Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-09-03

Our foreiathers thought differently: they talked long
RI before they agreed to be taIed 4 little. But this COM
mitter, whose gratitude TO their spatriotic leaders,
+ TOT any small iavors IS as remarkable as their want of
charity towards their own Representative, ought at
least 10 have examined the constitution Of the commit
tees, and the conduct of the Speaker, before they de-
nonnced me for charging the majority with tyranny
II these committees bear upon their face the design of
being so organized as to concilate the Abolitionisrs by
making their leading men prominent and powerful-if
their constitution is nanifes'iy unjust as between the
different sections and parties of the country, surely,
as a Southern man, if not as n 'patriotic leader, |
might be allowed to complain of those who produced
\ such results.
I But am charged w:.h misrepresenting a large ma
lorIty ofGiy constituents in voting against a bill 10 disiri-
butte three or four millions out Of the Treasury, when
we all admit that that Treasury is enpty-in voting
immediately after against an additional tax ofeight
millions-an unnecessary national debt of twelve NIL
lions, and a National Bank, which, now that it is We
toed, finds no advocate in Congress. To this allie CATION
| give an unqualified denial, and can, | think, satisfy
any candid mind that the Norfolk committee have en-
tirely misinterpreted my course. AS to the insinuation
that | am actuated by ''sinister designs leave that
TO be disposed of when | shall have an opportunity Of
confronting my accuseTs face TO face.
When u candidate for Congress in 1887, | took de-
clded ground against a Bank of the U. s., and voted al
Inc extra session, in September Of that year for the
resolution declaring sit inerped,ent TO charter a Ma.
tonal Bank" In 1898, while the Sub. Treasury was
on Its passage, rose in my place in the House Of Re-
P' uHo otutcu tHdl i FOlRu against the Dill
because / believed it was the wish of a majority of my
constituents that should do so, at the same time de-
claring that | advocated a 'scparation of Bank and
State and that il the measure under consideration
could he altered in some of its details, | should, fleft
free to act, sustain the bill. My course on that occa.
sion, together with my report to the Commercial Con.
vent;on in Richmond, produced much dissatisfaction
among the bank men N some parts OF the District
10 such an extent, indeed, as induced me, after Con-
gress adjourned, to address the People in several coun-
ties IN defence OF my position; and, en- every occa-
SION, ! repeated my declarations Of hostility to a Ma
tIonal Bank. About this time Mr.. Holleman was an
nounced as the Van Buren, candidate, and the Wings,
believing that no bank man could be elected, nomi-
mated me, without solicitation on my part, as their can
didate for Congress. During the exciting and prolract-
ed contest between Mr.. II. and myself, which resulted
in his election by a majority Of l39 votes, all who heard
us will recollect my antl-bank sentiments and The slight
difference between MS on the currency question. In the
canvass of 1910, for the Presidency, | never made a
speech in which | omitted to repeat my opinions about
a Bank, and as constantly defended Gen Harrison from
the charge of being favorable TO such an institution.
In the address issued by the Norfolk Convention IN
September, and written by the able author Of Camil-
lus, it was declared that the Bank was no issue in the
election. The district gave only about lS0 majority
for the Wing ticket, including Bank and anti. Bank
Wings, of which last there are several hundred in
the district. Elr. Holepan resigned his seat, and 1
was elected 10 fill the vacancy, on which occasion,
believing that Mr.. III S vote on the Sub-Treasury, had
not been sustained by a majority Of the District, avow-
ed my purpose to vote for its repeal. When the pro-
priety of calling an extra session was discussed in the
House of Representatives on the 9th of February, |
made some remarks, in which, after endorsing ali the
opinions, save one, (vz. about the Bank contained i'll
the memorable speech Of my colleague, MIR. Wise, |
took decided ground against the calling of The Extra
Session.; the Distributions, the Loan, any any tax bills
which would in any manner violate the spirit or letter
of the Compromise act. This speech was published
in the papers at home, besides being extensively circu.
