Delaware journal., 1828-02-08
FOR THE DELAWARE JOURNAL

The Bill on Retenchment of Public Expendl
tures introduced in Congress by MIR. Chiffon, has
brought many things to light, as interesting and ed
itvng to the Public as they are advantageous and
honorable to the Administration and its friends
The adoption of such Resolutions would subject
the Administration, in all its Departments, to the
most minute and rigid scrutiny. Every trlng dis
bursement every important transaction, would come
within its scope and receive examination.
There might have seen two reasons for the intro
ductuu of these Resolutions One IAN honest One)
demanded by the People suffering under the deceit
of misrepresentation and the excitement OF unreason-
able preudices---the other for Party purposes.
This view of the subject places the prominent lead
ers Of the Opposition and the friends Of the Admin
isration in contrasted position, highly credltabe
to the latter. The friends Of the Administration
are favorable to- and defend, and press the adoption
of these Resolutions while the most influential ol
the Opposition in Congress. would quash them Wy
saying they impertinentiue and foolish. Now
If the People demand an exposition OF the concerns
of State why are ,bey efuspdi v hen the saver
egn voice Of the People cries aloud for formal. au.
tho,itatiye examination OF the parties crimlnaed IN
the charges which they hear constantly preferred,
Why do these pr0cs.ed '.frends OF the People" de-
feat their wishes by opposing the plan they have
proposed ]? This too plainly shows that the Opposi
tiun however zealuuslr they may declare themselves
the protectors of the peoples rights, arc mere dis
scmbeis. usin. tie language OF hyrocr'ey to c"ak
their dishonesty. While, Oh the contrary,ihe friends
Of the Administration feryently, anxiously wish the
passage Of the Resolutions thereby responding to
the Republican call of the People.
But there are reasons for this difference OF con-
duct. The Opposition know that an Impartial dis
closure Of facts would forever hush their cry OF extra
vagancc and prohigacy against the Administration,
and expOse the accusers to the dersi0n and contempt
of the world, On tn other hand, the friends OF the
Administration encouraged by full confidence OF the
innocence of the accused, seize with avdy the pre-.
sent occasion to exhibit to the universe the baseness
of the charge, and the purity Of ourGovernment.
If these Resolutions were intended for party pur
poses, they have completely failed. 1t might have
been coniectured by some, TINT such scrutiny
would have been opposed by al! the friends of tho
Administration whereupon, il would have been in
santy proclaimed that they Cared an exposition o
expenditures, and that they shrlnk from the eye
of The public. But honesty,s always ready to rend
er an account of its performances and the Admin
. isration party relying on the economical manage
ment of the Heads of DEPARTMENTS cheerluliy advo
cate the Resolutions.
: Mr. Randolph's remarks on these Resolutions arc
interesting. They shoN that the Opposition are be
ginning to feel uneasy under their burden Of rcsPo
sbilly in the House ta Representatives. The con.
duct of the Oppositionmembers has been so unwise
so injurious and unpopular, that to themselves
from the guiltiness OF pQstiUe evil he earnestly re-
commends them to do nothing, to maintain ''mas
terly inactivity - most unparotic sentiment
to be uttered by Representative of free people,
and which nothing hut the most desperate adherence
to party views could suggest. What are men tc
to be sent to Congress to do nothing? Are they tc
sit lazly on their seats, drawing the peoples money
while they let the interests of the country be sacr
feed 'Yes" implies Mr.. Randolph, &C all this
and more too rather than feel responsibility fol
our acts, or have the objects of party defeated
And his exhortatons to the party to act in concer
r evidently convey the idea Of the existence of
6 (" Combination" The introduction of these Reso
= lutions was without the knowledge of the Heads o.
the Opposition had they been priyy to them the,
, never would have appeared. To give the party ef
e fcacy. much concert much secret deliberation ant
l. direction must be had. Having truth princi
pie to SUPP art it, the Combination must have re
t, course to the most profound circumspection les