Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1842-06-17

qualified 70 make useui representative, and there
was no drd:Fc 10 oppose him. The day ofeiection ar
rived, ard Tocs had been actually cast upon MIR. WI
arIs, wien Mr.. Stevenson was suddenly summoned
10 attend the polls. He obeyed the summons. The
Republicans gathered around him. They complained
that Mr. Williams had just uttered from the Hastings
political sentiments they did not expect, and could not
approve. They resolved defeat him. They be-
seeched Mr. Stevenson 10 assist them. They assured
hir he was the only citizen likely, under such crcum
stances, to overiake candidate who had gotten the
start, md walking solitary and trumphantly over
the course. hustle ensued The voters were impatient
to xercse their rights and many considered the success
of Mr. Williams beyond the power of fate yet Mr.. Ste
We forward and encountered the fearful odds
file addressed the multitude in stirring strains. lie
commenced by saying: "'Ihe obligations he was under
to the tired and generous friends who had raised him
from the dust, did not allow him 10 disregard the gene
raj importantly under which he had risen TO speak
but he truly concerned that it had fallen To his lot
10 encounter gentleman whose years. experience, re-
putaon, and abilities, night well suffice TO give him
advantages enough, without the adyenttions aid OF
running start, in sudden and unexpected political
race but he had laid down a rule he should de-
part from, never to desert his friends and the public
for any earthly considerations that personal
to himself; and that 10 be defeated in this service
could bring 10 his heart other regret than such
might arise from the possible recollection of his inability
TO crafty their wishes and support their rights"
After contest Of unprecedented activity and vIo
ence, Mr.. Stevenson elected by The casting vote
Of man who has been uniformly devoted TO the great
principles of The Republican party
About this PERIOD Mr.. Stevenson acted as the Pres-
dent of the Common Council or Richmond. His Le-
gslave, corporate and professional engagements then
united to Cypress him with heavy cares. Yet, he con-
tinnrd TO preside the deliberations OF the House
until 1917, when he retired from that honorable trust
He had gained abundant laures there by the grace,
dignity, imparliay, and abilities he displayed in the
preservation of order, and the advancement Of public
business
For several sessions, he ont of the Legislature
but he did finally retire, until 1870. Up to that
period the Fpderasls in Richmond had gradually in
creased in numbers and in strength, they have, IN
deed in various other towns And the decided charac
ter of Mr.. Stevensons political opinions often pro.
yoked opposition to his seat And men of tried charac
ter influence and abilities opposed him and tired their
| powers upon him. Mr. b. w Leigh, in The funess
of his fame measured popularity with him on the hus
ings of Richmond, and was defeated with the utmost
ease In 1919, Mr.. John Robertson represented Rich
mond and, while performing service IN The House, was
chosen Attorney General OF the State. lie, according
w. resigned his seat and writ OF election was issued
Mr. Upshur the present Secretary Of the Navy became
candidate for this vacant seat Mr.. upshnr was sue
cessu lawyer good debater, and the prosecutor for
the corporation he asplIed 10 represent But Mr. Sic
former constituents requested his services and
he consented to And in fair and open op.
position 10 him, Mr.. Upshur received nine votes!
! The repeated rebukes which MIR. Stevenson 5 able
and meritorious competitors were forced to feel, pro-
claimed the inyincible hold he had taken on the conf
dence end affections of the people he Ind served for
many wears. About this time, an occurrence happened
which marked the encroachment of Federal power on
the sovereignty of the States The Legislature Of Vlr
pina had passed penal law 10 prohibit the sale of lot
terry tickets within the State. MendeZ J. Cohen,
broker deted this law, and vcnded his tickets For
this n court and Jury pronounced him guilty, and I'M
posed the penalty. To arrest the criminal justice OF
the State court, Cohen obtained writ OF error, and
carried the case before the Supreme Court OF the T.
S. The right Of the Federal Judiciary to supervise the
penal laws and decisions of sovereign State Of the
Union has heen always resisted by the Republican par
ty. In the Convention of 1857, Mr.. Henry opposed
the clauses in the Federal Constitution and expressed
the fear tina, they would confer this Objectionable power
the States In reply, Mr.. Marshall rebuked the
fear and declared that - IL irrational and absurd
10 suppose tina, any sovereign State of the Union could
be dragged before the bar Of the Federal Judiciary
Yet MIR. Marshall the Judge who awarded the
writ Of error and issued the citation which dragged the
sovereignty Of his native State before the very EIDE
raj Court OF which himself was the legal mead anu ac
knowledged guide.
To arrest the proceedings Of the Federal Court, and
to yindcate the dignity OF The State, the General As
sembly passed resolutions to resist this encroachnent
and the Governor and Council employed Alexander
Smyth and Philip p. Barbour, then distinguished mem
bers of the House Of Representatives, 10 appear at The
Federal bar and plead To the jurisdiction OF The court
When the court met, the counsel appeared and filed
| the plea. And, NOS all the talent and learning oil
the Court, nor the Incompatible powers of Plnkney
and Jones could induce the rejection OF plea which
was allowed and fortified by the spirit Of political
institutions and the positive provisions oil our iunda
mental law.
1t was on this occasion that Mr. Stevenson displayed
the soundness of his principles and the force and br
| liancy Of his powers. The celebrated General Back.
burn then represented the county of Bath lie was
| Frderust of the rankcst school, and had worn the
black cockadc in the reign Of terror He was severe
deba,er, practsed gladiator, and an ugly customer
even to the soutest foe. He attacked the resolutions,
and emp owed upon the authors vi them all the terrible
arrows Of his ridcule and SARCASM In the sweep and
fury Of the which debate cngendered the lustre
of The fash often showed the force and direction OF The
bolt The strife ragged lances flew, and warriors fell,
desooed of and fame IN the herce encounter oil
that memorable day. But il was the glorious province
of Mr. Stevenson to as the conductor which car
ried off the perous lightning of The Generals wit and
nyecve TO roll back the dreadful thunder on the bold
concoctors of it, and to foil this veteran hero in the IA
vorte field of his fame.
| Ills reply was effective ana hne lie began win
composure, and said
ali does not amaze me 10 witness the furious heat
and reckless nvective Of the gentleman from Bath.
pity his notions of patriotsm and the natural impulse
nr his heart and UNDERSTANDING lie has Insnlicd the
State and supported her oppressors in heavier times
than these lie is the loyal and dutiiu citizen,
who in the reign of terror aided and appauded the de-
signs OF President Adams, 10 humble the people OF
Virpinia into dust and ashes But let me assure the
gentleman that he is destined TO suffer The same re-
verses and detection now, that distressed hlm then
and that he greatly drprecates the dignity OF the e'
neral Assembly, and the and spirit Of his fellow
citizens, if he nagnes they will tnmey surrender thus
noble Commonwealth, degraded ielon, to the Inecies
of the Federal bar. II.
.Thonas Richie Ell
Ito he continually
TuE TRlaL or EDwARDs.-rhis trial, one OF the
os, impor,ant in all lis relations that has come before
our courts for many terms, rapidly drawing to close