Richmond enquirer. [volume], August 06, 1833, Image 3

About Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867

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(•(•char, In (hit " Politic Diet?" Can such a mull ml*
nority, thus banded together, expect to give law to (hie
greet State, and to this whole Uuion? Cl VIS,
^ FOR TUR F.YQUIRtCR.
“ rmtiMtlnillvn is tbo thief of Time.'*
Notwithstanding your respectful, and perhaps wise pro
testation, that “ the whole disemsion of (he next Presi
dential Election is precipitate and premature," 1 hope
you will not regard ine as importunate, and least of all as
presumptuous, in presenting the claims and enforcing the
nomination ol our distinguished and able statesman, Ben
jamin (V. Leigh, for the office ol the chief magistracy of
the Union, once again, through die columns of your wide
ly circulating paper. The (cclings excited by the la«t
election have subsided; the former candidates are no long
er in the field oi competition ; the obnoxious and odious
Tariff laws have been, fo the extent of reasonable com
plaint, repealed, or at least so modified, in a laudable spirit
of compromise, as to satisfy the South, under the assurance
of coufiuing the duties on the importation »l foreign goods
and manufactures after the year ISIS, solely to the pur
poses of revenue; the storm ol Nullification has passed
•way, without impairing the strength or diminishing (he
splendour of a single pillar of the grand temple of our li
berties—the 'f/'nion; and the Federal principles ol the
President's Proclamation, I trust, have been re-assigned, at
least in Virginia, to the doleful tombs ol the Alien and .Se
dition laws,leaving, however, I he spirit of patriotism that
dictated it in full life and vigor. The people me now
calm and dispavionate, ami consequently better prepared '
(ban at any otherdime, well to weigh ami rightly to »p- |
predate the merits of those who may bo brought forward ,
as candidates lor the highest and mod important ollice in I
(heir gift. Indeed, the people themselves have already
commenced; the canvas*. Kre this, public meetings for
(he nomination of Mr. Leigh, have been held in Mcckluu
burg, Lunenburg, Brunswick, Essex and Caroline; am!
the published reports of the last Anniversary toasts, abound
with sentiments favourable to Ilia election, throughout (he
whole range of .celebrations in Vitginia. The people of
the Old Dominion Raw too well (ho fruits of piocraslina
(ton, developed in the recent election of a Vice President,
to be again led on to ait apparent, and yuoudhoc the
vote, a real abandonment ot principle and consistency, by
enabling another Baltimore Convention to impose upon
them a “ JVVte York Magician;" nor will they permit
the golden opportunity of putting forward a man, true to
the principles of ’9S and ’99 to pass, and then ultimately
he compelled to choose again between “ the least of evils."
Hut the Van Burcnites meet ua on tho threshold, and lull
us Mr. Leigh cannot he elected, for (they allege) bo is
uoritnown sufficiently throughout the Union; ergo, we
must vote for Mr. Van Buren. It is precisely because the
latter »» so well known, that he cannot and ought not to ho
olnetaxl. at l»„l t,u < 1 ■»i.< ...V, „ .rlV- _
to the Jeffersonian Scho.il. It is impossible, however, that
Mr. Leigh can be unknown to the intelligent peopls of
the United States. When Mr. Giles and Mr. Brent were
members ol the United States’ Senate from Virginia, they
denied (lie light ol the Legislature to instruct them upon
the suhject of re-charteriug the U. S. Dank in 1811. Mr.
Brent voted against tho instruction*; Mr. Giles voted in
accordance with them, but addressed a letter toihe Gene
ral Assembly, denying the obligatory lorce ot their autho
rity to instruct them. Mr. Leigh, then a young man, wa»
at the time a member of the Assembly, and nt the head of
a Committee appointed for the purpose, prepared a report
in vindication of the right and authority of the Legislature
to instruct, which lor force of argument and beauty ol
style, was unsurpassed by tho productions of the oldest
mid ablest statesmen of the day. During tho fall term of
the Supreme Court of Appeals of Virginia in 1810, Mr.
Leigh asked permission to quality as counsel at that bar. It
was than decided by the whole Court, consisting of Judges
Win. Fleming, Spencer Hoaue and St. George Tucker, tint
** *n addition to the oath* ol qualification heretofore used
- In auch cases, ho must take tho oath prescribed in the S I
lection oi tho late Act to suppress duelling;” which ho re
fused to do; and subsequently on the lGth of November,
|810, he again moved (be Court to admit him to the Bar,
ill bis taking the usual oaths, without the duelling one,
M hearing him, through a long ami powerful argu
.hen*, manifesting the evident range of legal research, the
Court decided in favor of his admission to the Bar, with
out taking the oath against duelling. (Seo 14 Mumlord’s
Reports, page 4S8.) At that time, Mr. Leigh must have
been very young, ami his speech, certainly, proves him to
have been an able, eloquent Lawyer. From that time, lie
has been a rcgplar and laborious practitioucr in tho Court
ol Appeals, in Richmond, where he now stands deserved
ly ftt the ,lra'* Ms profession. His arguments, able,
eloquent and logical, are to he found in Mumlord’s Re
ports, Randolph’s Reports, Gilmer’s Reports, ami -Leigh’s
Koporls;—these, the Lawyers throughout the Union, at
least, have read. Air. Leigh’s Essays in the public news
papers, have always been so interesting and able, as to
arouse in the coiqn\unity a spirit of enquiry as to the
author, which has resulted in the fact, that his style and
manner are now so well known in Virginia, that to know
the author, it is nocessary only to read his Communica
tions, as they sre published. Mr. Leigh was once deput
ed or commissioned by the Legislature ol this Mate, to
appear before the Legislature of Kentucky, in advocating
the cause of Virginia in reference to ronllicting Land
Claims between the two Mates, where, in opposition to
“ the Cicero oj the lVest," Mr! Clay, he won himself the
distinction of “ a great Orator and an able Lawyer."
Sincri that time, a Convention Ins been called to re-ruodel
the Constitution oi Virginia, which met in (lie Capitol, in
the city of Richmond on the 5th of October, 182S). This
Convention combined the choicest talent of the State.
“Much ot what was venerable for years ami long service
many’of those, who were most respected for their wisdom
nmi their eloquence; twoof the Ex-Presidents ot the U.
S., the Chief Justice of the United Slates, several of (hose
who had been most distinguished in Congra** or the State
Legislature, on the Bench or at the Bar, wero brought to
;her lor the momentous purpose of laying anew the
I llamcntal law of the land.” All eyes from Maine to
Mexico, from the shores of the Atlantic to the Rocky
Mountains, were turned with intense interest, to the de
liberations or this s.igc Assembly. .Madison and Monroe,
Cliiel Justice Marshall, Giles ami Randolph, in the gol
den days ot the Republic, ha I been, by universal acola
■nation, place,I on the towering heights of “ the Cliff's of
Lame" and they, with others, less known to distinction,
were called to the work of altering and modifying the old- j
est wriflen Constitution ever formed to shield and pie
sorve the Liberties of man. Mr. Leigh was a member of
this Convention also; and not withstanding the great names 1
the distinguished patriots, the splendid grid.is, and the
(supposed) unrivalled abilities with which he was sur- ‘
rounded, he aiose and contiuuM amongst iliem, “a Giant
in argument, tin I “a Cnjiiil in eloquence," breakiit**’
down i liu barriers of his opponents, and striking the heart's
ot so many with conviction, that, the form ol Government
adopted by the Convention, has been since familiarly
termed “ Air. Leigh's Constitution.” Since that time, t
with the exception of the ensuing session of the Lc
gislaturo intended principally to put the new Govern- !
.mmt into operation, Mr. Leigh has remained in the
enjoyment ol private life, •• the root sequestered shade.”
ol which has ever presented more cbaims to him, j
tiis\\ " the htaze of glory," which may lie o"casionully
won in political wail.re to illuminate the public path-i
way ol victo ioiis parlizins-, When, however, tho last
Legislature of Virginia looked to the South, and beheld
the daikenimr smoke of i ..._i:_, ,
! tremendous volumes above the southern horizon, and ad
vancing with the dieadlul llaum of Nullification, to eon- |
aume ihe grand fabric of our Republic, and to blast lor- !
ever, the last fond hope of political freedom, that beat in
tlio heart* of philanthropists and patriots, and at the same •
lime received tiie President’s warlike manifesto, front
'* ashington City, denouncing upon the ci'izens of South
Carolina who should resist the laws of the Union alter the
1st of February, the penalties of violated sovereignty;
they looked around for the patriot best qualified to mediate
between the belligerent parties. Am) unanimously com
missioned Benjamin \V. Leigh, Esq., the ndnister o'l peace
bo South ( arolitta. 11c accepted Ihe appointment, re
paired to Charleston, appeared before (lie competent an- ;
llioritie* of Hie Stale as the Ambassador of Pence, pre
vailed on them to suspend their “Ordinance of j\u1l\Jl- i
cation,” and thus restored Iranquillily and harmony (o our
almost "bleeding country." And yet, it is said by the
modtst and candid supporters ol the High Priest oil
Magicians, that this man, through whose instrumentality
the Union itself lias been preserved, is not known he
yond Hie limits, of Virginia. Ills true he never sought 1
otnee. Even last winter lie was strenuously urged by '
nuny members of the Legislature, to permit hit name to I
he put in nomination for Hie Senate of the U. States, yet
under a ajire prospect of success, he refused (o he run as
• candidate, preferring the calm of a private to the storms
ol a public life. Well may Mr. Leigh's friends dial.
