Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1847-03-25
~ 70
Mr.. Seldom.

BY singular accident did not see Mr. LYONS, card IN
your paper OF the 18th inst until yesterday cheorfully
accept Mr. Lyons explanation OF his part IN The ,,ncnd
ute OF the voted by the City Council to accomplish
most desirable object strangely opposed by Con-
gressional delegate When referred the $500 voted
by the Council, did think Of and certainly intended
no susion TO the which that sum had been
pended. Mr. LIS agency in the transaction fair and
honorable.
But Mr. Lyons suhous his card paragraph in refer
enee TO MIR. Seldom, which serves me as text sor few
remarks upon the singular course of the latter gcp,
man IN ms representative character The paragraph refer.
red TO follows; IL but justice Mr. Seldom TO saw
tina, although he did not application because
OF ms constitutional objections he rendered otherwise
every facility and courtesy in his power and has win
ter been very prompt in responding to my apple alton for
the passage OF law giving the Of Congress to
our last ACT 81 Assembly, which passed last winter
cooperating company for the prrpose of removing the
distractions from the below Richmond; and the law
was passed"
CITED my curiosity and surprise-though have no doubt
II Mr.. Lyons thought sufficiently important he could
make plausible not satisfactory explanation am 20
snoant ct such matters should like 10 know why it
necessary apply MIR. Seldom obtain the passage of
law o Congress asseHing 70 the the Virginia
gisiauref The Virginia law requires such asscnt-uor
Seldom the Virginia delegation or TO the whole Con-
gess To give any assent APPRECIATION the Of the
state Legislature. am not less anxious 10 know how Mr.
Seldom toh his Acknowledged prineples should have
been prompt o insulting TO the sovereign
v aud dignity OF his State. Mr.. s had asserted acted
the ground that Congress had no right IL appropriate
money 10 clear the distractions in James Riyer-and
why Because James River belonged 10 the State and
the General Government and the State had eNeu
sVe jurisdiction her dewaer well as other
II this proposition be how does happen that the
State, having assumed jurisdiction and enacted the
subject II was necessary the validity that law that n
gTess should assent ~ Ii Congress had authority
the subject the power OF the State was absolute ard
could not depend Tor It's exercise upon federal
This has always been avorite doctrine of what Is call
ed the State Rights StricC instruction parv-of winch
Mr. Seldom has been thorough-soing il not conspicu-
Gus member. That pariy-or at least the insignificant
fragment OF u, IN this and few other Saies-has ALWAYS
eon'ended that for Congress to inermedde with the i'm
OF and hurbours was an invasion Of
State sovereignty; and yet according Mr. Seldom is
right IN this sovereign state TO ask permission OF her
for liberty herself Verify this thing called iran
scenden'a!sm is OF the which shall only be
revealed the las; day when the great seals are opened
cannot therefore, McssIs. Editors, understand how
Mr. sedd0n's prompt agency IN the passage OF law OF
Congress, which, upon MS principles is an insult TO
Virginia should particularly recommend him the favor
81 this Congressional district The facility and eouiesy
with which he treated the Richmond Ambassadors may be
well interpreted into the following language "Iienemen
receive with personal respect and kindness but
my constitutional conscience tender with regard 10
these river and hSrbor improvements that although am
satisfied the Bill rH pass opposition 10 nv cote can
not consent that my own city, containing twenty-five
thousand inhabitants shall have any lot part benefit
whatever in the bill" Mr.. Seddon's friends NAV twist
and turn TINS matter they please but this and
substance and no human ingenuity prove otherwise.
The sentiments reported have recently EXPRESSED
by tins gentleman al democratic meeting in this City, are
in strict accordance with his submaed views upon other
suhJects lie voted against The Bill grating direct
preparation 10 the miserable sufferer OF Ireland because
forsooih il unconstitutional; but ne did not hesitate 10
sanction the employment of the national ships transport
provisions and supplies the couutry-that being
rsTy constitutional! Dean Swift, in OF MS tales de-
rbes couple d grey headed philosophers who had spent
seventy years Vi their cudeayornE 20 extract
slnbeams from oucumbers;-now in my humble opinion,
the .abJs OF these venerable sagrs 4 whit more
irrational than the rcVcTes Of constitutional senmen-
talsts With admirable dexicrty they can split hair
twist south and south sde-and in their jaundced
and perverted those measures are only constitutional
which spread waste and ana DISSOLUTION through the
country.
b these remarks 10 wish be understood as TAX
ing sides with wing % the democratic family at the
expense Of the other In the practical exercise OF their
doctrines and principles however they may differ m pro-
iesslons. reg1rd them equally destructive the pros
pcr'ty and well being Of the country. II true that the
followers OF John c. Calhoun, ike the Glrondisis OF the
French revolution, profess moderation and an adherence
10 principle, aad equally that The leaders Hun
Atrsm boldly proclaim that "t1 the yictors belong the
spos,-and that lie nominee oi the Baltimore Convention
must be sGpporled-W -ethor he be a democrat, Wimut
abolloHis Mexican Indian. Yet let It be remem-
befed that the Grondsts finally supported atrocous
measures OF the Mountain party and afterwards its
vciims,-and the followers gi absracuoaisn are " Sc
they Will speedily abure the heesIes aud OOeric OF their
leader, aud enroll themselves the fanks Of tha great
conservative party which eau alone the country.
HAMPDEN.