Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1826-02-07
8Str1Dser0ssD
q Ts91e6m<



in the eastern and western hemisphere. He had the
chief agency in affecting the greatest catastrophe which
history records; the dethronement of Napoleon. He
than ALL has arrested the mach of human emaNci
patton, and blghted the fair fruits of the French r.
voution His policy established the Holy Alliance
dictated IFS principles and directed its influence. He
had at his beck, standing army of 65OOOO men. anG
hordcs of semi barbarians ready spread devastation
wherever he should command. His influence was at
The moment felt 10 all the Courts of Europe and
in the distant empires of Persia and Chna-and il was
competent 10 his power overthrow the balance Of
power in Europe, and to reduce ii again 10 its ancient
barbarism. The death of such man. must be felt in
all the extremities of the globe.
Mission TO Panama. The House O! Representatives
have at length passed the Resolution calling the Pre-
sdent for information relative the Mission TO Panama
The resolution finally adopted the modified one
offered by Mr.. Webster, in the following words.
"Resolued That the President requested to cause 10
De laid before this House, much of the correspondence
between the Government of the United States
states of America Heir Ministers respecting pro-
posed Congress, meeting diplomatic agents Panama
and such norma ton respecting general character Of
the expected Congress, in his possession
may, in his opinion, be without prejudice To
the public interest; and also inform House so far
IN his opinion the public interest may allow, regard
TO take part, in the deliberations that Congress-"
We do not reInemberany debate in any body, in which
there was so much smoke with little frc-il was lite
rally war of words, unproductve il appears To us
notwithstanding its wide range of any or inor
nation calculated TO enlighten the public mind, either
as 10 The policy or imrocy of the Mission Panama
whist all seemed TO agree upon The necessity of pos
sessng the information sought, long and boisterous
speeches were made upon the propriciy of retaining
the usual clause leaving it discretionary with the Prcs
dent to communicate withhold certain portions of The
Jntormation and whether il best 10 ask for tbe in,
formation, or wait until 1t officially communicated
AS TO the first, the President possesses The constitutional
right TO communicate withhold as he may deem advi
sable, and any admoniticn 10 him TO exercise this off,
Gal prerogative was merely eXplctve-and as TO tho
Tune, there was moral certainty of speedy commu
caon of the information in the possession of the Exc
cutive, as no mission be without the necessary
appropriation. Some gentlemen oontended that the
usual clause, leaving it discretionary with the Presi-
dent to withhold any portion of the information the
communication of which might be detrimental to the
public interest, should be left ont to impress him more
strongly with the anxiety of the House for full inforna
onas if the call for information itself did irnplv
that anxiety strongly than any negative measure
could do Altogether, the debate appears to us, wilh
the exception of few speeches, highly traine and SUI
pefcJal.
The opponents of the present themselves in
ridiculous attitude. Processing to know nothing of
the objects Of the mission calling the Executive Tor
inormaon nreation to their nature; yet pronounce
ed startling novelty, an alarming precedent and other
suPerative and odIous Respect for their oyy
understandings should induce these gentlemen 10 wait
such development Of facts may induce and direct
Their lndgments-but The propensity figure in the
wspapeTs supersedcs the less important considerations
of truth and npartiality.
Restricted as the subject of debate was 10 the pKo
Prety and mode Of nero call for normatiou We Still
anticipated from some light upon the state of parties
IN the House of Representatives We have been equal
jy disappointed in this particular. In the first in
stance those who dcnomnatcd the oconfdential
friends of tbc administration" were all opposed to the
cail-ond the presumption that its enemies those
who had denounced the Mission to Panama before the
were appraised OF IFS character and Objects were in IA
yor Of ttha they at least, would desire TO h We their
acknowledged ignorance enlightened. Notwithstand-
ing these respective indications and assumptions we
find the confdt al friends, they who supposed 10
be previously enlightened by private communication
With the Executive, all finally voting for The call And
the mover Of the first resolution on the subject Mr.
HamiItoD, of South Carolina, and all the uniformed
part of The House, they who had denounced the mission
without knowing ans thing Of its nature and " c sup.
pose because liey did know nothing ofrits. nature,
voting against the vc1v measure which was to iuDi-
nate their understandings. These riddles, which
we have 10 clue 10 ttDTavcl-and possibly the gentle
men who nave prodUs cd them are equally incompetent
TO explain them. Tie resolution was adopted on the
% day OF discussion by candle light, BY the following
vote Yeas t24, Nays 30.
10 another part Of tie paper vel have given much
o. VIC debate as can be either the interest or the in
cnotion Of the reader to pcruse