Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1839-02-26
General Assembly Of Virginia.

Substance IF Mr. FONl.7LNE'S remarks in the Senate
ot Urgina, the proposition ct Mr.. Good, that Me
uhoic Of the SendVrS ichOSc terms Of serrice dtd mol
cIpirc shoHtd resign at the end Of Tic session, 'ohh
riec Of bringing fully tciore The PeOplc The question,
tchether Wiiam c KtcGS uW be sustained 1his ma,
ton araS amendment to ono for POSPOnsns TO ZoA
Starch.
MIR SPEAKER-i stated when the election Of Senator
was first before this body that would not voluna-
riy occupy the time OF The Senate in dIscusSon So
much having been already unprotuby consumed IN 'hs
other branch of the Legislature. should have adhered
TO that determination, but the remarks oil other gentle
this floor make II necessary that should say
something in reply, especially those OF the gentleman
from Culpeper, (Mr Smi;h) But before proceed to
do so, will state that shall checrtuy vote Tor the pro-
position Of my friend from Ohio, (Nr. GoodO that we
shall all resign and go before the people, and let lhea
pass upon this most Interesting question Sir WIZ 60
farther than this proposition goes If all the Suhlre
sury members of this body will resign will do so most
cheettuy, and then will see whether The good people
OF this Commonwealth will sustain WIN. C. Rves IN his
gallant opposition 10 this attempt of the Executive TO
force upon this rejected measuTe-an opposition 10
Executive power worthy of the better days of Tie Re.
public. Here is tangible proposlllon-one That VIII
test The faith OF gentlemen IN lie opinion that the peo
pie will sustain that measure. Sir, shall vote against
temporary pOslponecnt during this session, Tor lEls
sufficient reason that shall Go nothing else a. 1t
ough, 10 be done until this election is disposed OIL VIE
should either make the election now, while We are en-
gagged in il; or il gentlemen have not sufficient Inor-
nation enable them vote, and wish TO consult the
people, let US adopt the proposition Tor general resIgna-
lion, 10 which little IesoIue Trio OF Conservatives
are all agreed We here prepared to show YOU our
confidence in conservative prncp!sS-and cur con-
dence that he people VIII sustain Tile man lut hazards
his popularity daring to resist the executive, when he
thinks the interests Of his constituents require it. II
gentlemen think that there Is not suiiclent light before
US to enable them vote how it that They have Tor SIX
successive attempts 10 make an election cast every sub
| Treasury vote in this General Assembly against VIM.
| c. Rlycs and for Sub-Tfeasury man: But my irend
from Cu!peper insists that Mr.. Rves is in "tog'-Alr.
Rives, who enlerlaIus the same political opinions GEd
principles he did when he the prize and boast OF the
| Republican party when he much admired by
the gentleman from CuIpePer as he Is now by myself
Mr. Rves who challenges The b!lleIest and most acute
enemy he has in this Union 10 point 10 instance in
which he has departed from the pure political principles
of the old Republican party IN Virginia. Without III
tending be disrespec,iu 10 that gentleman must
that it he himself who is in "Iog-a fog of the most
maign character whose impure influence Is cCrrupIDG
the whole political atnosphere-it is this fog OF party
bgotry that surrounds him, and SO blinds HIN that lie
cannot MIR. R!ves he is and the Representative
OF the sovereignty Of VIrgIca should always beieaE
ipssy maintaining the interests OF his State without re-
gard TO the favour the ifowEs OF the President The
gentleman asks II, Saturday, did not think that
Mr. H. position was somewhat my steriOus: II did not
receive letter from him which not satisfactory
cordiug my constructions and II it not that letter
w..ch made duuOl: aud II nv doubts not renewed
by The construction placed il by learned counsel the
friend OF Mr. RIyes: Sir explained this doubt, which,
for moment hung on my mind as | thought salts.
iaclori!y former occasiun-but having conceal
ment on subject connected th the discharge O my
public duty-ul,h"ugh think the gentleman has rather
uncoureUusy advrried 10 private mal;erl III make
the explanation again: Sir, did receive the letter al
luded 10, but it not that alone which rendered ne
dissatisfaction few moments after the reception of THIS
letter, informed upon good authority that Wing
member OF The other House had received letter from
Mr.. Rves, in which he said, "it his had
not continued the public that he was an uncomPromsng
enemy of the Administration Of Martin Van Buren,, he
did not know how he could make il palmer 1t
his mainly but taken in connection with the let.
