Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1842-02-08

the principles, and pursue the policy which we have
urged upon the General Assembly.
These extraordinary measures, of t extraordinary
Session, passed through Congress by the most
traurdinary means New rules were adopted for the
occasion. By one Of them member was allowed Ia
speak on any question in committee Of the Whole
House, more than one hour. BY another all deba
in committee OF The whole, stopped at a given
hour which was fixed by the vote of bare majority
in the House. When that hour arrived, all amend
ments 10 the measure under consideration, were then
passed on IN dumb show, without debate and the bill
reported TO the House, when some Wing sure 10
catch the eye OF the Speaker obtain the floor call the
previous question, and cut off all debate and all
mendnen,s, and so bring the measure to its final
passage Thus was the legislation of the Extra Session
pressed forward with indecent haste under the 'power
OF the gag; and by "caucus- drilled majority. -
For all these movements, it said, previously
ranged and agreed at caucus, which met with
nearly as much regularity the Senate or House Of
Representatives.
Although these new rules were adopted TO carry these
measures ules which mpairng the freedom of debate,
were IN violation of the spirit of the constituton and
with all the influence of the drill and the manag ment
Of the caucus, (once odious TO the Wing party but
now its regular resor still they could not separate
and independent measures be carried through Con-
gress But this batch Of measures made to depend
another. The pa ssage of the Distribution Bill
was made to depend the success of the Bankrupt
Bill, and that of the Bankrupt Bill on the of
the Distribution Bill, and with the rest of them.
Instead OF resting their fate their individual merits,
they were carried by discredabe, unprincpled and
corrup,ing system Of log rolling. They depen-
dent links in the great chain which bound together
the dIscordant faction of which the Wing party was
composed. Break but one link, and the whole would
fall TO pieces. And therefore it is that we find Mr..
Clay the great Dictator of the party, though his own
Kentucky is most decidedly opposed TO the Bankrupt
branches of her Len auro hav py.
pressed decided dsapprobation of it, STILL by his vote
and his influence defeated its repeal If II fell the
entire Legislation of the Extra Session fell with il.
The legislation of the Extra Session of Congress az.
ords conclusive evidence, that the Wing party brought
with them into power the principles of the old Fedc-
ralists and National Republicans. National Bank to
control the currency and exchanges, and give them The
command OF the money power oil the country-a Ma
tona Debt atfording The basis OF National Bank
"a Distribution of the proceeds of the Public Lands,
to enable the States TO construct works of Internal I'M
provemen, or to pay debts contracted for their
slrucon, and differing in form alone from direct pay
ment Of the State debts, and construction OF works
of Internal improvement directly by the General Co.
vernment-a Protective Tariff as the immediate effect
and necessary consequence Of the Distribution act-a
Bankrupt Law to operate all bankrups, except bank
rupt banking corporations-these measures, the off
spring of the Extra Session, constitute the policy of
the modern Wing party, and identify their principles
with those Of the old Federaliss and National Repub
leans These principles have heretofore received the
unqualified condemnation of Virginia, ana not of Vir
glna alone but by the Union; have they been condemn
ed and their supporters driven from power. Now
when they again introduced into the administration
of the Government, il becomes Virginia again to OPP
pose them with all her energies-to proclaim her oppo
slon her sister States, and call on them 10 unite
with her TO preserve the purity OF the Government and
the integrity of the Constitution.
In accordance with these views, resolutions have
been introduced into the present General Assembly,
having for their object the instruction of Senators
procure the repeal these obnoxious laws-the Bank
rupt Bill, and the Distribution Bl-and also TO oppose
the establishment by Congress of National Bank or
any similar institution These resolutions, the Wing
Party, by small minority, have nailed upon the table
Though repeatedly and earnestly pressed by the Demo
Gratis act upon them, up TO this time they have stub
bornly refused-Though bills are, and have been pend
ing in Congress for the repeal Of both the Bankrupt
and the Distribution Laws, and it was most important
that the voice Of Virginia should be heard by her Sister
States and that she should be fairly represented upon
these questions; and though nothing is more probn-
BILE, than that another Bank Bill may be introduced into
Congress- at the present session, and both Of her Sena-
and to have voted for the Distribution Law, still in
vain have the Democrats pressed for the consi-
deration Of these resolutions The Wing Party,
in the Legislature, seem determined that Virginia
shall not, through her General Assembly as hereto
fore, raise her voice in opposition to measures
directly opposed TO her fundamental political principles.
Why do the Wings refuse to act on these resolutions:
DO they relate TO subjects unmportant not TO be
worth the time and money which would be consumed
BY discussion on them; Those who think so, mast
indeed value the principles Of their State and the Con-
stuon Of their country at cheap rate Is it that the
States ought not interfere with the action Of Congress-
So said the Federaliss in l1S and 99and those who
hold that principle TO the Federal creed
DO the Wings in the Legislature approve the legisla.
ton Of the Extra Session, If so, how much more
manly would be to take up the resolutions and reject
them, Do they fear TO meet these questions openly
and directly: They cannot avoid them. They must
meet them. Whatever may be their motive they have
incurred, and must bear, .lhe responsibility of afford
ing counlenance and support to all these obnoxious
measures by their in the General Assembly
Though they may avoid direct vote on the resolu-
lions in the Legislature, will make up issue with
them these great questions TO be tried before the
people at the polls There they cannot avoid the is
sue And if Virginia is true TO herself if she yet ad
heres her faith, and stands fast by the doc
trnes of 1893 and 90 if she still for strict construc
ton of the Constitution and opposed TO The assumption
Of all unauthorized, and the exercise of all doubtful
powers by the Federal Government, that issue must
be decided in favor.
Having referred as fully the limits of this Address
will allow to the measures Of The Federal Government,
and the position Of parties in reference TO them, we
would call your attention TO subec OF more lnfned
ate State concern. We alude to our State Banks
They have been in state of suspension, except
for short PERIOD since 1887; during all which me
the community have been suffering under al the COM
plica,ed evils of deprecated paper currency How
long is this state of things to continued Is there to be
no limit 10 the indulgence granted 10 the banks' Sol
vent banks, wisely conducted, might surely have pre-
pared for resumption of specie payments IN PERIOD
of more than four years And yet banks appear to
be still unprepared for resumption. The truth is, our
system of banking is radically unsonnd and defective,
and requires thorough reformation; one principle oil
which should consist in the Legislature always retain
inc control over the charters OF the banks, TO
modify them at pleasure, according to The lights of
experience and as required by the public good. The
interests of the State stakeholder in these nsti-
vailed of late years, of borrowing money from the
banks for the State Treasury, has warped the legisa
ton of the State this subject, and given it wrong
direction. The Legislature should control the banks
and compel them to resume. Ii is one of their first
duties 10 the country To effect it, the profits of the
banks must be curtailcd But the legislature will al.
ways yield, lat least heretofore it has done so) to