Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1839-02-28
General assembly Of Virginia.
Remarks of Mr.. TOD, ot The Senate.


General Assembly Of Virginia.
Remarks Of NJ TOD, Of he Senate.
After the third ballot on Thursday, which made Tue
lGth Mr. Ton, Of the Senuie, from Matthew's rose anu
said: -,
Mr.. Speaker am weary OF this CONTEST am sick
and down in this vain struggle. do not perceive
how can Justify myself before my constituents iot THIS
wanlon consumption OF their time, and waseiu e2pen
dilure of their muney. Sir have voted for John y
Mason through Ii baliongs have adhered TO MN
long could perceive that there was virtue IN do
ing so; least long enough, think, TO attest my sincere
and ardent attachment Democratic principles II
perfectly apparent to my mind, aud humb'y conceive
to the mind Of every Senator; indeed, may say, oi
member of The General Assembly, that whilst paf-
ties occupy their present posIiunS an election mol rea
sonably be anlic paed 1t Is less obvious 10 me,
Mr.. Speaker, from the spirit manifested by the various
factions parties in this Geucrdl Assembly, that 1t Is
impossible, if desirable, by the indefinite post Punemeht
Of the joint order TO bring this agitang subject |"
close. large portinn oil the session has already been
consumed in preparing and maturing for acton the
Ordinary business OF lPgIsannIhe result OF which has
been crowd tables with matter OF the deepest III
terest To the Commonwealth Our TITLES, Sir, Je gtonn
ing under the weight bills, affecting most Intimately the
best of the people, awaiting the acton OF this
Legislature. Under this state OF circumstances SIr the
question very gra"ey ana iUrclby presents ilsesi 10
my mind, is II better To close this matter, even by Tie
election of John Robertson and proceed to the discharge
Of other legislative dars; shall continue ballot
ing here, day after day, Gnd week alter week, until we
find ourselves constrained the close Of this fruit
less contest, to return constituents without hav
ng accomplished any hug for the advancement OF the
great interests Of this Commonwealth in the Transaction
OF that business for which were especially sent TO
this place: longer hesitate, Mr.. Speaker, in
adopting that which my conscience dictates, and
which a thorough conviction OF justice 10 lie generous
aud conding people who sent me here, seems ImpeTi-
0lsy IN demand. hlr ) peakcr, am acting under
deep and feeling sense Of high and solemn RESPONSE
bty; with feelings and motives OF the most perfect
dIsiulcresirdnrss; and, if | know myself, with all
eye single TO the promotion OF the public good -
feel 1t my duty, Sir, at tins stage Ut proceedings,
10 cast my for John Robertson, and IN giving him
a preference over William &. Rives am influenced, in
pa al least, hy the consideration that he has had no
agency in procuring his election 10 Ills high and homo
rahr station. He has made avo"als nor been gull.
" OF any concealmrnis with view OF gaining this aP
pon,ment understand, moreover that as politician,
hc thorougby State Rights IN his principles. In vot
nm for Mr.. Robertson, Sir, assure The Senate mat
am acting 10 peritc, good aIlhearnesy desiring TO
close this controversy If The Wings intend 10 act az
| do and as some other of my Democratic brethren are
doing they have il IN their power to elect Senator, and
end this drama winch has already been spun out
tedious and sckening length 1t they do not sir, upon
the responsibility; my skirts are cit Sir,
continue voting Tor Mr.. Robertson so long as there
is prospect al his election and none OF Nh Mason
But should subsequent dcyeUpemenls make IL manifest
| that Mr.. Mason may be elecied-or should 1t become
apparent that The " hIgs not voting for Mr.. Robert
III perfect good faith, them Sir, III the happening of
contingency, snail myself al linPry To
! iNrn To my first love, which shall surely do Mr..
Speaker have RETAINED from participating IN the almost
nlrrmnahe debate which has sprung up IN this cham
ber different periods the CONNIE of this
struggle and had not now found cXpedenl TO change
my position. might well haze maintained my silence.
Under the change circumstances which surround
me- however, have felt cunstrsIGed To say what have;
and in srlc duty 10 myself should trrspass sill further
the lime aud patience OF The Senate IN order 10 as
to ii aud 10 the country the reasons which have
| yer -
position winch occupy o! uncOnprnmisinI Op.
position the re election Of w. C. Rlvcs. trust, ho"
ever Mr. Speaker that tie SENATE will not be alarmed.
d. not al hs stage oil our proceedings ce lhstrd IN
nl citing upon long and tedious speech Indeed sir,
do not conceive II - be necessary The reasons which
forbid the friends OF the present Administrations al this
tine and unGer existing circumstances, 10 come 10 the
support Of Mr. Rvrs have been with so much eoqnence
and much force presented by other genite during
this debate that deem only necessary now for me TO
refer, in order put myself Alright before The people, IN
very rapid aud cursoIy way TO his letter IN reply TO an
anonymous correspondent in the Enquirer touching his
interference the Pennsylvania election, To his late
violent and IN my judgment, unjustlabe attack upon
the President through the sides "t The Secretary the
Treasury and the Secretary OF War; 10 That Animation,
which apparent 10 man. between his friends ana
the National Wings not only IN this Legislature but
throughout The u. ) aud TO declaration more recently
made by him, us am informed IN lie Senate 81 The u
that unless the and measures OF tbs administration
were changed. the country must inevitably he ruined
Sir the peculiar friends OF Mr. RiYes must aud do admit
that this position TO the least OF It, an eqnivocal
one. To me, Sir 1t is clear the MONDAY that
he chershes IN his bosom deep rooted and uncompro
missing hostility 10 Mr.. Van Buren, and his admnlsra.
ton Clouds If witnesses array themselves, MIR Speak
er TO prove n hat those who are through personal
devotion, blind 10 his faults that he nouses in his
heart and that M is actually evIncing by his action
impacnbe hostility In the administration n that man Ia
whom |. i'll common with ny Democratic friends, conf
IDENTITY look, and may add, under existing crcums'an.
ces solely look, only for the perprua,i"n Of those
Republican institutions for which fathers fought but
for The preservation Of peculiar institutions al the
South and for the defence Of very family henrihs
These and similar reasons no less cogen Mr.. Spea ker
throw me inevitably upon my present position.