lated i'll the Wing counties of the district where the
opinions it promulgated were most likely to be unpopu-
in April, it was, / suspect, because there was no OPP
position. II the clamor OF some OF those VINO are now
against me in my absence had peen heeaeu
nv The People, or their advice been valued by others
according to their own estimate, | should, beyond
doubt, not have been permitted TO walk Overtime course
without an opponent. Circumstances, oi a doh'es-
tc character. prevented me from attending the courts
!, ,Ls several counties nor, indeed, was it necessary,
since nv opinions must have been well known, aha
had so thoroughly canvassed the District on recent
occasions. had, however, an opportunity " spsan
inn 10 the People of Princess Anne, a thorough wing
country, on the first Monday IN APlii' ! ne.e oP.mJ
declared my opinions on every leading question: ana
n,ode known the course | would pursue u again
elected 10 Congress. For more than TWO noufs ou
/ arrue against Distribution and a Bank, and, IN con-
s.onence of the sentiments then expressed, more 'han
6fty Wing votes, including some Of the most prom,
mem members of the party, were cast against me- !
WA in Norfolk and Portsmouth frequently during
This time. and over and over again., III conversations
with many of the citizens, MADE known my po".e't
opinions ; for entertaining when, ! was " '"an
: ~ renrimanded and gently adnonished by some Of
these very persons composing the COMMITTEE. hicr
all this. received many hundred majority ~ a District
which has been so closely contested since los.' thatt" NJ
majority on either side has never, so tar as ! know, eS-
ceeded l30 votes, except last iai', "nsh' y IN !"
great exertion, the Wings reversed The van brren ma,
iority of 1889 of l39 votes, by a Harrison majority, M
told. Nationals, Federalists, and Republicans, OF l0o'
or whereabouts. In the face of these facts when can
not but be fresh in the recollection OF some OF II mem
hers. shaye seen with astonisbment, which no IAN
o,,ae ran adequately express" a fierce attack on my
course in CONGRESS by this Committee, couched ID IAN
cnngc the most unkind, and coupled with Insinuat'ons
Of a political and personal character as uncaiiediof oy
the occasion as they are unjust anu uh'onhceu. "a
had supposed that | was elected TO Congress WIN
the privilege of acting according to my own judgment
and The dictates of my own conscience, ana tha' :
should consult the interests and be GUIDED ny the OPP,
Mons of my constituents, not sent mere gaeeeu nHu
manacled as q tool to execute the orders OF any ieaue,'
be he "patriotic or distinguished. l was VAN enough
to think those who elected me intended 10 place .ne'
their Representative, however humble as 4 private ~
dividual, on a footing of perfect equaiity III ms iea
ton towards other members OF Congress- ihaePehu-
ent of dictation either on the part OF the EHpcuuss" :.
an ambiti ions leader in either House. And l thihK ,"
yet. notwithstanding the declaration OF TINS oohnnl-
tee that I should be snbservient-'pla the ~n,Ve
Charley I" 10 those who "dIrect the proceedings '"e
o,sseni Congress" No; | do not think so meaniy Of
.bose whom represent as for a moment 10 believe
thew desire to deprive me Of my right as a citizen OF
th;ss Republic and as the Representative OF fifty thou
sand persons, to speak freely of public men and mea,
sures. So far from il, | repel the proceedings ~ !naS
Committee as a reflection on the good sense, Inc JUS,
t;ee. and the liberali,y of the People themselves; |
admit, with this Committee, that a "'n'.u pa.y nan
e xist in Washington, and It IS because 1 hase !. 49,,
.eounlenance and support to this movement, i 10 w. ai
thus assailed. Yes; a 'th,rd party aoes eSi ;uJge from
ing o1s. sss m my Of ' 'he meeting Elm whose purpose !. is,
r"s p,1 support Wing President in the Just exercise
of his Constitutional powers, b"t to shape the he, course y, @, o,
the u, ,ha hsne6t Of a certain distinguished" not
..0n,rio,ie," sleader, whom the majority of the Ame.
Ti ea.,'T People have twice rejected as unworthy to be
their Ruler; and whose livery, /, for one, will never
wear, go help me God
late The effect on my own popularity; for, so far as am
' uersonally concerned, it isa matter oflittle importance
whether sink or swim in the tide of popular favor