Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-04-29
Goagareeaioltal

On Mr., Foot'S amendment to the Rules of the
Senate, by trhich IL lrGs proposed to gice the
Pice President The right TO cGNto order for
Sc0TdS spoken ia Debate
MIR. Van Buren, said, tina, he had not been dis
posed 70 partase largely in the present debate He
did not believe that any difficulty was likely 10 a.
rise from leaving the Rules as they had stood from
the commencement ofthe government. and was not
at all apprchensive Of the undue exercise OF the
sftic;iTe power now proposed 10 be conferred the
Vice President. He had, therefore, felt almost in
different as to the t.:e " the amendment; but the
prcgress and character OF the discussion had great
~ increased the interest of the subject. Principles
had been advanced, and earnestly supported, a.
gaiBst which he felt it 20 be his duty, at least 70
protest. Nay, more; such was his repugnance TO
the doctrines he had heard, deep his convc-
ton Of the error in which they founded, that
he could not, without being disloyal TO the most
sacred OF his official duties refrain from resisting
| them.
It could not, he was persuaded, be necessary to
say, that in expressing himself thus strongly, il
was not his intention TO question, much less 10 as
sail, the motives of those with whom he differed.
lie was not III tine habit Of doing and If he could
ever so far forget what was due TO mis- brethern
as yell as TO himself the sincere personal respect
which he felt for the Senator from Louisiana, by
whose n rIarks he had been induced TO continue
I The debate, would Restrain him. He had no doubt
gentlemen honestly enter tanned the opinions they
had advanced, and il was, therefore, their right 10
sustain them with the spirit and zeal which they
mad manifested on the present occasion. 1t was
The cor ectness, not the integrity, OF those opinions
that Mr.. Van Eurcu meant TO Cun1roveTt. 1t was
% carry them ont TO their legitimate results, and
present THEM IN their true aud eXccptiOaabc char
acter, that he hal risen. TO do this the more eiec-
tually he would endeavOr 10 strip the subject otall
irrelevant matter to check the diSeuTsive charac-
ter OF the debate, and bring the questions be-
fore the Senate IL their natural order and most sim
pie form.
The first Of these questions, said ne, is the extent
OF the rights OF the Vice President under the rules
as they stand 1t is one, comparatively speaking,
o! but little importance. There are but two views
in which it can be regarded as at al material
The one relates TO the Propriety of farther lcgis
ton on our parts and the other gives il importance
only from its beating upon the correctness of an
opinion long since officially EXPRESSED By the pre-
sent presiding officer. Mr.. Van Buren, said he
had before remarked upon so much If the subject
as relates TO the effect OF The old rules, and would
not now deiain the Senate by charging on that
point. II appeared to him impossible, considering
the phraseology and obvious sense Of our rules,
more especially when taken in connection with
those OF the II. of Representatives, that intelligent
and appropriated minds could differ in opinion.
The language, said he, is pla ~ the sense is plain;
aud from the injurious consequences OF coustruc-
ton imparting this power TO the Vice President
without appeal, il is also plaiu that such could not
sve been theiT original intent. Indeed said he,
40 not Tenlcnoer that, the whole debate, il has
been distinctly conlcrded tina: the right Given by
The rules 20 Senators 10 call 70 order, ext. nded
also 10 the PiceFresidcut. Solle gentlemen have
1t IS true, TO use the language OF the oW) by way
Of excluding conclusion, imagined that there
might be room for question upon Oc face OF the
ruieS; but quite confident that IL has been
distinctly affirmed, that they confer the power in
dispute on the Vice President. Upon the other
view OF the matter, said M. Y. 3, single word
would suffice. Entirely free, rs he could not but
be, from personal prejudice on the one hand
and uniniiucnced by individual partality on the o.
Their, he felt 20 interest in the subject, save de-
sire which, he hoped was common 10 all, to see
that justice was done 10 the conduct of a
public officer who had discharged his Of
fetal duties with fidelity and ability. Re could
not but think that the warmth Of PERSONAL friend
ship and tbs influence OF party excitement, COM
biDed, had greatly maguihcd the importance Of the
matter in relation 10 the individual Concerned.
Surely public man in tliis country OF ia any
ther whore reason and justice sway the public
mind, is required 10 be iniiiiiAlc, or III be held
responsible for tau The honesty Of his upiu-
ions, and the fidelity with which he susiains them.
II lac err, occasionally, it Is because he hEInau;
Y so long % his motives, n in the present case, are
above suspicion, nc has nothing 10 fear from pub
lie censurc Eat itappearcd 20 HIN dat those yho
wish confirmation by the Senate OF che opinion
heretofore expressed by the Nice-Prcsidcnt, Tar
Z the rules concerned, could not desire more
distinct than would result ON the a adoption
OF the amendment under cosdcl atom for, where is
the man, in this great community, who would, tor
"a moment, suppose that tie Senate Of the United
States could spend DAYS, not to say weeks. in
| The Vice President power already given by is
rules! NO one could, hc was persuaded, be found
capable Of such injustice TO the body.
lie now approached another, and more iinp0r -
llnt view Of the subject. II was the one that
had called him up; and for entering upon it's con-
sidcrauon he would make no apology. Indeed. bee
, would require apology Tor himself were he 20
omit u. Too much time. he said, could not be
employed IN probing and discussing principle, in
MS view so aiacous and obnoxious as that which
had been forced upon their consideration Ills cx-
animation OF it must at this time. OF necessity, he
limited. Tho great principle freely cOmneutc,
upon hy the Seantor from Louisiana. growing GU
Oi the implied powers ci5imcd tor dis government
: AID involving the distinction between such as or.
true and ware utcd by the text, and the 'au' ulon
inventions OF aitcr-tiucs, IS matter Of iutcrai
Interest. a particular discussion, however Of go,
acts and assumptions rcscrred 10 by the Senate
from Louisiana, would now be out Of place. Blu
2 the period would, be- hoped soon arrive, whoa a,
opportunity world be- afforded 10 discuss thon 20
large. uuiriucnccd by Immediate local interest o
putty considerations When that day shall arfiv,
--9nd hc hoped IL would not be more distant thai
the next session OF Congrcss-hc woild, If bis l
were spared, seek occasion 20 say at least, fear
losslY and frankly, all nc knew, and an he bclc
ed, and all he feared upon tie subject.
Failing, said Mr. Van Buren,, 10 aud in lhc rules
their warrant for ihc power in question, those wh
affirm rs exist cnce claim 20 Under Tire constitution
with what justice ibis ground was taken, be woul
proceed briefly TO consider. There are not, san
he, greater enemies 10 the truth than confused
erroneous statements Of the question Their ma
gn Influence has been strikincly cxericd on tlr
present occasion. To II he attributed difference
Of opinion between himself and some with whor
he seldom differed, and always with rclucfsncc
What, then, said hc, vs. the tine cucs,ior5 g.
Hff.fN fl.F Nae. d.. e /.