Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-12-29

branded with the ephet of traitor Ii will also be re-
collected that during the action of the Senate the
two Bank bills which the President had vetoed both OF
our Senators abandoned the ground upon which Virgil
nia has stood for fifty years. They abandoned the
position that Congress had right grant charters of
incorporation, which Virginia had ever occupcd-the
one by directly voting for Exchange Bank the other
BY Offering and advocating amendment, in which
mode of avoiding the Constitution proposed I'M
worthy of the great talents of that Senator. Our Sc
majors having abandoned the ground heretofore occu
pied, and ut this time occupied by Virginia, upon this
great question the party in favor OF strict construc-
ton of the Constitution, in the General Assembly,
thought that the time for authoritative expression
Of Vlrginia's opinion had arrived And this was the
more proper, the question not only not disposed
of but at this very time before Congress in all its
aspects. Again, following the example OF the gentle
from Fauguier he would move to lay the resolu-
tons upon the table and have them printed At an
early day after the holydays, he would after giving
notice 10 that effect, to take them up and ask ac
ton upon them.
Hhereas, the General Assembly of Virginia views
the powers Of the Federal Government resulting
from the compact which the States parles, and
as limited by the plain and intention of the IN
strument constituting that compact Ind achereas, by
the very terms of that instrument the powers not dele
gated to the United States by the Constitution pro-
hbted by it TO the States reserved to the States
spectvely, or to the people find, ichercas the power
to grant charters of incorporation is in Its nature dis
tinct, and independent and substantive prerogative,
which not being enumerated in the Constitution but,
the contrary, desgnedly excluded from at its for
nation, could never have been meant TO be included IN
it. either subul,ern power, to be deduced by impl
cation, means Of asceraining another power as IN
any other manner, and not being included in It, can
never be rightfuy exercised find, chereas, the only
power Of the General Government the currency
derived from the power delegated TO Congress, to
coin money, regulate the value thereof and Of foreign
coin :: .qnd achereaS, Congress may of right, exer-
else all powers delegated 10 it, without the assent
lar,,.
assent given in any other than in the form
of an amendment 10 the Constitution in the mode
prescribed theren and whereas the experience of the
past has shown U. S. Bank 10 be the prolific
Of evil. And whereas, it is Republican usage, long
established in Virginia, for her Legislature TO instruct
her Senators in the Congress of the U. s., whenever
in its opinion the occasion called for such an nsruc-
ton And whereas, in the opinion OF this General AS
sembly, such occasion exists at this time, in conse-
quence of the course Of Senators at the late Extra
Session of Congress, upon the Bank question: there
fore,
Resolred, by the General assembly, That our Sena
in Congress be instructed and representatives
be requested oppose BY all constitutional means, the
establishment by Congress of Bank of the United
States any similar institution, to go into operation
in either with or without the assent Of the States
The resolutions then, at Mr.. BIS request, laid
on the table and ordered to be printed.
DESTRUCTION LAW.
Mr.. HOLIDAY said, that while gentlemen, both on
his right and on his left were offering the House re-
solutions affecting our Federal Relations and as he had
himself prepared resolution Of instruction to our Sen
ators in reference to the repeal of the Distribution
Law enacted by Congress at It's last session. which be
desired 10 submit TO the House, he did not know that
lie could offer it at appropriate direction than
10 ask that like those submitted by the gentlemen who
had preceded him, it should be read, and then laid
the table and printed
He presumed it was known 10 every member Of the
House. that the late called session, Congress enacted
law directing the proceeds of the public lands, which
should be sold after the 3st Of the present month, 10
be distributed ssmannually among the States and Ter
ritories of the Union and the District Of Columbia; and
this, too time when all the revenues Of the United
States insufficient TO meet the expenditures of The
Government, and while the Government is actually
borrowing money to defray IFS current expenses
| The Senators from Virginia voted Tor this law; and
it stated in report Of the proceedings Of
Congress which he had just read that nm effort TO pro-
its repeal and appropriation Of the land money
to strengthen the de!enceG OF the Cnon had been de-
fea,cd in the Senate; the Virginia Senators voting
against il. Mr.. HoLLADAY said he was strongly I'M
pressed with the belief that these votes did not express
the wishes either Of majority of the people of FIr
ginia Of their natives in the General Assem-.
bly, He designed by Offering the resolution test the
sense of the General Assembly the subject; and If
he had not mistaken it, to control the action Of
Senators the question Of repeating this distribution
/ law.
lie thought this law went greatly beyond any former
legislation Of Congress this subject: and could not
be defended on any principle, which would not carry
them the whole length ofdsirbuting not the proceeds
of the public lands alone, an accidental surplus in
the Treasury, but any revenue however raised; nor
would il stop there, but would equally authorize them
| to raise revenue for the purpose Of distribution.
He did not believe that such law would receive the
appreciation Of the General Assembly; and If it die
not, it certainly important that the fact should be
ascertained and made known TO onr Senator's in order
that they might conform their action TO the will OF the
constituents.
| He desired that the preamble and resolution which
he sent TO the chair might be read, and then laid on h'
table and printed.
Whereas, in the opinion Of the General Assembl,
of Virginia. the Constitution Of the U. $. dues not con
fer Congress any power to raise money for distrbu
! ton, either by sale Of the public lands by taxation
by borrowing or in any other mode
lind rhercaS at the extraordinary session, Congress
did law for the distribution of the proceeds
the public lands among the States and Territories Of thu
Union and the District of Columbia, and that, too,
a time when all the revenues of the Government On
GLIDING the proceeds of the lands inadequate L
meet its expenditures
ind aciereas, the deficiency in the revenue caused
by the distribution of the land money, must be suppee
by other money to be raised either by borrowing il, OF
\ By increased tayation on the people:
| .7nd achereas such distribution is substantially the
if the money distributed raised by Dor
rowing, or by taxing the people;
find achercaS, it cannot compor with wise and eco
nomical administration Of the Government 10 give
away so large and important branch of lis revenue
especially at time when it is actually borrowing mo-
ney 10 delray its current expenses
Ind, ,rhere0s the General Assembly Of Virginia has
seen with regret and dissatisfaction, that the Senators
in the Congress of the United States recorded their
votes in favor Of the Distribution Law:
find, 1chereas, it is long established usage in Vr
gnia for the General Assembly to instruct her Sena.
tors, when in its opinion, proper occasion arises for
such instruction. Therefore,
Resotred by The General assembly Of Virginia, That
Senators in Congress be instructed, aud our Re-
personalities requested, TO their best efforts TO pro-
the immediate repeal of the act passed at the first
session of the Twenty seventh Congress of the United
States, entitled can act 10 appropriate the proceeds OF
the sales of the Public Lands and to grant presumption
rights"
REPUBLICAN MEETING IL CAMPBELL.
At meeting of portion the Republicans Of Camp
bell county, held at The Court Honse, on Monday, the
18th of December 1884, for The purpose appointing de-
cgaies 20 the Republican State Convention proposed
10 be held in Richmond on the I'd day Of February