Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-02-10

i
doub, his repubcanism, the purity OF his mo-
tives,) acted openly & avowedly, upon the plan of
promoting his friends TO office, rather than his en-
emies. Aud who would noi' Did not he, as
soon as he came into Office, turn out the POST
master General, and appoint Mr.. Granger! In
my own State, gentleman, whose name, be.
lieve, was Mcdowell. and who was Marshal Of
the State, was turned out, and Mr.. Crockett ap-
pointed in his place. From the North, ano,he
striking and celebrated example may be given -
A gentleman from New Haven was collector of
the port; be had discharged he duties faithfully, s
was the choice, as am told, of large majority of
the People, OF that District Understanding that
Mr.. Jefferson intended 10 remove him, they pre-
scented memorial to him the subject. He, ne
yerhe'ess, did remove him, and appointed anoth-
er. who was man ofhigh respectabty. Many
of you. doubt, recoect Mr.. Jefferson's, at that
day, celebrated answer TO the memorial, in W hich
he say, Il repeat the words from memory,) that Of
those who are appointed TO Office, 81 few die, and
none resgn." do not insnuate that there was
any thing improper in this. The man turned out
the political enemy of Mr. Jefferson, the one
appointed his political friend
The gentleman from Tennessee insists, that MIR
Jefferson came into office under peculiar circum-
stances. He was opposed to party who had
attempted the destruction OF the Commonwealth
.Ihere was at lens, marked difference, il would
seem, between the political opinions OF the two
p'rtes Ia this consisted Mr.. Jefferson's iustif-
cation. Andis there no such difference of polit
cal opinion between the parties of this day? Are
the principles protested, AMI the measures pursued
alike sanctioned by both? II 80, whence this i,n,
placable opposition! Do we agree upon the great
ques:ioss of Internal Improvement, aud the pro
priety Of pro- Getting By duties, SC. the domestic
manufactures and industry of the country. Were
ever parties more distinctly markell in any age or
country:
beg gentlemen TO be patient for season.
They profess TO feel c1mf!enre of success, in
the ensuing election. Should they, however, be
sadly disappointed. aud be compelled to writhe
under their present agony four years longer, let
them be patient. And if for four, and yet four
more after that, would still recommend patience
ii is absolutely virtue of the highest class
And although ii may be considered cod con,
fort, II is the best, and all thar, in candor, can
offer to them.
Yet, sir, il cannot lie said that the present AID
minis,ra,on, in relation to appointments. have act
ed throughout, upon the excluding plan of MIR.
Jefferson. Various examples OF an opposite
course might be given, but shall not descend TO
specification.
The gentleman from North Carolina seemed TO
anticipate that he might be told that this resolution
was small business; they are his own words.
shall not besow UPON it that epi,het; but shall
leave it to he future reflections oil the gentleman
iimself to the de erminaton of the House and OF
the naion to say if ii is not a small business
TO punish an improper attempt 10 control the Ii :
herty OF the press, would, to be sure, be matter
of great consequence In wha; does the liberty OF
The press consist In holding out hopes, it would
ecem, according TO his definition of it, to the prin-
tiers or editors of papers OF both pares tina, they
have equal chances of being employed 10 publish
the laws OF the United States, each one of " HON
so employed, after making the proper deduction
for paper and other expenses makes, perhaps +
clear profit Of forty or fifty dollars annually The
Independence OF a newspaper, which could be in
fuencedby such consideration, does not deserve
protection.
Iregret. sir, tina, ookcd upon it az my duiy
30 consume the time O! this Hou-e for even the
few moments have occupied yoIr attention. IL
Is desirable that this discussion should terminate a.
speedily as possible As, perhaps, other gentle.
men may wish 10 say something upon the subject,
would be very willing to vote for di-pensaiion
of the rule limiting the time for the consideration
OF resolutions, 10 afford them an opportunity o.
being heard and ending the discussion on this day
Mr.. Wood, of New York, sail he had rse en-
not for the purpose either OF opposing or defend
ing the admrsi n, b. ON a sense of what was
due TO his public duty. He rose in behalf of The
suffering soldiers Of the Revolution, who were
dropping daily into The grave, while the time oil
The House was occupied in discussi ms like the
present. B~foIe such discussion was farther
rfoIacted, must not the question rresisiiby force
Itself on every member, Cui bono? To what
valuable purpose it possibly lead! Whether
the Secretary OF Stale should disclose good motives
or bad, IN reply 10 this Call, it would lead 10 no
legislation. There was not a LAWYER on tina, n n,
who would so far venture his character as TO saw
that any legislation could legiiimaiely grow out
vi 1t. Is the inquiry into the nature OF a Iaws
Mott is an inquiry into the motives of a public
ofhcer The motives Of men rot cognzabe
at This tribunal, nor at any other on earth. IL il
PRETENDED by the ADVOCATES of the resolution that
the motives OF the Secretary Of State in exercising
certain branch OF pow er conhded 10 him by law.
have been personal and poral--hut what has
this House TO do with his motives? nd suppose
them disclosed, 10 what result can il IesJ1 To
none; and why, then urge, the inquiry? Might nor
the House as well inquire into the motives for
This resolution! Alter all, it is only question of
opinion against opinion the old dispute whether
my doxy o. your doxy is orthodoxy. He hoped
the Honse would discharge the resolution. either
oy indeflnl'e posiponemeni, or by laying il on the
table. Hit were true that the Secretary has abu
sed bis power in this matter, there are no men in
the world more competent than those alleged TO
have been injured TO do lhernselye. ample Justice
The dispute may be safely left between the Secee
tary and the printers.
Mr.. Hamilton took the floor, and was
about 10 commence some observations on the reso.
luton, when
The Speaker suggested to him that no more
tnan i've minutes Of the hour allotted 10 resoIu
lions now reEained. II, however, the gentle
mar Thought proper TO proceed at this time the
Chair would listen with pleasure al any remarks he
lad 10 offer.
Mr.. Hamilton replied, that if only FIVE minutes
remained, he would occupy them in making mo
ton that the rule, which would restrict the discus
sion within the hour, be for this day Dispersed
with.
The question being pu, on this motion, il was
decided in the negaLye-syes II, noes 10. 1.-TWO
thirds are required for the suspension Of any rule Of
Orderly