Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1840-03-30
VIRGINIA LEs.RSLATUHE.
REMARKS OF MIR. COOKE.
Ia he Tiraiaia Senate.

~" n 'me motion TO reconsider the vote by which the
bh' requiring the Banks 10 issue one and two doI.
lar notes was rejected. delivered in the Senate an
the last day of the session.
, WI - said However anxious | may he Mr.
Speaker, that this motion should prevail and ,ha,
Tue OIL TO which II relates should become law
1'""' u"uef Tue ere ums,arces in which we are
l'''eo' hardly lhnk OF tespassing on the time of
We Senate, Tor the purpose OF urging a,ynme,,s -,
'Nof OF proposition which we are to,ew,rned
""St Jat rise, therefore, not fof the purpose of
o"'e',"s 'h'o me discussion pf the merits Of this
question, oni Tor the two fold object of tenterinp
my ihanks TO Tie Senator iiom Scott, (Alr. McMul-
en') who has submitted the motion FOR rcconside,a
tion. and OF awarding him the Jus, measure of
praise Tor us frank and independent course in re-
tracing ms steps when lie has found himself in 81,
'or' ana IN risng superior 10 the behesis of party
when he finds the interests of party 10 couil,ci win
the higher interests of the people And in the second
place. SIR, 10 lay before the public The extraordinary
iacts connected with the history of the failure of his
measure OF relief,
distinct iniimaon has been given, bv gentle
men ON the n1or, and ont OF the Senate Chamber
that this bill should be deIcaied il not by direct
expression OF the sense of the body, by u reso, 10
the n3'rcct means Of members toifddrauisq f,om
her seats 10 prerent The formation of a quorum ;
Senators may be able to reconcile thus course 10
their sense OF public duty. but RE. sir il seems
TO be no less novel than lndelensbe. 1t is para-
mcniaty mah9uvte, which, IN fourteen years OF
experience in legislation have ne yer seen resented
lo-and trust, SIR, the example will be held mere
honored IN the breach, than in the observance"
1t s evident, Mr.. Speaker, that with the reduced
number OF Senators now IN Attendance, II is IN tho
power Of few individuals TO defeat tins or anv
other measure, by leaving without a quorum
II gentlemen choose 10 assume tins responsibility
and by such means 10 defeat u measure involving
the interests oi the peopleand asccrtaIncd To have
at this moment, the sanction Of decided majority
of Senator'S now AT ther posts, hold it TO he nol
only The right, but the duty of those who condemn
the course OF action, and who depfecate the evils
that will result from ii, TO protest agaius, the deed,
aud to apprise the public, by uhogl and by lchat
means. tins measure OF relief To The PEOPLE is To be
defeated i the discharge Of this duty, however
painful II may be, shall, before lake ny seat de.
mand the execution oi that rule, winch. by call Of
the House, enforccs the attendance Of members in
their places.
1t NIll be iecollecitd, M. Speaker, that on yes
tefday before O'Clock, when there yet un.
finished business on on, table, aud when there was
ample lime TO dispose OF the proposition before
u.s. and when moreover, there WAS a much fuller
Attendance OF men bers than AT present the Senator
from Noitoway hastily rose and moved an adjourn.
ment, and as promptly and peremptory refused TO
Withdraw the motion TO afford the Senator from
Augusta an opportunity 81 Submitting the question
now before The Senate. | understand thai alter the
adjanrnment, not only the gentleman from MOTTO
way, but at least Two other Senators, avowcd Their
purpose OF preventing the passage Of the bill by re-
lusing TO form quorum aud IN execution of tins
purpose have seen hun taking pam in he de-
bate, and hastily leaving his seat wien the vote was
10 be taken.
| have no doubt. sir, that The gentleman, and
those who act wlh him, are perfectly homes, and
conscientious in the course they are pul SUING but
cannot admit the snffciency oil the reason he assigns
Tor that course. lie tells you he will not consent
tina, this or any other important question shall be
taried when the Senate is much less lull than when
Il. III,
proposition, is entirely eonee-and sir, | would he
one of the last to dese to reverse. by small vote
aud a meagre majority, the deliberate decision OF
The Senate when full. | should desplse myself.
we're capable of wishing, FOR any purpose whhev-
ever, 10 set aside the fundamental principle flour
Republican nstitutions-MatH he wiH 81 he majority
shall gorern-a principle which | venefae quite
much az those who are much more clamoIous a
bout their devotion 10 it.
But, sir. the proposition now under discussion
will be carried (if We can get quorum;) hot by
The accidental absence OF a Iar.er number of its
original opponents than Of its advocates, but By the
fact Of change OF opinion with several Of those who
voted against the bill when formerly before us.
You will recceci. Mr. Speaker, that TIL. bill
rejected with but tile consideration inquiry in.
TO the facts relating TO it. Coming in couilIct with
strong feelings Of prejudice against snail paper
currency, enteuained by all OF one Of the polIil-
cal parties Of this body, and by many of those
of lie other, il thrown out, think, without dis
cusson, even IA call for the ayes and noes. Far
Their reflection, and more dIlIgent inquiry into The
circumstances by which this question is surrounded,
have satisfied only the Senator from S1olt, who
has moved the reconsideration but, TO my certain
knowledge three other gentlemen. that the interests
of the community call for the passage Of this bill.
The change Of the Sc four yotes-iibere be more,
as | suspect the,e ale--w, hy taking from the
one side, and adding to the other, make difference
Of eight voles-morc than sufficient 10 reverse the
former de cision OF the Senate.
Mr.. Speaker, having thus accomplished tie dou-
Bile object for which rose, might here resume
my seat-but IS am up. aud no other gentleman
seems inc ned to address the Char, beg leave 10
saw few words on The merits Of the question be-
fore us. do this The more readily, because can
not but naler myself that the gentlemen who have
avone The purpose Of defeating Legislation by de-
scrtion 81 their seats, wn, after calm aud DIS
passionate review Of their determination, consent 10
come up boldly and lalrly 10 tie discussion oil tbs
question: aud leave il. Ike all Others to be settled
Ly tie viii of the majority Of those whose duty it
is 10 settle it.
The very striking and conclusive views in favor
of the proposition presented by the Senator from
Scott, leave but ltle 10 eaddcd ON that side OF the
question.
What sir, is the proposition before us IT IS any
Thing but measure Tor the ifiri tie beneht OF
The Banks-and lis leading features are such as /
think should commend it 10 the especial idvof oil
thnse who profess be tho TrclaSlre Jritnds " nc
People, and with whom hora monCy cunency IS a
cardinal principle. Instead OF relieving the banks
from any OF The restraints and oblgatloDs now Iaiu
Upon them. it imposes it as duty that they shall
issue four per cent. 81 their capitol IN one ana two
dollar notes. redeemable from The beginning in spe-
iltet nnds SIF Il :