The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-08-07
Patrick Henry.

We publish this morning very iuseies'"
ing and informatory article in defence OF F1
TRICK henry, in reply to story contained
in the memoirs Of JoHS Quincy ADAMS, no.
t;ced 10 this paper some time since. This
defence Of the great Orator Of the Rerolu'
ton Is from the pen Of his grandson Mr'
WILLIAM WRIT HENRY, of this city, and was
communicated to the New York Herald,
in which paper the story was first not'ceo
by the press In criticism Of ADANs's me-
moirs by the herald.
This defence is complete, and We can hafo'
~ think leaves room for further discuSs'"h'
We think no liberal.mindcd reader, after ID
examination Of this defence, can LOT hio-
ment attach any importance to the STORY VI
JOIN TAYLOR Of Caroline, whose aversion ,oi
PATRICK Henry was irrepressipie. MI
uW,pr HENRY" as he is called, leaves not .
nail 10 hang doubt on as to the consistent
and enthusiastic support of the revolution
from beginning to conclusion By the " leader
in2the rebellion" -~-'s'-
The history OF the relations Of PATRICK
HENRY aud JOHN TAYLOR, of Caroline, and
their construction Of the principles OF the
Constitution and States rights is quite pecu-
liar. When the Convention Of Virginia took
up for ratification or rejection the Federal
Constitution framed by the Federal Conven-
ton Of which WASHINGTON was president,
PATRICK HENRY assailed it with all the pow
ers OF his impetuous rhetoric. He opposed
its adoption vehemently. He attacked the
very first sentence Of the Constitution. lie
demanded what right the Convention had TO
speak in the name Of the "people" OF the
United States? To commence tho Constltu'
ton thus, owe the people Of the United
States" instead of thus, " We the States .
&C. and he declared that if WASHINGTON
himself were before that body, OF which be
fPArsIcK IESRY) was member, be should
demand Of him an explanation Of this unau-
thorzed phraseology. lie declared that II
the States adopted that Constitution they
would surrender their rights and SUBJECT
themselves 10 the power Of the Federal Gov
eminent. lie argued that it would be open
inc the way for encroachment upon the
rights OF the States, and to fiual ccntraliza-
ton of power to that degree that the States
would be helpless-the complete slaves of
the Federal Government. lie predicted With
accuracy all that has come TO pass in this
way, and may indeed be styled the prophet
of America.
PATRICK HENRY was beaten. He was espe-
cslly opposed by bis enemy JofS TAYLOR.
His vehement denuncation the aggressive
spirit of Federal power had 4 great fleet on
the pubic mind but at that time, as it has
been ever since, power gained the victory:
and PATRICK Henry, like q generous hero,
proclaimed that the Constitution being the
law of the land he felt it to be his duty as
good citizen to obey it, and since it had
changed the original theory of the Govern
ment. he, too, would change, and he soon
became candidate for Congress rs Fede-
ralist.
TAYLOR had helped to defeat him, and
now, with others, raised the standard of
States rights, which PATRICK HENRY had
represented to be trailing in the dust. I'm
der the leadership Of Mr.. MADISON, TAYLOR
and his colleagues adopted the Virginia re-
solutions of '9S and the address of '99.
These papers were over misconstrued by the
young and impusiVe as logically ending in the
right of secession or that Of notification, and
their leading advocates, including Mr. MADl-
son and JOIN TAYLOR, had to rush to
their pens to disclaim any intention Of hos
lilitv to the General Government, any pur-
pose to resort to force. They declared that
they claimed no remedies for the States but
those of resolving and petitioning and re-
monstra!ing against iniractionS of the Con-
stitution, and 10 meet under the folms pro-
Vided bv that instrumental. c., to assemble
in convention when called by two-tbirds,
and 10 amend the Constitution by q vote of
thrcc.fourths. These, indeed, were poor
remedies with which to back up the high
sounding and potent language of the resolu-
tions. Indeed, it may be said, that they
were no remedies at all; for if there We're
two.thrds Of the States opposed to any par
sicular policy involving an infringement OF
States rights, they could through the public
councils defeat that policy.
But the Madisonian party at that day
urged the resolutions and address Of $3.50,
and PATRICK HENRY construed that they pro-
posed the assertion Of States rights, which
had been surrendered by adopting the Con-
slitution, and, as his grandson says, was pre-
pairing to enter the State councils to oppose
them. Before the Legislature assembled be
died, and that ended his eyeutful life and his
part in American politics forever.
PATRICK HENRY is indicated by his grand
son in the matter of his consistent conduct
in standing firmly by the rebellion " until it
triumphed. Time has vindcated his idea of
the Constitution-hisp prediction that it would
lead TO Capitalization Of all power in the
General Government. Nor was he in error
in his opinion of the agitation about States
rights. 1t was not practical. 1t inspired
ideas that were visionary, the belief that
rights existed; which rights had no
remedies for their protection, no pen.
alties for their infaction. lie feared that
the agitation might do injury. Had he lived
he would have left behind him clearer def
milton of the position he occupied at that
critical period. He staked all upon independ.
ence, and he showed a powerful attachment
to the land whose freedom and independ.
ence he had so prominent a part in acqulr-
ing.
The letter of Mr.. W. WRIT HENRY will
richly repay perusal. 1t relates to period
of history that had Il great deal to do with