Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-01-23
REMARKS 0F MR. BENTLEY. or Lorporx. in 4

REMARKS OF MR. BENTLEY, or LOUDoUS, in the
House Of Delegates, Thursday Jan. l2h, on the Bill
ApDroCridting $500, 900 for ATping the State.
Nix. SPEAKER IL feel great reluctance in consuming
the time of the House. Sir, young in years and
young as Il member of this House. Since taking my
seat here have been quiet spectator, contentng my
self with voting when my name was called; and, sir,
feel the greater embarrassment when consider the mag
nude aud importance OF the bill before the House
But with all these difficulties pressing upon me, feel,
sir that duty owe TO myself well to the constit
have the honor TO represent in part this floor,
demand OF me explanation of the vote shall be call
ed upon to give upon the bill under consideration
Sir there is no section OF the State deeply interes-
ted in the honor, welfare and defence OF this Common
wealth than the county from which hail. border coun-
" extending TO the scene OF the late conflict
within whose limits comprised twelve million do
lars Of real estate county with six thousand slave pop
ulaton, paying, and paying promptly, into the treasury
larger than any other in this Commonwealth,
save one: a county whose bosom is large enough to
comprehend every interest in this State from to cir
cumicrence; county which until within the last few years
has had State improvement in her midst and yet she
has invariably been found here voting for these improve
ments from the railroad down your mud pixies sir
will il be doubted for one moment by atty member of this
House that feel that my people feel deep interest
in the defence OF this Commonwealth any here
not however, without a due of propriety. Sir
the bill reported from the Joint Committee appropratng
one hundred thousand dollars for the purchase arms
sought by this bill increasing it 10 hundred aud
eighty thousand dollars, | was, aud STILL willing
to vote for. But sir do object to expending three
hundred and twenty thousand dollars for the erection of
an armory. Sir, the gentleman from Madison informs
US that will require the hands of the Legislature an
annual appropriation of one hundred thousand dollars
to carry it from year to year. This is merely
t.rng wedge. This armory TO be a drain up
on our Treasury If had had any doubt of the objects
sought be attained by this bill that doubt dispeled
"a listened to the speeches of gentlemen yesterday
Sir we we're told that the days OF this Union we're num-
bered but sir they numbered hope, TO endure for
all time Sir the gentleman from Madison tells that
he is willing to 90 II blind and that swallow il.
Sir, | can be led but cannot be driven. But, Mr..
Speaker this bill comprehends state OF affairs
in existence and which trust, will exist. One
would suppose that going to with AL the
world and the OF mankind But, sir, il there any
fear of thatare going fight ourselves of this
Union? Sir would much prefer fighting, if We must
fight 10 the Union. Sir will stand by this Union as
long as there is a in the flag which floats DER
our heads Sir this Legislature may talk about dunion
but Imagine will not have tive are but mere hy
upon the wheel Sir, the Congress of the United States
may be the of bringing that dire calamity about,
but sir predict that in very short time there would
be a tide of conservative opinion prevailing throughout
the length and breadth of this land which would unite
if possible this Coniedeacy more firmly together.
But sir | have already consumed more time than | had
intended thank the House for the courtesy shown me,
and hope sir, the amendment of the gentleman from
Preston viii prevail.