Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1831-03-24
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W EaWdra Liotngstor,t an the Senate Of the United
Stdtes, February. 1881, on the Turkish Mission,
IN dnstcer to Mr.. TdzetoeN Of Yirgiiia
| MIR. PRESIDENT: just difidence OF my power to
impress upon others the force OF which
guide me In forming my opinions, has generally
induced me TO be silent, when in any debate oth ers
had expressed the reasons which were TO govern nv
vote M rislnsio address you now, cir parture
from this rule. Dissenting in every particular from
the doctrines on which a most grave accusation has
oeen made; feeling 1t duty to reiuIe that accusa
lion, on grounds aud for reasons which have not been
expressed by others, must Reluctantly ask the at.
ten'ion of the Senate while endeavor to perform this
duty.
ST, the Senator from Virginia has, in the most un.
quah ID terms. ehatacterZ ID this whole
from lis very outset TO ts conclusion, as Iatcess un.
constitutional usupation of po,cer on the part of the
PRESIDENT; aud the acquiescence in it wtih he says
VIII be involved in our adoption of The amendment,
participation in the acs thus denounced, aggravated
by bose surrender Of rights, which are vested in
US by the Constitution. repeat, sir, literally, the
charge. He has added, that il il gross, papabIe, to
be justified by construction of the letter of the Con.
suon, nor excused by its spirit; that, with respect
TO the Preside MT the act Is done, the con-
summa'ed; but that on our parts, we may yet avoid
the sa' religious guilt OF violating the Const u'on by
voting with him for striking out the appropriation We
have yet this resource. But in at once admon-
TORY aud menaciDg, told that there Is no ether
esssp We stand on the brink; another step, and we
are lost, enguphed, with the President aud HE adj
vi.ers, in the same abyss Of ical profligacy and
ruin.
Sir, wish for escape. If desired one, | could
md 1t behind the reasoning OF the Sena or himself
H. move. to strike out the appropriation because il
provides for an outfit, and because II calls those who
male the treaty commissioners. Yet he is willing TO
pay the whole sum-aye! and much greater as mu ch
as any member may deem sutficen mt remuue GRAFTON;
he will be not only ju.t, but generous. Why will be
do this! Why az guardian OF the public tire lsure az
we'll as OF the Consuton-why will he open il TO
these persons3 Undoubtedly, because he thinks they
have rendered service; but in what maoneri in
what capacity? Clearly, in other han that OF ma.
king treaty, and az Commissioners. Them I ak
cir, is he not willing to sacrifice the subs ance for the
form! Would not provision tor this payment, IN any
manner that you could give il, sanction the service by
which il was earnedi But the 'ro.e' which in ano
'her part OF the genuemans argument, be said would
smell as sweet by any other name," here loses its
fragrance. Change its denomination call il compenss.
ton for services and its perfume is delicious alter tn.
name to OUTFIT and salary its otour Insuppor, be
aud tants the very air. every constitutional . erve of
the Senator is shocked by it. Nov sir if | wished 10
escape the question, thought the denuneiation W.
supported, might as said, adopt this reasoning aud
by voting Tor the amendment offered BY the Senator
from Illinois, (hr kane) which avoids the bjsction.
able terms, leave II In doubt whether did assent
to the doctrine OF the Sena or from Virginia But, sir
AIN not disposed 10 avail myself OF such a sub.
teriuge. Whenever | have formed opinion,
and am properly called by duty TO express it,
will do 1t tea'le,sly, independently, as becomes
member OF this august body, frankly to nv fell
low-oena'ors, explicitly TO the nation; but, the
same time with proper Difference aud respect for
the opinions OF those with whom have the misfortune
TO differ In this spirit, cir, will proceed TO discuss
the serious questions that have been rails d oy the
Senator from virginia and 10 repei as best NAV the
charge OF violating the Constitution and surrend erny
the ghts OF the body to which have the honor to be-
long.
do not, myself, deal in professions of attachment to
the consiitution-when made by others | believe
them; unless their conduct, character has given me
reason to doubt their sincerity. In the case of the
Senator from Virginia, who knows him can
have such doubt; but whilst the fullest confidence
is felt that he is persuaded of the truth of all h. uters
and while he is convinced that the construction he
puts the constitution is the true one while bs he
ifiprs lu IN, 49,
wrong, might not slight suspicion that he himself
s deceived; IT, at hi judgment, strong naturally is
aud lnvgora'ed as it has been by study and reflection
that even such Judgment might sometimes err; and
would not this refe :ton, had it occurred have led
him to think that this might be OF those rare
sions, and have nluced him 10 qualify by some ex-
preston OF possibility that his reasoning might be
ill-founded, the sweeping charges OF uupation and
lawless and unconstitutional by the President of
dereiction oil duly in those who support them; and
would not that reflection also have Inclined him In
avoid asserting that tn violations were eross omen
papable, such, as the pla0est understanding must pet
ceive-thus leaving TO those who the Con-
suon as he does, not even tbs excuse Of error and
ignorance TO cover their alterations Sir, this charge
goes out to the naion to the world, under tn autho-
ty OF the Senator's nameit has already gone forth;
party spirit has already seized it, 1etracon has
ed it, simple creduiiy may believe il; and the nation
given to understand that its First Magistrate has de-
liberateIy committed open violation OF the sttu-
ton and his duty; or as was nsnuated. has be, ig
norantly made the instrument OF others 10 it's perfJrm
ance; and that this body, the Senate Of the United
States, is ready, unless they listen TO the waning
voice OF the Senator from Virginia, aid in tbs parric
dal act. Now, sir, how If this charge should be uu-
supported! How il IL should be void OF the slightest
foundaton9 How il The letter Of the contribution, as
we'll its spirit should sanction the reprol,4 ed ar
How ii IL should be proved TO have been the uniform
course Of the Government from its institution pursued
by the practice Of Washington, Jefferson Adam, M IN.
roe by every President OF every party; sancons sd by
every Senate, unimp cached by any House of Reprs-
sentaves-called in question by vigilant guardian
OF the constitution until the present day. How then
What then will this nation, the intelligent nation 10
whom this charge is made, what will they think -
what will be their verdici!-To them, sir appeal; 10
their sentence am willing to submit. Sir, do not
arrogate to myself bs Of the chosen (e 10 whose
charge the defence OF the constitution is commit d. or
that my construction Of that instrument is the only or
,hodoH faith. All those who suTF0unh mo, have an
equal duty 10 perform in this respect all OF them are
no doubt, equally willing, and most OF hem more able
10 perform than myself but while yield TO their
equal right and superior ability, must resist the claim
any may set up either directly by implc alton
TO the title OF Exclusive defender Of he constitution
have said that do not deal in profession; but when
the measures my sense OF duty obligss me 10
support stgmaised by the terms we have Jus,
heard, must be permitted to cay. that yield to no
nan in attachment TO the charter OF our fuodAnentd
laws, TO the Union OF which il il The nd aud to those
rights Of its separate members. which are not surren
dered by ii TO the National Government 4 am old
enough TO have watched the prog esq OF ts formation
10 have witnessed the first of its existence
and was Of hos9 who hailed its first appsar-
ance, the harbiDger OF that prosperity which
It has 80 glorously realized. ii, cir in its cradle,
marked its progress with no inaiteniiye eve and the
first period OF my political life was employ ed 10 resist
ing inroadJ which fIIse Constructions 10 high party
mas made on s provisipns belonged. and faithful.