Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-02-15
GENERAL ASSEMBLY or VIRGINIA.
SENATE,
|. FRipAr. February l2.

In 10
sent the feelings, the wants, the wishes oil his con
stituepts:-lhis, upon the present or upon any
other occasion, he should 10 very sorry TO DO
hut he could not that the vote OF the peop'
OF his district on the Presidential eleeuon, eoui'
be considered as instructions to him IN TN
particaiar. He admitted that there was Constr
tu,ional obligation imposed upon him as one OF th'
representatives of the people OF Virginia, to 60 in'C
n Senatorial election; but there was no Consutu
tional obligation to the time when such elect'ot
should be made. He did not see that there wa'
any necessity to elect Senator now. congress
would 90 into session simultaneously Win theni
IL was well understood that no business oil import
ancc was ever taken up nj the commencement OF
session SO that thew could very readily, next ses-
sion elect their Senator, and enable him 10 take
hi, seat in time participate IN the discussion ana
settlement Of any important measure that might DC
brought before them. Circumstances, however
MIGHT arise which would render It, in his opinion,
necessary to proceed an election at the present
session. There was strong rumour that there
was to be a called session of Congress; at present
however, this mere conjecture, BUT Zen. HART.
son had now gone on to Washington, and II would
doubtless, in a few days, be aseertained WHISTLER
they were to have this called session or not. u
such should be found to be the case, he, Tor one,
would then support a motion Tor gong INTO thls
election, believing that the interests OF the people
and the wishes of his constituents, required that
Virginia should be then fully represented. Al
though the people of his district had by a large
majority voted for Gen. Harrison, yet there were
no frmer Republicans OF the Jsitersonian school IN
the State, and they never would have voted Tor
Gen. Harrison had they not believed that he
would honestly sustain the principles which had
ever been dear TO the people OF virginia. lie
therefore could not now consent TO go into an eec-
tion when the result must be 10 send 10 the Senate
a man hostile to the great principles OF the people
Of Virginia; but, If gentlemen on the opposite side
would present 10 him man who would oppose the
distribution of the proceeds OF the public lands,
who would oppose increase Of the tariff, the es.
lie scra Nat Rank he hay is
vote; and f Gen. HARRISON conducted his admins
fration upon these principles, 1t should receive his
hearty support. Until, however he saw that there
some necessity for electing Senator, he should
refuse TO go into the election.
Mr.. CONRAD was afraid that he could not say
any thing that would have the effect OF changing
the determination Of the Senate-the indications
were too strong he Mistaken that the spell Of the
Magician still rested upon the Senate Of Virginia,
and that spell he was well aware was not 10 be
broken by him. He however, felt it 10 be his du-
ty to enter his protest against the proposition now
before them-a proposition which he could not re-
gard in any other light than an attack upon the
Constitution, and an abandonment OF the rights and
interests OF the people of Virginia. Mr. e. then
proceeded at great length TO argue that there n
clear constitutional obligation upon them to proceed
to this eecton-an obligation, which in his opn-
ion, could not be disregarded under any pretence
whatever. The argumen. of the Senator frsm Ka-
nawha, that there no necessity to elect SEN
ator, his services could not be required until
they should have time next session TO elect one,
fell to the ground at once, because the expiration
OF Mr. Rolnes term Of service the 4th OF March,
and the Senate already summoned to meet on
the 5th for the important purpose Of passing on
the appointments Of the President. Not merely
constitutional obligation, but every consideration OF
interest and of public duty called upon them TO fix
upon n day 10 go into this election. The present
unsettled condition Of the finances, the currency
the trade Of the country, and the rumours abroad,
rendered 1t almost certain that there would be
called session. At that called session, II was GER
that measures of the greatest importance would
be brought forward, and yet the Senate of Virginia
prepared TO leave their State unrepresented or
but half represented in the Senate of the United
States He called upon gentlemen on the oppo-
site side calmly review their position and TO act
as became Vrginians, anxious for the prosperity
and honor Of their good old Commonwealth.
