Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-01-11
The GaggIng Policy OF the "PrecIPitatlns''
Seceasionists.

SeCeasicnists.
The "Precptstins" See, ssiouists in the Legislature
seem 70 have resolved rigily apply "gag-aw" to all
the conservative members Of the body Their object
IS Transparent, enough They desire to prevent aud cut
Of all discussion the only means Of successfully car
ryng on. their wild and unreasonable projects The end
Of all their AIMS efforts aud devices 70 force the Com
onwealth Of Virginia Of the Union before the 4th
Of March Tbcyare afraid therefore, Of free discussion,
well knowing that II /. be allowed, their PreciPtating
schemes VIII be exposed 20 the people and repudated by
tEem These PIecptators arc great peoples men, when
standing before tie people, in the attitude Of candidates
for Office imp,orng them for their sutrases. 1hsn il
the language Of the Cincinnati PLATFORM they profess to
reposs undoubtiag confidence in the Intelligence and
Discriminating Justice Of the people But, after their
election to Office they seem forge. that they the
servants Vi the people, and put the naughty and de-
cant airs Of masters aud dica.or5. In small and unim-
pozant matters the people may be trusted but on great
occasions and great crises they appear 70 take it for
granted that the people pack Of fools and ignora
muses. aud should not be consulted deferred at ALL
He0cs they seek to commit and 70 bind the people to the
support ofa their reckless measures and projects without
allowing the people any opportunity whatever for an
preston Of their wishes ana opinions thereon Their
course Of proceeding may De called by whatever
a. psases them bUt az last involves the very essence Of
us-rplton and tyranny. il the people really cap3
BE Of self government not their voice be repsscdl
this moucu.0us emergency but If they only d0l.s
aud fools subjects and y-5ls let the Preopiators have
the holiness so TO declare and let them not shigk the
consequences Of such declaration.
During the whole time Of the session Of the Legisls
ture thus far, the immediate and unconditional Seces
.onsts Of the South Carolina and YIncey school have
shown no disposition either consult or % seek the CO
operation Of those supposed TO der from them in their
has.y policy. They have carried things with high
hand and by discourto0usy and Extensively resortug
TO every parliamentary expedieat in their power have
staed debate and sealed tie mouths Of members
tegent, as patriotic and uutinchingy true to the
rights Of Tie South and the honor OF toe Safe, them
seyes-aud perhaps more co. No sooner does gentle
man known to ne c, discreet and conservative rise in
The Legislature 90 give expression 70 bis views and those
Of bis constituents en- tic question tina. may DO pending
than there ia an immediate call the psrJ o. some one
or other OF The Precpiaors for the previous question
which, being sustained, necessarily cuts or all debate
a,d thereby tyrannicaly stiles the voice Of over
wheImirg majority Of tie people Of the Commonwealth.
Such course Of pro1e din on the part Of tho Immedi
ate Secesoris s Cny jlsp3ic IN its character and
uuius. TO the people but Discount and dgacefu o.
Che highest degree. And thus, while depre,ating aa6
ds1oulc-. coercion the par. Of others the Precpi
a.1rs themselves ar, bsbtulIy and O-ens.vely prac-
Using coercion towards al who hesitate follow their
wild reckless sea-ees and rli-ous lead VIVA; justfca-
don or apology or excuse there be for this gaggug
AID coercge policy On body where toe members are all
equal end have la equal right 20 be heard for them
selves and in behalf of their constituents Does no,
Che 7rse-a1n Of such crave and w,- ny matters, as
arc nov before TIE Leg htrc, demand the very fullest
investigation aad the utmost freedom of DISCUSSION
Can unity and harmony DO secured among our own PEG
pie 5v sitting their voice and gaggirg their representa-
tyes.
We a5uo1ish the Precp.atng members Of the Legs
atlrs 90 abandon their gaggng and coercye policy and
lsspsc. hs feelings rights aud privileges OF their equals
For one We arc earnest advocate Of entire freedom
OF js5ate, especially when such debate las il view tn
protection Of the interests and honor of tie South and
tao yindi alton o. the rights and dignity Of this great
Commonwealth Indeed, IN proportion the magnitude
Of the subject the greater should be the freedom OF dis
cusoo. Every mar entertaining vka ever views be may
relative 90 the dHcul,o which ag.ta,e the public
mind should no. hesitate % express them himself or ba
deDlred from expressing them by resort on the part o.
other. 70 parliamentary machinery which was designed
TO be employed only IN extreme snd extraordinary !
emergencies, for the protection net Of the majority, but
OF the minority. Different men, SIS the immortal Pat
rick He1ry remarked, IL lis celebrated speech which
did 20 much 20 FIRE the American heart and incie the
people to action in the days Of the Revolution -"df
fereut men, said h. Gotten saw the sane subec. in diff
fereat lights and therefore he hoped il would not be
thought tisespectia to those gentlemen, If entertain
ing as he did opinions Of character very opposite TO
theirs ne should speak forth his sentiments freely a.@
s.,55ut ressrts And again he remarked in the sane
speech'ig proportion 20 ts magnitude Of Hs SUBJECT
ought 90 Be tte freedom Of debate. e e1.. ig tbs
-g that .isy clull hyne TO arrive az che s.,.h Sc7
ia his history Of the life OF PatrsI Nenry also. Me-
Wr, says that Ella those days Of genuine patriotism
there existed a lsutlgl asl gojls conflsucs, which
emed the opponsgts os measure less worthy than
s friends 70 assist ia Js execution" Again tbis hi
tory gives an account Of remark made by Mr.. Wythe
wo acted with Henry, the Les, Pages, Ma.soas. a.,
NJ Wytbe said-'sensible however Of the Importance
% gnalimty among constituents although We often
s.shcd TO have gone faster, We Stacked our pace,
that less ardent colleagues might keep up with ~.
aud they, differing nothing from In principle quick
sa5j ,,ir gait somewhat beyond that which their p-
daoc u-h,, Of itself, have advised and thus eousoIla.
t,i phalsr1 which breasted the power Of Britain
BY this harmony of tie bold With the cautious We adj
vaaced eil our constituents in undivided mass and
with fewer examples Of separation than perhaps existed
In any other part Of the Unioa."
We have thus referred the wise 1s' and conciiatrr
policy Of Revolutionary sires in the hope tbrt il
may exercise proper and Restraining inference cpon
some Of their PrccPitatng descendants In Nv orr let
the gagging and eoercye cf proceeding adopted
by the Immedate Sscessionsts in the Legs ure be in
saud5 abandoned and let there he entire freedom of
debate al subjects vitality affecting the public welfare
aud s there De harmony and concert Of sction ao2g
Nrgnians in al important measures a NAV be brought
forward for tie maintenance OF the RIGHTS and honor Of
the Commonwealth.
what Are 70 4 for Nowl
What are you Tor doing low We are often asked
Well We are fer Union Of these States-uot at all ha-