The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-01-22
fSee first pag.
Adjourned.
TO the Hon. b. +. Lacy Speaker Of the
House of Delegates:

10 the Hon. b. +. Lacy, Speaker Of the
House Of Delegates:
Sir,-Youare the son OF my old and valued
friend Richmond +. Lacy, deceased, who
was as brave and honest gentleman as ever
| lived. Exercising the ordinary rights OF
free citizen, which yet awhile enjoy with
out knowing how long it may continue, /
venture to address you.
The Constitution OF the United States, in
the 10lh section, 1St article, provides as
follows:
"No State shall enter into any treaty.
alliance, or confederation grant letters OF
marque and repri,al; coin money; emit
bills Of credit; make anything but gold
and silver coin n tender in payment OF
debts; pass any bill Of attainder. erpoSt
fdctO law, or law impalring the obligation
OF contracts, or grant any title OF nobility"
You will perceive by that tDat the states
are expressly forbidden to pass any law im-
pairing the Obligation OF contracts. And
the 9th section Of article contains these
words
This Constitution and the laws OF the
United States which shall be made in pur-
suaEce thereof; and all treaties made, or
which shall be made, under the authority OF
the United States shall be the supreme
law OF The land; and the judges in every
state shall be bound thereby, anything IN
the Constitution or laws OF any state to
the contrary Notwithstanding"
Let me ak, then, why will you pass any
law TO repeal The McCullOch bill, since it
can never become law while our present
brave and truthful Governor holds the pen
Of State to disapprOye ity But ii Il could,
il he would GishOnOr bv his well hand the
noble stump, which he lost in patriotic eli
tort to defend Virginia, her rights, and sa-
cred honor, still the bill would he impotent
for all good, and potent only to blur the falr
escutcbe0n of this noble and patriotic old
State, and excuse if not justly the vile SIAN
derS which the infamous COnkiln@ has
heaped upon her, while himself stands self
accused OF having stood by quietly while
President Grant was preparing with arms
TO overthrow the Republic and did nothing
but assist to flbricate fraud with view
to allow Hayes to do the work without arms.
do not believe that al! Rcadiusters are
rascas, designing wilfully to Oyerturn their
government. know many OF them per-
SonalIy, yourself among the number, who
are honest gentlemen Though bad electors
OF iudges) who are misled by their cunning
and selfish leader, who stands accused, by
and 10 them, ana toal, / appeal to know
whether they will involve our good old mo-
ther in anarchy and confusion, il not fratri-
cdal war, without the possibility Of obtain
ing from It any good OF any kndy
Our Supreme Court of Appeals, guided
by the dictates OF honor and unselhsh hon
csty which have always guided il, has
already decided the question against you.
And the Supreme Court OF the United
States will be bound to do likewise.
And the 18th section Of the 18th article Of
the Constitution OF the United States de-
cares that Congress shall have power "to
make all laws which shall be necessary and
prOper for carving into execution the fore
going powers, and all other powers vested
by this Constitution in the Government Of
the United STATES, or in any department or
officer thereof"
II cannot be possible that any Vireinian
will give the Government OF the United
States an excuse TO turn its whole power
upon recreant Virginia as it did Sheridan
and his myrmidons upon Louisiana when
she was not recreant.
Implore you, therefore, in the name OF the
hali-starving NihliSts OF Virginia (as the
Yankees and consolidation FederaliSts, mis-
called Republicans, have made them, except
that they do not Stay their rulers and commit
murdei) TO pause and take to yourselves
The comforting consolation that | have
proven my regard for Virginia and her
people by yielding up for their good all
selfish and vai.-gIorious considerations.
even in the moment OF victory, and have
said to the mad demon Of party spirit, So
far and no farther shalt thou go.
Respectfully, your friend,
JAMES Lyons.
January On 1894