The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1826-05-17
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From the Rhode-Island American


THE OPPosIPIoN.-It has been asserted thal
the Opposition to the present administration j:
iactious and nnprincipled. Every freeman IN
this tree nation has right, and il is his duty a,
well as right, to investigate the grounds O
/ this assertion, and freely to declare the result
OF his investigation. The materials Of the On.
POSITION are heterogeneous. They consist Of
the disappointed followers of jackson, Craw-
iord ana Calhoun, amen of different politics,
uinereht objects, and conflicting interests -
d'ssimiii lingua, ct dispari gente." They
nave out one tie, common disappointment as
TO The result of the last Presidential election.
/. ithey nave but one common object-to pull
down the present administration. Faction has
ever been the offspring of defeat, aud nothing
but faction could have united in any political
OBJECT the friends of Calhoun with those OF
crawford, or the friends of jackson with either
The two Senators from South Carolina, and
Col. johnson, Of Kentucky, are the only per-
sonal friends which the Vice-President has in
the Senate. These are the only members OF
that body who will, under any circumstances,
support him at the next election. In the House,
his friends are more numerous, but form only a
small portion Of the Opposition. The devoted
friends OF General jackson, though disposed to
avail themselves of Mr.. Calhoun's activity and
talents, in the promotion of their objects, have.
It Is believed, no wish nor intention to further
his political advancement. Even MIR. RAN
dolph declared, the other day, that although,
at the next election, he should support Gene
raj jackson, yet, in the subsequent contest be-
tween kentucky and South Carolina, he should
stand neutral. The friends of Mr.. Crawford
have not the least confidence in Mr.. Calhoun.
Indeed, they can have none, for never was q
political warfare carried on with such unspar-
ing malignity, as the friends of Calhoun, head
ed and directed by himself, carried on, for three
years, against that distinguished individual.
But still Mr.. Calhoun is the chosen leader Of
TINS opposition. He is the Agamemnon of the
league; and has devoted himselfto the common
cause with all his chara cterstic zeal, enthusi-
asn and ability. His situation, it is true, has
prevented HIM from appearing, openly in this
character; but his exertions have been no less
ethcient ON that account. The opposition 70
both houses have taken their tone from him.
lie mingles with the members, influences their
opinions, and directs their measures. During
the discussion of the Panama question in the
secret session, he was every morning coseted
with the leading opposition members, and was
their confidential adviser in every step Of their
course. Subsidiary to his object was his novel
-
the Senate as 10 questions of order. He relish-
ed and tolerated the abuse which was heaped
on the administration and its friends, in terms
which, for grossness, indccency and malignity,
have no parallel in our Congressional annals !;
and, to screen himself from the public indigna-
ton which this conduct xcitcd he has disclaim-
ed his obligation and his power to Call any
member to order, in any case whatever. What
is his reasoning in support Of this disclaimer?
Why, that the exercise of the power would be
an abridgment of the freedom, Ii. e. licentious-
ness) of debate; and that, because the rules of
the Senate do not expressly give TO the Chair
the power Of calling member to- order, the
Chair, forsocth, has no snch power. The truth
is this-the Constitution makes the Vice
President the presiding officer of the Senate ::
ana incidental to his character as presiding
omcer, is the power of preserving order and
dccorum in debate. This power was never
denied to any of Mr.. Calhoun's predecessors in
the Chair, and they never failed to exercise it
moderately, but with efficiency. The members
oil The Senate make their own rules; and in
making these rules, they could make none eli
Their limiting or increasing the discretion of the
Fice-President, and only such as apply to one
me- mber IN calling another to order. This thew
have done, and this is all they can do. They
have no power to make any rule prescribing to
the Flce-Prcsident when, and in what manner,
he shall call member to order Mr.. Cal
noun Is now of no more use in the Chair than
the automaton Chess-player would be, and not
so much for that can strike the table, and
shake IFS head. The Senate is lef: to the
mercy OF every icencious babbler. There is no
way In which a member Can be made even to
confne his remarks TO the subject under dis
cussion. 10 be sure, one member can call
another to order; but, as soon as he has re-
duced to writing and handed to the Chair the
exceptionable remarks, the disordery mem
Der may proceed and finish his speech. The
remarks excepted to, may then be made the
foundation OF resolution Of censure or expul-
sion, and becomethe subject of discussion at a
future time. Meanwhile, all the mischief in
tended is done. This remedy, you perceive,
is altogether insufficient. The other day,
Thursday, Mr.. Randolph, in the course Of
his speech on Branch's Resolutions, insulted
grossly and directly, the whole body of the
Administration in the Senate. Governor Bell
called him to order. He was required by the
Vice-President to reduce to writing those re-
marks, TO which he excepted. Gov. Bell,
with a countenance glowing with manly in
digration, replied, 6 shall do no such thing,
Sir" 1t is also said and believed of Mr..
Calhoun, that he is the patron of the opposi-
ton press established in this city. Whether
this be true or not, is matter of no great con-
sequence. This much is true, however, that
he has frequent, long and confidential inter-
views with its editor, Gen. Duff Green, and
that the paper has become the organ, the
echo, the Telegraph of the opposition. But
that the Vice-President has ever condescend-
ed to lend his pen to its columns do not be-
lieve: Notwithstanding the strong editorial
propensties which he exhibited while Secre-
tary Of War. So much for the leader of, the
oppositon--the G.. Of the Cabal. As to his
followers, White and Van Buren,, Forsyth and
M'DuiEe, their course has been bold and open,
and is matter of notoricty. | will give you a