourn that my native Stale should have
lent herself and the remnant Of her glory to
promote and gloss over this proceeding.
take consolation, however. Mr. President,
that there is one State. one free and fearless
State which has KEEP, herself aloof from this
combination; whose unbroken spirit. whose
pride and honor demand OF me, her repre-.
sentative. to make, as now do. on behalf OF
South Carolina. her public and solemn pro
test against this open and fragrant violation
Of the Constitution.
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