Jengc his opponents, not only to a strict hut a severe scru
tiny ol his character as a man, end his qualifications as a !
statesman. In reference lo Hie first, Hie longue of ca
lurnny never dared lo utter, nor the heart of malignity to
conceive, a sentiment derogatory to it: in reference
lo the last, none who know him, can deny, that his talents
are ol the highest and sublimes! order; and in reference to
both, combined in the person of Mr. Leigh himself, Mr
Randolph, who certainly acknowledged hut few stipe-'
rior# ourlfifc his life, some short lime before his r»eatto, <!e- :
Clared, that "Benjamin Watkins Leigh van thr only
man ric ever envied. Parly feuds and local prejudices,
forgetfulness of principle in devotion to men, and a too
spreading spirit ol selfish interest and ambition, have been
long enough paralyzing the patriotism, the peace ami the !
good order of society: the moral characters ol our public
fUWUonarioa, also, have been too much disregarded "in
ihe glee and glory" of elective franchise. It is ijme lor
the people, in the exercise of their indubitable right of suf- j
frage, to re-animate the counsels of I lie nation with the
spirit of Washington, the principles of Jefferson and]
the abilities ol Madison. Let (hem test Mr. Leigh’s'
f|tne«s (or the office ol Presidency, by (ha enquiry, i
Which constitutes the best anl most comprehensive stand- :
! ,,, h°nt,t’ « h' able, if !>' fathful to the Con
*mutton? He is one of tho*« pure and chivalrous poli- [
ticians ol the Revolutionary Stamp, who, regarding local
prejudices sml pirty sprit, as the characteristic* ol little '<
mmd», or at least, ol contracted »r>n(p, recognises n >
1 cause so worthy o( the statesman aa ilia rights of mao,
tha happiness, the prospeiity, the glory of hit country,
in this respect, when 1 think of Mr. Leigh—
**! vanarate the man, who** lie.irt is warm,
Whoa* hand* ara pure, whore doctrine* aad wboia life
Coincidanl, exhibit lucid proof
That be it A<m**t m (At tarred can**.”
POWHATAN.
. TV THE El) I TO MS OF THE ENQUIRER.
TIIE NEXT PKESIDENCY.
I agree wi;h your correspondent •• Georgia,” that the
present and coming time* *eem indeed to require, that the
people should begin to look out lor men of tirinuear and
integrity, virtue und patiiolism, to fill the must important
ollire* of their government, and particulaily that of the
next Presidency ol the U. States. Hut, gentlemen, in
your comment on tho communication nt •* Georgia,” you
seem to think the mn«ideration of that subject enbicly
premature. When we consider the auibition ol aspirants <
now a-days, ahull wo tliiuk “ Georgia" loo quirk upon the
trigger? Certainly not. Deride*,' 1 am convinced it;
is well recollected, that it wa* owing principally to delay.;
that it was thought Judgo Hartniur could not bo elect* \
• d to the Vice Presidency. Then, will the people postpone ;
the consideration and discussion of a subject Ir.iuglit w ith j
so much Importance, and a subject with which ate con- ;
nectrd the best interests of tho nation. ? No: 1 trust they i
will not.
I see, in looking over the Enquirer, that some meetings,!
eot up for that purpose, have nominated Dcnj. W. Leigh. I
Now, no man would ho more willing tliat Mr. Leigh
should be a candidate than myself, il I thought that he
could be elected ; but, srt far fiom it, that I am convinced ;
there is not (lie lea-t po-.-ible chance of hi* success — ■
Ho is not ■ulliciently known throughout the United Slate* '
for him to get one-lounli ol tho electoral votes thereof.— '
1 lien, to whom shall we look ? There is not a man at all 1
on whom the votes of the republican party can more like
ly be concentrated, than the honourable, upright and pa
triulic Philip P. Harbour. With surh a in.in at the helm I
ol our alfairs, w o might yet see tranquil and happy day*.
W hero is the man wli* has filled so many exalted stations j
in public life ; who has discharged tho luticlion* of those '
stations with at much satisfy lion to *11 parties, and parti- j
culaily to the republican*, ss Judge Harbour? And was
llieto ever a (imo when the services of such a mau ws he ;
is were murs required, than the approaching i* likely to i
be ? And is there a man in this vast republic, who de- !
serves more gratitude ol bis couiitrymcu, or who de
serves more to bo promoted to the next Presidency, not
only for past ablo services, but also lor his unaspiring,
magnanimous conduct in oilier respects, as he does? I
answer, no. When ihe Legislative Caucus ol Virginia
Asked Judge Harbour il ho would sutler himself to be run i
for the Vice Presidency, he reluctantly, no doubt, con- j
tented, provided they would uoininate him, and they busi
ly omitted doing it. Ingratitude! Virginian*, think ofj
this conduct in your representatives, in astonishment..
Sateral other states evinced a disposition to go for him, il ;
his own Slato would have suffered him to run; hut no, she |
could not doit. W hen tho Chat lottesvillo Convention no
miaated Judge Harbour as a candidate for tho Vice Picsi-1
demy, it vtas said they were too late. Then, tho people
ought not to pm oil tho ronsidcratinn now, and again
sillier theiflseltcs to ho eutiappcd. After he was put in
nomination, ho wasaolicited to withdraw, for the sake of
harmony among the republican party, and to avoid dis
traction among that party, he did withdraw. Magnani
mous conduct! Let it not bo said that Virginians are so
ungrateful now, as not to promote him to the next Chief j
Magistracy. Let u*, with •* Georgia,” have hi* name, as |
candidate, sounded horn river to rivei, und from the moun
tain* to the sea shore.
\ IN, Ol.D f AslIIONfcn W F.STKIIN VlRGINIAN.
Smith 8 Creek, Rockingham county.
.. m „ *0R T/IK E.YQUIRER.
Oak Nation—Tim Government of the U. S.—
Citizen of the U. S., Sic. Sic.
We have been tin own into suclt a tog, for the lust
two or three years, by the metaphysics ol Messrs. Cal
houn & Co., that I aui sometimes puzzled to know, whe
ilier there he such a thing as (he Government of the
United States; whether l am a Citizen of the United l
States 7 whether we he, in any sense o! tho word, one !
People7 whether the proud Hag, which has borne the
Jimerican name to the most distant regions ol the Earth
ba not an arrogant and impertinent usurpation? In fart’
whether the reserved rights be not so numerous that they
reserve no power to the Federal Government ? and whe
ther the Conservative power bo not carried so tar as to
amount actually to a dissolution oj the Union 7
No man venerates the Reserved Rights, more than I
do. I would shed the last drop of my blood in their de
tence. No one feels more devoted to the conservative
principle, properly understood, than myself. Hut, sir for
the hie ol me 1 cannot sec how this y nion can last, if each
o( our twenty-four States can say at all times to the Fe
deral Government, “ I do not like this or that law —It is
unconstitutional, orit is oppressive. And I will exercise
my reserved Rights; (orbit! it to he carried into effect
within my limits; and 1 will call out my militia, with
arms in their hands, to resist the authority which your
officers claim to carry (his or that law into effect.” If ihe
States determine to resist intolerable oppression why call
if Revolution at once—but don’t tell me, that eveiy one
State may remain in the Union, enjoying its benefits, and
at the same time, nullity its laws, and thus getting clear
of its burdens. The Constitution itself recognizes no such
power to nullify. The history of its formation and adop
lion presents nosuch anomaly. We find (here the right of
legislative interposition, by appeals to your own people by
appeals to other Legislatures, by amendments lo the Con
stitution. We find there also, as the last resort, (lie right
to resume the powers, when pcrvei ted and abused. These
are the great reserved rights—these consiimto the great
conservative principle-but we do not find tho anomalous
right to be m the Union, and out of (he Union at the
same time.
