Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-01-10
RICH Nj ON ID:
MONDAY MomNINo. JANUARY no.
FEDERAL RELATIONSHIPS Legislature
ntglSel LAe busintss Of III. Sint. anA L.ns,- ~.

|" lew moments TO its consideration. In doing So
we shall mako MIR Ho,hday's speech tho text Of
'ur eomments-as that was the only speech on that
sue OF the question ofeven respectable pausibity.
we shah endeavour to state his arguments fairly,
ana as accurately as we can, relying upon memo.
n.y. IL Is true they were precious lew-hke n few
grams OF bad wheat in vast quantity of ehaff,-
Out such as they were, wc will notice them in
| passing.
In the outset of his remarks, he laid down tho
position, that the Legislature could not refuse to
take action upon Federal politics, without proving
recreant to the great principles OF '9s. II we do
not act We deny the right of instruction; or we de-
ny Inc right OF the State TO nterpose to arrest Fed
eral usurpntion. The Legislature, according to
MS uoe'tnc' has no discretion whatever on the sub
Ject II MUST act, forfeit the rights Of the State
anu 'afnish It's renown. 10 give plausibility TO
MS position, he read copious from the rcso-
lu'ions OF Federal States, in reply to the Virginia
Resolutions oil 9s-asseriins that Federal measures
did not come within the jurisdiction of the States.
but pertaned to the Federal Government With
tins ridiculous non scquitur TO sustain him. the clio.
quen' gentleman eSpatiatcd at great length, and
with an air OF assurance which indicated that he n,
least was the dupe of his own falacy. if no body
else was. BE did not seem TO perceive the absur
diiy TO which his own argument would lead him.
Ii 1t be true, that the Legislature must Mt every
session review Federal Legislation, it then becomes
co ordinate branch of the Federal Gove,nmen,
The duty is impcrative-it must devote weeks an.
nually TO review Of the action of Consrcss-i,
must review the whole of that action the good and
the bad! Did any human being ever before dream
that such was the duty of the State Legislatures
Could any but the veriest tyro in politics. or the
srossest Demagogue, affect believe the possibility
of sucha thing Could any gentleman, having
regard for his reputation for intelligence. hazard
that reputation by such an exhibition of gross TO-
norance of our whole system of Government We
confess we never heard greater absurdi,y sravelv
urged III debate IN the Legislative Hall. VIVA,
time would 1t take for the Legislature to perform
this new duiy2 To perform it well, il would re.
qu!e as much time as it does Congress; and State
affairs would 90 unattended to, altogether But
no. says MIR Holiday, conscious that this obvio,s
objection would suggest Itself TO every mind-"ro
tsays he) only want the members to record their
vo'es-l only wish TO know what their oninions
are, and this can be done in five minutcsn This
course, we admit, might do for an unscrupulous
partisan, who followed blndly this leader or that
such one might have no difficulty in voting with
out elaboration, and feel Indifferent 10 CONSEQUENT
ces' but CONSCIENTIOUS man, who wishes ALWAYS
TO he right, and TO be able to give reason for
oeins right, would hesitate at this very SUMMARY
proceeding All are not SO munihcently endowed
by nature, as MIR Holladay, and Mr. Brown. md
MIR Biyy.-They cannot like these great men
comprehend the most complicated and difficult, sub.
Jec,s at glance. and as it were, by instinct They
act, when they act for the public under high sense
OF mora! TesPonsibllity-and they require time and
teuecton 10 act correctly, and II assure themselves
'"o' 'hey 90 act correctly. We apprehend, in re.
'pect TO this very question of tho Bankrupt Law.
there are not very many in the House who do
thoroughly understand it, and who could give
good and satisfactory for their opposition TO
IT, It's reasonable, it should be so. II is confess.
ediy subject very comprehensive in its character
ana OF very great difficulty and perplexty. They
oid not expect 10 be called upon 10 act upon il, I,
Goes not TALL strictly within their province /, per
aIns' by express provision of the Constitution IN
Congress. They have no instructions either from
their constituents. They may, therefore. excusa
oy' oeisnorant OF the merits Of the question; and if
we were one OF them, we would, for these reasons,
ask to he excused from voting if the subiec, were
taken up.
This argument them that no time need be- con.
sumed by the Legislature, in deciding unon the
whole litter OF Federal REPRESENTATIONS which en-
gage for weeks add months the mos, deliberate ron.
Of the assembled wisdom of the nation
is upon par with the other, that by refusing to oc,
we deny our right to uterour sentiments. Neither
merits eXposure-but ns they were the best adduc.
ed IN fvor of converting the Legislature into ,,i
Ouna to revise the past and dictate the future notion
1f Congressman as they were delivered with -
'ery imposing air, we have done them the honor Of
giving them thus much consideration.
The "burlesquing resolutions and the ridicnrs
with which the Federal relations had been receired
n The House, constituted themes Of much eloouen,
defamation In this connexion, the Orator affect.
ID to consider, that he and his patry resolutions
Introduced to subserve to the los purposes Of n
lirty party, occupied the same position, that John
Taylor and the resolutions of '9s did-and thu, ron.
Tempt thrown upon the former was tnutamonn, 70
treason to the litter! This is pretty nearly ne RI
llcuous eXcresence Of self concei, as that NJ Con
Bayy IN running parallel between himself and
James Madison If inordinate vanity would kill
people, there would be n dreadful havoc in certain
quarters!
MIR HOLIDAY towards the conclusion of his 70.
marks, took upon himself to affirm that the wbi,.
in opposing the introduction Of these Federal n
pics, we're not influenced tns they protested to he,
by desire to enconomizs the time and money nf
The public-but 10y disposition to shrk resnon.
sibiliy and dodge tho questions in issue. This ian
crave charge against the honour and vor.ci,v or
The majority Of the General Assembly Of Virpini,
II is one, which just and uprigh, m1n would no,
hazard against so large portion Of the Representa-
lives Of tho people, upon light and trivial cifcurn.
'iances Of suspicion. lie would feel Tint ,yo, his
luty, before promulgng this damnng imru,,tion
no, only to satisfy himself of its perfect Justice but
N possess the evidence to convince others Of its truth
Has Mr. Holiday done this7 Has he adducod
'oiniilla Of proof TO sustain his charger Has he
even ndduced coourable circumstances Of suspieion3
Not at all. IL rests upon his unsupported assertion
One who thus INDUCES in gratuitous and harsh inn.
puiations upon others lnys himself open To timila,
impniations.-lIe would have no right 10 compl,in
i We acting upon his own principles, were 10 nf |
hfm that he is guilty the very biseness which he
impuies to others. We might be warranted. too. in
inqurng with Whit proprieiy, by what rich, an
obscure pouiforger, Of high protensions and little
merit, presumed TO impugn the honour Of tho doni |
naot portion Of the Virginia Legislature. Blu, we |
ofbenr-Eoough th1t So meet tho charge with /
nat cooirad oton and challenge the proof Enough |