Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-09-16
HON. WIN. c. RIvEs's SPEECH AT ALBEMARLE
FROM THE VIRGINIA ADVOCATE

FROM THE VIRGINIA ADVOCATE. ..
On Monday week, being court-day, the citizens of Abe
marie county addressed by Hon. WIN. c. RIvEs.
1t has rarely been good fortune to listen speech
replete with sound argument profound research, noble
thoughts, and lofty patriotism. Every must admire the
open and manly manner in which Mr. RIyEs treats the sub
ects upon which he touches We particularly struck
with the ankness Of that portion in which he defended his
course maintaining that he had changed and told Of
the relation he had formerly sustained towards Gen. CAss
Having taken notes, cannot pretend to follow Mr.
RlvEs, but only to give from memory brief notice Of
of the topics discussed by the distinguished speaker
THE VETO POWER.
Mr.. RIvEs first touched upon the Veto Power showing
he dagger with which institutions threatened by the
abuse Of this kngy perogaive He showed that the fathers
OF the constitution had appehended that hegrowh of this
power would length overthrow institutions and
elective monarchy quoted the language
OF Franklin, which has been remarkably fulfilled in
days. that the Government will first be entrusted able
and honest men, but God noDs oho Qer,car and
the warning of Patrick Henry, that system he saw
most a,cfl squirting tocards monarchy" Mr. R. took the
broad ground of the Allison letter the proper construction
of this power, maintaining that high conservative
power to be exercised only of clear violation of the
constitution manifest haste and OF consideration by
Congress- He showed that this language bore
bic resemblance the opinions OF Mr. Jefferson the
subject, which he quoted that the original division of parties
founded chiefly the question of Executive powerthe
Republicans maintaining the independence Of the Legislative
and opposing the enlargement of Executive prerogaive
while the other party, called by Mr. Jefferson oaocrats,
upheld the power 1t will be readily (said Mr.
r. who the nocas of the present day, and who the
Republicans.
THE MEXICAN WAR. ....
The next subject naturally coming up under the head of
the powers of the Executive the Mexican war; This
unhoy war; from its inception to its completion, had been
marked by of Executive usurIaons The country
halh Inv nf
in direct and open violation Of the constitution He had then
usuped the power lay and collect taxes duties, and i'm
posts made and promulgated civil and political codes for the
government Of conquered provinces, and appointed his pro-
consus administer them according his will admitted the
miserable population TO citizenship, by implication least,
they could commit treason against the United States
and case least occurred in which poor Mexican had
| suffered the penalty Of this crime
Thus, by series Of bold usurpaons the weakest man
who occupied the Presidential chair had exercised all the
functions Of government And what is this but tyranny
the CALLING character We have the form of repub-
c but what use the il the substance be wanting Mr..
Rvess appeal to the heemen OF America, to rise in their
might and hurl the guilty from power, was very elo-
quent
GENERAL CASS.
Mr. RvEs stated that he had always entertained very
high regard for General CAs personally and had at one
acted with him politically CAss then Conservative,
Mr. r., who thought him sincere in his advocacy Of
mild measures. But when he CAss) returned from France,
and took his seat in the Senate, he changed He
had fixed his eyes upon the Presidency and scuped to
suit his opinions the Of popular opinion. He
bent upon taking the advance of all other in his party
0utAn Allen, and louder than the oudest and he
had played his game perfection He above all Others had
aided and abetted Mr. Polk in his mad schemes Of ambition
and conquest He had become u1scrupuous Hme-erp-
ing politician He has deceived once, said Mr.. R.; that,
perhaps, bis faults il he deceyes again. il will
| be mine.
GENERAL TAYLOR.
Mr. RrvEs paid splendid tribute to the Old Hero His
great force Of character, Intellectual and moral most
happily and unanswerably illustrated by the various vics
udes Of the battle Of Buena Vistathce lost and thrice
Doby by the mere presence Of the old hero. He had
but to show himself to his troops turn the trembling scale
Of victory His soldiers thought he could do any thing When
Captain Bragg ordered make last stand against the
Mexican and gould scarcely rally enough to at
tend the guns, General Taylor said to him, "Maor Bliss
and oiH reinforce you." That battle, almost without
parallel the pages Of history had doubtless been by
the presence Of General Taylor every part Of the field
Wherever he appeared the tide of battle rolled back and
victory secured We conceive how any could
have listened Mr. Ryes and not been convinced that Gen
Taylor is a man OF very great ability.
! Mr. FILLMORE.
Mr. RIyEs spoke in the highest terms Of Mr.. FILLMORE
from personal acquaintance with him. He is said Mr. r.,
of great abilities, exalted integrity, and lofty patriot
ism. He is moreover selfmade With regard TO the
charge OF his being Abolions, Mr. r. thought very
strange il had been found before. Mr.. FLLaoR,
had not been unknown to the country. In 1912 he wa
chairman Of the Committee Of Ways and Means and such
may be called the father of the Tariff Of AZ and yet
ever heard the charge made ill From his persona
knowledge Of the man, Mr. r. thought the interests Of lh'
South might be safely committed to bis hands
We have only attempted to give brief outline Of some
the leading topics discussed in this great speech, which
pied four hours in the delivery. We do not pretend Civ
the language Of Mr.. RIvEs.
/ THE NEW YoRK EXPRESS WEDNESDAY.