Let these mailers, however, pass! It is not my pur
pose to discuss them at fids time. My s6lc object, w hen
I took tip my pen, was to lay before your readers, two or
three Extracts, w Inch I have lately met with in the course
ot my reading. They are as directly at war with Mr
t-alhoun s metaphysics, as lie of 1832 is at war with J. C
t altioun of 181(5. It is really refreshing to see a little ray
ol common smse break through the fog with which the
8ouih Carolina School of Nulliiiers a.e attempting to
overshadow Ihe public mind. ,
(From.Mr. Jtftrson’s Utter to F.Jmuml Randolph, sfjJu* ]3 n90 .
” Holme (lie revolution (here existed no surf, nation as
tho United Slates: they ’hen first associated as a nation
butjor special purposes only. They li.d ail (heir laws
to make, as Virginia had on tier first establishment as„a- I
Bu‘ '*'cy did not, as Virginia had done, proceed to i
adopt a wliu(e system of laws ready made to their hand
As their association ns a nation was only/or special pur- j
posts, to wit, tor the management of (heir concerns with
one another, and wi h foreign nations, and the States com
po-ing the association chose lo give it powers for iho-c '
purposes and no others, they could not adopt any general!
system, because it would have embraced objects on which .
this association had no right to (oim or declare a will. Ii !
was not (he organ i ,r deelpring a national will in these
cases. I n Ihe casts confided to them, then were to free \
declare the will of the nation, the law h..»7iti it I
cl iml there could he no law. So that the common law !
dnl not become, ipso facto, law on the new association; it '
cou i only become so by a positive adoption, and so Ur only 1
a* they were ftu'horleed lo adopt.” 1
... f hrn'n ,hr Federalist, quoted by John Taylor of Caroline.)
“ I ho general government can have no temptation to
absorb the local authorities left with the states Com- ;
in free, finance, negociafion and war, comprise alt the ob■ I
lecls oj a love of power.”—P. 81. II.
“ * *'* f«!,U*f.al and state governments arc in fact bit* dif- !
,rint afrnlg an,{ trustees oj the People, instituted with
-\>rf"\%Wers’ an<l drtiSn'd for different purposes,
“In the compound republic of America, the pow'r
surrendered bi, the people, is first divided between two
distinct governments, anil the portion allotted to each sub
divided among distinct and sepat ate departments. Hence !
a do.ilde security a.isrs to the rights of the people. The
different governments will eontrovl each other, at the i
same time that each will be confronted by itself.”_P. 282. I
■ |
Am I limn a Citizen, of one country, the different
States of which have established one common govern- j
men , for ceitain specked pm poses, or am I not? “ Am 1
Hodge, or Ain I no* ?*#
The. .Yew Cmr i stop ji f. n Quandary-.
, , . 7 0 [,,K EDITORS OF 77/ft ENQUIRER
1 observe from the papers that the Farmed Bank ha.
again refused to subscribe-to the James River Improve
ment, and some farther action of the Legislature will I
presume, be necessaiy beloro the subscription, rru.iisj’te
to a commencement of the work can he made up
In the mean time, is it wise in ,he people 0| Richmond
to postpone the object next in importance to the one they
have contemplated, because that is necessarily delayed- !
and to omit doing what they can certainly accomplish he* i
cause the first object ol their preference has had more
(limruliie* lo rrirotintpr, than w ere anticipated?
I allude to the proposed Richmond and Potomac Rail- !
Road. 1 verily believe, lhat no object after the James'
and Kanawha connexion, is of inure importance lo the j
city of Richmond or to the Slate at large; and lhat even
tli« James River Improvement, magnificent as It is, will i
not compare with the proposed Rail Hoad in the amount
?j ’*n * which will be produced by if, in proportion lo]
It a survey and estimate eotilil be hail prior to the flext ,
session ot the Legislature, „ fhar(P|. ,0;nP h, t
aid he then obtained from the Commonwealth, I enter-:
tarn no doubt that the remaining funds which may be j
wanted may he made up by sub-e.ipifon. f'annof the ne- 1
ce,.,ry sum for a survey, be made up in Richmond ami
r redi-Mckshurg, and the intervening country > Or if not
would there he any objection h> asking the War Depart'
me" ip detail an officer of the Topographical cor,,, and
the necessary assistants to the duty? It a survey for any
improvement can be made by the Government on account
of its importance for the transportation of the mail or any
Other object, tho one In question might, I should think, he
I I take tho liberty of making thcew suggestions (o you,
[ from a sense of the groat importance el tho proposed iin
rroveiuent to the Coininonweulth, and the pleasure which
know it affords you to forward any measure ol this cha
racter. It would bo the means of conducting through
tho Capitol of the State not only the bay travel, hut a
large proportion ol that between the North and South
which is now taken in packets. It would luing the ci‘y
ol Richmond fifty miles nearer than It now is to the seal
ol the Federal C'ovtrninent ami the great Noithern cities;
would accommodate a considerable trade in minerals and
produce, and Imve the effect that all judicious successful
improvements exert in leading to the execution of other
vaiu.tMe undertakings.
ID3 The above is from an experienced and most respect
*hle «ourco. lint we mud protest against calling upon
the I let cutes nt Washington to help ns. Let his arm ex
erase all its “ constitutional vigour;” but not an inch bc
voal the sphere- ol his duty. Far heller put our own
shoulder* to the wheel. — Editors.
TO THE EI)lT0li8 OP THE 1C.YOU/KEH.
WI-LLIam C. RIVES, Esq.
A writer in the Enquirer of the 23d ol July, over the
signature <J “ Mutlus,” has indulged in a severe attack
upon the political orthodoxy and consistency, and, to some
extent, the capacity ul ibis distinguished citizen ; and to
make the attack more eirectual, lie has attempted to piove
that Mr. Maili-on, whose constitutional opinions me i-lett
itral with those o| Mr. Rives, i, a Fedcialis'; a charge,
which a lone and eveint-tl hie ol pul-lie service utterly
disprove*, it i* much to lie regretted, that in the pie-cut
i ay, there is no chari-y for tin- slightest shade ol difference
ol opinion about political question.-’, and iht! he who doe*
not go the Whole length with some party, is proscribed as
unworthy ol public confidence. Such seems to he the
case with Mr Rtv*-s. Although for nearly twenty year*
he ha* devoted his time and talents laiihiully and usdully
.o the public service, now, because he cannot agice with
the modern notion* ot N oil.tic itbwt an<| Secession, a* a.lvo
Catcd by John C. Caliiouu .itxl others, lie is charged with
apostapy .dereliction ol principle, and federalism! During
the whole period ol his public service, lie litis been identi
lied ami acted with tin* republican party, anil ha* been re
gaided by lliein a* niaiu'aiiiiitg the true 1‘ai**’; but now,
lie is without ceremony lliiovvu into the ranks ol the le
deialirt*: and lor what ? Bucauae he has had the li.-rdi
hood to differ in opinion Irom the nullifter* nyd seccders,
who have tuken to themselves tho title ol *• excluiive re
publicans,” aud repudiate every one who will not go the
whole length of their system* with them. Mr. Rives lias
not changed one single political ptinriplo which he ever
maintained, anti he defies proof to the contrary.
It is my purpose, in the present article,simply to vin li
cate Mr. Hive* against the charges which "Mutlus" pre
fern Rgain«t him, without eiit^iin^ into rhe consitter.njon <j|
the motives that prompted thorn, believing, a* I do, that
they were not the result of any personal hostility to Mr
Rive*.
‘‘Mutlus" charges that Mr. Rives* opinion* upon the
subject of (ha Tariff, particularly in relation to its constitu
tionality, were so effectually concealed that hi* election to
the Senate was procured through a misapprehension of
them. 1 hat Mr. Rives i* opposed to the t.uiff. and *in.
csivly so, could ceit duly not have been a matter of doubt
with any man who has rear his speeches, ami who ha*
witnessed' his unifoiiu votes again-t it. Hi* sgvete
reprehension ol it in hi* speeches goes clearly to prove
that his opposition was decided and sincere. Since hi*
election to the Senate, tho piool is equally clear that
he - stillI'entertains the same sentiments. In his speech
in the Senate, which seems to have given so much ol
fence to some politicians ol the present .lay, lie u>es this
language; *'.\mi, 111 Older lo preclude
all misapprehension, I beg leave lo say, in the outset
tli.il no one in, or has been, more thoroughly opposed to
that whole system, usually denominated the American «vs
tein, than I have been, and still am. My voice, Sir, has
been uften and strenuously raised against it in another di
vision of this capitol. I consider it unjust i„ principle
inexpedient in practice, oppressive and unequal in its
operation—in short, an abuse of power, contrary to the
L uc genius of our institutions." Hut this is not Mr.