MIR. ANDERSON defended himself from the
charge of inconsistency, because in 1888 when act
ing one Of the administration party he had voted
10 postpone an election OF Senator until the next
session. At that time the administration party had
considerable majority in the Senate, but even
then, he could state OF his own knowledge that
majority oil the Senate could not be brought TO sup
port motion for postponement until il was distinct
Iy understood that, It the House OF Delegates de-
cded That an election should take place. that the
Senate should at once consent to FIX day.-At that
tlme too, there no probability of a called ses-
SION, and scarcely possibility of their Senator be-
ing called upon officially until after the COM
meneement of the next session; but now the Sc
nate of the United States was already convened for
the 9Th of March-lhere almost a certainty of
n called session, and the other House had sent them
q resolution asking them f. day TO 90 into the
election of the Senator, and yet motion had been
subm tied TO postpone indefinitely, the consideration
OF the subject
Mr.. FAULKNER, in powerful speech. but |
meagre sketch Of which is here presented contend
ed Tor the constitutional obligation resting upon them
10 proceed in the election OF a Senator arguing this
point at some length, and then urged the necessity
as a matter Of policy and dutY TO have Virginia full
IY represented in tie called session Of Congress
should one take place;-he trusted that they would
not deprive themselves Of their lust station and
weight 10 the Federal Government. The argument
that the result OF the PRESIDENTIAL election was 10 be
binding upon their State Legislature, was an nsi.
dlous blow at State sOvereignty;--the Constitution
OF their Stale pointed out TO whom they were an.
sWerable TOE their conduct, and representative
could disregard the wishes Of his constituents be-
cause another constituency, IN another matter had
decided a particular way. The representation oil
virginia was not based upon the white population;
II dId no! recognise the right Of the numerical ma
Jority TO rue;-it was a mlKed representation and
TO attempt TO transfer the power and influence from
THIS mixed representation to a Representation Of
mere numbers, was an attack upon the State Con
sutution. lie begged of the Senate 10 look al the
Character and probable effects of the precedent which
they were setting IN declaring that there was no |
CONSTITUTIONAL Obligation upon them TO 20 into this
election at certain tme II not they might proceed
70 eject tDelr senator years before hand as well
years after;-partes changed daily but precedents
remained, and he would ask of tkem 10 sonsider
the probable effect Of the one which they were
now setting.-Usage had established the practice
OF proceeding 10 hll up the vacancies in the Sc.
nate IN the session preceding the expiration Of
tho term OF service, and that usage ought not
90 be lightly departed from. lie expressed his
astonishment that gentlemen who had declared
their distrust Of Mr. Rives' political opinions and
who had carried on long and deadly war unon
him, should now be prepared 10 rest entirely mo,
him, 20 place him IN the expected called scsg an es
the sole representative Of the sovereignty OF Virsio
~. Much as he expected from Mr. Rives this " 4.
degree OF confidence which he was not dlsnosed IN
place IN any man. lie wished 10 place by his side
q worthy colleague, 50 that n any Of the odiops
measures which gentlemen prophecied would aoyg
from the Administration Of Gen. Harrison. sbo,Id
be brought forward, That Virginia. nt le,s' .lopld
be found well prepared TO defend the eroai MINI,
pies which her people held 70 dear Here bs Gave :,
description Of such character as came up 10 he de-,
oi whata Virginia Senator ought to be- Could
gentlemen say that they believed # they went into
an election, Tint a man would he elected who would
tmmpIe upon the will Of the Poople7 They could
not - believe lie, for one, would not vote Tor /,
man who was disposed 10 he a mere palace slave
ne would not vote Tor a friend 10 n syster, Of 6,o
c'ous pfoscupton-ior one who was IN r, vor Of re-
WING ho exploded system uf Internal To,nrovc
inenls-"ho would legislate on the spf,iset ~ ,bc
iafu ~ any othcr spirt than that Of tbc Co,,,,o
mise act OF lS3B-who recognized ,be ., -,
Congress 70 tax the currency Of the So w
was IN favor OF applying the bankrupt I,vy q, 49,,