Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-01-21
HOUSE OF DELEGATES.
MONDAY, JASuARr IS.
fDe6ate Concluded

Mr. CRoPYER was almost afraid 10 trust himself |
in addressing the House upon the present occasion.
He should not enter into the merits or dement's OF
Mr.. Rives. For more than two years, every prin- |
ciple he entertained, all his acts, and every thing he
had done had been fully discussed, both there and
ejsewherc. TWAS not his object 20 make speech, 1
but 70 offer few brief remarks, and 10 reply to
son,e of the insinuatons thrown out elsewhere, as
20 the motives that induced him 70 oppose mr.
Rives and to desire the election o: some other gen
tlenn.n II was true that he wished this cup could
pa,s from him. The friends he had acted with here
tofore and with whom he hoped and expected TO act
in the coming trying time OF the next two years had
desired that he should record his vote for Mr. Rves
but one Of the strongest reasons which would in.
duce him TO vote for that gentleman, was the fact
that no other Wing could be elected. IL was said
by his constituents, that he was playing into the
hands Of the Van Buren, party, in the course
which he had pursued in joining the lmpraeticables.
The searcher Of all hearts knew his motives, and If
he could that day lay his whole heart open, so that
ali his feelings might be seen, II would be found that
he opposed MIR. Rives, because he did not in many
respects ngree with him IN political opinion. No:
Whatever might have been the impracticablo career
which he had pursued, he had never had thought
in his mind, or wished or intended to do the Admit
ns,ration party any service. That party had war
red too long upon the institutions OF their country
for him to do them service. He had witnessed the
proceedings Of that party lately, and II here
tolore he might have had n proclivity that way,
that would have convinced him that he was wrong.
The friends with whom he had acted had detcrml-
ned not 10 vote against Mr.. Rives and in Difference
10 them, he would have his support-not willing
one but now he could not do better. He must say,
that if Wing proper could have been elected,
which he found there was no chance OF doing, for
many Of the Administration party had refused TO
vote for whig Mr. Rives would not have had his
vote These and other reasons, which he would not
now give would induce him to pursue the course he
had determined He would not play into the
hands of the enemy-as there was row no chance
l.. l.. -.
Rives He could not say that he should give his
vote with much pleasure; but The coniinued) you
that have brought us, my Wing friends to this PITCH
must take the responsibility upon yourselves.
Mr. BArLr did not mean to prooug the debate,
but the course taken might seem 10 suggest the pro-
prie,y of some remarks from himself. IL was known
That the remarks Just made, and the questions pro-
pounded by the gentleman from Monroe to the
gentleman from Spottsylvania, were matters which
were entitled TO grave consideration. Ii was known
10 this country that he opposed TO the election
of General Harrison, but he was elected, and he
wanted even General Harrison's Administration TO
have fair trial, and far as he was concerned, he
should have that fair trial. de had his doubts, but
if he came up TO and carried out the principles in
yoyed in the queries Of the gentleman from Monroe,
he would support him. In his comprehension, he
could only have fair trial by sending into his
Councils men who, themselves, were possessed OF
correct principles. What National Republican
would I've pleased with he should be dsplea-
sed with, and if General Harrison were TO lie
tried by the States Rights test, he was afraid
he would he found wanting. His anxiety was
10 send to the Senate Of the United States
only such men OF tried and certain principles that
General Harrison might be tried by the test Of those
principles. The election was over, Gen' Harrison
had been elected; their only object ought TO he,
that his administration should be fairly tested by
sending men of proper principles TO the Senate
these being his feelings in relation TO this mat
Ter, he viewed with regret the reply which his
friend had received when asking for definition of
principles. Ii the present friends OF Mr. RIyes
knew his principles, they ought not 10 refuse to tell
them. When the questions were propounded TO tho
gentleman from Spottsylvania, he got of answering
them on pretext that had moro wit than fairness in
it. He would, however, meet the gentleman on hi.
