Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1826-08-18

al the S-nate, IN your tolcsaon Of these Ii.
Centious trausSressIons against IFS dignity, and
against the public veal 1t is well understood by the
People that majority of that body, remembering the
past day its fame and feeling its present degradation
wilng both sin and in anger" that you
should be tried at once by that tribunal which SUI
preme on earth-publc opinion. .9nd by al go" maze
been judged-There may, indeed, have been some De-
majors, who, like yourself not dspleascd win any
iudecorum, provided it connected with abuse oil
the Administration Ii SO, they certainly deserve 10
divide with the honour of having III single Ses-
sion changed the character of dehberauye assembly,
that thirty years, most of which were cock
istent with high political excitement, had maintained 2
proven bal equation for dignihed mpartiaity IN its
presiding officers and than Roman gravity among
its members. Now, indeed, is sad reverse. Like
the powerful word of Cesar, the glory of the Sc
lies low, and there IS ''none poor TO do il
reveIence;"
You act wisely in sheltering yourself, whenever
practicable under the authority of the last Speaker OF
the House of Representatives. But unhappy for both
your argument and your facts, Mr. Cliy, however IN
dulgent TO Mr.. Raudolph's peculiar manner" never
suffered him commit disorder with impunity. Indeed
neither MIR. Randolph any other member of the
House of Representatives, ever attempted, while that
officer presided IT, any such irregularities you
have approved; for twas known that the Speaker ne
yer forgot, in the hope of higher iionors the obligation
of existing .uties his dignity full security
for the dignity OF the House.
Though the appeal to presidents and The your
apology have been received by the public with ~
ing incrcduiity that apology have entirely
usllcG yourself by Tie vanity which prompted
your ludcrous enumeration of victory common
sense and the Constitution, YOU applaud of your
official acts, unconnectcd with the subject of order,
which discreet partisan would have shruuk from the
Quixoism of attempting even TO paliiate. Among the
most conspicuous of these, your appointment of
the Standing Committees" under the influence, aeg-
cd, ofseliish considerations" You affect consider
this charge referring 10 only of those commit
tees but have unfortunately designated The committee
Foreign Relations of hch the composition is pc
cuiarly ndeensibe. The selection of Messrs. Macon,
fancwell, Gaillad, White and Mills. the cons,ilu
ents of that committee, defended by your friends
on The grounds, that at the next preceding session Of
the Senate, the committee on Foreign Relations were
Messers. Barbour. Jackson Macon, Seymour and FL
hot; that Governor Bar bour having been subsequently
called TO the Department of War and General lack
son having las usual resigned, Mr.. Macon, the
in order, was, "according TO usage seldom departed
from" made chairman OF the committees That for
General Jackson his in representing Tonnes
see, Judge White substituted and Mr.. Tazewell
for his lale colleague Gov. Barbour; That ''AIr. Gail
lard 'rto had not been any comiNce lasi ytar,
appointed in place OF MIR. Elliot resigned, and Mr.. Mills
IN place of MIR. Seymour, who arranged two
other committecsn THIS defence was impugued, be-
cause, in regard TO Mr. Macon the asserted usage did
not exist the real usage extending farther than thai
the committees when the place of IFS chairman became
vacant, considered the second named on it originally,
as Chairman: Because the aJduced for MIR.
Tazeweil's location the committee, ought if valid
TO have made him its chairman Governor Barbour his
colleague, having been chairman the year before: And
because the exclusive geographical and succession
on winch tilS TlLIiCaIOn rested not
only nrinsioally erroneous, but had been consis
tently pursued. See .Nttonnl hteiIgcncer December
80 1879, January 2 i, 6, 1890 This was, uudoubt
cdr. successful answer 10 your advocates and mani
tested the iutity OF any attempt plain away the
speaking fact, that highly important standing Com
mttee five Senators (hc number of Senators or every
such Cotnmittee) placed, of whom two had voted
against MI Clays nomination TO be Secretary OF Stale
third the successor and partisan of General BACK
son; and ALL except ascertained opponents
the Administration. The Committee. therefore, selec-
cd aly
inenary usage according to which, although abiliti,
and experience form the FIST rule for eonst,utinr a
Committee, another rule OF equal validity is that a
majority the Committee should be friendly 10 the
measures expected 20 engage its deliberations. The
reason OF this rule Is, tat the Administration being
required TO devise plans for the public welfare, is eni-
TED TO every advantage arising from preliminary dis
cuSSjen and uInstrauop betcIe they acted by
the Legislature. On different principles its policy
uould never be fairly understood By lie People, for
hostile Committee might so far would depend on il,
strangle IN their infancy tie wsest and most patriotic
! suggestions The British Parliament has, therefore,
adopted the usage OF placing on Committees men not
only of the most ilustrious rcpuatons but represent
n to majority at least, OF those selected for each
COMMITTEE, the views and policy Of The Government
Ii this usage is sound and reasonable IN Parliament
where the Ministers of the Crown have seats and
seqHenty, an opportunity TO illustrate and defend the
measures which they introduce, it merits yet letter
observance in Congress- where such privileges are
extended to the Executive and his Cabinet Until
your factious innovations, had been uniformly res.
P''eu' JUN W He senate ana inc House OF NepTcseD
tatIves and by no presiding officer OF either House
more than by Mr.. Clay. IL is we'll known that This
gentleman, while Speaker of the House of Representa-.
tlves dlssencd from the policy in regard some cues.
tons OF internal Improvement and the recognition Of
South American independence, which at one period
marked the administration Of President Monroe; sub
Jects on which the opinions of the latter Underwent be
fore his retirement from Office, change honorable
to his own ca0donr, as il TO Mr. Clay early and
sagaCous perception of the true policy of the country
on those important questions. While the Speaker of
the House OF Representatives tlus in qug oppo.
sihon to The Administrations he, nevertheless a, point
ed the Committees of tla body in exact accordance
with the rule which You have CON picuousy violated
They consisted OF men of talents aud experiences Sc
ected with proper, aud therefore not exclusive re-
gard to sectional considerations, and with such refer
ence TO political opinions gave aGnricaI nrepon
deTance TO Tie friends of mcasures submission Of
which to the Legislature pected. at later be-
riod WIe you were nomnally at least candidate for
The Presidency, the Speaker, toup Your Competitor