Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1840-02-04

slze prrr!icc which was a, once the propf and the re-
ward Of his merit
Bat, Mr. Speaker, II is not FOR those qualities of the
head which have Sndcavored, however impcrectIy
10 dc!inea:c that NJ. Daniel is only DISTINGUISHED Sir
wit, ii"n h combines in rare and pre-eminen de-
gree" all The fcr and nalcr qualities Of the heart which
rud"ar HIN To ell wing know him. Ills heart, Sir, is
irmnhat'ca.ir IN Inc r9ht place His bosom is warmed
By all those feelings which, while sense OF duty will
ever prompt him t" dispense the law without fear, ia
vor, par;iay or affection, will yet incline him 10 tenn
per 1t with mercy far the mperious commands Of
duty will permit. Sir do not 90 too far, am moi
INDUCING IN cStrava9nncc of speech, when | say that
man of finer character Of purcr principles of better
feelings or more elevated sentiments than William Da
MEL, does not breathe. In short, Sir, in hs high
lofty sense OF honor, his pure and ncorruptbe inleg
rty his strong and abiding love Of Justice his unwavc
ring tirmness, his uniform moderation, we have the
ampcst guaranty that in his hands the administration
Justice may be safely confded, and that in the Office
of Judge as in every other relation which he has
tanned, he will ever prove himself to be without
fear and without reproach
Mr.. Speaker, IN support Of what have said of Mr.
Daniel, icel mat may safely refer to any and every
gentleman who has the advantage of his acquaintance
at least to all those who are sufficiently intimate
have formed an opinion Of his merits assured as am
sir, that those who know him best love and esteem
him most.
With these qualifications, Mr.. Speaker, Mr.. Daniel
possesses youthful, sound and vigorous constitution
dcroive upon the Judge of the populous and wealthy
circuit to winch our attention is directed. And
hs Sir Deem consideration not to be dcspIsed upon
an occasion Of this character. | conceive that in
weighing the qualifications of those who may be pre-.
scented TO our consideration for judicial stations in this
Commonwealth, the sanum corpus should be regarded
as well as the sana For, sir, be it remembered
that the office OF Judge in Virginia. is sinccure His
is not life Of incidence and ease although it be clothed
with honor and dignity He who accepts the election
may not promise himself, that he has arrived at ha
ven OF rcposc in which he may enjoy, unnterruptedy
the much desired oun, dignitate. Far from it, sir
the Office in Virginia is of high trust and response
bility on the hand and of anxious and continued
labor The other. And while the abors of the Judge
are heavy, it may be added with too much truth, his
compensation is but light Mr.. Daniel, sir could bring
to the office all the necessary industry that would be
required to discharge the various and lborious duties
which appertan to it, while his youthful vigor would
enable him TO bear them all lightly, and TO make pro-
gressive improvement by the study and application
necessary TO their due discharge
Mr. Speaker, in reference to the feelings and wishes
Of the people Of the circuit, have received the most
satisfactory have learned, and it is with
great pleasure too, assure you, Sir that the election
Of Mr. Daniel would give very great and general salts
faction in the circuit; that personally, he would be highly
acceptable the people, and that there was but one
sentiment as his high and commanding qualifications
for the station. That he would make able, useful
and efficient Judge, was the testimony Of
all classes and all parties And indeed, Sir, had re-
ceived no intelligence of The kind could not for .
moment have thought it would be otherwise ! would
have felt we'll assured that the very Intelligent people Of
the 9Th circuit could have failed quickly to discover,
and fully appreciate, the merit and sterling worth
of such man William Daniel And thus, Sir the
assurances which have received upon this point have
only though they have fully, conceded with the opinion
which had readily formed from my estimate of his
character ana qualifications
Mr.. Speaker, in the remarks which | have thus
deemed due 10 Mr. Daniel to submit in Offering his
cason, "a task sir, which have taken upon myself al
the request Of mutual friend upon this floor, only
preferred to this morning,) hope mayno be for
moment understood rs wishing or intending in the
slightest degree to deract or dcrogae from The claims
and preensions of Tie gentleman who has bacn the
gentlemen who may be put in nomination for this Office
Not at ALL sir-l shall most Glcerfuly concede to them
all the merits and qualifications OF every kindsthat have
been or may be claimed for them b. their respective
friends: and cannot for moment doubt that they will
fully merit all that shall be ascribed to them. But
sir prcferring, greatly preferring Mr. Daniel, do
to all the gentlemen whose names have heard men
toned in conncxion with the Office, have deemed il
proper TO offer these remarka the concurrent tcst-
mony, support of his pretcnsons, Of many gentle
in this House and without. And for the
and considerations to which have thus briefly ad-
vered, shall most checrful!y cas-. my vote for him;
and sir will and add that for the long and che
rislicd friendship which ! have entertained for Mr..
Daniel, shall be truly and sincerely gratihcd if it
shall be the pleasure of the House 10 confer this sta
ton npon him And in conclusion, will say to those
gentlemen who may feel disposed give him their sup.
port that in hestowng their votes upon him, they may
feel well assured they giving them to of whom
It may safely be predicatcd that he is honest that he
is capable that he is faithful to the Constitution.
SPEECH OF MR.. WIN. S. FoNTAINE,
On the same subject.
Mr.. SPzAEER-I hope that the House after so many
speeches have been made, will bear the additional bur
then which shall impose it, for about minutes.
make this request, because cannot exactly gain my
consent to give silent vote this OCCASION 1t must
be apparent those who may have given themselves
the very unnecessary trouble Of bestowing momen-
tary thought on here, that all my feelings,
partalities and prcjudces if you please have run in
favor of that Great Democratic Party, Of which am
proud even TO be an humble member. And 50 help
inc! so long attached to that party, every office
that may be required to fill, which by possibility, may
assume political hue, from that ola delegate Coun
cillor of State including your own office, sir, up to
that Of President, shall invariably my vote for
a man who is of that party. | know but of one ex-
ception For though | came here prepared, cooked
and prmed to aid in putting another in that chair, if
could than the present incumbent, yet from what
have of your course your perfect fairness, impair
tialty your frmncss your prompt and quick decision,
and withal of your urbanty, am justified in making
this exception in your favor. And do declare here
from my place, if you will give up your notions about
taking up your saddebags and trotting ice and
slcet TO your county courts in fine you will relin
qush your romantic ideas about retiring TO the cool
and pleasant "shades of private life (where hopea
distinguished countyman of yours may long remain,)
and | shall be returned 10 this house, | will give
my vote that that chair may be again graced by you
Mr.. Speaker, if Colonel Joe Watkins himself,
God bless himD should be your opponent. But that
the oau erreptoa which could consent to make in
your behalf, Sir, would consent TO do that in be-
half of any other living Wing. But, when am to fill
an office not political in its character; when
quired to elevate to the Bench who is TO decide
between meum and tuum; when am called upon to
elect an officer to command the forces of my State,
look not his politics, ask not for his party-but with
Mr. jefferson, (and the gentleman from Harrison,)
only ask is he honest is he capable, is he faithful to
the Constitution Sir, though representing one of the
tide water countless reared and educated in cir
cult adjoining that in which this vacancy in the Judi
ciary is to be filed and, having frequently heard of the
characters of most of the nominees, have probably
more knowledge the subject of their qualifications,
,,,, r,oat IF State