Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1839-03-28
General assembly OF Virginia.

General Assembly Oh Virginia.
Sn,erh nj M PENDL ETON0f RappahanROck, deitvsrsd
in The H,gse of Delegates hs 10Th day0f teor"aTy'
J,39-,he election Of United States Senator beng me
subject Of debate
Nj PENDLErON expressed his regret that ne mac
moi been able to obtain the floor al earlier hour OF e
dov Exhausted hfasef Us well by lndSp0slinn as Ia
tgue he address audiiory equally eHhauS'eu
By the most attention Ia an exceedingly P'oSe'-
ed and interesting debate UrGer these circumstances,
Sir, said Mr. r. | should waive the submission of NY
views on the subject before US, we're not nnpelled !"
their delivery by the mos! solemn convictions ct r"Sr
duty.
The intrinsic magnitude Of the sutja7t itself concur:
with he imposing evidences u the public anxiety. sy
which W. are su,round. d IN impress upon ns the pr"
prieiy Of a cam ana patient drberai'on fite ana u'i
discussion appropriate 10 the occasion, and Sa'i h'S
cheercuY accord each and every gentleman who may
desire /, The same indulgence w!Ch @sk inr myself
Another consideration Of great force addresses Ise I"
me personally aad that Is. am about 10 give vre az
matter strictly political, ~Jc i u srd. VIII rot CON
mani the appreciation Of that party wlth which It has
been nv pride and pleasure s" long IL act. ana "i
which /; Is aIy intention to continue 10 ac' with less
ability, with assnrcdiy much z'ai and nde!ily 10
any man " no did, or "h" ever VII he!"nE l" II
| have determined Ia vote Ter va e. it'ErE; ana
mise Tor the purpose cf sus!ain!r the nomination u =i
gentleman already 50 handsomely mad" 10y the I;rns:
trom Boe,ourt. | do not however intend TO MAKE u"
niualion speech the common acccpiann u: that terra
have neither the capacity nor inclination, 10 rEon"unc"
eulogis,ic 0rauns upon Hring men-and II had, yet
tina, part oI The business is more appropriate I" Other
and 10 ADLER hands, and 10 t.'m' r"ic' IL
| wish had, Mr.. Speaker, tlch n"si painfully on
this occas:cn feel have metz that importance Us
public man, wic! would ene rr to d"aiu this House
with an alrnpt 10 define my position Seeing before
me- DO the present occasion, tie pain 4" GjE. {"
principle, ri justice, Of pocy as Clearly rs though il
were lighted with sunbeam, have causc 10 'erft: !CT
my ow sake, fo lIe sake .. NY party hut above all
for The sake Of the ccan That cannot brig the aid
of the ponr Arguments which shall s"5ri, the weight
Of that Influence and authority which attaches to Illus
trous names-and which 10 n!ncs OF q particular SON
..ruclion addresses Itself VIII power which areu-
ment, however conclusive, can carry along with II Ny
object is simply and briefly rs may be- able 10 Go
T. state ew OF the many, very rany reasons, which
have decided me to give my vote 20 Hic RIvesi and
which with urea. Geie!vlcc tn the opinions Of oEcrs
consider enr3 similar !aencr oyer the acton 81
all those Memjfs, vino are situated hSe TyS"!t-and TO
such il is inv chef object, 10 address myself.
To those gentlemen who come here peogtd ana com
med TO particular course, IN "dvance-~ho have w.
UNFAIRLY shat their eyes the hghS OF discussion, nnd
to the progress q" events; and especially to those who
like my friend from Accou,ac, glory IN the circumstance,
that they are from necessity well as choice, mprac
teal aud nprac,caie this ccaSi"n II were vain TO
address my self congratulate The House, That my
friend in his oil those who are with him On
this subject, has felt hmsel authorised l" name "ry 81
limited Il number; and InduE the very confident tx
pectato that the sequel, he VIII be found To- have
even then over rated the extent OF that npractlcaby
in which he much relOcss
/ mistaken
w hp party in this House not IN precisCy he same
cond,n III! :..y:c!: .isn WHO sIe true and ds voted
Whns-wlth great and leading object IN vew-dIi.
fering may he as To the best means OF accomplishing
that obecyet, whilst they thus differ tree to give to
the subject calm and enlightened consideration, Gnem
barrasssd by voluntary involuntary pledges,
initials of any sort; and especially uniiuenccd by any
exclusive a,tachnent-by any unbecnmIng degree oil
personal subservency 10 the individual interest o any
one Of the many prominent OF our party who have
been spoken of for tho Senatorial office. Nor would
insinua,e that among Wing friends there any OF
different description. | only suppose II possible that
there may be few, who uniting HE tFs OF personal III
tmacy and "a elton 10 the powerful! influences OF poll
teal and party confidence ard attachment, in favor Of
some of these distinguished gentlemen may permit such
feelings lead them into the error OF King rather the
promotion Of their epect'e friends than directing their
efforts purely the eec,ua;ion Of those grand and co
rious results involved in the ultimate triumph OF
common cause II there be many N this situation, who
NAV hastily and pnadvsediy have committed themselves
by rash and III considered declarations, would earnestly
and respectfully urge them reflect that there
virtue in breaking than in keepng rash md Inuticious
promises; and would particularly guard them against
the design Of that very dfxteFouS movement OF ihe
gentleman from Accomac-hs report Of their H"n6ers
and person
Ii NAV be in The estimation of some, cold and heart.
less principle OF action but glory in the tec!ara;cn
the sincere and candid declaralionhat though enjoy
the friendship aud homo. cd with the confidence OF
than oi the eminent men, whose names have
been mentioned IN ith this beC yet that
there has never been the moment when the individual
qualification of any in Virginia, either his,
or my account, has occurred lo me- but object
inmeasnrably and inPxnresSbiy beneath the dignity Of
the occasion Should every gentleman this body who
calls himself Wig come 10 the de ration OF this
subject with The feelings then let the issue of This
election BE- what II nay. one thing certainly, We shall
not fail TO eec,w shall preserve ut least The harmony
of our party ard If preserve that he must he blind
man, who does perceive that victory perch upon
our standard al last.
will no. en,r. into defence 81 Mr. RiveS political
course for the last four five yeaTsior the very sui
cient reason that have concu!Ted IN many ot his
opinions approved many Of his acts during That lime
That is the duty CT those gentlemen who have thought
and acted with him Tor years. who sill think with hun;
and Who Whatever may be their Numbers, will, sm
dsut prove the present occasion 10 have spirit and
frnness enough 10 s'and by tier p'act with
msnly foriitude and unhnchng courage They have !
talent enough TO vinGcate themselves without my fee
Bile aid buti they had not, and had The authority to do
30, could, without difficulty appor;cn am"as my
Wing friends the duty of assisting them, in the defence
of each and every point OF attack--and should,
then impose on my brethren, no more unwecoU!e task
than that Of defending themselves
1 would take to myself part entirely appropriate 10
he extent of my Abilities 1t should be very
ua part .h:re being fact, but one of the great mea