The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1841-05-27
. yIRGlNIA ABsTRAcTIONs.r

.VIRGINIA distractions"
The talented editor Of the Petersburg
Inlelligencer occasionally diseTsiies his
columns with vein of pleasant hunor,
y which il i grtifsing . turn for relief
from the fury u political debate md n
cry dispute. Tie following i happy
biz u . Virginia abstraesiOas;" absrae-
lions unfortunately, however, not always
confined % Virginia.
From Ne Petersburg iaieiligeassr
Doubts entertained by Tie Editor ef he
Eagmirsr II re- Csas.ilaiisasliiy n Presided
Tslsr's Freeiamaiisa. aErssias Fasfiag so
P5sssr. = seeoaai q lAs 4ssia " Csaed liar.
rfsoa.
We have heard great deal said in our
time concerning Virginia distractions, and
have been frequently j0ked By intelligent
citizens Of other states about The prone
ness Of Nirginians 10 argue about mere
distractions, 70 the total neglect Of The i'm
portanl and practical interests Of life.
We have heretofore laughed these al
tacks of . mere jests, bur have lately
come 10 the conclusion thai, in this . in
many other cases, "yery true things are
said in Jest"
The story told of the Virginia member
Of Congress who, on his deaih-bed, call
Cd a friend to his bed side, and with his
last words said 10 him. Sir, wish you
to distinctly understand tia, ! am no, to
be buried at the public expense, for I'll
be damned il belisse such expenditures
of public money to be constitutional" is
not quite so exlrayagant as some may sup
pose, and Is fully matched BY an article
which appeared in the last Enquirer. In
this article the editor expresses grave
doubts Of the constiutionality of the Pro-
clamation Of Mr.. Tyler, recommending a
day Of Fasting and Prayer to the citizens
OF the United States, on account Of the
death Of the late President. The Enqui.
rer saws:
at is true, that the Acting President
has not attached to his Proclamation the
seal of the United States, nor the a;iesta-
ton of his Secretary; and that he adopts
the more persuasive term of ga rseoni-
mendaiion," I" 10 the People Of the Unit.
ed Siates''-but it is also true, that this
&" Recommendation goes forth as IS OFF,
ciai," and that IL has all the effect Of a
Proclamation. For one, therefore, we
conroyert the propriely Of the measure,
upon the grounds taken by the Republi.
can Party"
This is really grave matter, a very
grave matter, indeed, and we advise the
House Of Representatives to examine well
into it, and see il an impeachment cannot
be founded on this same proclamation.
We have looked into the s. Resolutions
Of '9s and 90" and carefully read Madi.
sons Report, and can find nothing which
will justify Mr.. Tyler in this outrageous
assumption of power. What! a Presi.
dent of the United States advise the eli
zens Of this i" free and enlightened coun.
try" in general, and this - unterrifiet
Commonwealth" in particular, to humble
themselves in prayer before the God oI
Nations, on account of a great National
bereavement! What! John Tyler advise
Virginians, who, by the Constitution, as
expounded by "the Resolutions Of 'gs
and 49," have right to pray or no, to
pray, to fast or not 10 fast, as may suit
their sovereign will and pleasurc--to pray
and 90 without their dinners on account
of the death of the Chief Magistrate of the
United Statcs!! Sons of Revolutionary
Sires, arouse from your slumbers and
teach this arrogant usurper, that YOU will
pray when you choose TO pray, and fast
when you choose to fast, without listen
ing to his unconstitutional advice. To
Arms! To Arms!-Organize! Organize!