Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-01-20
Election Of U. S. Senator.

the House met to-morrow, call up the resolution IN
srucng their Senators To vote Tor the repeal Of the
Expunging Resolution.
Election of u. s. Senator.
Mr.. Smiru rose to ascertain whether MS. Clarke
of Halifax was in his seat;-if not, he intended TO
move the postponement of the election of u. $.
Senator until the next day, as that gentleman was
detained, in all probability 10y the state OF the wea-
ther and the roads Understanding that MIR. Clarke
had arrived, he took his seat.
Mr. CRurcHFIELp rose TO discharge the import
ana duty which devoved upon him, with consdera-
bic embarras sment;-he would have been willing
that any other gentleman should have assumed the
task rather than himself, as he by me ms
anxious to take prominent part in the subject un-
der discussion. The same duty had however, de-
voved upon him ut the last session of the Lesisla-
ture, and he rose TO renew the nomination which he
then made, and to bring before them the name OF
WiLLIAN G. RIvEs, Esq. Ii seemed TO hun that
II was enough simply To 90 through the me- cessary
form OF announcing the name of MIR. Rives TO that
body for election. lie did not, so far as he was
concerned, propose intend 10 excite discuss on,
even TO be drawn INTO 1t, should an attempt be
made 40 get one up, Every consideration should
prompt them 10 immediate action, TO labour 10 ac-
compish that which ought tohlve been accomplish
ed for the interest aud credit of the Commonwealth
II not two years ago, certainly one year ago. lie
did conceive, under the circumstances of the case,
that 1t was wholly unnecessary TO say one word in
support OF the nomination which he had made. III
gentlemen the oppo ,te side of the question were
disposed to canvass the pretensOnS the merits OF
that Individual, il was right which they had, and
IL they thought proper 1t was Just that they should
do 81. He ielt 1t unnecessary TO say more, and
trusted that they would not be drawn into such dis
cusson.
Mr. CHAPMAN said as this was admitted TO he an
important duty-as 1t had been one which had
greatly interested the People, he believed for three
years, he should wish to vote understandingly up
this occasion, and # there any other person
put IN nomination. for which OF the candidates it
was his duty TO record his vote. He rose, there.
FORE for the purpose OF asking his friend from Spot-
sylvanii, who had placed IN nomination MIR Rives
what were the opinions Of that gentleman on Ger.
tain questions. lie had been DESTROYS, he was SO
still, to elect some individual who would oppose the
charter OF a United States Bank. lie was aware
that some years since, MIR Rives was opposed 10
this measure-but of late he had occupied n very
different position from that which he filed some
years SINCE He believed that gentleman admitted
that on some questions At least, he had changed his
oPnions-nnd the very fact that the party which
now supported him, were found, not long ago his
buterest opponents, and the party now opposed TO
him, his warmcst friends, proved that some change
at least, had occurred. lie rose, therefore, TO ask
his friend from SPousyvania what were the opin-
IONS of MIR Rives IN regard TO the charter Of Uni
ted States Bank-whether he was now in favor of
Internal Improvements by the Government-what
his opinions on the Tarif-what were his
opinions regard TO the distribution of the proceeds
OF the Public Lands. These were all matters OF
the u'mcs, importance. The People of Virginia
would Ike 10 know his opinions on them and the
members OF that House would like to know what
were the opinions OF the individual elected to repre-
sent them IN the Senate Of the United States
There was another fact which it was very impor-
tInt 10 know. All were aware that MIR Riyes had
during the late Presidential canvass, travelled over
Il greater portion ofthe State Of Virginia and CON.
nected himself with the issue in that question to the
almost extent. He presumed the course which he
he xyhi he al III
known TO every individual, ard that II was also
know1 that he voted for Gen. Harrison. The re.
suit of that election all knew and there could be no
question but that every man who opposed the elec.
ton OF Gen. Harrison, would vote against VIM. c.
RiyeS. Now, after that election, when Il majority
OF The People had demonstrated that they were 90.
posed TO the principles OF that gentleman would he
he willing, he would ask, TO accept an office which
would give him power which he would use IN
contradiction TO the lately expressed will of the
Peoplel The People would like TO know these
things-the House would like to know ihem-and
he hoped the gentleman from Spotisylvania would
gave them information on these points.
