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


% arpe revenue redundant Treasury exravagant ex-
pcnditures unconstitutional appropriations, ana con-
seouent indefinite increase OF the power ana patronage
OF the Federal Government Above all, II violates me
s,nottv of the Constitution Yes, SIR, pronounce
~ ha unconstitutional on the authority OF Thos. Jetcr
.on James Madison, Edmund Randolph, John Ran
dopb. w b. Giles, Benjamin W. Leigh, and almost
every bright name which adorns the fair page OF 'r
gina's history pronounce to DC unconstitutional
on the authority of right reason-l advocate ITS gfea,
rival the Independent Treasury, which believe WIZ
be more mild in its operation on all the various lh'e
ests OF sociey-perfectiy consonant WIN uie prov
sions of the Constitution, whilst II 'hue'lii. '',
ishes the power and patronage OF the fresaeht En-
r,,;n;na these opnions cannot hesitate 10 give my
cordial support TO the candidate who advocates the IN
dependent Treasury. That candidate Is 'ohn wa
~ I'M ,;
- of me- perhaps shall be charged with incon-
sistency | know it is a question, inconceWaoiy IN
;mnor,ont whether being, humble as am, has, or
has NOT maintained his conslstency-yet, confess
~, ssel Indifferent the charge do not feel OBJ
;ouo n the charge. know act on sincere con-
y;ction | hope act under no improper influence
do not perceive that present conduct Is calculated
10 advance my personal interest, except IN Gonio.
with the pervading interest of my country-l expect
notbinu-I want nothing but mind always contented
with nv condition Time was, | admit, when was
ambitious: but that time has long since passed.
Nv highest aspiration, IS TO serve WIN hdeilty
that generous people who have 50 often entrusted
mo all unworthy as | am, to represent their inte
resi- on this floor. My highest ambition Is to leave
10 nv children honest name, name OF winch thcy
:ll moi II ashamed, when tlc father is mingled with
III 1,st Sir came into public life verS young man.
whom The fresh bloom Of youth yet flushed my young
check-wheu the fresh spring OF hope YET gio~ed ~
NV soul Having been born and reared Mitln tue !'n
a ihs Si hs nesn tseeSed all my early
pressions from those who active participants and
devoted Republicans in those scenes winch brought
our country through the eese Of the Inst century,
,ynx strongly imbucd il the Republican faith and glo
ried in the independence, the sovereignty, the ndIv
duality nc nv nati,e land. With me, Virginia became
an imnersonatei which engaged my ardent affections
ana ali whcL ! loved aud dearly loved, yet
beloved because twas Eirginian. This feeling became
q. once sentiment and passion OF my heart and be-
mo nsckcncd and strengthened by the habit Of thought
u.ilbed ut most ancient most venerable literary
stituton where the doctrine of free trade IS 80 sue
cesfully inculcated | came into public life 4 deter
mined Republican; and determined, perhaps too IN
tolerant, enemy of the party, which sustained The
American or Restrictive system. My feelings, my
fortunes, became bound up with the Republican Par
ty; and all who knew will adult that my attach
mcnt was avouched by my acts until e date oil
the Proclamation of President Jackson. | regarded
that document and ITS principles, as subversire {" the
Republican faith of fathers and when lis principles
were afterwards imboded in the Force Bill, and both
received the countenancc and support If not the ap
probation Of the Republican Party confess was dis
appointed mortfied-vexed and angered-and de-
bounced those measures could rcpress the nqu-
W
share The fate Of South Carolina: My sympaiicS were
cngaged OH behalf of the weak could not bear to
contemp plate Palmyra, doomed to the tames-l could
nc bear contemplate the broken counns-the sno-
king ruins of the temple of the sum could not bear
10 contemplate the beautiful form of the lovely Zenoba
covered over with gems-but borne down with chains
ma dragged along the Capitone hill, ,oadorn the rl.
nmnh o, Aurelian. Yes, sir, denounced those mea-
and wait for the tardy countcaancc oithe
lat,ndinarans So essentially Federal were those
measures that The systematic and factions oppo-
nen,s of the Administration, relnqushcd for sea-
son the sentiment Of hostility, and rallied TO the
snpport of the Proclamation ana the Force Bill.
