Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1853-03-04
To the People of Ohio County.
House OF DELEGATES,

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RICHMOND, Va, Feb. IS, 1858.
Feiiou Citizens:
Uonofet by your preference, l have served Won
fer three years as member of this House, amidst
circumstances of much interest to you aud of equal
difficulty to me; and now feel at liberty 10 decline
another election
Throughout the period of my service you have
had 10 struggle against the assaults of external in
teress and the last of these has been urged by such
an array of formidable influences as never before
assailed any community in the State. It in the
last, as in former ces, the integrity and firm
of the Legislature have withstood all efforts
to intimidate and all sinister persuasions. VIR-
GINA, the best of commonwealth has by her Justice
and maternal care given you new reason to cherish
towards her, as you have hitherto cherished, senti-
ments of gratitude and loyal devotion. am well
assured that, on your part you will be always vgi
liant and prompt to defend her interests, her honor
and her rights.
For myself, since first entered this House my
attachment 10 y'iative State has be en- constant
ly strengthened and disposition to guard her
against encroachment, either from rival communi-
ties from the federal authority has been fosteed
For almost continually, here and elsewhere have
been engaged in defending her rights and your own
aglillSl SuCu cLCIOaCuneuISJ ana nave 0eheld her
magnanimously protecting her own people, The
service have been able TO render has indeed been
veryshumble, but have at least cultivated the
spirit proper for its performance.
You cannot he surprised to learn-as some of
you know already-that such experience, and the
reflections it suggested, have exerted an--mfluence
over my political opinions. have, in fact, been
led to entertain views which desire now to COM
mend TO your consideration.
When first accepted the Office from which l
am about to retire, the Union had Just been appa-
rently on the brink of dissolution. The main
source of that danger had been scheme of in.
justice which was 10 have been perpetrated, by
means ofFederal legislation, against Virginia and
some of her sister States. The peril being over,
it became every good citizen TO consider by what
principles or policy its recurrence might be avoid
ed. Although pursued that inquiry with natu-
raj liaS, can scarcely have teen mistaken in the
conclusion-held by so many others-that our best
guaranty for the safety of the Union consists in the
exclusion of the Federal government from all IN
necessary interference with the internal affairs of
the States. The stricteSt construction of The DOW
ers granted to Congress would leave it in possess
sion of more authority than it could safely exercise
with a due regard to the perpetuity of the Union;
whilst the State governments, for thn fulfilment of
their duties and for the welfare of the people, need
every title of power that has been reserved TO
them.
The convictions 10 which my mind thus became
inclined, were confirmed, from time 10 time, by
public events which are familiar 10 you. l shall
allude 10 only one, because it continues 10 be a
subject of immediate interest TO you, in more i'm
portant respects than illustrating my opinions.
A judicial proceeding, designed for your oppres-
sion and involving questions important to the coun.
Try, has required me during the last two or three
years to devote frequent and careful study to the
relations between the States and tie Federal gov
eminent and, especially to the principles that have
been applied toItho:e relations by the Federal tn
bunals 1t appears to me that the political doc
trnes and the rules of construction which are found
10 b. established in the courts of of the U. States.
when considered by the light of any practical ex-
perience in public affairs, must be regarded as
dangerous to the States. In reviewing Their de-
cisions' we must frequently be struck with the SUI
per'or weight, often allowed to suggestion of in
convenience to individuals classes over the grav-
est necessities of State and the latter rarely out
weigh any plausible argument in favor of a power
claimed for the Federal Government. Indeed I'M
less the present course of judicial decisions be
checked, the most essential rights of the States are
in danger of being gradually Withdrawn from them
aud absorbed into one great central power.