Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1838-03-24
rKRGETE.A.

not entirely unmerled have, al least, the authority
OF the Senator himself for saying ha. it belonged 10 me
before the present occasion, aud it is, Of course incum
! bent on him to show That have since forfeited it, He
will find The task Herculean one II would he by far
more easy to show the opposite that instead of oeltng
have strengthened my title 10 the characters instead OF
abandoning any principles, | have firmly adhered TO
them and that too, under the appalling difficulties
II were to select instance in the whole course OF
my life which, above all Others rest my claim to
Tue character which the Senator attributed TO inc, 1t
would be this very one which lie has selected to prove
that have forfeited it. acted with the full know.
ledge of the difficulties had 10 encounter and the re-
sponsiblity must incur. ! saw great and powerful
party, probably the most powerful in The country, en-
gerly seizng the catastrophe which had beallen The
currency, and the consequent embarassmenls tina, fol-
lowed, TO dspace those in power against whom they
had been long conlendDg. saw that 10 stand between
them and their object, must necessarily incur their
deep and lasting displeasure also that to mnin-
tain the Administration in The position they had taken
to separate The Government from the banks, l would
draw down on me, with the exception of some OF the
Southern banks, the whole weight OF that extensive,
concentrated, and powerful interest-lhe most power
full by Far of any in the whole community; and thus
would unite against me combination OF political ana
monied influence almost irresistible. Nor this all
could not but see, that however and
my motives, and however consistent my course with all
had ever said done, would be exposed 10 The very
charges and persons which am now repelllng The
ease with which they could be made, aud the temptation
to make them, Too great to be resisted oy
the party morality of the days. groundless us lave
demonstrated them 10 be. But, there was another con
sequence that could not but foresee far painful
to me than all Others hui clearly saw, that in
sudden and complex uncure, called on US was TO
decide my instantly, as it were, on the held
Of battle without consultation, or explaining my ea
sons, would estrange, Tor tme many OF my po.
li,ical friends who had passed through with me so
many trials and difficulties, and for whom feel bro
theirs love. But before me the path Of duty, and
though rugged and hedged on all sides with these and
many other difficulties, did not hesitate moment 10
take it, After had made up my mind as 10 my course
ia conversation with friend about The responsibility
would assume he remarke that my own State might
desert replied that was not impossible; but the
result has proved that underestimate the Intelligence
and patriotism Of my virtuous and noble State ask
her pardon for The dstrust implied in my answer; but
ask with assurance will be granted, The grounds
shall put that in being prepared TO sacrifice her con.
fdence dear 10 light and liie rather Than dis
obey on this great question, the dictates Of my Iudg
ment and conscience proved myself worthy Of being
her representa-
Blu, if the Senator in atributing 10 stern fidelity,
meant not devotion to principle but 10 party and espe.
chilly The party of which he prominent mem
Der, my answer is, that belonged to his party
nor owed it any fidelity; and of course, could forfeit, in
reference 10 it, no character Tor hdelty II Is true we
acted in against what believe 10 be the
patons Of the Executive; and il is lrue that during the
lime saw much to esteem in those with whom | act.
ed, and contracted friendly relations With many which
shall be the first to forget. II is also true that
common party designation was applied 10 The OPposl.
ton in the aggregate not however, with my npproba.
ton but il is no less true lhnt it universally
known that it consisted of two distinct parties, dts
similar in principle and policy, except in relation 10
The object for which they had united: the National
Republican party, and the portion OF The State Rights
party which Ind separated from The Admins ,ration,
on the ground that it had departed from the true
principles Of the original party. That | belonged ex-
cusyey that detached portion and to neither the OPP
POSITION Administration party, prove by my expi.
cit declaration, contained in one of the extracts read
nay speech the onrrency "a 1851 That The par.
ty generally and the State which | represen, in part
stood aoof from both of The parties, may be established
from the fact that they refused to nngle IN The party
and political contests OF The day MY State withheld
her electoral vote in two successive Presidential cleo
TONS and rather than to bestow it on either The Sena
tor from Kentucky, or the distinguished citizen whom
he opposed in The first of those elections, she threw
her vote on patriotic citizen OF Virginia. since de.
ceased Of her politics. but who was not candidate
and the last she refused to give il 10 the worthy Sena
tor from Tennessee me, Judge Whte though his
principles and views policy approached 30 much nearer
hers than that of the party TO which The Senator from
Kentucky belongs But, suppose the fact was other
wse and that the two parties had blended SO as 10 form
one, and that owed 10 the united party as much hde-
lily do 10 that to which exclusively belonged;
on that suppnson conception OF party fidelity could
have controlled my on the present occasion:
am not among those vino pay regard TO party obliga
tions the contrary, place fidelity 10 party among
the political virtues, but assign to limited sphere
confne it to matters Of detail and arrangement and 10
minor questions of policy Beyond that, on all questions
involving principles, calculated 10 affect
terally The permanent interest Of the country look
only 10 God and country.
And here, Mr. President avail myself of the oppor-
tun,y to declare my present political position so that
there may be no mistake hereafter belong 10 the Old
Republican State Rights party Of gS. To that, and
that alone, owe fidelity, and BY that shall stand
through every change and in spite Of every difficulty
Its creed is be found in the Kentucky resolutions and
Virginia resolutions and report, and It's policy Is 10 con-
fine the action of this Government within The Darrowes
limits compatible with the peace and security oil these
| nd tbe OH forS
" formed. J. of that party, shall support all who
support its principles and policy, and oppose all who
oppose them. have given, and shall continue to give,
the Administration hearty and sincere support on the
treat question under discussions because regard
as in strict conformity 10 our creed and policy, and
| shall do every thing in my power 10 sustain them IN
der the great responsibility which they have assumed
But let tell those who are more interested in
sustaining them than myself, that the danger which
threatens them lies not here, but in another quarter
This measure will tend TO uphold Them, if they stand
fast and adhere to it with fidelity But they wish to
know where the danger s, lei them look to the fiscal
department Of the Government said, years ago, that
we were committing an error the reverse OF The great
and dangerous that committed III lS2S, and 10
which we present difficulties aud all we have
since experienced Then, raised The revenue greatly
when The expenditures about TO be reduced by The
discharge of the public debit and now, we have doubled
the disbursements when the revenue is rapidly decreas
ing; an error although probably not fatal TO the
try will prove if immediate and vigorous measures be
not adopted far to those in power. The coun
try will not and ought not to bear the creation of new
debt beyond what may be temporarily necessary TO meet
the present embarrassment, and any attempt 10 increase
the duties must and ought to prove fatal to those who
NAV make it, 80 long the expenditures may, by eco.
nony and accountability, be brought within The limits Of
| the revenue.
But the Senator did not confne his attack to my
duct and motives in reference TO the present question:
In his eagerness weaken the cause support, by des-
roying confidence III he made an indlscrlmnate at
tack on nv intellectual faculties, which he characterized
as metaphysical eccentric too much of genius and too
little common sense and Of course wanting sound and
practical judgment.