Hives a »m. He lias fought, and is still valiantly fighting
on the autt-tai it! side, with all the earnest new .uni zeal of
which a man is capable. Vet, he is lo be treated as a dc
sorter, because lie connot believe, that the tariff laws arc
unconstitutional. The Legislature had conclusive evi
ileuceof bis opposition to these laws, and but few mem
bers therefore, seemed to feel any concern with regard to
his opinion, as to their constitutionality; because they
knew that whatever it might be, they would have the aid
ol Ins untiring efforts lo effect their repeal. When Mr I
V ancey was enquired of by Mr. Witcher ami others, as I
to Mr. Hives opinions ol the constitutionality of the tariff 1
and he would not vouch his opinions upon that question’ I
w as not (lie conclusion irresistible, that he behaved in their !
constitutionality? Had Mr. Hives ever said that ihev were '
unconstitutional? 11 so, to whom did he say it? How
then, was (ho Legislature deceived as to this point? He
uttered not a single sentiment to deceive, nor did any ol his
luemis. H his opinion as to the constitutionality of the
tartll had been regarded as so vital, why was not the elec
tion postponed a few days, until it could be ascertained?
In three days the enquiry could have been made, and the
answer received. Hut Mr. Hives’s letter lo Messrs. Y.in
oey anJ (Miner, “Mutius” thinks, was deceptive, because
lie did not avow fits opinion upon that point. Mr Hives
was opposed to the tarilf, and he intended to make war uD
on it as a system. He could not have deemed it so vital
ly important that the Legislature should he apprized of
the ground upon which his opposition was based, «o that
ho opposed it honestly and sincerely—for, if the tariff, as a !
protective system, was destroyed, it was unimportant by!
what arguments its destruction was effected. In thi* view '
of tilings, I am confident, that, when his letter was writ 1
ten to his friends, it did net occur to him that an expic.s- |
sion ol the grounds ol his opposition was necessary, or ma-!
, Vf ‘‘"l"’ ""V M‘c'»bcr drew conclusions fioin this
letter, which Mr. H.vcsilid noldesign slnmld he drawn, lit
is not responsible for that error. Hut after all, what is the
ground of objection? Mr. Hives is still opposed lo the
tariff ami so arc his accusers; and the complaint is, (|,.it
Mr. Hives does not oppose it on one ol the ground, which
they do. Hrally, this is singula.; (hat, while both parties
war on their adversary, they war between themselves,
simply as to the clfeetu.il mode ol attack. Hut 1 do no'
believe that this difficulty with Mr. Hives would have
ever existed, had it not hern lor the South Carolina con
troversy. l o sustain the position which South Carolina
nail taken, the unconstihuionalily of fhe tariff must lie
made out. Nothing rise will do; and hence, by all those I
who sustain (he stand taken by S. C„ uncompromising war ’
i- made upon every one iv bo does not believe ibo tariff uncoil- '
flHiiiiou .1. I h.ii well aware lli.it many eminent Virginia
statesmen, before (hat period, believed’it unconstitutional;
1 *,. r8 *,e '"""y. 'v,'° aro :,s warmly oppiwed toil
who believe,) it coiMitutional, yet a great abuse of con,ti.
tutional power. Hut all united in making war upon it. To
jwstlly nullification or secession on account of the taiifl its
iinconstitniionality must be made manifest; because ’the
exercise of these powers by a Slat,, is b.tsed upon palpa
ble,violent and dangerous inf.actions of die Constitution,
fo those who maintain these opinions of single State pow
ers this point ,s vital; and I do not therefor,• wonder at the
zeal with whirl, it i« urged, r,r.» at Hit ir opposition to every
one who dor s not go the whole length of their views
, 1 Miimi* argues (hi, charge as it the memhrrs of flic
l.egislature, whose opinions were in accordance with hi*
own, were (lie whole ho ly. I have no donhl that (here
wa« n majority of m*mbtus. entertaining opposite senti
ment.*, combining tbe advocates of tbetanrt, and tho*e wbo
oppose, it on th« same ground with Mr. Hives; and it i*
certainly saying a great deal to citaige Mr. Hives uiili
misrepicsenting Urn vi.wsofthe l.egi-la-urc, because be !
dtlfercd with a portion ot its membtus. Mr. Hives's oui
mons upon the subject of the tarill have been consistent;!
and his course ol opposiifou uniform. Hi* speeches were '
betore the pntdic; and if. with all these evidences belote '
(hem, opinions were ascribed to him which lie neve, cn
tortained, he is not responsible for it. No man deem* it
necessary or proper to make an annual expose of hi* noli -
(teal creed. - *
On the subject of internal improvement. Mnlius admit*:
Hiat Mr. Hives wasorthnlox in *23 21, and ’2(i-27, being
opposed to the exercise ot any power over tin* sub
ject by (lie General Onvernmenf. Hut he wishes lo know
what are I,is opinion* in I8:t3! “Mutius” says (having re
Icreiice lo a previous lefor addressed by him lo Mr. Kive*.
through the Knquirer,)—“Among the q-eiie* recently
addro-sed to the Hon. William C. Rives, [ inqni cd;
whether be thought Congtes* possessed the power to con
struct work* of internal iuiprovemeu ?" In answer to
tin* e q iiry, “Mutius ’ was referred to (wool Mr. Rives’*
Hpcerhe* whdst a member of the House of Represents-'
tives in ’23-21 ami 20 27. In rep'y to this, “Mtiliu.”
says, “I read the speeches alluded to shortly f’er tir-lr
publication, and ns those spterhrs did not inform us
irhnt would he Mr. Hives's opinions in 1833, . thought
that the query pr. pounded was quj e appropriate.” |i i«
true, the speeches did no: in'onn “Mulins” what would
he Mr. Rives * opinion on this subject in 1833; but they
urn quivorally shewed wiiat lr* opinio' a wero ihcn; and
eveiy man would reasonably presumo (hat he s'lll main
tained Hi- same opinion*, Unless he had avowed a ehangc,
or none some act evincing » change Thi< he has not
done; and the wrl-t-r i* well •atislied, indeed he know*,
. .«Lr'oI iVe* * »re? iit« same in 1813 as in ’23-24
HIM! Zt>*27.
'•Mutius” doe* no? *eem to he Ignorant of Mr. Rive-’*
opinion* upon the subject of Nullification. Hi* opposition '
, . : u,C,.V"e w',« 'n the letter before referred to,
and lai'hfully ha* he evinced hi* sincerity : for in tiis *peerli,'
- -I- 1 rc»’ro^',,f ky " M*ifiho lino* move<l, nilh »
mathematical precision, if* offer fal!.iry
“Muti,.s”sny, he cannot, after attentively reading Mr. '
Rive* s speech, ascertain from „,y -endment winch It
contain* what is Mr. Rives * opinion of tho right of seers-!
smn atH Sayahe wouhf ho glidlfan, one w.,,1,1 tle.lg
nate that portion ol Mr Rives’* .peech, where the right ot
»eces .ion i. named i will undertake the task, and will
s.ii-ly ’ Mu His himself, that the speed, is a most one
qutvoeal and unqualified denial of this right, a* contended
for (ma,k tbw expression!) by the Sou-h Carolina school of
politician*. Rill, before I proreed to give the answer.per
mt» me to enquire . f ‘Mutius” himself wby he reprobate*
I the Speech, if it is not opposed to this doctrino? It it be
cause it is opposed to .Yullijicalion? 1 do nbt think he will
admit this Is it because it contains sentiments ol un
compromising hostility to tho American system? This will
not do. Is he opposed to Air. llivcs, because Air. Kivesis
opposed lo the United Slates bank, and Ihe power ol
internal Improvement ? No, lid* cannot be the cause.
Wh.it then? It must be*l> realise the apeeeli maintain* dot •
triucs and advocates a policy, which “Muiius” believes
opposed to the light of secession.— Is not this the teaoon
why “Muiius” has called Mr. Hives an apostate from his
principles, stigmatized him as n federalist, ami placed him
in the same ranks with Daniel Webster, the high pric-t
ot federalism? la not this the reason why all the ntilhli
[ cation and secession presses, together with the nullilicr*
| *nd sereder.*, anathematize him? 11 this is not ih«* eagre,
j Wild! is it? I*ut 1 will return, uti I directly perforin (lie
I tusk vv Inch I have undertaken; which t* to piove that Mr.
