Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1831-03-23


ed, patriotic distribution of The Republic.
When Octavus saw Cicero, his old
friend and preceptor, stand at the head
of Anthony's list, his youthful heart was
horror struck, and he vehemently d per-
emptorily protested against the barbarous
deed. But all would not do; it was a
SINE qua non, and ambition at last yielded
to the demand; the lists were all confirm
ed, and, in consequence, there were as
sassinated in one night three hundred
Senators & two thousand Roman Knights!
Proscri hion here is not yet quite 80 bloc
dy,nor do ! know that each Of amy trium-
vlrate here has presented his list. In
looking round us, however, it would not
| think, require very fertile fancy TO
find an analogy to this triumvratc to
which have referred. You rccollect
the catastrophe there; | express no wish
in regard to the result here. l should pre-
fer that some Bruius should be found to
succeed against the whole coaltion.-i
But if not, if the result is to be the same,
walls, and to become the Augustus,
should rejoice at least, that the temple Of
Janus was to be shut.
Sir, when this resolution was offered
| was reading the important news which
| had just received Of the revolution in
Poland, and was cxulting in the glorious
event. In a half reverie, my mind was
Eliminating OH the vicissitudes which that
gallant people had experienced; the bar
barous and despotlc partition, when the
unfortunate Stanislaus was compelled by
the Czarina, Maria Theresa, and Fred
erick, to surrender the best part of his do
minions | then glanced on more mod
ern times, when another partition had
completed the catastrophe. / thought,
too, of Koskiusko, a Pulaski, and a
Ponatowsk In this state of mind |
heard read resolution from Republican
Senator, going to establish a princi pie
that subordinate executive officer was
not to answer an inquiry into his official
conduct. The contrast was SO impress
sive that, / confess, chill struck me to
the heart. When all Europe is alive to
popular rights, and the people are every
where demanding surrender or restrict
ion Of Executive power, that not only we
the people and we the representatives of
the people, but we the Senate of the u
nited States, "most potent, grave, and
reverend scignors," are to 60 in a body
and surrender our liberties and those Of
our constituents, not merely at the foot of
the throne, but at the feet Of petty sub
delegate!
Mr.. President, it is vain to expect a
full exposition of the affairs Of this De-
partment-and now forewarn my friend,
the Chairman, that his honest zeal will
be disappointed. have seen enough al
ready to convince me that full and fair
port is not to be had If the Pos,mas-
ter General asks for limits to the investi-
CATION, his friends on the committee will
indulge him, and eventually he will sue
cecd where he wishes in shutting out in
quiry. In this. l cast no imputation up
on any of the committee or the Senate
the e0ect which l predict may perhaps
arise from an honest, though, l fear, a
premature confidence, in the intelligence
and fidelity of that officer. repeat a
full and fair report Of the entire manage
ment of this Department is not to be ex-
pected this session, if ever. Without the
inquiry into the causes Of removal, it is
impossible.
Sir, | have done. In times when some
New England States indicated wish to
nullify the acts Of the General Govern
ment, the Senator from Tennessee (Mr.
Grundy) and myself took sweet counsel
together, and reprobated such iniatua
ton. Now, when Georgia and South
Carolina arc still more infatuated, he a
bandons the old ground. Would that
this were all. But it seems to me he has
come to othis absurdity ;Independent States
beyond federal control, and federal Ex-
ecutive above responsibility "Oh world,
thy slippery turnsn