Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-01-20
RgWARKs OFF NM &oBERTSoN

REAARKS OF NIX, ROBERTSON.
Pending tie election of Senator the last d. y Sat
| urday, -
Mr.. wynham Robertson said, he begged fora moment
the attention OF the House. As they had observed ie
had voted constantly, persstently-he afraid anun
friendly Interpretation might suppose obstinately-for
Mr. Rives He wished to say to the House be did il in
no spirit Of defiance, in spirit Of faction of resent
ment Of obstinscy. He his path Of duty a.
he thought clearly before him. and 80 seeing IT, il was
for him. the path of duty He should pursue it calmly
without passion but resolutely and seadfastiy Many
and weghy considerations entered the question We
had to determine. Every gentleman, no doubt shaped
his course by that he deemed the most mportantwth
some, local considerations and geographical lines deter
mined their votes with others the yet important
Of just regard to those feelings which belonged 10
former party differences and associations with Others
considerations Of eminent military qualifications were
the determining reasons assigned for their Fer
himself he considered that at OF much pub
he DANGER and Of so many difficult and important quet-
tons demanding solution, the paramount decisive and
overruns consideration should be- superior knowledge
wisdom, and experience, in public affairs, OF the
selected for the Senate. He knew who could be
said, confidently, 10 be equal 70 the emergency. But
where much stake he felt due TO the country
contribute the public councils less than the
ablest wisest frnest, and truest, could command
Without claiming for Mr.. Ryes that exaggerated
prcmacy of abilities transcendancy of talents which
his opponents fond Of representing his friends as
asserting Tor MN, ne VET Tor hnset thought MIN by
his long and large experience In the public service add
ed to his great and acknowledged abilities and eminent
public virtues, the est by far, OF all public men
the stage TO grappe with the great and difficult
questions which he had neutrality-suspicious. Of such mag
nitude aud difficulty that wemgh well doubt whether any
man fully a level with them. OF our public men,
still living when the public troubles resulted in revolution
John Tyler, T. ~ T. Hunter and W. C. Rives were the
three who, in his view, the abest, by a wide
disparity with Others to cope successfully with the
and difficult emergency Not that he asserted for them
either of them, unequaed abilities endowments
but only wider and larger opportunities, diligently I'M
proved, TO fit themselves for important public posts
This the just aud true superiority claimed for them
all their competitors and gave them advantages
which abilities unaided by similar opportunities could
at all compensate. And at time when as no said, we
may well doubt il any ability qualifications fully
up the level OF the OCCASION plain duty in his
yew TO send the best within reach 10 aid of pub
cause.
lie did not deny that much weight was due to the
local considerations which we're inyolved-to the feel
Dg5 of Western brethreu and the posture of affairs
in the Northwestand he cheerfIy recognizes the pos
session f'cmineht abilities by the gentleman who
presented 10 US from that quarter OF the State. At
other time he would yield much to those considerations
but not Now, instead of its being, as gentlemen
commended the time OF all others that most required
those considerations 10 have paramount weight HoT,
above all in his opinion higher, duties to the whole
country dyanded the rary that they should be
pOstponed-demanded that they should not be pressed
lie thought the other consideration referred to-det
erencc feelings and wishes growing OF pa1 party
associations yet weghter AID of far importance 10
the consolidation OF the public force than the other
That WIS felt be the moreimportant, virtually
acknowledged in all cases of elsctian of Governor
where, general fact, party relations greatly pre-
vailed over local in determining the popular vote. lie
would say 10 that connection that If the seat filed
in the Senate occupied By Of his political
cast 10 the old division of parties be would unhesa-
tingly-he asserte it under full sense Of his reponsi
bitics 70 God and maa-givc his vote TO Mr.. Hunter,
tjo' he should thereby postpone Mr. Rives. So much,
under equal nearly equal circumstances would be
Weld TO the grounds which he APPEALED to others 10
act upon:
Not then, for factions personal reasons but from
the sense Of what he felt to be a sacred duty the
country, at a moment of great public exigency-a duty
to his conscience and duty posteity he could not
consent he upon the record, unless under circun
stances he would anticipate, contributing con
sentng so lar his voice went the sending the
Senate any less than the very ahest, wisest and
most experienced we could offer.
In the course Of the debate Mr.. r. also said, he
denied the existence so far as he knew OF the alleged,
or any, compact elect senators from the Eastern and
Western divisions OF the State and from each Of the
two old parties. For himself he denied il absolutely
Such compact would be inconsistent with oaths of
Office, and might, in some circumstances involve the
commission OF perjury At the time it was un-
dersood that much weight due those considers.
tons 1t was understanding. founded concur
renee of opinion the reaSonabeness and justice of
those considerations-but without so far he knew
any thought Of it, being obligation, or contract bind
ing or controlling members to certain course that
might be opposed TO their sense OF public duty He
had in voting formerly for Mr.. Hunter and Mr.. Preston,
given weight TO thOse considerations. Ills vote for Mt.
Preston then IN preference TO Mr. Rves, was deter
mined Independently OF his recognizing in Mr. 7.
qualities and qualifications foe the Senate that placed