! Hives's speech contains an unequivocal and direct txpres
j *ton of opinion, upon (he subject ol accession. It a single
^tale may secede Ironi the Union, whenever she deems
the cau«e autlicient, it necessarily follows, that her original
sovereignty is not diminished, and that her citizens cannot
| he acted upon by the Federal tiovernmen’; ami the go
I yeriitneiit cannot enforce the execution of the laws, with
jin ilia borders ol that Stale. This would snip ihe United
j Stales ot nil sovereignly, even over the granted powers el
j the Constitution. Air. Hives has negatived all lhe*e pro
position*, and affirma the follow nm, which are cleaily at
war with the South Carolina notions ol the uncontrolled
tight ol secession:
1. That the sovereignty of tho United States reside* in
three fourth* ol the states, who may alter oi amend the
constitution. On page S, ol In* «peeeh, alter quoting the
opinions ol General Washington, Thomas J«|feison and
others, he sjys • “ There i* a practical ct it-rn if? ol easy
application, in our American institutions, lor determining
" hero sov ereignty reside*. Sovereignty resides where
the power ol .■mending the coiisiitution or ftindlkinriilal
I *iv i v-ides. In a single slate, thi* power realties in the
people ol the state, and ol emit** the sovereignty reside.*
■ n them also. In Ihe Union, this power resides tit the fe
deral community, compo-cd ot all tin.- state*, and, accord
ing to ail express prov i-ion of tho constitution, requires for
its ex* rcisc the concurrence ef Ijircc fourth* ol :he «tatc*.”
This opinion is in accordance with that ol Mr. Jit!cr-on,
who, in a letter to a friend, **id—The ivhvle body of the
nation is the sovereign potv'.r for itsetf.” Mr. Hives hi
In* speech quotes * uko sentiment from Mr. Calhoun.—
Again, on pftge 9, .Mr. Hives says: “ At the peri id «>| the
adoption ol the constitution, it w ax distinctly made known
and universally tin lerstood, tint to the extent to wlth-h
sovereignly was vested in the Union, that ol tho state* se
verally was relinquished and dimini-hed.”
2. lie nj/iiins that a State cannot resume the polcers
granted in the Constitution. On p tge 14 of his speech,
Air. Hives say.»: “In the lipst place, this is not incicly a
question hot ween the people of South Carotin ■ and the
common agent ot the State*, the General Government; hut
it is a question deeply involving the tight*and inteie-lstd
third parties, to wit, the o’her States: Hut if it wore ptne
Iv a question between South C*>o>iuv and the General
Government, South Carolina could uut resume the pow
ers which had been granted to the latter. She U hut o ic
out ol twenty-four principals, who jointly grametl these
powers; and she can no more, so far hs constitutional light
is concerned, by her tingle act resume the povveis thus
jointly gianted, than an individual citizen of a State can
resume the power* jointly granted by liimsolf and Ihe rest
ol Society to (heir State Government.” Again—In an
swer to the Senator from Kentucky, (Mr. Bibb,) Mr.
Hives remarked: “1 could not but observe, that the hon
orable Senator from Kentucky, in developing the princi
ple* ot the Senator from South Carolina, had nppraled to
the Declaration of Imh p-inlvnce, in support ol the tight
nl 1111 * mvntiln f •> ...» _ ...
the General Government. Now, sir, does not the tource
I*0111 which the honorable Senator derived this right, fix its
true character, as being revolutionary, and not constitu
tional? ’ Cau language he stronger?
U. He alliin.s that the act ol the resumption of pow ers
granted by a single State, would inn disturb the legul.r
action ot the general government on the individuals ot that
State, la page I'2, speaking of such a resumption td
powers by a single Sia e, he says: -/,» regard to the ef.
feet of such an unconstitutional act of a State, in ref e
rence to the obligations of its citizens to the Union, /
shall presently show that it cannot, in any manner,
disturb the regular action oj the general government
on individuals.”
4th. He affirms the light of the general government to
enforce obedience to its I iws. In page 4, of his speech,
Mr. Rives, speaking ol the attitude which South Carolina
had assumed, says: “In this state, of things, we are called
upon lossy if the government ol the United States shall
acquiescent this open defiance and violation of the laws
of the Union, without taking any step whatever for their
enforcement ? For myself. I aui tree to say, that I do
not so read my oath to support tho constitution of the
United States ”
In the lace of the avowal of ih»se sentiments, can Mr.
Rives’* opinion as to secession, as taught by the South Ua
tolina school, be misunderstood? Is not every principle,
which lie asserts, at war wi lt that doctrine? 11 is true he
doe* not use the word “sec ssion” in the wholo speech;
but he denies the right ol a State to resume the power 's
granted, in express terms; which is secession—nothing
more or lc,s. I wish distinctly to he understood as speaking
of Mr. Hives’s opposition to the doctiine of secession
the will of the State, without responsibility to he General
Government, or the co-Slates; not to that right which by
nature belongs to every community, and every human
being, to resist tyranny and oppression in all their forms
an! by whomsoever practised, and to ovcrtlnoiv th.it go’
vcriiment w hich fail-* to secure protection, happiness and
prosperity to its citizens. These he never denied, and he
is as strongly opposed to tyranny and oppression in every
form, as “ Muliu*” himself. J
But this opinion ol Mr. Rives was not known when lie
was elected Senator. It probably was not; and w».\?
Because the Proclamation ol the President had not then
been received at Richmond, dcn> ing this light, and the
question had not hem agitated. I would a-k “Mutius” it
lie had entered into the eon-ideation of ihi*, ,.s a vitrl
principle ol-State Rights, at that lime? 1 an. confident lie
will answer that he had not; lor no person then d.earned
of the agitation of such a question so a* to make .1 a con
dition ol public confide.icc. I then put it to “.Mutius”
himself, il these opinions of Mr. Rive* are not regarded
by him as at war toil, with nullification and sc.7-ion,
and whether thrir oppo-ition to tho light of sccc-ion is
not tho cause ol his displeasure wifi. ,Vr. Hive? whe
ther, if Mr. Rives had avowed himself a secessionist, he
w ould have regarded his non-concurrence with him in .c
lstion to the constitutionality of the tariff', a sufficient !
ground of hostility (political, I mean, ol course,) toward*
that gentleman?
Mr. Rives, however, has quoted the opinion* ol Mr
Madison in support of tho positions which he look in his
argument against nullification and secession, w l.ich in
crea-ed his confidence in their truth. Speaking of Mr.
Maui son’s opinions on constitutional question*, and quoting
several pai-iges fiotn tho Nos. ol the Federalist, wu ten
by Mr. Madison, he said: “.ill written by Mr. M .dison
whose guidance. I confess. I nhenw, f„ll.,,„ _’
iiiitl ihja ei|Ht$iion of confidence hi
Mr. Madirfon'* opinion,* i4 ivimI* matter of ^rave ifnptifa
:ion against M. Rives, by ••Muliiis,” who semi* lo quca
lion llie salcty of this guidance, for Hvo reasons: first he- 1
cause be say* Mr. Rive, has follow e.l the guidance ot I
Mr. Madison, in.tr..d ol that of Mr. Jefferson—2dly, be
rau«c Mr. Madison himself, has beon read out ol ihe or- !
(hoilox t'huii li of hTH i: republican party'* in these days ol i
rclincd political metaphysics. How do< s'“M n'ins” sustain 1
these, positions? In what has Mr. R. followed Ihe opinions
ol Mr. Madison, in opposition to those ol Mr. Jefferson?
I he charge is made; tint where is the specification? Upon
what point of cnnstitulionaMa w did (hey diffei? If • •,%( ,,fiu*”
•ays upon Hie subject of secession, lie iscleaily mistaken 1
I.H Mr. Jefferson speak for himsell. In 1811, in a letter to
Mr. 1 laey.he said, “ J'liat certain state-, from local and oc
casional discontents, might attempt to secede from the I
l iU0)i; tun it is not protiahle that loeal discontents can
sptead to such an extent, as to be able to face the sound
pa,Is of so extensive a Union.” What does Mi Jefler- !
son mean by this expression? Does he m. an to acknow
ledge Hie right of secession? It he does, he ha- employ
ed mo«i unfortunate language to express surh a sentiment
Ibe time and circumstances under which (his letter was
wiitten, disprove tl.e idea. It was during the Rmbargo
and Non ii.lerromsc laws, while lhe;fedrr.ilist* ol New
r.ngland were declaring those laws unconstitutional, and I
threatening to do what "the exclusive republicans” of the
",0"rM 'l,py l»ad no right to do; hut which,
in 1833, these same exclusive republic ins say a Southern I
■Slate has a right to do. So then, on this point, Mr. Rives I
has followed ilia guidance, ol Jefferson as well ns Madi
.•on. W hat Mr. Jefferson’s opinions were ss to (in* eon- <
litultonality of the ta.iff.l do not know. Certain it is (hat
he recommended protection during hisown administration.
