Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-02-11
To the HssAslasrs Of Tia essn,iss Of Piitsyissais,
Henry asd Paiyiek.

To the NssAs,asrs Of LAs essn,iss Of Piftsyissais
Henry s.d Ps,riek.
FrLLow CIrIzEss-Hsving determined to re-
ssu my seat as member OF the Senate. at the
expiration Of the present session OF the General
Assembly, deem il proper, thus early 10 announce
that intention. in order that you may take such
steps to you may seem expedient Tor the election
Of my successor.
This determination has been nads alter the most
anxious deliberation could give the subject with
reference both to the peculiar personal obligations,
under which rest, to my constituents, and the i'm
perious demands OF private interest and feeling. 1t
Is known to all, who are acquainted with the Cir
cumstanccs connected with my election to the Sc
nate, that respectfully. but earnestly, declined the
solicitations Of those who did the honor Of propos
ing me rs candidate for that position; and il is
especially known to my personal friends that was
DESTROYS Of abandoning public life; and that was
only induced to foIego that desire, TO sacrifice my
private inclination. and accept the nomination when
made. through a sense OF public duty, and as an
acknowledgment Of my obligations to those Who
had Heretofore so generously sustained me-And
l hope my friends will be assured, that nothing
could induce the steps which now propose TO my.
self, but those rigid and urgent claims Of private
character, which no man ought TO resist, except
upon occasions Of great public emergency-or when
he can ster himself that his serviceswll be Of pecu'
liar public utility. Seeing nothing TO Justify the first
OF these alternatives and not vain enough to persuade
myself Of the latter. feel mpelled to yield TO those
COnsi0erdlOns WniCu ueuanu my uttenuOn 10 inc
moro congenal pursuits Of a private character.
confess, moreover, that my own short experience
IN public life has not impressed me with any favora-
BILE conclusions to the satisfaction TO be derived
from il. So far the political complexion Of the Sc
nate is a subject Of consideraton-whichI am well
aware was an object in my clection-the changes
which have since taken place in that body, with
the designations OF the present session, render that
fact less important than otherwise il might be. In
deed, could your opportunities have enabled you. rs
81. A
cal tactics, exhibited upon legislative appointments
and public questions, you would be convinced
Of what would, at first view, seem improbable, viz:
that whenever there exists nearly equilibrium of
parties, il is less promotive OF public beLeht-or
rather, more destructive Of the public interests
decided majority Of either. Ii nigh, seem that
IN such condition, they would act rs checks upon
each other. Not so. The existence Of such an
equilibrium places 1t in the power Of few individu-
ais, "a power, too, which is 10 be exercised)
by uniting with or the other party, the case
may be, in order TO effect twhat some are unkind
enough TO consider) selfish purposes-to promote
private ends, or crafty individual ambition-to dc.
feat ma iority OF either. So cunnnsy, indeed
have our Democratic friends husbanded their re-
sources in this particular-and so dexterously have
they drawn upon the berality Of their un suspeeng
opponents-thnt Wing nagnanimity has at last
degenerated into a by word. Nor, where such
equilibrium exists, does the same responsibility at
tscb, that would TO an unequivocal majority. Take
the Bank question-our Democratic opponents are
constantly appealing TO public prejudice, and raising
outcry against and preaching the destruction Of
those institutions Do they practice what they preach1
On the contrary, do they not always manage, by a
vote or two to avoid what they tell you ought 10 be
dons7 And yet, after making all the political CAPT.
tai they out of public prejudice, they fail TO toe
the mark, and fight shy. The truth and cause are
plain enough: Democratic Statesmen, and Editors
too. oics money, and thew would as soon apply
a torch 10 their own dwellings, rs do what thew
pretend Ousht he done And rtn;t b.r.
