Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-05-03
THE vICE-PREsIDENT.

Dir: In the NatlOnal lnteIlSepCcr Oi INC Zfih
inst. another effort is made, in communication
signed "WEsTERN SENATOR" to exculpate the
Vice-President Of the United States from the
charge Of par,ality in the exercise OF his duties
as Presiden, Of the Senate. The testimony in
favor of this officer thus given, is announced as
an offering at the shrine ofjustice, by witness,
who is "neither the personal nor particular friend
of Mr. CALHOUN" There may be reasons why
the soi-disant "Western Senator" is the "par,ic-
ular'' without being the personal" friend Of a
political aspirant; but he seems clearly 10 be
one Of those friends whom the Spanish proverb
proscribes, since his defence is directly at war
with previous and solemn declaration Of the
Vice-President himself The defence admits,
that the Vice-President did, ofhis own volition,
call Mr.. Dickerson TO order: The Vice-Presi-
dent, in his address of the 18th inst. AYERS that
his simost deliberate and anxious attention, by
night and by day, on the question OF the extent
Of his powers, under correct construction OF
the 9th and 18th rules Of the Senate, had settled
in the conviction, that the right 10 eaHto order,
on questions touching the latitude or freedom Of
debate, belongs exclusively to the members Of"
the Senate, and not TO the'Chair If Mr.. Dick
erson's attempt to speak, on motion which,
by the rules of the Senate, precluded debate,
did not present question "touching the latl-
tude or freedom of debate" it is difficult for a
case TO be imagined in which such question
can arise, And so the original power OF calling
to order, which deliberate and anxious atten-
ton by night and by day" had induced the
Vice-President 10 disclaim, his champion add
mits MIN, in CONSPICUOUS instance, to have ex-
ercised. IL is observable, moreover, that the
Vice-Prssident's address advances no reason
against his original right to call to order, in
"questions touching the latitude or freedom OF
debate" which is not equally applicable to eve
nv other possible question of,order.
In the chair of President of the Senate, Mr.
Calhoun has, indeed, very rarely volunteered
call to order; for Questions touching the lati-
tude or freedom of debate" have not been pre-
sented from quarter to which inclination
prompted him 10 direct such an exercise OF his
power; while on the other hand, his disappoint-
ment found consolation, and his yet thirsty am
bition encouragement, in the declarations oil
every enemy TO the government When, how
ever, in striking and mournful instance, the
national money, time, and character, had been
prostituted, for hour after hour, day after day,
week after week, and almost month after month,
TO the irre!ative rhapsodies Of once powerful
mind;-rhapsodies which, if ever they APP
preached the subject OF discussion, did so, like
the comic asymptotes, without ever touching
it;-rhapsodes which were not only really, but
avowedly, the offspring of systematic hostility
TO men, without reference to MISUNDERSTANDING
sodies which, though sometimes illumined by
lingering ray Of genius, were oftener in style
of gross reviling, discreditable to him who ut
tered, and more discreditable TO him whJ per-
uitted them. When spectacle thus humilia-
ting to the American name, had been exhibited
before the American Senate, without one effort
of authority, or one hint Of disapprobaton,
from its President, the rising murmurs of pub
lie indignation reminded him that some excuse
was necessary, for having sacrificed the pro-
prieties of office to the sympathies OF a desPer-
ate ambition.
After his partisans had displayed much news
paper chivairy in his behalf, his own mind she
slowed iIs most deliberate and anxious atten-
ton, by night and by day" in the extent
Of his power in preserving order, question on
which any school-boy who could read, or any
man Of plain common sense who could not read,
might have informed him; but on devising
some mode of palliating fragrant official non
feasance. The result of these daily and noe
turnal meditations, is his address, on the l5th
inst to the Senate;--a document which merits
q high place in a museum Of logical curiosities
IlS pIOpoSltiOh 10, thal OhSS'1 vi
whose existence the power to preserve order in
the body which he presides over is the vital
blood, has no power to do so, which this body
does not expressly, and in tepms, confer. The
inevitable corolary to this proposition is, that
If the body omitted TO confer such power, i,
might, so far as would depend on the presiding
officer, be scene Of uncontrolled confusion and
anarchy. With one of those bold and reckless
bounds which, formerly characterized MIR. Cal
houn as reasoner, he punges on the 9th and
7th rules OF the Senate, as the sole foundation
of his official authority. They are as follows
viz. "When member shall be called to order
che shall sit down, until the President shall have
determined whether he is in order or not; and
"every question of order shall be decided by the
"President without debate; but if there be a
"doubt in his mind, he may call for The sense
Of the Senate"
"Ii the member be called to order, for words
spoken, the exceptionable words shall be i'm
"mediately taken down, in writing, that the Pre-
nsident may be better enabled to Judge of the
Gmat,er."