Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1840-02-08
VIRGINIA LEGIsLATyRE.

being enabled to offer the house. for its sanction
approval, one, who, IN my humble opinion is emf
nently qualified .cT the Office we are now called L
Eli! Having known Judge John Y Mason intimate
y from the period of my earliest infancy to the pre-
sent day-having had the good fortune to share large
y OF his confidence-l feel assured that | hazard
nothing in recommending him as one who is in every
respect worthy Of the entire confidence and sup
port of the members of this Assembly; as one, sir
emnent1y 9aalaea 70 gq2gai q this gso -
Comm OH weelth.s Possessed he IL of mind bold
active and inauiringy-of heart pure, kind and be-
nevolent-ofa disposition frank, generous and Gomez
liatory and of Judgment clear, impartial and discr
minang-t does seem TO me, SIR, that apart from the
political opinions he cntcrtans, his high character AZ
an individual nach to win for him the entire conf
dcncc and respect of all true lovers of their country
of ali true admirers Of the plain Republican primer
Piles, which heretofore distinguished Virginia and heT
statesmen And, Mr. Speaker, if it be acknowledged
as doubtless will be- that these estmable qualities to
which have alluded, and which all who know Judge
NJ will readily concede TO him, entitled of them
selves 10 place him high in the affections and confidence
Of the representatives of the people, may not safely IN
vi,e to his support all who really possessed OF those
pure Republican feelings and principles, which II has
YER been the pride and boast of Virginia to maintain and
defend: For, sir can proudly point to the proracted
Rod Judge NJ public service, evidence ofh strlc
devotion to those principles of constitutional law and 60
vernmenl, that Jefferson and Madison were ever
ready to acknowledge and support III the better days vi
our republic-when principles, instead OF blind par
tZan zeal, influenced the conduct OF men III the Sc
lection of their public funconaries. Let gentlemen
examine the Journals of both branches of our assembly
for the period for which Judge alason was a member
and them sir, let them accompany me TO the Congress
of the United States, aud examine the journal thereof
for a period of six years and tell me wherein Judge
Mason nus departed from those rules Of strict consruc
ton established and cXpounded !y the memorable re-
par. and resolutions Of 81 and ~.
Mr.. Speaker, offer Judge Mason 10 The House, a.
Republican of the old school. As cvdcnc" of his high
claim TO that time honoled namc he has opposed
the Ban: Of the L. States tariff Of protection, and
system of Internal Improvement hy the Government
both constitutional grounds and grounds of exPe
dencv He stands rccordedin opposition to the latu
dnous antSates Rights doctrines OF the Proclamation
and Force Bill In word, sir he is opposed TO the
exercise OF all doubtful, constructive implied pow.
crs, having always belonged to that school Of pot
cans who insist IN The language oi the Constitution
Itself "that all powers not delegated reserved 10 the
States and the people Respectively and 80 e-
naco,s is lie oil those card nal doctrines OF Republican,
s that have won for Eirg statesmen the proud dis
iiacon they enjoy, that notwithstanding his decided
preferences for the present Administration of The Gene
mi Government he WILL ifelectsd be always sensihly
alive to the interests Of Virginia and her institutions
that if danger shall threaten lhem at distance mat
ter from what quarter he VIII br amongst the first Il
sound the tocsn OF alarm, and, Ii need be, Kill gallanty
unur the cd Republican banner, which arc inscribed
The Virginia and Kentucky resolutions, ard rar;.
hnseii the oisdci Will war; even l. sf. hiie' IN 1"''
defence Such, Mr. Speaker, - LF,I cH'i'iS 81 iic
character Of Judge Mason, man and as politician
Can any be presented who ~ more peculiarly ii.'cd
Tor the Office of Senator Republican IN feeling, IN
thought in acton-t does TO that he IS just
the man Virginia needs on this occas;oH WILL there
fore sir as have but little taste End less talent for long
nomination speeches. content myself with TINS Dfiey
alludnn 10 The high claims Of my friend and county.
man. while introducing him 10 the notice o. this As.
