Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-04-20

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ofRepresentatives ofIhe Uni'ed States ''tft should
Be their pleasure 10 command his services" Afer
the occuuen OF the last Albematle Court, and
Mr.. Gilmcr's absolute and unqualified withdrawal
from the canvass this state OF things falls upon me
with as much surprise as clap OF thunueT nom
clear sky; particularly when it comes Immediately
upon the heels ofthe election IL IS not my business,
nor is IL my purpose 10 question the motives or can
vass the reasons which have led to III extraordi-
nary state Of things ltissuticient Tor me TO know
that thew exist and that il is my duty TO meet them.
The people have right 10 run and to vote tor any
man they choose, and 1t is not for me to complain OF
what they do.
Mr.. Gilmer says that at the last Albemarle
Court to obviate all difficulty and embarrassment,
TO ourselves and to our friends, which might grow out
Of the threatened collision between US, be proposed
TO refer TO an equal number OF Wings and Conser-
vatves "selected from any or every part oil the
trict. 10 decide (which of should he the cand-
date" II is true that this proposition was made, as
stated, and promptly rejected why was
it rejected7 Simply because | had been the rep
resentative Of the District for six years, heard no
complaint Of my capacity fidelity or course, and had
announced myself a candidate Cor reelection. More
particularly when my annunciation was made while
Mr.. Gilmer was Governor OF Virginia, with two
years OF his term yet unexpIred, which he thought
proper TO resign. There was nothing TO refer, ex-
cept which of should be the representative OF the
District and the only lawful tribunal TO decide that
question, was, the people. | had no hand in pro-
t1cns the embarrassment and difficulty between
MIR. Gilmer and myself, and uriTiends, and 1t was
not for me to relieve il. When MIR. Gilmer resign
ed his Office as Governor, was acandldate, and the
only question Tor Mr. Gilmer's friends, was, whether
they would bring out opposition TO me. This they
decided at last Albemarle Court not to do; and
,io,r they decide do IL The only difference Is,
the frs, movement was made at Charlottesville the
last at Louisa courthouse. MIR. Gilmer says:
ave have now on Administration which must
RELY on the wisdom and justice OF its measures for
popular support, and which cannot be opposed I'M
1ar oh N
While every Wing in Virginia is content TO sub
iect the present the test of the Con-
sttution and OF fidelity to the public interests, no
Democrat il is hoped, will condemn without n fault,
refuse to give a fair and impartial trial. Under
these circumstances j am at a loss 10 perceive the
object or the propriety Of any man, occupying to-
wards The present Administration the position OF
conservative. IL either implies dlstrust OF those who
are responsible for the Administration OF the Gov.
eminent, or determination TO maintain, under any
circumstances n party organization distinct from
both the other parties OF the day"
MIR Gilmer i6rgets that the name Of ewing" was
derived from an organized opposition to Gen. jack
sons administration. The Wing party is now in
the ascendant. Its attitude is changed from that OF
opposition support Of the existing administration.
Why then retain retain the name OF Wing? Why
not take up the old and we'll tired name of "Repub
lcan3" Mr. Gilmer is welcome 10 nll the advan-
tase he can derive from this play upon names: there
is doubt that the Conservatives were as sincere
and ardent certainly not more so, in their support
of Gen. Harrison, and will be decided in their
support OF this administration, rs far as shall con-
form TO the test prescribed by Mr. Gilnler himself,
either he or any other OF the Wings. Why then
atempt dsparage the Conservatives on account OF
their name1 Names nothing, principles are ey-
cry thing.
Some of Mr. Gimer's friends urge his election up
on the District, the ground that the Legislature
in dissenting from his course on the New lork and
Virginia fugitive" question, have outraged his feel
ings, and that his election to the House OF RepTeseI
tatIves will soothe his feelings, and prove TO the
ton that the people have still confidence in him.
IL this appeal had been made in favour OF MIR Gill
mer sgainst those who inflicted the injury upon
him, il might have been worthy of consideration.
