Jar. 17, 1837.) Executive Administration. (H. OF R. ment." one, I will not desecrate the temple of our Union by any loss arising from the charges of collection, and with the attempt to deface one particle of those brilliant names loss also of interest, while the money is performing the that may cast their splendor over it. Fidelity to our own unnecessary circuit; and it would therefore be unwise. principles never can be incompatible with justice and if it is to be collected from one portion of the people, toleration for those of our opponents. I speak of this and given to another, it would be unjnst. If it is to be point not as a partisan, but as an American. I cannot given 10 the States in their corporate capacity, to bo be deterred, by the fear of being termed a flatterer, from used by them in their public expenditures, I know of no doing justice to any man. I ask gentlemen how they principle in the constitution which authorizes the Fed. can hope that the people will attend to their charges? eral Government to become such a collector for the We are told it is to inform the people of the dangers they states, nor of any principle of safety or propriety which bave passed-of the conspiracies against their liberties / admils of the States becoming such recipients of gratuity that have been exploded. Why, sir, Cicero himself from the General Government. would not have been heeded when the conspirators were “ The public revenue, then, should be regulated and deprived of all power to injure. The people of this adapted to the proper service of the General Guvern. country will not, as the hour is approaching which is to separate them from him who has for years enjoyed their These views were presented by one of the Senators bighest confidence, stand with ready ear to listen to de- from Kentucky, (Mr. Clar.] These views were sustainnunciations. Not while one spark of gratitude remains ed by the minority which were found on the deposite will they refuse to shield him.' They will be seen pro. bill of the last session; and it could not be objected to tecting him from the flames of political persecutions; they by that minority, that from those with whom they differ. will be the first to rescue him—the pairiot who has led ed in sentiment they could obtain support for the course their armies to victory and given permanency to their which they pursued. It is the pledge that we shall have Union-from the ignominy of being placed in the same aid in relieving the people from burdens of a grievous niche of immortal infamy with a Commodus or a Severus. character, and a pledge which we have a right to insist There is one aspect in which the present discussion on being fulfilled. will be viewed with interest by the country. It is the But, sir, his opponents were not satisfied with the objections which have been raised against the coming ad. course which the President elect had pursued before the ministration. We are told that the people have no nation in a long life of political action; they were not pledge of any line of policy; that the President elect is satisfied with bis open and avowed declarations, but in untrammelled by any promises. He can sustain a tariff or every section of the country he was represented to en. an anti-tariff policy; he may be for internal improvements tertain different views, but always those which might be by the General Government, or against them; he may particularly unpopular. I will not attempt to follow the be for a national bank, or against it; for distribution, or whole train, but I cannot forego the opportunity of reagainst distribution-that upon leading political questions ferring to one of the means called into action against he is in no manner committed. What, sir! no policy him. I allude to the fact of dragging his opinions on re. promised? If there is any point on which the Presi- ligious manners into the political contest. His opponents, dent elect is not committed, ihe fault lies not with him. aware of the prejudice existing against one creed in this Not far from me is the member from Kentucky, (Mr. | country, eagerly seizeil upon it to operate with effect Williams,] who submit!ed questions of the highest im upon some portion of our citizens. We are told that portance to the country before the election. The reply the votes of States were given against him on this rea. to those queries is part of your political history. That The spirit of intolerance that spirit which bas at reply formed the chief point of attack in your presiden- all times, and in all countries, left the evidences of its tial contests. On most of the points which agitated the triumphs in the blasted happiness and withered prosper. country, the people of this country have had an ample ity of thousands, was brought into the contest. in vain exposition of ihe views of the individual who has been was the avowal of my colleague (Nr. VANDERPOEL) in elevated by their suffrages to the first office within their favor of the candidate, showing that he did not enter. power. You have, in the document to which I refer, tain certain opinions. It was insisteil, that even if he did his opinions with regard to the Bank of the United States. not entertain them, yet he had been guilty, at least, of You have his views on the great and absorbing sub. an act which, in England, would have rendered him liaject of your public revenues, and the policy of distribu. ble to the pains and penalties of a præmunire. But even tion. When he speaks of this measure, it