Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1840-02-13
VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE

van'a confess have wish TO avail myself Of this
!! opportunity, II defend, IN extent the opinions
which am En""n To entertain, and the course which
II is known intend to pursic and ahul commence
what have to wlih the remark that whatever may
be the state Of my preferences however earnestly
M gh desire the elevation of statesman, attached 10
class OF politicians, who receive the sup
port of the General Assembly, really think il becomes
to make the selection between the candidates whose
names before
When advert to the incidents of the last winter;
when we remember the conspicuous position which
these two gentlemen forced 10 occupy-that on"
OF them least was drawn forth from situation com
paratively retired and without any agency Of his own,
compelled to challenge the ga.e of the whole Confcde
racy, really, think he would have just cause Of conf
plant, II the Assembly were to turn unccrcmonnusly
away, and refuse to extend TO him the hand of friend
ship 10 aid in his descent from this pcrlous cmincnce.
Ii such would be unkind, cruel to the
candidates themselves, would be no less unjust 10 pub
lie sentiment. The elections, wi'ch resulted IN bring
ing together as the representatives of the people of
the State, conducted for the most part with refer
encc this With the exception Of the county
of Ahcmarlc together with of the Southwestern
countless and The several counties which compose the
congressional district at present represented BY the
Hon. Henry \. WISE, the people when they came for
ward TO cast their votes at the polls intended 10 pass
the prctcnslons OF these two asprants AT our last
Session of Assembly, the election OF Senator to Con-
grcss was postponed expressly 10 receive the adndi-
cation Of the people Immediately before that
occurred several ofthe Wing leaders in their Pa-
ces and called their associates 10 take their appeal
TO the pecple-and called their brother Wings. to
place Their claim I" the renewed confidence of their
constituents, the ground Of their advocacy Of w E.
Rivcs. The other party united in the appeal their
Gdatc beng indicated by previous support Of Mr. Ma
son, with degree of Gnannity and pcrtin1cty per.
haps thoUt precedent II was under these clrcum-
stances, that went before the people, under these
circumstances the canvass conducted: under these
circumstances the people came forward 10 cast their
votes; and under such circumstances, huaby con-
ccivc that most Of MS have little 10 de- than give
elrc, to the press w.il Of our constituents.
la coming forward now 10 cnbuJv The VIII, 10 speak
the sentiment. 10 record the vote oil my constituents,
candor compels 10 declare, that do than
act out my deliberate opn'"nsopinicns most de-
libcratcy iormeG; bu, opinions merely Feelings IN
the contest. ! have nonc-ltcra!ly $r, am n
Republican; every who knows re, knows me tohc
a Republican, Every who has cundrSc.ndcd 10
observe The humble history Of my humble l.1, knows
that throughout the whole of that life have
been frm consistent, Underwriting Republican: and
that far FROM having Cnnlenanccd any other doctrine
hav" suffered the rcproachcs OF the Republican party
ITSELF for in"nlglng IN the excuses of It's own creed
Sir. ! am Lmi,ar!am of the strai."st sect OF sric.
constructonisis regard the Constitution OF the L.
States compact between independent sovrrcignt.os
! -Sovcrcem'y Itself beng cImanation from Deity
nd:y!sible n the Divine mind consider that these
severe :. atics have brought themselves under mutual
an;: reciprocal obligations, to c&c: certain attributes
only through the lntrrY"*:!iom oi agents. chosen by
elrit, cooperate WIN slllaT agents, CBDStD it
consider ina; these agents n Trustees Of tie people"
look 10 the Constitution "a the chart Of th" pow
crs which contains specific enumeration OF delegated
powers; with clear indication and palpabc declaration
OF tn. purposes for which these powers may be cS.s;ed
hold this Interpretation Of the Constitution essential
TO the preservation Of public NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
| tal to the maintenance of public liberty; and abso-
luielv indispensable 10 he protection o! the South.
