Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-09-24

regard TO our foreign relations growing out Of the
sympathies Zoe France on one hand. and aversion
10 England on the other. mixed up with the ambs>
lion o. talented men, produced those two great
parties which were SO soon to DO more distinctly
marked in the mighty struggle which vas near al
hand. The republicans alleged our Government,
was hostile 10 France, our ancient ally. and hiehdly
to England, our recent Zoe. The Federalists then
held the reins OF Government. The funding OF our
Revolutionary debts; the Establishment Of Ma.
,ional Bank; the building small navy 10 protect
QUE commerce from pmacy aud tribute; and the
raising few tegim 'nts to rcpel threateaed nva-
sion. hold up evidences that the intention OF
the Federal.sts was 10 suhvert Our Government and
TO erect a monarchy upon its ruins. Notwi,hstand-
ing the ourages Of France, her suecor 10 us IN the
dark hours OF our Revolution vas enthusiastically
remembered. and the Republicans OF that day re-
oiced Of her victories ii they did not apologize for
her wrongs. Perhaps the great Washington was
the only man living who could have successfully
stayed the enthusiasm OF HIS countrymen in the
cause OF France. His wisdom marked Oh; n,,trsi
Nv the position our infant Republic should occupy
towards the be,igerents OF Europe. In patriotic
zeal (however misaken) 10 guard against the
emissaries Of France and the execution OF
the laws, the ifated alien and sedition laws were
passed under the administration Of the elder Adams.
These were regarded by the Republican party as
unconstitutional and oppressive and the great lead
ers OF that party, Jefferson and Madison, kindled
a flame in Virginia which spread throughout the
Republic like the fires Of the prairie. AT the spring
elections preceding the passage Of these laws James
Barbour had been elected TO the Virginia Legisla-
turc. With that bodness and loitiness o! charac-
ter 10y which true greatness is inspired. and which
so distinctly marked his course through life ut the
earliest period he addressed the people of Orange
with power and effect, and submitted a series of
resolutions eondemnaory Of them in strong terms.
They had an awakening influence, and made his
name extensively and favorably known throughout
the limits of the State. The Legislature of l79S,
regarding the state OF the country, the excitement
Of the nation, the array OF talents, and the grea.
questions discussed, was one Of the most memora
Die in the annals of the Commonw cath.
Madison's celebrated resolutions OF '9S, presented
by John Taylor of Caroline, was the FIRST Great
casion in which James Barbour figured in 'Gc .Cgis-
lativc halls. In caucus Of republican members OF
that Legislature, he was one Of the committee OF Is
to revise and consider them. before they were sub.
miite6 TO the House OF Delegates. From the talents
and zeal he manifested, he was appointed, regard
less of his YOUTH OF six to advocate them before
the House. Notwithstanding the reluctance he may
have felt to embark upon the tempestuous sea, he
no, the TO shrink from responsibilities which
the cause of his country in the opinion OF its friends
made II necessary for him TO assume. be was then
23 years OF age, and. like the STRIPPING David with
his sling and stone, manfuy strove with the Goliah
OF the federal party. The moment on which he rose
he said, might be regarded the FIRST of his poli,ca
ex sience, and he announced the rue which he in
ended should govern him in his political career
which was, ITO pursue that line OF conduct which
his Judgment dictated as the most proper'-a rule
to which sincerely believe he strictly adhered
Would, for the honor and happiness OF our country
that all public men had been guided by its light!