W lien the roiistitulionnl question w as seriously presented
hi I _ I, Mr. Jefferson was very old, and paid but little at- i
teriti.n to public concerns, anil he died two years after
widiout expressing, a* | have heard,any opinion upon the
Hut 21. Mr. Madison’* opinions are not orthodox and
ho is, without hesitation, thrown into the tank* of federal
i«rn. i o Mr. Marlinon9* pretrniloiii lo I'PimMi*
“ Mufitit91 hi* quoted, from •• Yale*9* Sucre! lie
b ites, a remark of Mr. Madi«ou in the ronvention w hich
fratned the constitution, favniing a strong geneial govern
ment Now, let it he remarked, that, when these remarks
were made, the con«ti'uliCn was not formed ; and whale
ver might have hern Mr. Madison’s views of what ought
1° be the constitution, that could not have iiiflimncrd Ins
opinion* as lo what the Constitution teas, after it was t >rin
ed An I no opinion of what it should hare hern ran nos
sf >!y atrect the weight ot Ins opinion as to u:hat it is. Mr.
Madison was it* constant champion until it was ratified |.y
the state*, and, from that time until he rolired from noblir
lilo, w as regarded hy Virginia a« Ihe sound and orthodox
expounder of it* principles. When it was infringed by
ihe General Government, in Ihe Alien and Sedition laws,
Hie whole republican party looVod lo hint to rescue is,
by the exertions of his powerful rssvontng faculties.
from tlio destructtoi) which threatened it. Hie able re
port of *99, in support of the resolutions ot ’98, achieved
a signal victory over federalimii, in lavor ot th» con
stitution, and prostrated the hope* ol the federal par- '
‘y lorevor. Mr. Madison, from tliat lime till 1817, re
mained in (he public service, tilling the most responsible '
offices in the government, ell ihe lime acting upon the j
principles nt |>-s report ol **>•>. This man, then, so end- !
lien1 ly distinguished lor talents and puti’y, rrgauled »s the
leader ol t >** republican party, and >ii iinilormly coi>-i-- '
tent ami republican in hiscoui-e, i* now denounced os a ’
federalist, *»id Id* opinions iic. uid as undeceiving weight t
or influence. Ye-; he who In. done more to destroy the ;
principles ot the fed eta I party than any oheriiien living,
and agajtmi irho:u and hi* un. omp ono-j- g %% .r [
Was made !>v that party during tin- whole ol In* i>nt lit- '
life, i* now « tl.o oo;;lt going Ivder. 1 si of the I l.vk cock
tde stamp, uccording to (lie “ new lulila” u| the present I
day!! \\ hen “Mullin'* and oth* i , who thus dec ty .Mr. !
Madison’s opinions, shall giiu -licit ...mlu-i.e evidence* j
ot a clear, ill 1sound and disiriuiin a dug mind, hi id id tide- !
lity totlicconstimtion as James Msdi-on It i< done,it i* to t»e
hoped tAiir opinion may exert a like extensive influence,!
mid be -ecured Irvin the repro u In * which “ Mutius” i-nst*, i
upon Mr. M.iillsoti! Hut Mr, M »dison i* not a wrcilsr,
anil that i* a *m suthei.rni f*)i Ins utter exclusion from the !
Parly with which lias a-icd lor li>' v ye u» ! ^ -lull not I
-lop to del end M r. M <di-oil's coiisis'eni* y. Ti. it i* beyond J
the reach of ‘ Mu io- nr any othei human biiug; mi
les.--, indeed, •• Muhits” has Ihe power to loreo Mr. M i.
di.snii to think what lie li.vur thought, and to cidcrljin
i.pinions which he never oai'criaincd. Hut one thu.c |S
very singular, and that w, that those who live in the pic
“cut day, al'liougli unborn when :ho Constitution was
firmed, liltdi litalld the v i. ws'and objects t| the Ir.imeis
ol that instrument, belter lli.ti i|o-y w lm bit med it! ! The
admonition* and iiutriiction* of the ag-il,4lie aide and ex
perienced men <d our coun'ry. who have given couciu
-ixc proofs id their paiin.tiaiiii and s uml piiuciples, should
he received, and weighed with giv.it d: lvrvt.ee and te
spect- ’I hey »pe.ik from cxpnh n c, and, llioi vlot v, -peak
the les*nn* vl truih ami sobem-s*.
Hut vie. Hive* suppm led the “Force Hill,” so called 1
" *" " hi* speech was made, and his vole givvit, ( l-vy’s I
'..ill hid n t passed Hilo a law— mil (lie que.-tloll was,!
whether the laws td the Union sh* e’d he executed, o. i
it*.* govern'lien: quail het.no ihe arm ol iee-ianan ■ ■ I ■ t ti ii ;
!>y till- Sla’e of South Candida. What is tha clt iracter id I
II'i-s l-iII ? I hope “M iritis” will examine it, slid say in
wliatparticulai fe ilure ii ii otherwise th-n a law to over- I
. on,r resistance to the execution of the lows It 1
i! uuihuriit'i any action be lore the nltieers <d the govern- !
j incut shall be ilicmsrlves -assailed, and tin* laws sire aotu- ^
| ally leai-icd, l am ignorant ol it. I lt *pe lie will compare j
it with the “force liilt ’ lecom me tided to Congress it, 11»e !
lime* ol the embargo, and signed by one Thomas Jur.
KKttso.v, mid point out w hat h a tin* It i- as harsh as that
'•ill, nnd then tell me i( in this Mr. Hives has departed
from the principles ol that ■aim* Mr. Jcflerson. Mr. J, |.
leison s hill was intended to en/oice the eiilbnrgo laws, a
system that was much more destiuctive to the interests ot
the New I'higl.md Slates thm the protective system ha- i
l>ecn to the iuti rcHs ol South Carolina. The Now Jmg. j
land States declared those law s iiiicon*lito(joiial, Hint her!
people talked loudly id i*»i*ianca and secession, but did !
| no more. South Carolina, on tha coitr.ity, was making 1
extensive military preparation*. She had passed her c<>- i
! ••"brjled onlinauco, ami not only thrvatened to resist the !
I law*, hut matured tho means id tesislaiice. In which
< a*e wa« there the greatest necessity for acting decisively ?
; Surely in the ca.e ol South Candida; for her aitilmlv wan
"J"°li >»'"« threatening and oil n-iw (Iihii had been that
| ol the New Fugl.nid leder.ilists, whom she has selected
| lor her model! I am coutident that this bi.'l ha* been
ex amine d by lew ol the great nuiuher who condemn it,
and that lltvir execration* have been more the result ot (lie
hard names, such s* “bloody bill,” &c. which liav, |
been applied to it, than ol any know ledge they haw ol -
the hill i'aelf.
.'niitui says—“ P.i-tciily will pronounce him a ca
lumniator who shall call Mr. Rives ilie coirect am! laiili
Ini expoumfer—-the able anil zealous supporter ol the po
litics! creed ol I liom is Jefferson.” 'fins is the charge -
hut I have searched the essay ol “ Mutius” in vain lot the
“pecificVilion. \V hat is the leading constitutional opinion
which Mr. Jefferson entertained, that Mr. Rives does not? i
Did Mr. Jefferson advocate the doctrines of 179S-’9 ? So j
does Mr. Rives. \\ as Air. Jcffersou opposed to the powet
ol internal iuipioveiiient by ihc Gcner. 1 Govcininent ? So '
m . \^'ves’ " :l* Mr. Jefferson opposed io the National
Hank? So is Mr.. Rives Was Mr. Jefferson opposed to!
the lartffol ’24? So is Mr. Rives. Was Mr. Jefferson!
ol a *’«rt construction of the constitution ? «„ fe |
Mr. Rives. Is Mr. Rives* against the right ol secession ?
u° ."i.V \\r Mr. Rives vole lor a •• Fotco
Hill: Mr. Jclferson recommended and signed a much I
stronger one while he was President. llo.v then does
“ Mutius” sustain his position, that Mr. Rive*’* cousiiiu
I ion a I piineiples are at war with any of those of Mr. J ,-f
lerson ? As to Mr Rives’* ability, I have nothing to say
on that topi.-, only that those who know him l,**t apprvei- |
ate his talents much more highly than “ Mutius” doe*._
I bis is a part ol the subject, however, whi> h cannot he
bone fitted by di-cussiop, and which I will not pursue._
TW« high offices which Mr. Rives has tilled, although a
young man, is a sufficient reply to the sm n< ol •* Mutius.”