ANY other Interpretation would subject our dearest,
most sacred domestic r:hts-wouid suaj"ct cur very
household gods 10 the jurisdiction and authority Of
men, who have no common interest with us, and no
fellow feeling for usmCn who know not our interest,
if they desired 10 advance il; who arc indifferent TO our
interest, i tlcy knew IN wins" that interest con
sStS.Anv other Interpretation, wolId. at once, csa-
hlsh the dominion of numbers, and give TO Congress
the right do any thing and every thing, which The
avariCe or sclishncss Of mGcrity might dictate or
| suggest With these opinions, long entertained,
turcly examined, and dearly cherished, my feeling,
may be readily conjecurcd lf believed pnhi'c sen
timcnt prepared for such event If thought that,
by any effort Of mine, could !: duce Virginia 10 &c
sire it, would exert myself 10 elevate to the Senate,
a statesman, who, in my judgment, has been constant
and consistent in his cnd"s 10 maintain this inter-
pre,aticn and on whose fidelity could repose; but I'M
der present auspices such an effort on my part would
be grossly unjust 20 Tie constituent bodr-whlst # at
| tended with success, il would naict on my friend
heavy persona, misfortune That friend might succeed
10 the solemn responsibilities Of The cilce, but in the
discharge Of the duties If his station he could
nowhere find that aid, and comfort, and support ex-
tended by generous, Conhdng and approving constl-
trcncy which an..: render public life endurab!c-
Sir where could lie find such neutrality-suspicious.
lie the Wings they for the most part La.
ttud;na7'ans-a their feelings. hopes and principles
are dainetrcav opposed 10 his own; and this Of
itself, would establish the relations which must sub
sist between them; but at this junc;urc the whole
class of National Wings peculiarly excited against
the whole class OF State Rights politicians. Hay
| Ing recently received our cooperation III the ac-
compshrnrn, of objects Of admitted Importance, they
| know not how 10 appreciate our motives IN with
holding our cooperation objects, which, in their
hearts, they believe TO be equally important Having
long abored together sacred cause they regard our
present political position nothing less than treason 10
that sac red cause Having, by united efforts,
cecdcd in the overthrow Of common adversary, they
considered that they lad nothing 10 do than reach
forth their hands Ia reap the rich fruit Of their ardnonS
toll When the Stale Rights politician rises up be-
tween them and the object Of their hopes constituting
an insuperaha barrier to The qualification o! their de-
srcs they arc naturally astoundcd, Exasprra,ed by
this nc xpcctcd opposition from this unexpected quar-
ter furious resentment b0is up in their souls The
rich repast swept from before them in the very mo-
mcnt Of fruiticn. The delicious morsel is snatchcd
from the fngs Of the famised tiger, and he raves with
the violence Of maddenIng ire"
Repealed BY the Whigs-cxpccd their confidence
with no hold their affections clam on their sym
paies our State Rights politician would turn IN VAN
10 the great Democratic Republican party; for though
with them he might find similarity of SENTIMENT united
with identity of purpose and Of principle, yet, beng
forced upon them against their w-eiec,ed against
their nomination and Their influence, The violence ol
par i2an warfare recently and reciprocay waged,
would, hrm constitute him, if not object OF ha-
tired and aversion least object of jealousy and dis
trust. Ready obcdienceahect, unconditional, unm'-
tga.ed subuiss TO their hard and high bchests ex-
allied private virtue, splendid endowment, brilliant
achicvcmcntand above all efficient successful avaIa
bic parzan service, mig exort cold reluctant, tce
ration frigd acqucscence in his public career but he
would know--he would feel that he was doomed, like
Stnth ch orr
ed and in the hour Of his adversely, hen misery and
misfortune should darken around him. he could nowhere
find among them stay which securely to rePose-
or one friendly bosom to whom he might pour out the
/ secret sorrows Of his soul In such day, lie could
lean alone, en- that gallant little band of Impractcabes
who would be alike unable 10 protect and TO save True
they might be willing 10 suffer with him, and to share
his heaviest calantiesto walk by his side through the