Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1842-03-03
LECIsLATURE VIRGINIA.

SUBSTANCE OF THE REMARKS. OF MIR. PIPER Of W1Trlr,
In tie Senate cf Virginia, presenting resolution 81
inquiry, &c, 'ohh re'o q der'St"g some mode q
| relief 10 Mk citizens Of the Commonwealth, FttrM.
| arY 18th, lS42.
| Mr. Speaker: In consequence Of proceedings recent
ly held in the ordinate branch Of the Legislature,
rise under circumstances Of peculiar encouragement,
to present the consideration of the Senate the resou
lion which | now hold in my hand. also labor under
some apprehension, that the mode which have adopt
reach the object in vew may he neither the most
proper nor the most propltious that might have been
pursued.
Since the proposition that was introduced in relation
to this subject the other branch Of the General AS
sembly, so unceremonlously disposed OF there,
have been vanly hoping that other member OF the
Senate OF more sage experience and commanding IN
tluence, would have renewed it here. But, Sir, high
and imperative duty which owe 10 enlightened and
rs respectable constituency any represented
this floor will admit Of farther delay; and urges
TO request thr indulgence and the attention Of the Sc
nate for Il very brief space.
assume the position, that the good Of the people, is,
at all tunes and under all possible circumstances, con
ting and events, not only the supreme guide and
rule ofec,ion for the legislative body, but It the only
and the exclusive object for which all civilized govern.
ments established.
If these views he correct, land presume that no
member of this Senate will venture to con,rovert
them,) il matters not with what degree OF wisdom or
sagactv our laws may have been devised, with how
great fidelity they be administered, II they fail 10
promote The happiness and the welfare Of the comnu-
nty the only purpose for which they were enacted,
they ought 10 be abolished modified in such way rs
will eiectuay the object of their institution
And if, in the progress of society, the circumstances
and condition of people, which are ever prone to
change and fuctuaon, become such to render laws,
however salutary they may have been when enacted,
oppressive TO the people pernicous 10 the general
welfare is the duty Of the Legislature to abolish, TO
alter, or amend them in such manner as to adapt
them in any respect 10 the order and condition of
things. And Of the great advantages that results
from our peculiar system oil nj and that which
distinguishes ii from every other that has ever been de-
vised that it recognises and secures the right OF The
people, at all times to require and to consiran their re-
representatives. 10 apply the proper remedy TO every ex
isting evil
A Crisis, Mr.. Speaker has now arrived ,tha; calls
loudly and UNFORTUNATELY for the immediate ntcrposi-
ton Of the Legislature in behalf Of suffering people
The pecuniary embarrassment that now pervades
every norton Of the Common wealth. threatening rum
and disaster all classes Of Society," is fact as noto
rious as il is be depored But hewever great or how
ever grevous this calamity may be in other sections OF
the Common wealth, from various and peculiar clrcum
stances it presses with accumulated violence and in
tensity on the Southwestern portion of Virginia. The
intelligence received from every part of that country
by every mail that reaches this city, dIscloses scene
Of suffering, of anguish and distress that can scarcely
be mag med
From the total absence or entire restitution of cir
culatinr medium Of any kind money has ceased TO be
the standard Of value Of any thing. And instances
are of constant and daily of valuable pro
perty being sold under execution for considerably less
than what is sufficient to pay the officers fees; leaving
the unfortunate debtor bereft of his propery-perhaPs
his only horse his only by which he able 10
procure a subsistence for his family; and leaving the
debt not only undiminshed in any degree, bnt even
greater than first Nor this state of things
confined TO any particular class Of citizens, but
with few individual exceptions it extends itself TO
nil classes Of the community
This, Sir, far at least the unfortunate debtors
,p1tI than aahnu nj n
our population, can lie designated by no appeatIon
more appropriate than that of iegaii.cd robbery.
How long, may ask, is it the pleasure of the Le-
usature to suffer such injustice to be perpetrated I'M
der the sanction and authority of Virginia law! Or
where Mr.. Speaker, will this scene end'
Can it be expected, that such state of things tend
ing as it does rend the strongest ties that link society
together will be, ought 10 be, long endured o. sub
mted to by any people Truly, Sir, i the General
Assembly of Virginia afford relief, mitigation
under such ntoleabe outrage it is time for the people
to resume the reins of sovereignty themselves, and to
calculate. if that be possible, the value Of such Go
vernment
The bondage and oppression under which great
portion of our citizens suffering from the ope-
ration of existing laws, scarcely less intoerabe,
than that inflicted by The most despotic Government
which in any age nation has accused the human
family 1t is, Sir, exactng the tale Of brick with
vengeance, when you have not furnished straw. And
If there be any duty imposed upon the present Ge-
neral Assembly of Virginia more imperative, more no.
w. more sacred than every other il is to nterpose with
cut delay and 10 arrest at this Bosom of ruin and
desolalion that is sweeping the land
l. know, Mr. Speaker, that it is fully and completely
in The power of the Legislature 10 afford ample and i'm.
mediate relief pledge myself inexperienced as
am to present plan for relief adequate 10 the emer.
gency aud which shall merit the appreciation OF all
parties interested. If only willing, this impor-
liant object may be attained before the setting of to-
morrows sun. The next mail that leaves this city,
thereafter may bear constituents the most joyful
intelligence that has emanated from these Halls during
the last 10 years. And preliminary step to con-
summation desirable, hope it will be the pleasure
of the Senate to adopt the resolution.
The resolution submitted by Mr. PIrER IS as follows:
Rcsolrcd, That Committee of FIVE be appointed on
the part of the Senate TO act with Committee 10 be
appointed the part OF the House of Delegates, TO
take into consideration the condition of the Common
wealth in reference 10 the pecuniary embarrassment
which seems Cypress all classes of citizens, with
view TO devise such mode and measure OF relief
any be- may be appropriate and adequate 10 the
emergency and that they be allowed to report by bill
or otherwise.
HOUSE OF DELEGATES.
Tuesday, MARCH, /.
| A communication received from the Senate, an
nouncng the passage of the following bills An act
L..