sen:.!:y
REMARKS OF MIR. EENABLE,
On TIC Election Of Senator Of he United States
MIR. SPr,Kr l am unfortunate IL being called nj
by some OF the remarks OF the gentleman from Meek
ienburg cannot hope 10 say much that would inter
est the House, after having been delightfully."- enter
tanned b. that gentleman c.oG:"mcr: bet he has been
pleased 10 refer TO the Conservatives Of last WINTER aud
place them n rather dsavantagcous contras, with the
Inp.aGtilaic Wings Of that day. The gentleman has
passed through pretty much the same ordeal tsat Gc
at The Spring elections: IL las ceased to be an iptac-
lcablc Wh:c-and am no longe: Rives C"nserva'
tive. Ills was kind towards the Conservatives,
and he very eloqucny amentcd their fate; yet, II he
had Looked closely 10 the band al lmPractcabies, lie
would have seem that their number left did not exceed
the number of the Conservatives for, the most mprac
.caie Of last winter have gone to ,r. Rvcs, or
iIr Rivcs has come oyer TO them-thc latter believe
TO he the truth The Conservatives OF ist winter.
banded together by The most honorable principles
They thought they u" most nnustiia5!e prosciP
ton in the efforts made by The Democratic party 10
r.
The L Stalcs--They considered lr Rives badly treated
By his own party after having served his country faith
fully as stiuruisicd member Of that party-lhcy
considered hi:u Is still faithful 10 bis principles, and
true TO the Republican cause only differing wni the
Administration on financial measure. They did not
believe IL proper to osiracse ::,': :"a@oF: to'
Differing with the President measure, which
he considered OF uc importance in is probable ef
cc,s on The interests OF the Stale he in part repre-
scented. But, Sir, suspicious began to arise among
the people. My constituents were suspicious OF ms
course They were cooler than | was, and not
under the influences which operated UPON me- and
when determined 10 represent them, determined Ia
withdraw my support | found scarcely man of my
own party favorable to the reelection of MIR. Rives
and in TIE spring large portion Of the Wings were
either impractcab!c still opposed to him account
Of his supposed adherence to the Administration So
much considered it my duty 10 say in explanation Of
ms course last winter, and Of the opinions Of my
,.;tuents in regard to that Bur gentlemen on
the other side dcp-ccac discussion Of THIS subject al
lodging thai il is understood throughout the Con!nnn
wealth am rs much opposed to uselcss discuSslcl
az any member here: but sir, this is important sub
iect and presents Itself in aspect 1t IS no ION
ger triangular question, as it was last sess"n-,t !:
now very plain one, with but two Eides TO III ana III
nv opinon Sir every man ought TO take one side OF
the other II involves the putting down OF an ADM
nistraton identified with the Republican party; al AZ
mn,stralion acknowledging and aciuated by the prn
different character The people ought and will know
The true issue made up here 1t would have been most
agreeable 10 have gwen my vote: ana not detalh
I'd the House single moment. know my const!iu
ents will be satisfied with my course here um moi
iguorant Of their WILL Bnt. sT: since the late desc
loucments can confirm TO That viii without violating
nv own opinions and CONSCIENTIOUS belief of what !:
right. do not shelter myself under their suppose
will act Independently of it. ] feel that owe Il u
those represent to notice the charges and lnslnua
tons, which have been 80 wan'ony made in regard e
nv course, By lie Wing press in this city and else
where. have been charged with violating my pledges
given 10 the people in the spring, desertion of my
principles, and trcachery to my friends So far as an
personally concerned contemplate such charges will
sscorn ana contempt. look upon them as news
paper ab gotten " for political a sfis f bo ~ nEsss
and so far as these charges 60 to represent me as vo
ating pledges To, misgePresent'ng the kaown Wll
my constituents pronounce them false utterly faise
if not Intentionally so-The parties have at least beer
remiss in informing themselves ON the subject. re
peat that respect for those represent which bring
me- 10 notice these structures my case, and not an
(; .ooeyj ma 20 Tor them personally