Who does not remember The conduct Of Mr.. Clay:
Who can forget the position which was scIzed ana
occupied BY MIR. Webster;-Wh no can forget the loud
hozannahs which greeted the ravishcd senses OF The
Republican President, his memorable tour through
the land OF Federaliss: Mr. Randolph SAID, she
was willing should be said of him that he left The
administration of Thomas Jefferson when It was joined
by John Quincy Adams'-Aiay not consent that It
be- said of me- that left the administration OF Andrew
Jackson when it was Joined b. Mir. Clay Mr. Webster,
and the whole Federal party. SIR. there followed IN
rapid succession series OF astounding measures, IN
which found myself co-npcratin. with the Nationals
under the common appeiiaton ol Wings; hn' those
measures of Il character, which rGst have OPP
posed had there been Nationals IN eAIStence.-l re-
garIed them assaults the Constitutions uslr-
pa,ions on the part Of the Executive. Fidelity to the
Constitution required, that should range myself
der the walls Of the constitutional was glad 10 CO.
o,ara,e with the Nationals because, trusted their re-
distance might prove eectual, and result IN the safety
or the Constitutions yas glad TO follow humhly IN thclr
train whilst their energies were cScrted III uclehce oi
he CONSTITUTIONAL resisting the usurpatIons oil tNe
Executive Sir, Executive usurpations are brought TO
cose--and the Latitudnarians, encouraged hy iheIr
success seek revive the Restrictive or American sys'
Gem The forces which enlisted to defend ;hn ConStl-
luton now turn their arms on the Constitution. can
not WELD the torch which opens the batteries the
sails Of the Constitution. followed CTsar 10 Inc
Gallc wars--t cannot with him cross the Alps, TO III
yadc the sacred confines of Rome
take my stand under the walls of the Constitution
.ghcrc stood ii: The beginning Of my humble career
with less Of ire less OF strength less OF energy less
nf enthnsiasm-bnl with perhaps more riPened dcro'
ton, ready to encounter peril oboquy, IN defending
the independence, the sovereignty, the individuality
the honor, the glory of my native landminc hwh be-
loved Virginia.
AprENDIx
1t IS curious TO observe the mutations OF party hi
the session of ls:i.5, il dcvoved the General As
ucmby TO elect Senator to Congress The Hon Ben
iamn w. Leigh the candidate the part of the
Wings, whilst the precnsions of the Hon William G.
Rves urged by that party which sustained the Tor.
;cnes of the Administration The opinions of these
gentlemen had been distinctly announced on the eS-
citing topics which agitated and convused the AmcrI-
ran world. These questions suggested by the
state Of the currency and referred TO the collection
aud disbursement of the Federal revenue. Mr. Leigh
discarded all hanks fiscal agents of the Governments
and with the avowal Of that sentiment, lie was sns.
deeds of rashness. Mr.. Rves distinguished as
the defender Of what has been known as The Pet Bank
Sysrm-and he, too, was supported with fiery zeal,
squalled only by the bitter deEunciation OF his enc
,nics-Those enemies were the Wings After tempo
rary triumph, the Wings encountered a defeat-Mr.
Rivcs in the ascendant-and the denounced expe
fment of the Pet Bank system was introduced and
established mid the mp0ent eXccratlons oil ITS foes
They fo.etod the suffering which would ensue; the
crushing caianities which would beia the land-and
whilst those prophecies almost hanging on their
lips, they were solemnly and awfully fulfilled The
President with the most commendablc spirit, yielded
the necessity of the times, ard adopting the suggcs-
zion Of the Wings themselves recommended that The
operations of the Federal Treasury should be rendered
independent of all Bank agency. The Wings abandon
ther measure, when it IS recommended BY Presi-
Gent Van Buren,, ard it would almost scem merely be-
cause it recommended by President Van Buren,
Mr. Rives adhering TO his Pet Bank system is thrown
IN opposition to his former friends; and The Wings who
rculd find nothing in the language Of bitterness 10 cx-
press their dctestaton OF him, and Of his experiment.