to say, that had the slightest inclination for Do
lltical life fingered in my bosom, | could never
have consented TO abandon the post with which |
had been honored as a member OF the House Of De-
legates-a post which, as regard il first in useful
ness, so, first in honor. That position afforded a
theatre ample enough, at least for the range OF any
ambition may possess; ard certainly furnishes a
held OF sufficient scope for the exercise of any ia
lent or power OF usefulness-One which, as il is the
best evidence of the esteem and confidence of those
who snoic us best, requires our frs, allegiance 10
hen, and demands truest and most loyal SER
vice-one IN which We prove by practice, and not by
the estimate we place upon the honors
which our neighbors eonftr-the regard we attach
TO the serries uhieh they iuipose-whch tells in
word, our sincerity and attachment - our native
State, and shews the estimate we place upon her
honors and her dignities not by an idle outcry for
her rights her sovereignty, and her prerogaivcs but
by our loyalty and faithfulncss in her s,rret not by
an abandonment OF her legislative councils, to rush
20 those of dno her Government but by a steady
and faithful labour in her Capitol. Let us not
be deceived. Even noic, whilst our native State is
sinking under the effects oil an exhausted Treasury
her energies parayzed and her entire system Ian
gushing under the absence of this essential element
of health and independence, the elements are
gathering which are to spread throughout her Dor
ders,-anoiher OF those political storms which have
of ate years, periodically convused her. under the
Wild cry OF anti Bank, anti Distribution, antiTa-
riff anii-Bankrup,, and all the mighty addenda
which wicked and Infatuated party zeal can mul
uply. With our own Golfers empty; our people |
tared TO the unioSt-with alternative presented
but TO pay the exactions required OF them under a
sacrifice OF propery-we are called upon 10 reject
fund which IS ours by inhertance-by contract
by equiiy-and common sense. Yes, fellow -citi. |
Gems, we are asked under this aspect of an EMPTY
TREASURY and high tares-and these taxes too. III
gid, compulsory, unavoidable and inuoltsntaru TO
reject the benefit OF the Distribution Act which is |
to yield your State an annual amount Of $500 900.
ou are asked not TO acquesce in, but TO en- force
policy which compes you, by laio bear the
exactions TO supply the wants and necessities OF your
nars State, and permit this fund to remain in the
hands OF that prodgal and reckless Government at
Washington City. You are to pay high taxes at Rich
mond, say, under compulson, for fear that acct
denially. perhaps under the imposition Of a mode.
rate tariff, the rich, the luxurious and exirayagant
may increase their bnthsrs, by a few cents in the |
dollar MORE upon their srpendi.ues-and this YOU |
are 10 do whilst your State is in debt-whs, her |
institutions and Improvements are languishing and
decaying for support-whilst the children OF her |
poor are "crying in the dessert for raiment and |
bread )" and ignorance is cropping its way in dark.
ness and misery-A this, too, resting on the bald
humbug that rsctius u, we destroy the rights
and independence Of the State, and become orsere,
the vassas and 6sggdrs of the Federal Govern
ment.
Let me explain: for this is a subject which ought
not TO be forgotten or misunderstood. He who pays
taxes 10 the State, does 10 the Sheriff, by the
lsw;-he who pays to the General Government |
does so in the goods he buys from his merchnnt:-
Whilst one Is compulsory and unavoidable the other
is voluntary and matter of discretion-Jus, then
as you reject his fund, in that proportion do you
impose upon yourselves State taxes.
And again, our cars are 10 be dinned ONE more |
with the cry OF "Thc metallic currency thanks |
must be put down "-"The Federal Government
must receive nothing but Gold and Silver n-and |
those elevated individuals who may happen TO be-
ong TO its service, must not conaminate their hands
with nny thing like paper money-The Banks |
must resume specie payment."-These,w with various |
oiher catoh.words and crnck-phrnsss are TO ring |
land. Can you be deceived by them7 |
Know you not that there due TO the Banks by |
he people OF this Commonwealth, about Is mil. |
ions Of dollars from the people 10 each other
he estimated sum Of three times as much more |
How is il TO be paid 7-where is the money 10 come
rom1 Even when the Banks shall hare resumed
Ipeeie payment, and you have all Their gold aud |
iivsr in circulation, think you that you will then
rave one I'm The amount Of money noio IN eireula-
ion, wherewith 10 pay your debts 7-YM your
property pay your debts iohsn sold for nothing but
yold and silutT 2 Verify those who would have |
you so believe, twill laugh at your calamity and |
distress and mock when your fear cometh."
The times are indeed sadly out Of Joint. Alarm, |
apprehension and distress are spreading throughout
h. Va al