Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-09-26

UPON rnE LATE GOVERNOR BARBECUE
CT VIRGINIA.
(concLypEpl

(eoscLspEp)
"a. e,r,y impressed with the Importance and
necessity Of general education. under Govefnmea,
h,.h rcs,rded the people as the fountain OF power
and sovereignty. and public officers their trustees
and servants, lie felt that a Republican Govern
msnt mus, upon the virtue aud intelligence OF
the people. the two great pillars OF the glorious
.d,6ee. A Republican himself, by education, 70
aeelion conviction, ha lamented the limited means
Tor the general Ison Of know ledge, and devoted
an anxious and able mind Tor The remedy oil the
evil lie could not succeed in obtaining direct .p
u opsia,iors from the public treasury for the lauds
ble object. but finding annually lev thousand
dollars flowed inio the public treasury IRON hnes.
&c, he thoughtit might DO made the nueeus FOR the
great work. He accordingly prepared bill, cnu'ied
AN actto appropriate certain escheats penaes en-
hscations and forfeitures to the ENCOURAGEMENT ol
learning which passed the Legislature. This act
is the great head spring Of the literary fund It's
ripping waters gathered as they flowed. unni they
founi mighty reservoir, which, by wisdom anu
skill in the direction and diffusion, may ifrsate
every hill and valley Of tho Commonwea'n, anu
make 'ghe desert bloom and blossom axe INC rose,
James Barbour - entitled to the ptvuu nv"ot VI
Originator of the literary FUND. W"ouS ms VIC
University Of Virginia. shedding the lights OF science
throusbout the nation, would not have existed, nor
thousands annually expended for the edueanon OF
the no,r Of the Commonwealth. MIR Jefferson was
the great architect in raising that 'oi,y come 10
learning and has received the title OF "Fa.hsr OF the
University" James Barbour had prepared the
materials, and is entitled TO tho honor oil being
co laborer Of Jefferson in the great work. AT
period Of much difficulty in the progress OF ihat M
stitution when IL was burdened with dcot, ana de-
sgasues xcited the preiudces OF the poor against,
IL an aristocratc institution the zeal ana ,aents
OF James Barbour were displayed IN us nenat III
the eloquent numbers over the signature OF hensy
These appeared IN the Richmond Enquirer, ana
were powerful appeals to the pride, the PATRIOTISM,
and the good sense Of the people oil the common
wealth. They truly depicted the folly, under our
institutions of urraying the poor against the rch
In January, 1912. he was without Opposition
elected Governor OF the Commonwealth of Virgin
IN. The times were then perilous. The policy OF
the United States had been that oil peace. She re-
quired IL TO heal the wounds oil her hevoiuton, and
To- develop her vast resources. In strength AND
power she was growing with the qu'ckness OF 10
nah's gourd, and il was der TO her next to honor.
But the wrongs and outrages OF England ana France
had been borne until ior6earance had eeased TO DC
n virtue. The depredatons upon our commerce,
Oft repeated in the teeth OF reiterated rcmons;rance,
would have justified a declaration of war against
both those Powers, but france still held friendly
protesiaIons, which left some hope of satisfactory
adjustment; whilst proud England, Claiming the
deep as her home, with her flag triumphant on every
sea, was intoxicated with her power, persisted IN
impressing our seamen and violating the star span
ged banner. In Arm reliance upon the justice oil
her cause, our country once more appealeu 10 The
God Of battles On the 18th oil June, isi2, the
American Congress declared war From the posi-
ton OF Virginia her extended seaboard, her magni-
ficent rivers penetrating the interior and atording
AN easy access to an enemy, u was most important
Cor the safety and defence that she should have
wise and viglant executive head The conduct OF
Governor Blrbour during that war must challenge
the admiration OF all impartial men. In auueipa
tlon of It's deelaraiou, his Argus eye was directed 10
our exposed border. After the Adjournment OF the
Legislature, he opened correspondence with the
General Government upon the subject of State de-
fence, visited in person our seaboard, and armed
aad organized the militia for immediate service
al had holiness and nerve enough TO do whatever,
amidst the distractions o: war ana the conflict OF
opinion, his Judgment dictated was for the honor
and salty of the State. He sought talent and qua
liciiion whether TO be found 10 youth or age, and
placed General Taylor, the younges, 5risadier in
the Commonwealth, IN command OF tie forces at
Norfolk This act received the censure OF some,
but its wisdom was confirmed by the talent, the
prudence, and the gallant bearing Of that officer.