that caused me TO say that should nominate James
Garland in obedience 10 pledge, that would abandon
lr Rves when his opposition 10 the Sub Treasury was
shown to proceed from desire TO break down The Adj
mnsraIon, and not las have supposcd) from con.
ylclion Of the mlSchev0us character Of that measure.
stated, distinctly that hacag aScGrtGineH that tie
declaration sad to he CGtaiRGd an Tie liter to the Hhg
ncmLcr entirely unt9gadcd, and finding no one who
thought The construction correct which placed Oh Mr.
Rvess letter me, became satisfied that had done
Mr. Rives injustice. Among tuse no expressed 20
their aSonishnen. that should have nIsconsirucd
| MIR Rvess letter 10 me, was a very intelligent Sub
Treasury Wing, who was preudiced against HIM person
ally, lie assured me- stale most explicitly that my
conviction OF The error IN my construction OF lis lei
ter made By - learned COUNSEL the partial
friend Of Mr.. EiVcs became satisfied that his drcn-
ing give written assurances to support MI Van Buren,
merely adherence In resolution he had formed
not 10 give pledges 10 either OF the many
parties in the General Assembly, lest he might be charged
with cec;l0neCrEg IN the peculiar circumstances exist
here. stated distinctly IN lettr 10 hl, liat
satisfied that the history Of his political lie and
present adherence 10 his Republican principles,
sufficient guarantee for me- That he would give MI Van
Burens administration support on all measures which
ought 10 be sustained; and relying on that desired
Tor myself! and without asking IN lerGI5 re-
marked, that there some gentlemen o! The Con
seIvalive party who Gid not look 10 his course with Tie
same confidence that did. In reply 10 this letter. he
declined, as he had Gone 10 make any pledges, but al
rncd that he should be regulated BY the principles Of
! Tie old Republican party Of Virginia. am now fully
persuaded, as Saturday, that misunderstood
him; and am surprised that should have msun-
derstood al all.Fihc gentleman also asks me- II was
not elected 'shoung Tor Van Buren, and Jackson Let
tell the gentleman, that do not belong TO the shout
ing pary-lhe "huSra L0ys party nor are my consu-
ents composed Of thai class OF PERSONS shouting
candidate would meet with but little FAVOR among my
intelligent constituents On The subject Of the lresI-
dental election, stand by what | said in my published
address TO my constituents last Spring did not 'eCge
myself 10 vote for Mr. Van Buren, stated then, that
| | would not "actdra'o my support from tam 0togth:T
would in consequence Ui his recommending liie
Sub Treasury, go Tor man whoSc p0i'cy IShOaG pro-
baJiy diSnpprGrc" This not making pledge 10 vote
for Mr. Van Buren, az The next election freely expressed
opposition 10 this az that time: ana, certainly,
the President, peseverinG in recommending H. after lie
"natiOnai nciU, which he Genomnated the "sHprcmc
lac Of the Reyujc had been pronounced against IT, was
not calculated diminish my opposi:ion especially
when taken in connection with the power claimed 10
employ BANKS al discretion, "lchCn Tie Government can
perform financial operation better ictM The a'd u dan6S
than ,ciih0utH sustain Mr. Rives because he has had
the moral courage represent the interests OF his State,
in spite Of the oIspleasuIe OF the Executive and that ol
party leaders. Bat now, Sir, matter what may he
m an political principles, he will not be acceptable I'M
less he binds himself 10 support the President: and iear
rapidly coming 10 that condition, when pledge
10 support the President WILL like charity, nul.
titude of political sns and secure the support OF party
leaders, no matter hat may be his principles. Oi all
the melancholy evidences OF degeneacy, moral and Po'
lilica which have in these days-and they are nu'
I'll
the FORMULATION Of which, in 9o and 80, wTough.
complete revolution in public opinion, and the suss'Ilu'
ton of depoi0n 10 men, is the most Illuminating we
do inquire whether sa!uiary consii
tutona but does the President recommend it or oppose
it, This me- Sir, to be the tendency OF the
sia Of hr haue lIraIl. GG(