Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-03-23

i'm heb nlf Of
the Exchcquor Bank. This project was recon-.
n:endcd by the President, when he stood on terms
of the greatest intimacy with Mr.. Van Buren,
when he held him as his CONSTITUTIONAL and cont
dental adviser We have heard of their differ
| ing in opinion upon the subject, although Mr. Van
Buren, has been coup ed, and identified with tho
project, since its first PRONUNCIATION. Had nc
been unilyorabc tn the project, is it not rcasonp
bio to presume, that lio could have given SOM, nm
equivocal evidence of that hostility? Ifthon, Mr..
Naa Buren, is to rccci:c appreciation, for his
opposition to the Bank of tho U. States let him.
whether for veal, for woe, take his share OF the
responsibility of this odious monster of an Exchc.
quer, or Government Bank.
| These remarks are alike applicable to the pro-
Ject for the distribution of tho Surplus Revenue.
| The Same train of reflection would lead to the
! conclusion, that Mr.. Van Buren, is favorable to
that proiect-and sir, in the estimation of the
fuoc, that project Is nscparably associated with
| ms name. But tho correctness of this impression
| is denied or questioned. n living witness has given
ms cVdence-ono whose credit may be trusted, so
far as his information extends. But we are not
ADVISED as to tho extent of that information. We
know not tho grounds on which our Secretary
mas framed ms opinions; and we must examine cir
cuihstanccS within our reach. And first, l invite
the attention of the meeting, to the declaration of
the Member from Montgomery, (Mr. Preston
That gentleman stated, that he had learned from
un9uest'onable authority-from high in pub.
TIC estcem-that this project was contained i'm Pre-.
sdcnt JacksOn's first Message; and that il was ia
Ken OUT, on the earnest entreaty of those Members
oil bis Cabinet, who have since fallen under his
| displcasure When these gentlemen had lost the
confidence OF the President, tho proposition was
introduced into his Messages, and recommended
| to tho consideration of tho American People Sir
1t has been continued in his Messages, as long as
Mr: Van Buren, remained in the Cabinet. Since
he has been separated from it, and sent across the
| ocean, tho recommendation has not been renew
cd. And SIR may be allowed to ask, not the
hrst notice OF this project, given to the world by
the Albany Argus? which is supposed to bear to
i r.. tp mos infip al, t,,i
was not the first proposition for it's adoption, sub
United by MIR. Dckerson of New Jersey? the init
mate friend of Mr.. Van Buren,. Sir, his friends
upon this floor, deny that he will sustain the Go.
Vernment OF the U. States, in the exercise Of row-
or over Internal improvements. If he rejects this
power, and also distribution of the Surplus Re.
venuc-what is to be done with the redundant Trea-
suTy! procured through the operation of the Ia
rift-which he is admitted to support.-Hc must
| go for one, for both.
But Notwithstanding these strong objections to
Van Buren-it is urged that should withhold
nomination, and waive the pretensions of Mr.
Barbour to preserve the integrity of the Republi-
can Party. Sir, may be allowed to repeat, that
such a suggestion, in behalf of Martin Van Buren,
sPreterred with but little grace At the most criti-
Cal period of our history, that gentleman refused
to extend such magnimity to the Republican Party
But exerted himself TO distress and harass it, by
running Dewitt Clinton against Mr.. Madison
nor was he stimulated to this deed, by the
/ love which he bore to Mr.. Clinton. For it is no.
torious, that he at once abandoned him. and ha
raised him even TO the grave.
Tracing the line of Mr.. Van Buren's history,
we shall hnd him engaged with the politicians of
New York, and opposing himself to tho interest
and feelings of the South, by the agitation of the
great Missouri Question. Is it for this notable evil
dence of his regard, that we are now about
to sustain him, at the sacrifice of our favorie
fcllow-citizen! Sir, if have not been greatly de-
celved, it was to the party in New York which he
then headed, that we were indebted for the agita-
ton OF the Missouri question. We have hereto
tore regarded that question G.. the most vital
imPortance-and we have injected out severe
justice, to all who then offended against us. How
was 1T that Mr. Sergeant himself, incurred our
most severe dspleasure? Was it not in consequence
OF the part which he bore in the agitation of that
memorable question? And yet this offence is per-
feet innocence, in the sacred person of Mr.. Van
Buren,! Tracing his history to the Senate of the
Union, we there find him opposing interest;
voting TOR toll gates on the Cumberland road; and
lending his support to the hateful Tariff, The
Lieutenant Governor when speaking last night
mentioned his having voted for the Tariff of 2S as
though 1T had been the only instance of his having
| offended on that question; as though it were the
only evidence, of his being opposed to us on that
| system. Notnlng can be more erroneous. He voted
for the Iart OF IA and sustained it, in its most
| odious provisions. He voted against every motion
| to remove its most injurious enactmonts And il
was cngrossed in the form in which it became law
| by the aid of the vote of Martin Van Buren, His
course on the same subject in 1897, incurred the
| dlSPlcaSurc OF the Southern Delegation. He in
| duccd them to regard him opposed to the mea-
| sure, usually denominated "the Woolen's Bill"
| But when the critical moment arrived, Mr.. Van
| Buren, was found wanting He was not at his post
| to vote against the measure. The Lieutenant Co
| vernon has regretted the absence of Mr.. Barbour
when he thinks he should have voted against the
| U. States Bank. Does he complain of this absence
OF Mr. Van Buren,, when he expected to vote
against the Tariffs? Mr. Barbour's absence is ne
yer to be forgotten. Mr.. Van Buren's absence is
never to be remembered But it will be long ere
forget 1T; for shall never forget his Albany
| speech 1t was delivered to excuse his absence and
justify his conduct to his constituents. In it. he
proclaimed his principles, and expressed his asto-
| nlsfment, that his devotion to the Tariff should
| have been brought into question Especially as it
was known that he had $40, 900 in protected pro-
| perty. This published in the ENQUIRER and
lauded by its Editors.*
In 1898, he carried out his principles and voted
tor that Bill of Abomnations. And now, sir is
not Mr. Clay denounced for acting upon this very
principle? And why should we observe these invi-
dlous dIstnctlonsl Why do we denouncc in one
man, that which VIC hold gutless in another?
| mention not these things, to cxtenuate the con-
duct of Mr.. Clay. Those who knew me have not
to learn that have exerted myself against protect
| ing dutics-and not less against Henry Clay
But have opposed him because of his opinions
and the principle which is vicious in Henry Clay, is
not the less vicious in Martin Van Buren,.
Mr.. OPIE here rose to ask whether Mr. c. was
in order. Was Mr.. Van Buren, before the meeting?
How was he brought here?
Mr. GOODE referred the Senator from Jcffer-
son to the Lieutenant Governors; the colleague of
the Senator in this meeting.
Mr.. DANIEL disclaimed having introduced the
name of Mr.. Van Buren,. He was first named by
| the gentleman from Campbell
Mr.. GOODE. have your example for canvass.
ing his claims
The SPEAKER declared that Mr.. Goodo was
| entitled to the floor.