Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-02-04

reasohs' III Is c0mPs't'H" the Senate to approve
the appointment or subject us to the loss of the,
outfit. would at that expense, break up the prac
tice- would be an essential saving. 1, is more
over, Cvading that constitutional check which tb,
Senate designed to have in the appointment
of Ambassadors and in our foreign negotiations.
| would protect the exercise Of this power by the
Senate, apd never surrender it.
1t is objected to these resolutions that they ara
not sufficiently specific SIR, it is not expected that
motion for inquiry will be drawn with the same
precision indictment. III you dcsg-
nate the acts precisely, there is no necessity for
inquiry. 1t is for want OF Il full knowledge OF tho
particular acts that inquiry has become ncccssa-
ry. We know full we'll that the political move
mcnt referred to in the resolution has been differ
emily explained. MIR. Van Buren, himself, could
not remain without u disfranchisement. What
particular Acknowledgement that was, the public
has not yet learnt, We would like TO know what
privileges OF II free citizen he was compelled to
surrender, as the price of his office and whether
'hat surrender was any way connected with the re-
movals and the other designations VIII any ono
say or pretend, that participation in that cxtraor
binary affair would not affect his qualifications MS
minister Sir whoever brought about that cxplo
sion, is unfit for any office. The whole nation
was convulsed by it, and stain is cast upon this
Administration which can never he cflaced Tho
exchange OF officers, too by the late Minister, and
tho appointment OF MIR. Van Buren, to succeed him.
and after this explosion, furnishes sufii
cicnt ground OF inquiry. Tho late minister had
been out but shoit time: he had scarcely become.
acquainted at the Court where he sent. There.
should be strong reasons for recalling Minister
and supplying ms place with new man, and the
expense should never be incurred unless the public
good maniicstly demanded it, This looks muck. :
like making provision for man who, from mvs
| tcrious circumstances, had been compelled to quiz
| the office which he had held; and know no prin-.
cpe in this Government, which will Justify crca-
ting offices vacancies to provide for fnvor;tns
| or to reward partisan.
DO the friends of Mr. Van Burcn object 10 tho
inquiry! They say no; it is the resolutions to-
winch they object. And yet their reason goes a
| pInSt
manner or ertcnt of the enquiry, why not propose
10 amend the resolutions, offer one of their own?
| inouigihg IN objections which 20 to the form, and
when seem TO be capious wthal, indicates strong
y n wish to suppress all inquiry. 1t is Objected
that the investigation proposed NAV disclose i'm.
peachable matter This is always the burbcar TO
trlghtcn us away from all investigation into the
conduct of any man, and to place every officer IF
your government hey ond the reach of rcsnops;h;i;
ty. But really it seems to me TO be exceedingly
out OF place here. We may find matter that would
impeach MIR Van Buren,! How? In what Office
would 1t be impcachable? Not as Secretary of
State tor he is out of That Office Not as Minis
ter to Great Britain, for in that office ho as vet
has done nothing. How, then, / repeat, can we
possibly be in any such danger? 1t does appear TO
me, that this is the weakest of all objections But
one word further in answer to this hackncycd OBJ
lection as to Improbable matter The Senate
nave present executive duty to perform: to ascer-
tain whether Mr.. Van Buren, is a proper person
Tor Minister to Great Britain in order to determine
whether we can give the President our adj
vice and consent TO his appointments; and in this
we are totd that we are restrained from inquiry,
lest this executive duty, which we are no,o to per-
form, shall conflict with future judicial DUTY
winch we, dy possibAHy, may hare to PERFORM
or, IL is enough TO state the objection to show
It's manifest absurdity. And where does this ar
guihcht OF the gentleman lead us! 1t shuts the
noor OF inquiry forever, and every man now in Of
nee nominated Tor another, must be 'taken and
deemed worthy, lest the Senate should stumble
upon Improbable matter.
| nnd therefore, that Senators who ,,roc,ss To
court inquiry, urge objections which would de-
ieat all investigation. 1t must be impossible
. .ien 10 frame any resolutions, which would
the'r views; and why should further modify
THESE to please them, when they are determined
to be satisfied with nothing?
SIR as to the disgrace attached TO these rcsolu-
tiohs' allow no man TO Judge for me, what is
honorable disgraccful. That they refer to a dis
graceful transaction, 1 readily admit. Bul have
yet to learn, that, if the Administration descend
TO scandalous transactions, that it is beneath the
dignity OF tins Seaatc TO call them to account
- NOTE - is perhaps due to the public, that should,
prevent false Impressions explain he sons why the
resolution which offered were laid on the table and ot
Afterwards taken up and acted on. The resolutions
were oIJected TO by some of Mr.. Van Bueu's ficnds
ana me form OF them by of those who cvcnualv
V"'eh against him. But several of his friends had in de-
a n,seu arguments which would go greatly against
any resolutions oi inquiry upon this nomination Such
as me absence of the person nominated and the dancer
o. hnaing Imreaceable matter, &c. TO these Senators
teay perceived that no inquiry would be acccp,aole
vi nose who finally voted against the nomination soma
Wshen thc resolutions modified. To give time to frame
lhe'n so as to su all who wished inquiry moved IN lao
line resolutions the table Whether any resolutions ~
inquiry could have been framed that would have mes
the appreciation of the friends of Mr. Van H,,en I nv,
LOT me 10 say. After this, was asked hy a member
II intended 10 cal up the resolutions or sbil OF ndict
,neni,' and i'll did when? My answer was-.No, nil
INC Sidnu jury is FULL if at all" Then, turning 10 a
senator from New York. informed him distinctly that
"n QUO lei MN Know Tomorrow whether shouiI call
UP 'e resolution or not; and, If should lie NV deter
F ,na,,Gm 10 eau Them up, he was to go into
Go.Ne business, Tor the purpose of DISCUSSING and