But as had participation IN INJECTING this iniu
ny, do not see why my feelings should be mortIh-
ed, 10 soOthe those of MIR Gilmer; and the people
manifest want Of confidence in me, TO exhibit their
confidence in him. The liberaiity and magnanimi
~ OF his claim certainly Of very marked charac-
ter! never doubted the integrity or patriotism
with which MIR Gilmer acted upon this occasion;
yet, with due regard 10 the obligations OF the con-
stitulion of the United States and the express law
of the State Of Virginia, | am compelled 10 dissent
10 the propriety Of his course in the Curry affair.
am, feliow-cfz ms, | uniformly have BEEN
opposed to the Sub Treasury law, and decidedly
in favor Of its repeal am, as ever have BEEN de-
cidedy opposed TO Bank Of the United States in
any form shape If reelected, and a majority of
the District instruct to vote against the repeal OF
the Sub-treasury law, shall feel myself bound to
tional question involved. If they instruct me to vote
Tor the charter OF a National Bank, | should i'm
medialely resign my seat IN order that the District
might carry out its wishes IN the person Of another
representative; because in voting for National
Bank / should regard myselfaS violating the Con-
stitution which should lie sworn 10 support. IL j.
the representative who takes the oath to support
the Constitution, and not his constituents. am de-
cidedly opposed TO Tariff for protection, and TO
the distribution of the proceeds Of the public lands
I .fu,yn IN he srngIfQ az . ba Asbs
OF the States by the Federal Government, If any
should be found wild enough to make such pro-
position, which ] doubt. In n word, fel!ow-citl.
zens maintain all those articles Fundamental poll
cal faith with which | entered public life, and shall
not depart from them.
Undertaking that either from the misa pprehen-
sion Of Others, or my own unsuarded and inaccurate
mode of expression, that my feelings and views nB
between a National Back and the Sub treasury
system, are greatly misunderstood and misrepTe-
sented I feel it due myself and those Of my fei-
low citizens who labor under this Misrepresentation
10 explain what my views always have been, and
what theyi ore now.-WheneVer | have spoken of
these two systems, ] uniformly did so as stern and
inevitable alternatives, and not entertaining any
favor Tor ether Tor my opposition TO each has been
and is now, inheKible aud uncompTomising Be
fore the Sub-ueasUry Law passed, said that II ]
were compelled to choose between National Bank
and a simple Sub-tTeHsury system, that | should
take fhe later, merely because regarded it consti-
tutionai; but thstl would make the choice with
the same feeling th,t would choose between
"roPe7 and grape vine" with which 10 he hung
In speaking Of the Sub-treasUry law, ! have uni
formly said or intended 10 say, that would imme-
diately and without qualification repeal the specie
clause and that clause which autho ICES the issue OF
Treasury drafts without such limitations ano res
trietIonsas will prevent their becoming a medium Of
circulation but that in rel ton the clauses re-
lating 70 the mere custody Of the public money,
did not see clearly how could vote TO repeal them
untl some bstitute adopted; because the very
last clause OF the Sub treasury law repealed all
o.her laws upon the subject, and would leave the
public money in the hands Of the Executive without
any security or safeguard whatever. further said,
or intended to say, that did see how could
with propueiy for the repeal OF these clauses
in relation TO the custody Of the public money,
which constitutional, for the express purpose Of
or where the inevitable result would be the letting
in n Nationul Bank which ] regarded uncObsutu-
tional. This difficulty grew out Of my oath To sup.
port the Constitution, and not out Of any (apOriIm
] had for the Sub treasury law over National
Bank as a measure for so obnoxious are both 10
me, that ! have preference between them 49,
These have been, and still are my FEELINGS upon this
subject, and arise from obligation which every
honest man will and ought 10 respect-tho represen.
ta'ive oath.-Let any take the repeating clause
Of the Sub-treusury law into HE hlnds and ask him.
SELF, believing a National Bank unconstitutional
what he would do under like circumstances.
My substitutes iorthe Sub.Treasury Law are, e-
Their the adoption Of we'll regulated and sufficient
ly restricted State Bank deposite system or the np-
Dointment Of the cusiOdiars Of the public money az
fixed periods, by the joint ballot Of the Senate and
House ofRepresentatIyes Of the United States. I