have no knowledge OF a parliamentary effort, by O
young man. so soon after passing his minority, (af-
ter making all abatement for exurberance of imagi
nation,) which displayed more powers of argument
and richness OF defamation. The conclusion is ir
this eloquent strain, and would have been worthy
of the younger Pitt in the morning OF his fame:
Legislators Of Virginia the voice of the peopl,
speaks TO you; the eyes Of the friends Of liberty
throughout the continent are upon you; ind thu
friends Of mankind throughout the world are wait
ing IN anxious solictude the result OF your delibera
ton. The road to immortal honos is before you
| the temple OF fame is within your reach, and tn
welfare of your country calls eminenty upon you
BY the adoption Of the resolutions, You raise q ram
part against the inroads Of usurpalion, and you
names will be waited down the stream of tim
crowned with laures, and they pass will be halle
| by grateful posterity with plausve acclama
| tons"
The resolutions were adopted, and communicate
TO our sister States TO which many of them RESPOND
ed not at all and others with the strongest condem
nation. They believ. the principles of the rcsolu
ions hostile 10 the Constitution, destructive 10 III
peace OF the natons-woud, if carried out result il
| civil war, and disso uion OF the Union. The ba,
tie ot'9S was 10 be fought in the session of g
the parties marshaled for the eon;est-the cham
plons were known 10 fame. The Demosthenes o
i
! tFihed the world, and gave the FIRST impulse to tn
J bail OF that revolution which shook the brishies
jewel from the British crown-whose motto WI s
Give me Liberty, or give me Dealh'-Henry wa
the champion OF the federal party. His compairiC
IN the Revolution, the Scion Of his age the father
! the Constitution, your own Madison was the cham
pIon oil the Republican party. Henry and Madiso
were TO break lances before anxious and admirin
parties; the nation was on tpoe in brethless su:
| pense. What would have been the result is i'm IN
I bosom Rut he faya NJ
| 6ered, and he was gathered TO his fathers. TIL
| Republicans triumphed, and Madison's report wa
gwen TO the world lucid exposition Of the FEEDER
al Constitution. James Blrbour was the colleagu
o. WATSON, whieh, Tor one Of his years, was hone
l. s'i'.Y III, os-rrre-1-4e' 49,. VI r,y,,,o
JEFFERSON to the Presidency The talent nd abilit
! which James Barbour displayed in this contest {
parties placed him high in the Republican rank
anu gave INN standing and influence, which he al
ways exered for the honor of his country.
Elated with victory the dominant marty beeam
proscriptve IN feeling; every FEEDERS lisi was 10
swept from Office and the loayes and fishes distribu
| ted TO the Republicans. They early sought to car
~ u out IN the person OF Shepherd the auditor,
Federalist and Northern birth, but faithful an,
competent officer. The soul Of James Barbour wa
above u, and his whitening and indignant eoaueuc
arrested and prevented IT, lie stayed the wave
o. VIGOROUS pa5ty-was the glorious sun dspellin
the ioss OF poitea phrensy and selfshntss. He un
Nehed tie true dignity OF the Old Dominion an
made her sors blush who offered such outrage 4
her honor and fame. tfe had been fsbtinS 70
great principles, not the spois Of victory TIL
federation which has marked Virginia from that dn,
10 thus Is the impress Of HIS patriotism and effort
on that occasion. lie continued "a member Of IN
Vrglnian Legislature until 1912. Whilst a mem
Der OF that body he took leading and active oar
IN all the great subjects which engaged its delber
| atoms, and he is justly entitled TO the paterntv r
some oil us "isesi and most beneicent measures
In TIE days OF superstition single combat was a
copied as mode Of trial, when IL was believed In,
Almighty ordered and controlled the petty contest
OF men, and directed the bullet and DAGGER I,
the heart OF the guilty alone. But the light OF Chris
uanity dspelled the clouds Of heather darkness ant
held up the responsibilities Of man 10 his kind anc
ms God. The folly Of the duellist seeking redress
IS most garns when we consider the penalty IL n,
apt TO fall upon the innocent as the gui,y and hov
Oxen has i happened tina. experiences in the use o
the pi,t)l has been license 10 Insult AM lie re-,
cause Tor seeking redress for imaginary wror.s Tn,
aggueved the survivor, often not less me obiec,
o. pity than his victim. The lasbings Of conscience
oiili;l him by day and disturb his slumbers by oieht
tbs hands are stained with brothers. blood. and
the mark of Cain is upon him (srsper. Ills DAYS
are burden, and memory seeks refuge in the in
tox eating glass. He often wanJers a vagabond
through the world, and dies without hope Beyond
the gave. But It is said the practice tends 10 the
improvement OF manners and the rehnement nj
society. This is n SANDER upon Christian;tv
and libel upon civilization. If you look q, those
portions OF our country where II now prevails
Do you find that manners and morals are improveJ
and purified by il Do you find the dus,,i,t
more polished and accomplished No. By his
ouilyings and the ru1sness Of his insults. he
Is the pest ard dislurber OF society, and often
trades extensively upon a reputation for coura,e