is but in ac in England, under an enlightened and liberal legislation, cordance, so far as results are concerned, with the opin that badge of barbarity liad been destroyed, and in his ions of a distinguished statesman, whose course is sus-country never had existed. Punishment was due for the tained by a large portion of the opponents of the admin. transgression, and the guilty must be reached through istration, and whose sentiments are given in a speech, de. the ballot-box. Sir, no language can express the deep livered some years since, in the Senate of the United humiliation with which I refer to this topic; I feel ibat in States. The Clerk of the House will read the passage in a land of freedom-that land which gave to the cause of that speech to which I refer. civil and religious liberty a Carroll, and contains the The clerk then read as follows: ashes of him whose pride was not alone to have been the Speaking of the public debt, he remarked: “It is so author of the Declaration of Independence, but of the near being totally extinguished that we may now safely in code to secure freedom of conscience--that there is a quire whether, without prejudice to any established polo spirit which would drive a portion of our fellow citizens icy, we may not relieve the consumption of the country from the advantages of the Government, and place them by the repeal or reduction of duties, and curtail, consid. as outcasts without the pale of your constitution. If this erably, the public revenue. In making this inquiry, the is to be the consequence of entertaining certain opin. first question which presents itself is, whether it is ex. ions, your constitution will be a mockery, your pledge pedient to preserve the existing duties, in order to ac of equality of rights is violated. Are they who have cumulate a surplus in the Treasury for the purpose of unloosed this whirlwind blind to the ravages it has elsesubsequent distribution among the several states. I where comunitted? Are they desirous of substituting think not. If the collection for the purpose of such a the war of fanaticism for the peace and charity which Burplus is to be made from the pockeis !of one por. exist at present through the country? Let them conside tion of the people, to be ultimately returned to the same er that the persecution which follows and crushes one pockets, the process would be attended with the certain sect to-Jay may turn upon another to morrow. Let son. H. OF R.] Execulive Administration. (Jan. 17, 1837. them not hope to be able “to check the fiery seeds this humble tribute from one who owes her t.ucb; and they have driven to the edge of the precipice,” and to justice requires that her characier should not be misrepsave themselves from dashing down into the abyss where resented. myriad; lie entombed the victims of a similar spirit! Is This debate, sir, is the announcement of a course of this the age in which such scenes are to be enacted? No, policy which the country ought fully to understand, sir; extinguish the lights of civilization and intelligence, What is the development that we have seen made! before you illumine the torch of fanaticism. Its lurid That opposition is at once to be formed to the coming glare will be lost in the blaze of freedom. Bring back administration. We are told that a war is to be waged, the days of the Vandal and the Goth, Let then the min. a war of extermination, against him who has been placed isters of savage orgies shout with joy around the tombs in power by the sacrifice of the principles of liberty. A of the dead they have violated, and with frantic exulta. war against the man is to be declared. Why not avo tion amid the blazing ruins of seminaries of learning; at at once a struggle, a "war to the knife," with the de. such a time, let the demon of persecution be unchained, mocracy? Where is the evidence of the violation of any and rush from one end of the country to the other. rights by the successful candidate? Where the proof But if we desire peace, if we seek for the exercise of that, in his triumphant march to the Capitol, he has drit: feelings of charity, we must not violate the spirit of that en his chariot with savage exultation over the mangled constitution which secures protection to all. The perse. corse of your constitution? If opposition is at once to cution of the ballot-box is but the precursor of penal be arrayed, let the country know it. I cannot believe that legislation. We must not permit the ballot-box to be he wlió sustains the coming administration must necesconverted into an engine of oppression upon any portion sarily be a "traitor to the interests of the South," as we of our countrymen. "Let it be remembered that amongst heard in this discussion. I will not admit that the Soulb, those who are denounced are those whose integrity which has but within a few short weeks past given eviand devotion to the country are not to be questioned; dence of its confidence, is at once to be marsballed in that they are your fellow.citizens, who ask for nothing opposition, and that this position is to be assumed that more than their constitutional rights, and ought not, will no matter with what purity, no matter with what patri. not, submit to less. I cannot be mistaken in my coun- otism, no matter with what success, the policy of the trymen, or our institutions, when I say that in the intel. coming administration may be distinguished, still it must ligence and the liberality which should ever distin. be