Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-02-02
DEBATE,
On .Nr. Fan Buren's nomination.
Extract from Mr.. Miler's Speech.


Mr. Van Buren's failure to redeem pledge to
vote against amendments, which would have pre-
vented the manufacturers to certain extent,
voting for the saine-thereby, after putting his
southern political friends in worse situation than
they would have been, had they have treated HIM
az mimi, al. With these evidences Of failhless
oonduct towards the Southern interests, he could
scarcely expect to become a favorite with those
whom he had deceived.
Sir. one of the most decided objections have
% the confirmation OF this appointment. Is, that
the most active influence of the patronage OF the
Government was exercised with view to make
this nominee. at the end Of the present term of
se,vicp, the Presi1-It. J believe tins power
was Exercised tor this pnrno>e, to criminal anu
corrupt extent. have been Informed BY gen
tenan Of the most unGucstionabe Integrity and
high character, that the Post Office patronage was
avowedly lent to the purpose; and that within
one month after the late Secretar, Of State took
po.session of the Seals. the Postmasters, bv or
der of that Department, were appointed upon
thi, n,in,iple, removed or retained by this critic
riOa and some yer, singular spec 'hcatlOns OF the
circair through which the applicants made their
approaches and sent in their adhesion. were de-
tailed TO me- The Senator from Maryland Mr..
Smith) has told us Of instances IN Maryland. in
wbirh the pruscrpliSe principle was not applied
10 the friends Of the late Administration. Sir,
that WAS not the test. 1t would have been mnre
satisfaC tnry to me To have known whether. In the
exceptions to the rule, some indication was not
furnished as to their Interior preference Of Mr..
Van Buren, for President. This was, | under
stnod. the passport the ShibbOleth, which admit
ted to the Treasury through those departments
under the control of the Secretary OF State
This is not all. / am informed he introduced,
under his patronage and Influence. mere boys
into profitable appointments, one not more than
10 or IL years OF age, in the most wanton ezer-
else of official favoritism. thus perverting the
public trust. aud abusing his power not only IN
turning out, bat IN turning IN.
IN the South the pruScriptive system never
was adopted. nor could it be. It is 50 odIous-
so much at war with the principles OF justice
tha, no Administration could venture to adopt it
in South Carolina. For my own part, do not
think the power tn turn out one man and put IN
another, a. mer- arbitrary eXertlon OF execu-
tive authority. dues exist. think il violation
Of TIE ConstitutInn. and pledge myself to sus-
tau any course which this Senate can adopt to
restrain the use of such power. 1t Is the es-
sence of tyranny, and the precedent on which it
rests is Ia be found in those gloomy days Of fe.
drraii,m and consolidation. when those of the
Con- ention who formed our Constitution. who
wished tn have monarchy. were entrusted with
tue new Government as the friends Of the Con-
stiution; Nhen the preamble to the first revenue
law was intcrpulated with an inhibited power;
when the judiciary act was enacted; when the
alien and selitinn laws were considered consti-
tutional. when. in fact, it was thought nothing
bu fair by the advocates Of monarchy and exc
curve pc,ycr and supremacy, to acquire. by ,e
~ tive construction, under the Constitution,
what they failed to get in the Convention. am
prepared to put nv negative on lis exercise. 1t
is AT war with civil liberty and the genius of our
institutions. and ought IL he abandoned or p, obi
b,ted. | am perfectly satisfied tins practice has
been introdut ed in its most corrupt form, and
brought secretly tn bear upon the President by a
regency left here IN the interests OF the nominee.
Again, sir: lts pretty generally admitted that
the court paper MAS established under the aus
picr. Of the late Secretary Of State, and speaks
his sentiments. and acts under general instruc-
ton, III pursue such policy as will bring him
into power.
One Of ,he means reSnrted to. TO effect this pur-
pose IN the South, is tn strengthen the Northern
or Union Party in Soath CAROLINA. who are sup.
pos"d 20 be friendly to him, and use up the love
of Union with the love of peace; transfer through
the affection the people bear to the President,
their attachment To his favorte, and to widen and
aSSerSadte the TTtSiutHl SdIOI
MAN friends. Hence. when no hope exists for
whipping in any one into the views of the Cen
trail Regency. the most bitter denunciations are
pronounce ed ou them ''by authority" Thus.
when Branch, Ingham. and Berlien, honest and
honorable men. who know the in,rigucs of the
Court Party. even express Willingness TO act on
princ,ple with the Administration. notwithstand-
ing their personal wron-s, the understrappers of
the nominee tell them they are influenced BY tear
Of the People In pursuance Of the same reck
less spirit of hostility towards those it is nv pride
and m, honor TO be identified with. while this no.
nina nom Is pending. the following article appears
in the Globe.
u, is evident that the political slPers of the
nulii.iers are not ready to come out III open hos
tility to the President. because that would 90 10
defear their own effarts 70 ,o'r'" the State ~
S,::n Carolina. aud .hs' ae' lunnin.s con
tive to keep footing among the South Carolina