own ground and take from him all pretence for
cealment. He asked that gentleman if Mr.. Rives
would go against the charter OF National Bank
under any circumstances; did he consider that
there were strong constitutional objections that
measure, which he was cot prepared TO sacrifice
under any consideyations7 Would he go against
tariff for protection under any clrcumstaneesI
Would he go against the distribution OF the pro-
ceeds Of the sales Of the public lands! Would he
vote for the repeal of the Force Bill and to rescind
the Expunsing process7 Had he changed the opin-
ion which he had Xpressed IN Congress, that sa
very n moral, social, and political evil, and
ouoi.t TO be got rid OF IN NIrgina1 lie put these
ouestin,s 10 the gentleman from Spotsylvania, and
4 Mr. Rises could come up TO these State Rights,
and he could produce satisfactory evidence that he
would do So he would vote for him. de dlstrust-
ed the principles of Mr. Riyes, did not believe him
10 be sound, and should vote against him unless
these questions were satisfactorily answered. His
worthy colleague told them that he came under
pledge to prevent the election of MIR. Rves, II 1t
could be done by the success OF true Wing, but
his friend said that no Wing could be elected, and
therefore he should vote for MIR. Rlves Amy one
who had seen the course of that gentleman here,
and through life, must know that he would
redeem ali the pledges he made, 10 the letter
fIe knew his colleague did not mean to take this
ground q subteruge. lie was high-minded
and honorable man, and would do what was right.
He would ask his colleague, whether he considered
his pledge not 20 vote for Mr.. RveS ifa Wing could
be elected as redeemed until he had made the at
tempt TO elect Whigi There was Wing Of de
cided principles IN the Commonwealth, who would
accept the appointment If it was conferred upon
hun; and II the four gentlemen Who came under
pledges 10 vote Tor Wing, would carr out those
pledges, his own distinct impression was that
Wing might he elected. He did not wish TO infu.
ence the course Of any OF these gentlemen, but he
thought 1t right TO mention this TACT. His consti.
tuents had by very large majority, gone for Gen.
Harrison in the late contest. One OF the strongest
grounds taken against the present Administration
was, that they were the friends Of prescriptions
he wanted TO test MIR. Rves this point Would
his friend from Spottsyyania tell him who was the
FIRST man prescribed by Gen. JackSon7 Unless he
was mistaken, it was Gen. VIM II. Harrison, who
was rec lied from Colombia, TO ml Ike place for Mr..
Moore. Now he would ask this question, did not
VIM. q. Rives sign the request to Gen. Jackson
10 remove Gen. Harrison TO make room for this Mr.
MoorcY He understood from authority on which
NE could rely. that this the fact and he trusted
his friend from Spousylvania would answer this
with the other questions.
Mr.. CRoPPEE must differ with his colleague on
the prosper Of eleet,ng Wing, or indeed of any
other person except MIR. RiFes The gentleman
knew as well as he did the circumstances under
which he wns placed. Although he might not
know so well the determination OF those with whom
be was placed, yet hs must see that other per-
son than MIR. Rves could be elected Supposing
n Wing were nominated, and every lmpracticabe in
the House, the whole four, voted foe him. If all the
Administration party went for him, and # the two
Wings, who represented an administration county,
went for him, II would only then make tie vote
and no election could take place. He was not will
Ing TO throw himself into that position when he
could not by possibility gain any thing by IT, and
10y gratifying his own feeling. sacrifice the interests
Of the State
Mr. ToLER said the gentleman from Acoom,e
had made n remark which might exercise some i'm
proper influence, if not contrndicteJ He stated
that Mr. Rives had addressed letter 10 Gen. Jack.
son asking for the dismissal Of General Harrison
lie demanded the production Of that letter and IN.
less the letter be produced must deny the fact MIR
Hives, IN conjunction with General Hamilton Of
South Carolina, Mr.. Bel, Mr. Cambreleag. and
some others, had addressed etter 20 Gen'1 lacy
son, recommending Mr.. Thomas y. Moore 10 so,oc
appointment, not as Minister TO Bogota, bu, To som,
one Of the South American Republics. bat IN tbat
lfftrr tho mar NJ f,aper.1