The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1832-02-22
DEBATE IN THE SENATE,
On the nomination Of Martin Van Bsrsa
REMARKS OF Ma. rRELINGHUYsEN.

REMARKS OF Ma. TRELINGHUIS EN.
beg the indulgence of the Senate, barely TO
STATE the reasons Of the vote that /! shall give on
.ne nomination before US. In this, regard dr.
' an bufen as public man, and my reasons ior
withhciding my advice and consent to bis nominal
tlon are pu6tic reasons. They Purely national,
IN whlch neither party nor prejudice have place.
ieel the weight OF all the responsibility to De IN
creased by the important measure oil recalling
foreign Minister for causes that impicate HIM In
pubic censure but also feel fully sustained py
the considerations that shall influence my vote
Sir. the true interests of the nation require
minister that will represent his country, and not
merely ADVANCE his party. We want Minister OF
tiat lofty character who will the moment his mis-
sion commences, drop the habments oil party, and
ROBE himself in the pure and loyal vestments OF MS
country-hs undivided country. desire such
man TO go forth, forgetting all strfes at home, and
remembering only that he is American Minister,
and to act upon American principles. But, when
we perceive the gentleman. now before u.s. dell0er'
ately at his bureau, instructing our minister to
ierelgn court 10 call to his AID IN conducting our
negotiations the results of political contests
have good cause TO fear that he does not possess
those elevated principles, that will dispose him to
reject the counses which he SO freely and SO anx-
iously communicates to others.
ln the instructions prepared and given by Mr..
Van Buren, to Mr.. Mcl.ane, we have evidence not
TO be mistaken of MIR. Van Burens policy. And
-
of country. 1t is so devoid of American spirit and
Character, that am compelled by high ard SOL
ema sense of duty, to bear decided protest against
it,
What is the scope of these Instructions As
understand them they distinctly direct our Minis
ter to employ the Influences of party, and of his
party too They commission him to apprlze the
British court of the character OF our political col
lisions and especially to let him know who triumph
ed and tcho were defeated Sir: 1t is humiiating
to think of it. These instructions urged our Min
lister to put his party in the right and the country in
the wrong-to refer the British Minister to the re-
suits of the ballot box here and TO press upon that
cabinet the vicisstudes Of our political controver-
sies-our own domestic differences as motives to
persuade them-to what sir? Why, plainly, to
grant that Jdror, to extend that privilege, to his
now dominant party, that was refused to those in
whose keeping the arrangement of American in
terests had heretofore been confded.
This is the first attempt in our diplomacy with
foreign States, to separate the administration Of
the country from the country. How wanting in
all justice, Is well magnanimity, was it. to
make this dangerous and unwarrantable assumption
plea with any foreign court Sir, who is by OUT
constitution, who alone be our public organ
but "the Administration p And yet, hear
clause of these instructions. Mr.. Van Buren, real.
~ argues to the point q to set up" he proceeds
the acts of the late Administration as the cause
of forfeiture of privileges which would otherwise
be extended to the people of the United States
would, under existing circumstances be unjust in
ITSELF" &c &c. Wherefore unjust under eristine
circumstances? Because, as was before stated we
that is we, the new men now in power die
not participate in the acts of the late Administra.
ton, and, therefore, we humbly hope that we ma,
be spared the forfeiture 9f these Privileges. This
with other portions Of this extraordinary documen
is so Illuminating to our national character, that
cannot consent to countenance it by advising the
President to appoint Mr.. Van Buren, to the yer,
Court at which he has hum1led US. No, sir lie
us rather meet the case at the threshold with on
unqualified dsapprobation, and never suffer it t.
grow into the authority Of precedent by our &C
quiescence.
Why, sir, the consequences of such course o.
diplomacy would be most disastrous 1t would
PerPetually distract public councils on every
change of Administration. Nay. on every pros
pect OF change,-on every commotion in the
country that might indicate it, VIC should be driven
by such measures, TO entertain stronger jealousy
OF our diplomatic functionares abroad than of the
Courts and nations to which they were sent.
Are we prepared to say, sir and have it under
stood. that our political conflicts to leave our
own shores, and cast their influence abroad That
our Ministers are to become the agents of party
and drive its purposes in such manner and by such
means as they deem fit trust not. Let US pre-
serve the honorable and manly character of oul
foreign intercourse and expect and require thai
our Ministers shall, in their discussions and con
duct. act for their country, and not make foreign
Court the arena on which to play off the intrigue
or push the interests Of party.