paralyzed, still it must be crushed, must be annibi. guish Americans, there is a guarantee for liberty of con. lated. This I will not admit. The people will afford to science which can never be destroyed; and that Ameri- their Chief M-gistrate the same lenity and the same rule can liberty consists in freedom of opinion, freedom of they would apply to the humblest servant in the public industry, freedom of conscience. service. They will judge of him by his acts, it will be in We have been told that the approaching administra- vain to denounce the manner in which he was electedtion will be brought into power by the vilest means; that noise could be more honorable. In vain willthey denounce it is the triumph of the New York system. I find that the success of the man—they will discover that the strogo it is the fashion of the hour to refer to that State. Her gle which has closed was not concluded by the triumph immense resources, ber natural and artificial advantages, of any man. Let me assure gentlemen it is not the triare paraded to excite a jealousy against ber interests umph of the candidate which causes the exultation which and her song. Is this the spirit in which this Union was they observe on every side. It is the triumph of the framed, or can be maintained? Why, to secure a petty true principles of your Government of the Union; it is triumph of party, is this efforl made to array section the triumph of the people. We have been told that the against section, State against State? In sorrow, not in people have been routed by the prælorian cohorts. No, anger, have I heard the charges made against that sir; gentlemen mistake the scattered and retreating State. I have witnessed the efforts to injure her fair bands. The people are not seen flying in every direcfame; but siill I look upon my native State with pride. tion. The people are not vanquished, but victorious, Not one particle of her reputation is yet tarnished. That proudly victorious. They are victors over cox binations State can look back upon the past with high satisfaction, unheard of in the annals of political warfare; victors over and look forward to the future with the brightest antici- misrepresentation; victors over prejudice; victors over pations. What, sir, has been her system? She has had principles of every nature. “The Aag of the country "a a giant's strength, but she has used it like a giant." is still flying." Sir, I repeat the language of the gen. She stands erect in the consciousness of her sacrifices to tleman from Virginia, Mr. W 18E:] the flag of the counllie independence, the liberty of the country, and to the try is still flying. We differ, sir, as to the character of Union of these States She presents to you her Sarato. that ensign. Ti is not the dropeau blanc; not the flag 52, as her evidence of her devotion to the cause of the with a single star emblazoned on its folds; not the flag Revolution. Every point of her whole frontier is the which was seen flying on one portion of your cuast, the theatre of resistance to the invasion of a savage or a civ- signal for the advance of a hostile Acet, but the flag ilized foe. In peace, as in war, no sordid policy has which floated in triumph over Jefferson; which was seen characterized her course. I challenge genilemen to amidst the bloze of an enemy's cannon in the days of point out in the votes of her Representatives here, Madison; that flag around which have always rallied the or in the legislation of the S ate, any disposition to ele- un'errified friends of liberty; that banner is still flying; vate that Siate at the sacrifice of the rights or interesis never, I trust, never to be struck down. A01 who, si, of any section of this confederacy. Her history contains are the prætorian bands who are rushing to the rescue? not a single line for which one of her sons need blush. Look, sir, to the majority of this House; to a majority of Proud of her history, proud of her enterprise, for one, the ober branch of your Legislature; a majority of the I would, in the langurge of one who has given glory, nut people of Ibis country. You may see them rushing from only to that Stale, but to the whole confederacy, as ne granite hills of the Eust; you will find them purng soon forget the mother that gave me birih, as that down in hordes from the North. They are to be found State the trophies of whose system may be seen in the in the boundless and fertile prairies of the West, and unrivalled prosperity of her millions of inbabitants. may be seen gathering from the chivalrous South, eren The power she wield, was never exercised for oppres from the Old Dominion. On every side the yeoinarry ginn. Mighty she dias been, but none has been more of the land have been eager to rally under this labarya. mek. To be the equil, not the superior, of her sister And yet these are the marauders, the trainbands, the Stats, has ever been her object. Gratitude demands I obedient janizaries, the prætoian cohorts, wbo sre INDEX TO THE DEBATES IN TIIE SENATE. Abolition in the District of Columbia; a memorial from | Dana, Judah, elected from the State of Maine, to sup- ply the place of Ether Shepley, resigned, took his seat, 79. for certain information respecting them, 68. a bill to extend the provisions of the act regula- ting public deposites, 79; referred to the Com- mittee on Finance. Dickins, Asbury, elected Secretary of the Senate, 6. motion to strike out the second section of the bill, which provided for a deposite of the sur- plus