Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1848-03-28
MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING.

The Wing press Ia We for some time been en-
gagged in an idle attempt 10 make party capital
out ofthe conduct of,he Democrats OF The Virgil
mia Senate on The resolutions from The House in
honor OF the late E.-President Adams. The
course of that body has been held up 10 the u
MON as shameful anc disgraceful TO The Stale Of
Virginia. A candid review Of the facts of the
case will show that, ifany blame is to be attach.
ed 10 the proceeding, tie Wing party in the Le-
gislature cannot escape the condemnation which
is so bitterly visited upon the Democrats exclu-
siyely. The resolutions, virtually approving and
sanctioning the course Of Mr.. Adams as having
been devoted 10 the highest Interests Of his coun-
try" were offered to the House on the last day of
the Democratic Convention, on the eve Of ad-
journmeni, when many Democratic members
were absent, and when, in the hurry Of the mo.
ment, but little attention was paid to the sub
stance OF the resolutions. II cannot, therefore, be
said lha, the sentiments OF the resolutions were
unanimously approved by the House.
When the resolutions can to the Senate,
they were carefully scrutini1ed, and found
TO contain statements, untrue IL ''o"."i~es'
which, as Southern men, the Democrats in
that body could not sanction. The motives
which governed their action will be under
stood from q peru,al Of the facts, a, truly
and impartially set forth in the following com
munication. Though these resolutions are
without precedent, save in the hoaoIs paid TO
Washington; though no such legislative demon
STATIONS were made TO the memory Of Jeic son,
Madison, Monroe and Jackson; still we are in
clined to believe the Senate would have been
willing to pass the resolutions, had they been
modified, so as to pay respect TO the memory OF
a Chief Magistrate of the Union, without yir-
tually endorsing The principles and disorganizing
course Of the heated partizan and ayowcd ene-
my of Southern rights and safely. While we
would cordially extend to the Office Of ex-Presi.
dent all due honor and respect, we are clearly Of
the opinion that the Senate could not, without
sacrificing its self respect and Southern feeling,
pass the resolutions in the Objectionable form in
which they came from the House. That they
have not taken them up and adopted them in a
different form, is, we doubt not, partly owing 10
the unwarrantable and violent attacks Of the
Wing press, and partly TO the express appeals
of Wing Senators on several occasions to De-
mocratic Senators not to press the motions
which they were about to make for taking up
the resolutions. II il be so shameful and dis
graceful to lay such resolutions on the table,
why have no, the Wings themselves called them
up; and, above all, why have they resisted the
motions TO that effect, coming from the Demo.
erats : Looking at the whole history Of the
proceedings, the public will be at no los, to vim.
dictate in the fullest degree the course of the
Virginia Senate. We ask attention TO the fol.
lowing clear and conclusive statement which we
have had on hand for several days
For the Enquirer.
Now that The blast OF Wing indignation seems
somewhat 10 have subsidized, Messrs. Editors, we
beg leave TO call attent on 10 the trne history OF
The Adams resolutions, since they reached The Sc.
nate OF Virginia. We propose merely 10 give a
~succinct and plain statement OF facts and leave
the verdict 10 those whose peculiar province il is
to pronounce Judgment upon the acts OF their
public servants Those facts are Substantially
as follows: When The resolutions came up in The
order OF business, after being read by the clerk
Mr.. Amber rose, and in the most calm and con.
~ciliatory manner asked that they might be laid
on the table, for the purpose, as he avowed, OF en-.
abling those who were their peculiar friends so
10 modify Them as that they might be acceptable
10 the whole body.
Mr.. Stanard rose and made some remarks
which were construed by Mr.. Amber as placing
him in the position OF making opposition 10 then
upon mere patty grounds, in reply 10 which Mr
Amber, in order TO show that The motion 10 lay
on The latle was not a party move, appealed &c
the Senate to know il the remarks he made upon
ms motion could bear such a construction, and
proceeded 10 give his reasons for The motion, (ihis
oelng rendered necessary, as he conceived, because
OF The remarks made by Mr.. Stanard.) declaring
that ne was willing 10 give lhe deceased credit fol
PATRIOTISM and sincerity, butthat with those memo
rable words Still ringing in his ears, slet il come
let abolition come though it cost the sacrifice
of five millions CT lives" he could not get his
W consent to affirm that Mr.. a.. lille mad been
devoted 10 THE highest interests OF his colntry."-
Such was the substance and such The lemper 81
Mr.. AS remarks.
Mr. Stanard explained, that be did not intepe
his remarks should bear the construction which
had been placed upon them, and was willing tina
the resolutions should be laid on the table for TIT
present, as they seemed to require amendment il
another particular: but, upon being satisfied tina
his first impressions were erroneous, voted agains
laying them on the table.
Mr.. Stringer remarked, that he would yer,
cheerfully vote for the resolutions fthey were 81
modified as to make them read, that Mr.. Adams
life had been devoted to 'phat he believed to BE- III
highest interests of his country"
Mr.. Scott (Speaker) sale, that Mr.. Adams had
by failing 10 90 into that ~dignifed retiremen
which became an Ex-Presidenl, after his term Q
service had expired, forfeited in a great measur
that consideration which had ever been accorded
and which he trusted ever would be accorded, I