MIR. CRurcHFIELD rose with some reluctance.
lie did not know what might he the extent the va.
riety or the nature of the remarks 10 be made and
he anxious to have reserved to himse the rio
Of reply. tie would, however, wave that privilege
ana answer the gentleman from Monroe, as he an
swered him last year, he occupying the very spot
where he now sat. He would ask that gentleman
queries, he would vote for VIM c. Riyes7 He
thought 1t immateria TO the gentleman from
Monroe and his friends, what were the opinions OF
Mr.. Ryes; II was enough for them, that as had
been said, he had during the late Presidential can
vass travelled through the greater part Of the State
and had given his vote tor Gen. Harrison Ii was
enough TO state that not all Mr.. Riyeg opinions
and principles, however correct, would have any
weight with gentlemen on the opposite side and
that those who would act with him. neither desired
nor required any further exposition OF his princi-
piss and opinions.
Nj. LANGHORSE said that, about two years since
that Housa was called 10 discharge the very
same duty thai they were engaged 10 that day. At
KAT time, or previous 10 that time, diSun.on and
discoyd for the FIRST time made It's appearance in the
Democrats rankS;-the result was that band of
disconients, as they were then termed, headed by
this gentleman, VIM. e. RIves, came before the
People, on grounds which be should .lude 10 here
after. Al that time. u would he recol'ec,ed the
anxiety w6ch was felt and expressed by both par
ties IN the State and throughout the country m re-
lilion 90 the course which would be pursued py
nat band while on the poise Expectation was big;
the Administration used every means in their power
10 draw them back by alternate promises and threas
they were lmporcd 10 come back, TO return again 10
their hrst loves, while the Wings hoped that tbe,,
would become valuable auX!lilries in procuring a
a change and reform in the government Of their
country. Shortly after this m election Of Senator
had TO be made; az that time portion Of the Wing
E1rty were so much cmbttered against this band /
ihat they could not, and would NOT, in any par,icu-
NJ, unite with them. The struggle was gre,,-tbe
feeling excited, intense. The Administration party
had, under their great leader in political tactics.
brought 10 the conflict their troops without di-u-
MON in their ranks and challenged the conflict
they wbo were OF the Wing party also came 10 the |
ct, and for three days ana three nights were
they eonIending, without disunon in their ranks.
without any advantage accruing 70 either PARTY.
At that time, however, there we're some Whig- !
who thought, as now, that IL was right and proper
md just Tint they should take I'd VIM C. Rives
and his little band, they being the most efficient
and available within their power at that time At
Tee zine the comp omse took place between these
wo parties he was strongly nctured him.e 4 with
tmPrlcucaohiyi Zee was then young in politics. as
DE now wac, and be did not know Tie length and
depth and breadth aud heIghth tina, pir,y would
carry hlm 10. lie stood aioOi, waiting with intense
nuKeiy the result Of this compromise Of p7dv. Az
that time, he the violent, the g1tn. tbs i.,,s,
opponent Of William T.. Ryes and his friends. and
made an open and uncompromlsing war urou Them.
~ would be remembered that he charged iIer, W tb
beng scduous rebellOus and ftstious and af.r,.,d
10 break down both the great parties and To elevate
themselves upon The ruin. a confirmation of he
amp oss0ns, did not Mr.. Speaker rsmerbs, tiT,
when be made That attack, that noble repYl,irc,r
Nc Peyion, rose tram his seat, swelling with rop
scious PRIDE and Indigestion, 20 Tepe' the cb,r,c
which he bad made. What VS. his reply7 Tb7,
the gentleman from Norfolk county had CHARGED
them with being sedtioVs, re5eiIlous and factions
W vas not so. They were contending for the grfat
wnc'Pe' Of the Constitution; they had discovered
mot injury sud wrong had been inflicted upon the
institutions Of their country by the party m ,os,
uud were disposed 10 pul a s,op 10 tbryr c,,i,sc ~
fhC same time he avowrd that ti,r, L.f.t 80, -. -