When the enemy was lowering on our coasts he
was in the field council chamber, as duty and pa
triotsm nigh, call. HIS energetic measures saved
the capital OF Virginia from that desecration and
outrage which Vandal arms inflicted upon the capt.
tai of the nation. In the hour OF public necessity
he pledged his Individual credit 10 the full extent Of
his private estate for the defence OF the Commons
wealth.
His messages TO the Legislature, his appeals to
the officers to the citizen soldiers, and TO the people
of Virginia, stand in the archieves of State as
memorials Of his burning patriotism, his energy oi
action, and his ripened wisdom. AS Governor, he
commanded his anxious and unremitted attention;
he no. only its originator butt nursing father.
The able and patriotic tiicharse Of every guberna-
toral duty in those times Of peril and danger made
him theme of praise throughout the limits Of Vir
giniG and the nation. The Legislature maniies' ed
us highos; conf leuce in him by approving and
Stunning every responsibility he lncurred-by eject
lag HIM governor rs long as he was consti,uonally
eligible, ard then in opposition TO men known to
ime-a Bren; and matchmaking him TO the
United States Senate. TINS finished in him the
circle OF State honors, aud placed him upon new
md elevated theatre nr the gathering Of fresh lau
rss.
In 1911 the charter OF the old United States Bank
expired. IL was regarded federal and unconsttu
tona measure and, the Republicans being in tho
ascendency, Congress refused to recharter il. In
Madson's celebrated report Of 1885, the passage OF
the Bank law was specified an instance of usur
patton OF power Ivy the General Government. The
experience of few years, after the expiration OF
the charter, served TO demonstrate the correctness
OF the Federal eud the iellacy nj the Republican
opinion upon the question OF bank The total
arrangement Of the currency which ensued-the
chaotic confusion Of a; money operat,ons-ihe sus
pension OF specie payments by the State banks
ths great and insuperable difficulties in the General
Governments collecting and dsburslne IT'S revenues
the heavy loss il sustained by the depreciation OF
paper money and the arrangement Of exchanges
all these msnifesling themselves, shook the opinions
OF the oraces OF the Republican party in their bank
sentiments. James Barbour, standing high in the
Republican ranks Tor talents ana phtflotlsfni was
convinced of the error OF his party. His position as
Governor OF the Common ealth had made him feel
the evils under which the National and State Co
yernments were laborng from a worthless currency,
md he had that elevation and independence of cha-
Tac;er 10 avow error, when experience had proved
and the good Of his country required IL. lie enter
oi the Senate Of the United States when the
barrasaments Of the General Government were al |
their height, and patriots could not close their eyes
10 TIC only remedy.
lie had fall and free conversation with Presi |
dent Madison; and at early day, nt his (Gover.
nor Blrbout'sD instance caucus Of the Repub'ic1n
party was held. The fiscal endorsements of the
Government and nation were considered, when 1t
vas agreed National Bank ought ngain TO 10
created. Governor Barbour then presented bank
bil 10 the Senate and sustained II in an able speech.
l. was passed 0y that body, and would have been
carried through the House Of Representatives by a
desided majority but for the glad tdings Of peace
hd'ore its action Al subsequent session. bank
TOLL passed both Houses, carrying in It's support
triumphant majority Of republicans and almost every
distinguished member oil that party. IL received
tho sanction Of President Madison, and would, Tor
the good and happiness Of the country, 10 had re-
Insnod settled fOreverl Further experience, from
that day 10 this, has sealed the wisdom Of Govefno.
Bifb0ufs course upon that great question in which
he acted so prominent and distinguished par.
Time would not serve 10 following him tn ough
his Senatorial career. lie was eminen. among the
mos, distinguished, and Identified himself with all
the great measures Of that body. Upon the Mis-
sour question his abors we're duou5 and anxious;
De showed himself the stalesman and patriot, and
his services were second only 10 those Of tbs great
-, unffysiieI in tbis