Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1826-06-20

To discuss of compacts which they must not form
of measures OF general tendency which must not be
pursued Observe, sir the right of the House not
established, and air eady, the contingency Of
such an event we have only the list of prohibitions
proposed by the gentleman from Delaware, but almost
rs long list OF duties, which gentleman from Georgia
has thought proper annex 10 the appropriations Mr.
FoRsYTH said there mistakes that his amendment
provided they should DO nothing. Mr.. l.. said, the
amendment offered by the gentleman from Georgia was
not before him: but although il might amount to di
rection DO nothing cilectu the form unless he
was greatly mistaken, went to direct them 10 give ad
vice If required, express the friendly sentiments of
Government, and 10 resist the propositions they
might receive; but IL the amendment provided a they
should do nothing, il not the less material nsruc
ton, and exempicd the argument, said Dir. l.. that
urge Convince me That this House has the power,
aud l. sir, will not be bebindhand with INV Instructions
hIk that, with respect tn article, the occupation
conquest of Cuba the instructions of the President
according 10 his message will not be sufficiently srong
aud I, by vntue of my place here ! am his conslitu-
uona. adviser, shall deem ii duty TO insert more
energetic expression ofopinon. Other gentlemen will
oppose II, and offer amendments, to which could ne
yer consent; and when sir, when would the task be
cndtd, the very prospect which excos such clash Of
conending p!ans' But we told that these are not
conditions nor instructions. What are they then? The
expression of an opinion formed by this House on the
state OF the Nation, In relation 10 its with
reigl nations. Let gentlemen show me this and far
from contesting the right Will join them in every ef-
fort 10 maintain II as most important precious prvi-
ege of this House; and if did so, must be lust
" ohargeabe, not only with Gerelicon OF duty but
with tiIe srangest inconsistency that ever disrraced
in political life. Thirty years ago asserted il on
memorable occasion, and Joined in successfully sup.
porting The constitutional check Of the House of Repre-
sentatives the treaty making power. Show me- sir
that the amendments go no further and abandon all
opposition to them, and enlist my feeble powers in their
support. In the memorable resolution 10 which have
Just alluded while the right OF the House is asserted to
exercise IFS discretion in giving withholding their as
sent TO treaties after they made, which relate to
commerce other of which the cornisance is
ri % Nv fiap(
gency in the making of treaties is expressly dsavowed
The rge to express the opinion of the People by the
voice OF their representatives. is not only one inherent
in the House by its constitution, but the exercise of
OF the greatest advantage 10 the ordinate Exect-
tive branch: by it lie is instructed how far he NAV de-
pend on the public oPinon-without which, even DIES.
potc power weak; although it has coercve sane
ton II IS warning voice that will never be heard
III vain Bring forward, therefore any general expres-
SION at opinion to the policy of domestic or foreign
relations, and my opposition support will derend on
The sentiment expressed in the resolutions but never
would never could object to it improper assump
ton of power.
To determine the character Of the amendment, to
show The difference between it and the general express
son OF upInIon, which ii is acknowledged we have
rig ut TO make, 1t is only necessary observe It's form
aud attend moment TO IFS substance. The resolution 10
winch II IS offered amendment ono in HE usual
form that is employed whenever any matter rcqrrinr
an appropriation referred conutec which makes
favorable report Ii does purport TO be- nor Is il
such an abstract expression OF opinion public affairs
as am now considering; il is more than consent
to the appropriation requrcd if adopted it declares
that the House will appropriate, and wonld be direc
ton TO The Committee of Ways and Means if they had
not repored and will be 10 the Committee of the Whole
when they consider hat appropriation. Now what is
the amendment Ine resolution says, will annroDri>
ate-thc amendment says, cit being understood fiat
the minister shall have diplomatic charater onlvp &c
&c The amendment offered by the gentleman from
Georgia, uses still stronger languagc-'Lal is is expe-
dcHt 10 make an appropriation 10 send ministers TO be
present at but not TO become members Of the Congress
at Panama, ii being distinctly understoodn &c Now
1t any words in the language can be used more eGcc:u
ally 10 import condition, must confess nv Ignorance
OF tue force OF terms Let it be remembered that they
are to be to the resolution declaring our
TO The grant, and that gentlemen pertinacousiy insist
on assigning to them that place II the object is an
independent expression OF opinion rid the case at once
OF tins acknowledgements will afterwards remain The
debate will then be confined TO the propriey of the
doctrines contained in the rosolu,ions they will if they
pass have The weight which the opinions of the PEOPLE
by their Representatives sill always have: and they
Will not run the risk OF being rejected from the unusual
form IN which they are presented But importance is
attached and justly attached, 10 ts mode of Offering
tlIem-lt supposes power IN this House which, un-
Goubtedy tic propoSers honestly think il possesses and
Which they take this occasion TO ASSERT If tine amend,
reni 10 have the same effect independent reso
lutIon as some gentlemen tell u.s. why not put ii in that
form II II IS to have greater effect it must be by its
operation as condition. In the manner proposed we
say to tie President, give you the APPROPRIATION on
CONDITION that you act as we direct in Tie other, and
appropriation; and if give, may also on this as
on ever other occasion, make general declaration of
hat we think tie important policy OF the country In
the one case, We It form at least power that
that docs not belong 10 and that has been ex
creased IN tic other. proceed in the legal track
marked ou to us by constitutional POWERS and ne
yer departed from by our predecessors.
But sir, must not be understood to saw that if these
amendments we're rn in the form of independent reso-
buttons, would vote for them. They are, in my opn
ION either not called for by tic occasion manifesy
are faulty not only in form, | have
10 show, but in substance.
The declaration With which the first amendment be- |
gins, Of what is settled neutral policy should Ger
'ain!y have no objection to make, if thought it was
called for by existing circumstances Ii is true in it.
'ef but, because IT is true, il is not always wise or
Feii-nHed TO cncunce il. Declarations Of this kind |
must be intended either TO restrain other branches of
Tie Government from doing what think wrong or |,
ec foreign nations by showing hat We will be united
IN Importing opposing certain measures that concern