Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-03-18
LEGISLATURES or VIRGINIA.
HOUSE OF DELEGATES.
nlsTnfRi.IInN AN RECEPTION

SPEECH OF Nix. ". D. LEAKE, or GoocHLASp,
On has amendment to the EeSo'utioa 10 appoint an
7gent to receice tie Proceeds Of tie Sales Of tie Pub
lie Lands, Fsb. II, 1913
Mr.. Speaker / exceedingly regret tina. the conduct
of tine friends of Distribution has imposed upon thuse,
who oppose that policy, the necessity OF exposing
the mschieis Of Il, il Justification OF The course
which they feel unccr eyeiy oaga,ion Of JUSTICE and
patriotism to pursue. And, Sir, as the amend le:.l
which | have offered 10 She resolution OF the gentle
man from Essex tllc. Garmett,l presents 10 tho
country syering a.4 m uncomProm'sin.
foe of the distribution scheme, Ia all Oi It's aspects,
trust shall he pardoned for offering somc consldara-
tions in Ivor Of the adoption OF my amendment. 1he
principles involved Important and muci depends
upon the acton Of this Legislature.
Ia all Governments, reciprocal influence il exert
ed by the people and the OF the Govern;nent; and
If the vicious conduct of The Government is IN any
sanctioned, evil VIII, necessarily, result; and
the principles violated by such conduct, Will he
danger OF corruption. Tas fact makes it the duty OF
fteeinen, who entitled To tde dispose! OF all power,
and TO the regulation OF its proper exercise whose
privileges d. 40; depend the concessions os sell
constituted or clp7c,oGs Soversgns-w Iii'nn"i,
ties not guaranteed by charters xsnfted from Des
pots-whose liberty not held c9nditons gItt,
but is based "Pon 'uimv;abc righ!-ot ireemen, who
grant power TO those Who administer the civil
Of this country, and Who hold all ,heir agents rcspon
sble for their actions, should pass heedessiy By
any outrage committed upon The principles oil good
Government, nor any dangerous n-oaGs made by
abused power, uroa ,hcir rights, should they sink
she resistance OF the uailinchng enemy OF corruption
into the hungry receiver o! The spos OF wicked
croachment Ii, where the people The most ea-
alayed, and power is anos. Irresponsible II becomes
more and more despotic. when used in Gnaccustcnea
ways, and 70. unauthorized ends, unless opposed auc
its sway becomes fearful IN proportion the
governed become less aYerse 10 seek or ineres,
amidst the evils which follow lis tram how much
more cxped ent H. tia; where those who exercise
ere responsible FOR all their acts s improper and ua-
lawful use lis prostitution TO unworthy or dangerous
purposes, its peryersou from its proper objects, and rs
conversion means O. Se..-ag 5tanGzemen should
be prevented; and that We whose principles and rights
have been wronged, should not wear that rs wreath
which intended b. wrong-doers trophy
for themselves, and their policy triumph over
US, and which surely calculated TO be heavy
yoke for necks Shall we, amidst a conflict with
adversaries, forget duty, aud our own
cause, which believe 10 be the cause of patriotism
and constitutional freedom, AID Join III with them, and
enjoy whacve. they have Obtained hour of III
gained victory, by the practice Of what We believe
be unjust, unwisc, aad oppressive principles -
Shall Unsuitable love OF interest compe! 10
sanction indirectly, policy which haze op
posed us unjus, and as burdensome, because we
may, If the policy is not persisted in, derive some
insignificant profit, by yielding Up ouf conscientious
scrupes and exchanging we!liounded dislike Of the
measure, Tor the pa;Fy qualification o! lust Such
has often been the @! Individuals and o. nations
and crimes aud national dishonor have constituted III.
only inheritance they left, Tor the future, 10 eta;d,
stead of advancing it in every good and honorable
work
What would the resolution oc the gentleman of Es-
require US to do; To stand By our principles =
No-but to abandon them. T. promote the interests
of those measures, which consider consistent with
the character OF Government, and with the p.ospe-
rlty OF winch tue welfare OF the people IS iadssou5,y
connected No-but, bv our practice to lend the
weight Of character. and our influence in favor Of
q measure which we have opposed, and intend 10
oppose, and which has been advocated by oar political
opponents, BY word and deed which they CONSIDER Of
immense Importance 10 them rs party, less than
as patriots, which is increasing in favor among ltem
threatens TO assume new and more dangerous form,
for u.s. and which, believe, if not resisted, viii IN
nightly its power, and ieasuy in lis desoa-
tons, at every step OF It's progress, increasing its
croachments and, in all Of its operations, entailng its
whitening upon Will you receive, from q
powsr you believe 10 be unlawful and unjust, boon