Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-03-19
MONDAY, MARCH IS, 1883.
CON X + S S.

In he House OF Representatives, on FRIDAY, MI.
ADAMS rose, aud, TOR reasons which h. stated at
some lensth-the principal one his Absence from
the city for weeks, consequent on his appoint
,nent on the Committee to investigate the t'ans-
actions IF the Bank Of the United Ststes-asked
to be excused from further service as Chairman
Of the COMMITTEE on Manufactures, and that an
other member might be appointed IN his place on
that Committee.
MIR. CAMBRELENe said it was not pleasant
duty to oppose the request of any member OF the
House. particularly one of this character. lie
did 50 with infinite regret in the present instance;
and he certainly would not take such course,
but for the important consequences that might
result from asserting to the wishes Ot the dlstln-
cui.hed gentleman from Massachusetts. He
was sensible oil the Importance OF the reasons
as.l.ned by that gentleman, but he should be
compelled to vote against granting his request,
believing, as he sincerely did. that momentous
question was involved In the motion now before
the House He had reached the conclusion, not
without infinite pain and reluctance, that the
harmony, IL not the existence OF our confedera-
CIV, depended, at this crisis, upon the arduOus,
prompt and patriotic Efforts Of a few eminent
men He believed that much might be done 0y
the S.nteman from Massachusetts, and another
d.. .gi>led individual whose efforts are also
st,-nuously directed to preserve the harmony OF
our Uuion: they could probably do more than all
Others The present condition OF the country
and Of the public mind. demands all our lnte'li
grnce. industry and patriotism. He considered
tn Bank OF the United States. or any other par
ii. uiar interest, as mere feather. when weighed
in III. balance with a question involving the
p-ace. harmony, and union OF the States. Inc
authority Of the name Of the gentleman from
Massachusetts, would be Of inGnte Importance,
in influencing the public mind. in adjusting this
disturbing question, and IN restoring harmony
among the States. Such we're the great c0nsl-
deratinns which would make it his unpleasant
duty To vote against the motion.
Nr. HARBOUR. of Virginia. said that he had
heard with deep regret the motion submitted bv
th, distinguished member from Massachusetts.
II addressed itself, in sume degree. to the favor
of the House and TO refuse the request would,
in any case aud under any state OF circumstances,
an..sr unurac ious. Mr.. b. trusted that 1t
would DOT be 50 regarded in the present instance.
Ia refuse any thing that could be asked bv that
gentleman gave him pain-great pain. lie SAID
thu, il was with unaffected sincerity he declared
that the member from Massachusetts, with whom
he VAS assoc lated on the Commiitee.) had not
only fulfilled all his duties with eminent ability
in the Committee, but IN spirit aud temper (of
which il might be unbecoming to speak,) that
commanded his grateful acknowledgement, and
ex,i,ed his highest admiration. No man can
shut his ewes to the agltations that now distract
and disturb his country. Ii was remark OF the
celebrated Wasingham, .'that he VAS no states
man Who did not look into the joints, hexures OF
aG,ir,." AID it is not permitted US il we could
shnt out the lights that now pour upon US IN
threatening profusion. Mr.. b. said he believed
that the gentleman from Massachusetts had il
em,ns IN his power. by his peculiar relation
10 ,he House and his country. not onl, to protect
t,,a yreat interests Of which he had himself spo-
ken. hut 20 give repose to those angry passions
which now sake the public mind, ami 10 tran
ou,lIze aud assua.e all excitementS. lie belev'
ed that IT as more in his power than IN that "'
an> nther man living. Were It permitted HIN
to make personal appeal to the gentleman. he
would have Appealed to ham as patriot, as
statesman, as phianthroplst; above all. as an
American, feeling the full force of all his du-
ties. and touched by all their incentives to lofty
action-to fprbear this request. The duties "'
the Bank Committee dwinde into nothing. and
are utterly inco parable IN magnitude to the high
claims which the Union has upon the services oil
that gentleman IA the head ct the Committee OF
Manufactures. Any one can 60 to Philadelphia
and aid the investigation directed there: none
other can meet the pu0iic wishes "heh IN ADJUST
INV the Tariff. and to none other would Mr.. Is OF
willing TO entrust the fulhlment ct these cheer
mo .xnectstions. The obligations that he owed
in his representative character, forbade his voting
for the sentleu,an's request. and these he could
not cast aside lie hoped the motion would be
Withdrawn.
Mr.. DRAyToN said. 1t would give me great
pam 20 vote against any request which should De
made by the gentleman from Massachusetts. Did
rot conceive that the granting of that request
m,ght BE- attended with injury to the community,
| should WELD my assent TO 1t with uu'eigned
measure Blu, concurring with the gentlemen
from New York and Virginia. Messrs. Cambre'
leny and Bacbaur.j do not regard the appca-
t,on of the gentleman frum Massachusetts, as an
ordinary appeal TO the courtesy OF the Houes. =
Nv welding to it. results more serious may be
;ny3IyeJ than BY manv errors of commission OF
ot onisson by this body. The language of con-,
niimen, is rafriy becoming upon thus hnor; and
IN,