Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1843-03-01
Substance OF W.T.. LEEGH's ADDRESS TO the
WING CONVENTION,
On 2ad February.

On 22d February.
GIxrIKmKx- take the Chair President OF this Con-
venton which you have called me- with other sense
OF fitness for the place. worthness Of the honor it con-
crs, but consciousness OF the sentiments bring tot
can lay my hand on my heart and sincerely and
scientiousy declare that have political feelings which
do spring from ardent desire to the common veal
the whole Union and the and happiness of
member OF promoted and secured by honest and judi
cious administration OF the powers conded by the Cons
tuition the Federal Government and of those reserved to
the State Governmens-thot have wish TO promote,
and feel interest in promoting, the success OF the Wing
party, merely for the sake Of the party wish for tissue
other than that which arises from conviction, iha'its
principles Just and sound and that the policy II desires
have adopted and pursued, is calculated to ioser ad
and the interests and happiness OF coun
trythe whole country and every part of it, II devotion
the Constitution Of the u. States, and strong feeling
of towards the people of all our sister
States, federalism, am Federals,: jealous
and vgsnt ard for the rights OF the State governments
constitute n State lights man, know and feel that am
and always have been am strict construction
st in the party Of that phraseone who, when those
whom am opposed entrusted with the adninsira
of federal affairs is disposed deny all powers to the
General Government its powers render
them mpracncable nugatory: much less am a auiu
dinaran, who when my friends in Powe acknowledge
constitutional bounds their discretion We ought all
insist fair OF the Constitution whom
the administration may he conhded whether
political opponents friends Norman sensible OF
human falbity than IL may my estimate OF men,
and my opinions Of measuresbut have truly declared
my sentiments and am quito sure ,aey are night.
The great object should all have heart, and which
in these times presents itself prominently to every re-
fleeing mind tn restore the confidence the people
their governments State and Federal and twhat yeimore
important social happiness) confidence between man
and man-that confidence which seems almost entire
il
political institutions have any heahfu action. Ii it
cannot be restored, abandon all hope OF public
prosperity. OF private happiness.
In all governments, the work Of legislation, and the ad
minsration OF public affairs, necessarily involve
compromise of opinions and interests. And this espe
eialy in the government Of the United States GO
vemment extending twenty-sx States, all connected
together and yet in independent of each
other-over such OF tcrritory-over people
hayng such diversity and variety of interests the interests
of various classes of individuals in the part OF the
country diversified by their various pursuits and the int
OF parts OF the union diversified from those Of
Others by variety in the employment of capital variety in
the pursuits OF industry variety in the productions Of coil
and climate well OF industry. No OF men,
no State portion of the States west, north
SOUTH agricultural commercial manufacturing, slave
holding non-saVekoding reasonably expect that
their particular opinions shall prevail their individual
local interests be alone, most prominently the OBJ
ject of regard The duty OF the aud the patriot
consult the opinions the feelings, the wishes the nIe-
of each and al reconcile them when they
ctng if that be possible; and il it be found impraecable
devise and pursue such requiring every
yield something bu, sacrifice ALL shall be best
calculated promote the welfare Of each the
compatible with the welfare Of others. This Con-
sttuon Of the United States which We all profess so
much attachment and devotion, dictated by the
liberal spirit OF compromise; and i only by the continual
Government be upheld sny good purpose-thnt its
powers be made work beneRcaly for the common
weafor the harmony the prosperity and tine happiness Of
the union and Of all its members.
IL may be supposed by ohers-indeed, myself con-
scous-thai uitering trusns But, am not much
mistaken would Heaven could believe that am at all
MISTAKEN in my yerg OF the present Of public Affairs
and especially Of the and temper OF parties, really
necessary that should all be awakened lively and
of these very trusms and the time has come
when it behOOves oil men, and all parties recall them
their minds aud their hearts, and act, practically and
with general consent, under their influence If we can
only be brought remember these tsms and act up to
them, fathers did. with a reasonable degree Of
heariness aud generality Of purposo. though difficulties
enough will still remain exercise the wisdom Of States
men and Patriots all may yet be well-public confidence
may be revived social harmony may be renewed industry
and enterprise relieved from the pressure Of despair and
the spring o national prosperity restored ts woned elias
ticiiy and vgor-and may be. once again con-
tented. united, prosperous and happy people.
The spiri Of compromise am speaking Of is compro
misc Of feelings, wishes opinions and interests
spirit of mutual concession, which shall mpe each and all
offer up sacrifice the altar Of patnotsm and
which will be equally sautay, whatever party may obtain
the ascendency in the Administration Of the Government.
for no compromise abandonment or sacrifice Of
principle which, under any administration would be per-
nieious Let illustrate the distinction by two ex
ampes.
alluded this morning to the proposed remission Of tn.
fine imposed upon Cen Jackson for HE contempt Of the
writ Of hGbSGs corpus and Of the that awarded it or
the Judge This purpose roYrt, not while he was
engaged in military Operations for the defence Il New Or
leans but asr the defence victorious and completes
time when further military operations were antic
poied. bui in truth after the enemy had retired rcpused
and broken; after oil military operations end and
otter a apprehension ~ any ocsns.1p 90 them had
passed away Nov, II the propo'a remit this hne and
90 restore the amount with inter, Cen. Jackson had
been PUG upon ihc ground that the conduct Tor which the
hne was imposed uPoa him, tho acknowlodgedy Illegal
yet dictated by an honest conviction IN his mind
that necessary, for the safety " the eoun,ry he de
once Of which entrusted 90 him, adopt and persist
In his upon the ground that just considera.
ton Of his metonoas services and Of the upnphtnsss Of
his intentions. outweighed M confederation Of the iregu.
ariy Of the means he thought proper employ % accom-.
plish bis formidable invading enemy: or on
the ground that majority Of the people have acquitted
him Of oil intentional fault. aud that respect to them not
less than regard for him required that he should be relieved
from the punishment he justly ncuucd egog upon the
ground ha such manifestation Of the Nations pardon
and affection would sooh the feelings Of eminent pub
ice servant n the last act Of life 81 the remission Of
This line had been pu, these any like grounds tho
with my opinions Of the and my knowledge Of the
history Of bic conduct could not have approved ihe mea
sure could YET Wi, safe conscience have deferred the
opinions and feelings q Gen Jocsons friends and ad
fes-l could have compromised the with ihcm-and
u hey had declared ssch Tor renting The 6nc
and expressly provided ui the should not be drawn
INTO precedent should have been content But General
jackson has publicly declared that the rem Of The fin,
' rest no such grounds and rendered eompronis,
Impossible he dsdains to accept pardon he demands thai
the fine shall b. ro54ted o. condemnation Of the Judg,
who imposed upon hm, M full justification Of IN,