‘ Minins” thinks, however, that because Mr. Rives and
IJ41.I.-I Hehst.-r voted together, and because Webster
coiiiDliniented his speech, (-...ying that although they dif
fered m their premises, they arrived at the same results,)
Mr Rives must necessarily have deserted his lepubliran j
principles. 1 will examine, for a moment the propriety ol ,
tins charge. t is certainly a grievous sin that a republi
can and a federalist should vo’e together upon one single
question, and much more gifevous, that Mr. Webster
should have complimented Mr. Rives’s speech. Mr
Webster is a very able ami very distinguished m.in, ami!
bn compliment i. not well calculated to disparage anv I
man but wliilo Mr. Welntcr complimented Mr. Rive-’#'
*pv< 1 li, -lid he not, in the same btenlh, i-au'.iout-lv abstain !
fr ,"i adopting Mr. Rives’s piineiples? He diflJrrd with !
•Mr. Rives s premises, be s .j I, although they agreed in .hr
i.-sult. Ill wh.it result did they agree? In one, to which
the piineiples of noil her the republican or fcdci ,1 pat :\
c.ml.l otherwise Ilian come to tin- same conclusion, to wit’: !
tint the G< nerd Government had the power to enforce u# !
laws, and that nullification could not interpose between
Hie government and the violator ol those laws. Willi
‘ M mins deny that the gov emu etit has a right to en
lorrc |is Cotifltitu'ional laws? || l.e w'or* n ,t, a- i llii-ik lio
cannot, then lie admits 11 ih.it Mr. Rives contended lor,
ami he would have come to precisely the same roticiu ;feri
on tins point w ill, Mr. Webster. Mr. Web-'cr volet) wi b
and spoke with tho repot,Iran party in 1S2-I, upon the !
' uitt bill: l»oc« ’’Mutius” regard all the republican* who I
vot.-d as he did, and thought .* ho did, upon :hat question,
“federalists ? I hope not; but yet, he must Sa regard I
litem, it ho deals with them ss he doe* with Mr lines :
Hut tlo not Mr. Rives’s principles and Mi. WehMrr’s lead 1
to other very different results—a difference, indeed, which !
has ticretotore lormed the dividing line helwern tin- R,-- >
publican and Federal p .rife,? Mr. Webster’s principles!
lean to an ext'tided and unlimited roii«tiu.-lion ol the Con
stitution, *ud tl»o exercise ot inferential now,-is: -„, b
'he power 01 internal improvcmunt, the incorporation of •
N annual Haitx, anil any o her power which may bethought
by ihr General Government lo subset ve the purpose*! I "lie
common deft nee anil the piomoiion of the f’inoial trrl
Jmc. Mr. Hives’s priirriples on Hie olhpr in.ml, inhibit
Hie exercise ol there powers, and consequently lead lo
clhTei i-"i results. Well, then, might Mr. YVeb.h rsay that
although Mr. Rive-, * premise* came to the aims result a«
hi* own, on the question immediately under consideration,
yet lie could not concur in their general application. Mr.
" rbaicr is an uniting advocate of measures on Hie part
of the General Government, which tlm ruth of his princt
ples H necessary to maintain; while, on the other hand,
Mr. Rives is, m priori pis-and in hid, a most decided op
ponent ol those measure*. 1
The United .States Rank is certainly one of the result*
ol the principle or construction contended for by the Ic
derali**ts, although some few republicans del with them.
Mr. Calhoun i* a derided advocate ol the Hank, and \o i*
Mr. Webster. Thev are both identified in opinion upon
this subject; n by, then, does not “Mutius” denounce Mr.
Calhoun as a federalist? If coneurrenco vvitli Mr. Web
•ter on one single question is so damning to Mr. Hives,
iiovv is it, that Hie same contact is not equally fatal to Mr!
Calhoun? is ••Minins” a nullilier? I am inclined to
think he is no*. Mr. Calhoun is Hie fatlirr ol nullifica
tion. How does Mr. Calhoun escape the rod of ••Mutiua”
for this here-y? Or r.itlicr, how is it that he is so eulogiz
ed by “Mutius” a« a patriot and statesman, while on the
one hand he ir a nullilier, and on the oil.*i hand he is seen
lining in concert with Mr. YVebster On the submi t 0I the
National It ink? Do Hie friends of Mr. Webster at the
.Vor/h believe there is no substantial difference between i
the principles of Mr. Webster and Mr. Hives? Assuredly
not. One of hi-<most steady personal blends, and mo*t en
lightened political supporters ('lie Editor of the North
Ametican Review,) in a late elaborate examination of the
constitutional powers ot the While and Federal Govern
ments, defines with accuracy and clearness Hie essentia/
points in which lho«o gentlemen differ. (Sec it brief ex
trac t ftom this article, in the “Lynchburg Virginian” ot
Hie 29th u!t.)
If “Mutius” lia» dealt thus fnrdly with Mr, Rives for
voting’ with Mr. Webster, and for tire complimentary
terms in which Mr. Websler spoke of the ability of hi*
speech, f should like to know what punishment lie will
inflict upon those republican leaders, the blind lenders ot;
the blind, who in limes gone by advocated those very epi- f
nions now so damning to Mr. Hives. ••Minins” may not;
rec< 11 -cl, but I have no doubt that fire researches have in* ■
formed him, that tills doctrine of Secession was first introdn- \
red in New England, dining the existence ot the eu*h»r. j
g<>. VY f:«t was then (he cour-m of the republican party'1
Tlirv passed . -Force Fill"—itiy asserted the pnwrrof
the General Government to execute the laws, and I
i I'fefcd the means < flrcluslly to over come ajl resistance in
■the bands‘of the National Executive. In the propriety of
[ tfds course, N* ,t. Macon, Wm. B. Giles, Wm. H. Crawford,
lohn Randolph, and many ethers, who delivered their
view* a* large, and maintained evory principle! contended
for by Mr. Rives, concurred. In 1811, the republican
parly, while Ilia celebrated Hartford Convention waa la
ses«ton, and propagating the very principles asserted by
tlio South Carolina Convention of 1833, declared that se
cession was “treason, treason, and nothing but treason."
Gibbets and ropes were aslreeiy threatened, as the longue
could utter tho«e threat*. II South Carolina had a right to
aecvd** in 1833. unless there had been a change o/ jnin
ei/ile since 1814. the New England states had just as clear
•i liv.ht to accede in 1814, Notwithstanding these IncN,
and notwithstanding the recedci* urj maintaining llie
principles 111 tho N-w England Federalist* in 1814, they
i lai'ti to be “die exe'u-ive rcpuhl|cMiiNMof tlic present day,
'•n't denounce every one who differ* Irom lli»in, av
lederaiisUl
I dnl not iidct'd 'n r n , r into any argiinioiit to prove
that the p: iuciplc* ol Mr, it v*-s’* speech nr sunn.I ai d
r-publican. • hrci.dcd to \ indicate him wfruiu-t the
charges ot ••Mutiu-.” ns n public in n. In lining sv, I
have had l:o nthci Mid Hi vii w thill 'O do Mill ju-'ice. I
haw known him lot t», m.d I ht<- known hint will My
per-otnl regaul lor him I daunt wish to cutrccsf. I know
tiis opinions; and m »ll ti c n-'a i"tis in which i have
known Ir.nt, ctlier j tiMic r.r private I regard him a* able,
t.iiihtul amt lic-neal Ihhciii g diis, I «.u in' but feel tl ;rt
•'twins h.-s taken an na• «•■*( \!*ir ol Ids character,
and doi.e hhn injustice, and *>define I Kmc hern illdu
d to Hit.tin take Ins vindication.— I hove a..id nothing and
intended nothing personal to "Mu in*." f knbw him;
and d ever he knows me, (which t doubt,) he will know
citOHvh io ■ <• sati-fted ili.it any o hvr view than that of
tios i!ity Hi him ! as IcJ me inm dm vindication. In con
clusion, I invite him and any o tters whninahtlain Ids views,
to give Mr. !iivt > * speech auo her ilxli'irr.ta and Iinpar
h.d leading, and usceitain if they hav* no* ascribed to
him opimo.is which aie not Ijiily dednei'dn Itooi his
speech GEHMANIOUS.
11.7* l above wea o:igii:a!?y published in (he hist
*-vit. hhurg Vi.giuian.
THE MARKET.
" heat.—( oidracts i xiciiMve and coming in frcel'v.—■
Fiojis, we nndor-t in I. have been purchased ut $1 2t>,
"hich pi ice the Millcm ire gi>:n; (or transient parcels
. I prime, and in a lew e i-Cs Jjil 28 have boon obtained.
No in a * c id change in die piiccsol Com and 'l'obacco
iure our last quotations.
wwuv’var.fvwni -r^—— i— q , m ■ ■
M A KIM AGES.