revenue, on the 1st January next, with the several States--motion carried, 1008; the House disagreed to the above amendment; the Senate insisted on it, and notified the House accordingly, 1021; the House insisted on its disagreement, and the Senate, after further debate, adhered to its vote, by yeas and nays, 1034. Committee on Manufactures, 70. ed by fire at the late conflagration in New York, 847; ordered to a third reading, and passed. bis intention of renewing bis motion for this purpose at an early day, 4; resolution intro- duced, 128; taken up, 380, 428; agreed to, 504; and the journal was expunged accord- ingly. Extra session of the Senate, 1035. pany to construct their road within the District of Columbia; the bill was ordered to its third reading, 1021; and passed. of the State of New York, in relation to Cath- olic emigrants, referred, 533. ordered to a third reading, 1008; bill lost by the disagreement of the two Houses on an amendment, 1034. the payment of stipulated indemnities, 513; or- dered to a third reading and passed, 1009. nounced by his colleague, Mr. Kent, 3. for improvements in firearms, 988; bill Jaid on the table, 991. bors, and for removing obstructions at the mouths of rivers, 1014; ordered to a third reading, 1015; and passed. arrangements appointed for, 992. third reading, and passed. berland road in Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, 802; | Kinnard, Mr., a Representative from Indiana; a token of mourning io be worn for thirty days to his mem- VOL. XII-1 to, 18. ory, 7. Land; Mr. Clay's bill for dividing the proceeds of the Pierce, Franklin, elected a Senator from New Hamp. shire for six years from the 4th of March next; Mr. Hubbard presented his credentials, 872. 1009. destruction of the late General Post Office building, 19. ence between the United States and foreign countries, providing for additional clerks, and for the erection of a new building, was ordered to be engrossed, and subsequently passed, 1009. President's annual message received, (see Appendix,) 3. the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, 343. letter to Mr. Calhoun, in reference to a speech made by that gentleman, in wbich he charges those in power with speculating in the public lands, 753. 1035. President and Vice President, a joint committee appoint- e:1 for counting the votes for, 617, 698, 777. Road bill; a bill making appropriations for the repair and construction of certain roads, (including the Cumberland road,) ordered to a third read- ing and passed, 1019. copy of the proceedings of the late court of in- quiry at Frederick, in relation to the Florida war, 840; referred to the Committee on Mili- tary Affairs, 846. Sick and disabled seamen; a resolution calling on the Sec. retary of the Treasury for information as to the cost of erecting hospitals for relief of seamen, 690. calling on the President for information in regard to the authorities of Bermuda having committed aggression on a Southern vessel freighted with slaves, and driven by distress into that port, 725. supply the place of the late Mr. Goldsborougt; his credentials presented by his colleague, Mr. Kent, 360; re-elected for six years from the 4 h of March next, 981. qualified, and took their seats, 550, 563. Steam boiler bill ordered to a third reading, 777; and afterwards passed. of the last session, introduced, 376. ticles; the bill taken up and considered, 872. ent State, 360, 797; postponed, 986; resolu- tion agreed to, 1013. negatived, 1019. 21, 70, 89, 104, 128, 172, 327, 360, 533, 577, 619, 636, 778; bill passed, 778. ment lately received from the Treasury Depart- ment on this subject, 150; agreed to, 167. Vice resident, retirement of, and bis address on the oc. casion, 617. and ability, in the chair, 635. Vice President pro tempore, Mr. King elected, 618; his Yeas and nays, on armory bill, 800. on the bill to amend the act for the punishment of 805. 846. 872. 975, 981. on recognising the independence of Texas, 986, 1013. on the bill to advance a million of dollars on the two per cent. land fund of Alabama and Missis- sippi, 986. on a motion lo strike out the 2ů section of the fortification bill, which provided for a deposito of the surplus l'u venue, on the 1st of January next, with the several States, 1006; the House disagred to this amendment, and insisted on its disagreement, and the Senate adhered, by yeas and nays, 1034. general appropriation bill, 1018. road bill, 1019. Railroad Company, 1021. INDEX TO THE NAMES OF THE SPEAKERS IN THE DEBATES IN THE SENATE, ALPHABETICALLY ARRANGED. gan, 278. Bayard, Mr., Delaware, on the admission of Michigan, Black, Mr., Mississippi, on bill for the relief of the ex- ecutrix of R. W. Meade, 846. Choctaw reservations of land, 852, 872. Captain Hall's improved rifle, 991. 711, 713, 714. land bill, 667. reduction of the tarill, 911, 914, 915. distribution question, 998. igan, 169, 171, 235, 310. 325, 326. the land bill, 378, 379, 559, 560, 561, 693, 731. expunging resolution, 440. French and Neapolitan indemnities, 521, 523. marine corps, 535. American Colonization Society, 566, 567, 568. abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia, 709. bill for promoting trade with Belgium, 800, 805, 806. bill to amend the act for the punishnient of cer. tain crimes against the United States, 801, 802. report on the relations between United States and Mexico, 854, 982, 983. reduction of the tarist, 873, 880, 948, 961. recognising the independence of Texas, 1012, 1013. |