Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1840-05-22
Extract Of a letter from a Tirginian.


9" commend the zeal you manifest, and assure you
think II worthy OF the cause, surrounded and assal-
I'd 1t with lis present pcris For forty years no
similar dangers have encompassed the Republican
party and LfOrG the peculiar interests and IN
slitutlons of the South. 1t is this sincere conviction
only that has carried my Judgment and my sensible
ties your party, and has dsspatcd INTO thin air, all
the objections entertained 10 MIR. IAN Buren,. be-
levc that lis cause is the cause OF the South-lhe
sause of the Constitution and Of free Government
every where and that we have 10 determine in this
election whether will preserve our own great light
house of the earth eXngulsh 1t III the trai hopes
of those false doctrines of constitutional power that
would fix our thoughts exclusively upon 'the light
house the skies
81 have intended to show what were the political
principles of Benjamin Harrison, and 10 prove that
Gen n in taking service in the Federal Government
under Harry Lees auspices, had abandoned the pT'n-
cpcs of the parimonla rooi, and the facts justify IT,
BENJAMIN Harrison of that party in Virginia who.e
seaious lore Of Lbcrty Burke calls ii, shown
in constant dstrust of the temptations which the con-
federation Of the States, and afterwards the Federal
Government would hold out as bats 10 withdraw the
devotion of the citizen from the State OF Virginia BE,
fore Patrick Henrys law of 81, torbiddng the citizens
of this State to take and hold Office at The time
under both the Federal Government and THIS Common
wealthy questions of that kind had been determined
bv the House of Delegates Con construction onlyl in
several cases: two within my recollection now. The
first that oil Arthur Lee, elected delegate IN l1-O1,
from Prince William whilst lie held office under the
con.t declared Ineligible (Bcnj llar!sonyot-
ing TO fix his incigiblliiy) Second, that OF Cyrus
Grign elected a member of the Prvy Council, whilst
he held some office under the General Government TO
treat with Indans the election OF Counsellor declared
yoid-B. Harrison voting aifirmativey J.
1.-THE first of the Federal Government, that
marked the distinct party lines, the Assumption Of
the State debts August 4t and 9TH, 1880 The scheme,
you know, Hamilton and the object DOUBLE hrsl
to ssretcl the Federal powers By the ductile terms Of
the grant, common defence and general welfare. Sc
condy to set foot the paper system, which began
with funding the debt, to which quickly followed his
report for the National Bank and Manufactures, where
the power of appropriation TO all national objects IS
boldly asserted if conducive 10 the general welfare,
and on this was welded the almost unlimited power of
TAXATION Mr. Madison, in June 1890 turned his face
from that party, this assumption Of State debts The
assumption was nothing, unless followed by payment,
and payment from the Federal treasury, could only be
justified by those ambiguous clauses which John Ram
dolph used 10 say, Of design thrown in 10 make
the system a Monarchy with mask ! grow ted
GUS but it is necessary This, repeat was the 4th
and 5tn August, 1890 The third Monday in Octo-
L.r of that year the Legislature of Virginia convened
presume the Governor brought this subject to the
view of the Legislature, the 9Th of November 100;
the Committee of the Whole House, reported, through
Mr. Wormelev, their Chairman, strong resolution on
The sub ect-and thereupun committee was appointed
10 prepare memorial to Congress, IN conformity with
that resolution and two others passed day or two be-
fore OF that Committee Mr.. Corbn Chairman;
Patrick Henry and Benjamin Harrison of Charles City,
with others, members Their report, see page IA
of Journal printed BY White in lo2S-(Journal for
1900 At page 80, the Chairman makes report,
strongly against the paper system and the Constitution
al powers of Congress-Of that report, suspect that
Mr. Henry the author, Certainly not Mr. Frank
Corbn)-he could not have been got to utter much
against the English system-nor the Federal powers
nor would he have admitted that the Estate Legsla.
lures were guardians and sentnes over the Ministers
Of the Federal Government &c. All his political
opinions la; the other sae lie had shown IN the
Convention of June l7SS, and his votes in 1889 on the
inc ndlncnts and Governor Clinton letter. &c. NC
But it is further shown by this fact the Journals
page l40, that Mr. Corbin called TO the char on
the memorial in committee of the WHOLE December
l6 1850 which would not have been the case, If the
memorial his offspring, and the duty Of its pro-
lection cast on him. He would have been left OH the
floor That memorial contains genuine doctrines OF
State rights, could be uttered, and 1t asserts the
right and the duty Of the State TO watch over the fede
raj Government Which was beautifully and touch
ngly alluded 10 by Mr. Randolph, in the Convention
of 1920 when some one moved biennial sessions Of the
Virginia could be in more strk-
inc contrast with the dervative powers of the Federal
Government than the doctrines Of this memorial II
poes to The extent of declaring that others but
those expressly granted, are valid Yet, perceive
that the word "erpressy does not appear IN the paper
when il reached Congress. (see Gales y seaton
State PAPERS volume 9TH page 90) This the last
net of Harrison public life; and the principles oiihat
memorial may be regarded his dying legacy to hIs
country His death occurred in the Spring atter-and
Quickly following that event, H. Lee got W. H. H. into
Federal service In l79l, Alex. Hamilton laid down,