Mnrritd, on Thursday Itiili Juno, 1833, by the Unv. Wm. L Wat
kci, Mr. Jiurpli ,M. Alvriweallirr of Mississippi, to Mist Judith (J.,
il.iu.'lucr ol Major llasi.l it- ti 11.1 - of Cuuibcrlao. I county, Va.
Married. on llie 2iili ull. by tho ttnv. Lewis P. Cosby, Col. Henrv
It \V i)0(l!uui»o, (lo. nib.T I-Ieol to llie L-gialatura, Irom i'liiicca
Aiiiio %oiiiit)y) lu Mr*. Hitruli Aim U<,curmi!f, of ftorfo k.
DEATH s.
, Died of Cholarn, near Viekibuig, Mis.Uai|ipl. on dm 18th of June
Iasi, Algernon rUriimy, ride, I .on ut Mr. Win. \V. MuriWealhiir, amf
|rui" «on ol Major David Slivilds el Cumberland counly, Va., Baud
7 years an.I 1 muotli.
l)i>|iailed llii. hf* on llie 98th Juno, lifter n protracted Hinas* of
nu.u moiilbs, Mis. Elizshntli Nowlin, wifo ol James t\ Nowlin, or
llus county. Mrs. Nowlin vvns much nstoemed by Imr neigbboii and
acquaint*!)?#* for her kind anil hflVctionata <M«fto«hiuQ. She wai a
native of iiaiinvor county, Va.— HunttmlU Democrat.
i t-t r~ _x 'Java—i»mr 1
B r.\n i:i) ST-VIES IIOTEE, 178 and 180PenrlTT,
and 138 Water st., between tVall st. and Maiden
Pane, N ew \ orx.—1 . If. li£DMOMiE respectfully in
loiin* his liieiuU and the public, that lie tins rc-opciied tho
above Establishment, which lie h is put in complete order
Isr die reception ot Hoarders, Merchants and Travellers.
I lie sit ration ill tlie United Slates Hotel presents pecu
liar «di anisges to Merchants and Travellers, being in the
centie ol the-mercantile business ot the city, unit within
a min lie’s walk ol the n.mk, Exchange and Public otli
CC-. i he free ciidilation ol air which (lie extent ot the
establishment ensure* to it* apartments, i cikIuis it a \cry
.ledial.Ic residence. 1 he Dining and Coffee rooms arc
spacious and pleasantly situated, the Sleeping rooms airy
m.l comfortable, in addition to the other lange of ac
rrttn HiA.I ilimiA I. .. lino .>.1,1.. .1 K .. — I ... 11.1 l A..;
the Lmopear. pl»n, where tireakf<«3t ^ill be served up
(rout 7 to 10 o’clock, and dinner from 11 to 5. All gcn
tl**n»en P"liing up »t (lie United State* Hotel, can have
dinner at any hour they plea«c, without any additional
ch irge. The cellars are well slocked with the he.-t wines
and liquors; the larder will he constantly supplied with
every delicacy ol the New Yoik, Philadelphia nod oilier
lii.tl ket*.
Grateful for the libera! patronage already received, the
I ropiielor will be ev« • anxious to merit its continuance
•I'd ex'ension; in confident anticipation ol which, ho
pledges himsell to u-e hi* zealous exertions for the coin
lot t of luspatrons. T. B. UEDMONDE.
August 6. _ 26—St
jL'l i N I’Oll I KKSt CO.’S SI AGE OFFICE, it noiv
Ja—A kept in one loom ol the Eigle Hotel, where seats
iau be obtained daily, North, South and West, being the
••eaiest and best route to the celebrated Watering Places
o' \ irgini.i, via Charlottesville, Scoltsville and Staunton
August 6,__ 26—fit
|SXn:\v MARKET K U.ES—1’ali. Stake
4- * Si ill. Open fust, a sweepstakes lor colt* and
It I lies, then three years old—two mile heats— $100 en
trance, halt forfeit. Scvei.il subscribers—by permission
will not close nil 1st September.
2"d. A sweepstako lor untried colts and fi!U—, t.^en
three years ol I —uiilo heat—-got)' entrance, p. or p._
from the present prospect there will he many subsei ibers
to thi*stake, which will dove on the 1st September. Gen
tlemen wishing to enter in either will please comniunicato
witl' O. P. HARE, Proprietor.
August G. 26—4t
H g If It MON D AC A HEM Y.—The subscriber respect
hL«/ hilly inform* Ins friends and the public, that the ex
eu-isei ol the above Institution will bo resinned on the
first day of October next. He is happy to have it in hi*
power to state, as a lest ol fhe sucres* ol his system, that
six ol his pupils have ibis year obtained the highest hon
ors at the University ol Virginia.
ROWLAND KE\ NOLDS, Principal.
Alli:lM Cy_ . 26-wtlO
UY U1CKS, I.IJ.YSFUHD 8,- CO.
H \MKS RIVER LAND FOR SALE—We will, on
Ci/ tbe Mi day of September, in front of Mosers. Hicks.
I.mis.ord & Co’*. A lie-ion Store, in the Town of Peter*
■bur.t.cner at Public Auction a TRACT OF LAND, lying
on Junes River, nearly oppu.-i e Verina, the property ol
P. Akin, E q.
1 hr Iract, we me informed, contains some five or six
hundred Bcres.aconsldcri.lile put whereof are low grounds,
Ol swamp, whirli can be easily reclaimed. Never having
been on it, mid knowing but litHc ot it.* localities, we te
fer such aa wish to view it |0 P. Akin. Esq. who is well
acqiiaiu'tfd with it. Ot the title, neither, i an we speak
wHti any ret ain y: It was conveyed to us by Captain
” illi.itii Dunn, now of Pou haiati, with a good deal ol other
property, in trust, for the tu m li ot his creditors; and w *
refer to linn, or Captain William Finney, lor information
■>» to (he title. The deed tinder w Inch we oiler ii for sale
i- recorded in >tie Clerk’s Offices of Brunswick and Clies
teifield; in whi. l, latter roun'y the land li. g. \VC, of
course, w ill convey to the purchaser only such title as is
vested m u*vby ibe deed above referred to.
The terms will be cash, or ninety days, should the pur
rba.er prefer it, by giving a negotiable note, payable at
the V irginia Rank in Petersburg.
E. R. HICKS,) ^ ,
D. HICKS, i Trusteet.
HICKS, LUNSFORD & CO. Jlnc Concert.
Petersburg, August 6. 26 —w lw
BIGGISH'S
EXCHANGE .l.VI) LO'rnutY office,
Kit'll MON I), Va.
Drawn Nos for th« Nni> York Lottery, No 10 •
8 19 14 11 35 151 7 38 11 42.
Drawn Nos for the Va. Monongalia Lottery, JVo. 3 •
15 4 :: 1 0 47 24 C.
'I r Picket I !> 17, Capital ot $2,000^ being the third
highest prize, *oli) and paid at sight, a.* usual, t,v Biuokr
SPLENDID SCHEMES!
IJnion Canal Lottery, TVo. 1«.
lobe drawn in Philadelphia, Saturday, Angus! lftth.
06 No. Lottery — Ip Drawn Ballots.
CAPITALS:
1 Prize of $25,600 |, $25,000
1 10,000 10.000
1 4.080 4,0.80
1 3000 3000
2,600 6,000
2 2.000 4,000
2 1,600 8,000
2o 1,000 20,000
rirkets $8; halve* 4; quarter* 2.
$u0,000f 20.000, and 60 Prize* of 1,000
rV V. €o II M» I i tin fed Lottery, iVoll,
To be drawn on Wednesday, August 21st 1880
00 No. Lottery- f» Drawn Ballet..
SCHEME.
1 P»i*e Of $30,000 I* $30,000
20,000 20,000
10,000 10.000
* 8,0110 3.000
"2 1 60.000
flr' „ , 50<> . 33,000
, , ticket* $10, halve* 6, quarters 2 80.
„ lick. is and share* In the usual great variety of
fortunate Number*, for mile at the Escliauge and EottCMV
"<rK'0('f THOMAS B BIGGER,
Cwner opposite Cagle Hotel.
It reeenily «old and paid at *iahf, no lees
2 Grand Capital! ot $10,000 each, 2 of $20,000, 7 of
lU'iMvOf H'*. etc. '
Cnler* meet the most prompt attention
___ __ 22 —if
k'.v.-i'.V- ,.. 1 ' S:,Ke Office
4m'ifllCZ' riiTiX . " now •“‘P* <" Bar of the
Eagle Hotel. Seat* ran be secured
^rr^*ay-'*CV*?^r;lS3t,,r'J"Hh, to the White .Sulphur
Spring*, every day except Saturday, for $14 50 rent*.
August 2. 25 — 4t