The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1832-02-15

mr.. T.. concluded BY observing that some
more suitable occasion he might give his views on
the subject of that negotiation but he would |
prefer doing so in the face OF the country to Sc
cret discussion in the Executive session of the
Senate.
REMARKS OF Mr.. PO!NDEXTER.
Mr.. Poindex;er rose and said, that absence of
several weeks from the Senate, occasioned by in
disposition, had he informed, been the
cause of some delay in the final action of the SEN
ate on this nomination.
He regretted the circumstance, and even now
tina. he was enabled TO the discharge Of his
duties he could but i'll requite the kind indulgence
Of the Senate in postponing the question his
account by any effort of his to vestgate the claims
of the nominee to public confidence inasmuch as
the delicate of his health would not permit him
to enter at large into the various interesting topics
which had been adverted TO in the remarks of the
honorable Senator who had proceeded him in the
debate.
Sir, said Mr.. Poindexter have risen to perform
an unpleasant but an imperative duty, beetng my
motives te misconceptions, or Misrepresentation in
relation TO my vote on the question now before the
Senate Having nothing to gain by the rejection
of this nomination and nothing to hope should it
be confirmed, can feel, Mr.. President, no other So
lcitude on the subject than that which arises from
a sense of. the solemn duty which owe to my
country, and ardent desire to preserve the rom
or and dignity of the American people free from
the stain of that moral turpude, vice and intr gue
which cover the corrupt governments of Europe
with ipfamy and disgrace. For this purpose ami
for no other purpose whatever either of per sonal
or political character, have endeavored to il form
myself by all the means within my reach, of the
facts and circumstances touching the merits of the
individual whose nomination is now under cOnsid-
Grafton. have adopted this course the more
readily, because it was understand, on previous
day, recommended ~ honorable Senators, in favor
Of the nominee, in preference to full and formal
| n hich
had been proposed by an honorable Senator from
Maine, (Mr. Holmes). Mr. Van Buren, has been
long in the public eye, has flied high and imp or
tant political stations and the influence of his pub
lie conduct may be traced in every department of
the government. Whether therefore his prey :ous
acts entitle him 10 the confidence of the Senate
and of the nation, is question which each ge nile
man must determine for himself and | clairl for
myself the humble privilege of presenting a con-
else summary of the grounds on which hope to
justify the vote which shall feel bound to give
on his nomination. The evidence TO which shall
! refer, and which has operated on my dgmeL in
this case, is drawn from the history of the passing
events Of the day, and the statements of persos of
high standing and responsibility, whose integrity
| and veracty no one would presume TO doubt, when
their names shall be disclosed.
Sir, it is known to all who have looked into the
political movements Of the various parties, which
have commended for power, within the last FIVE
six years, that Mr.. Van Buren, entered the lists as
the 1rlenQ OF (Ien. Jackson long alter the COM
mencement of the administration of President
Adams Prior to that event. he had lent his in
huence to a candidate between wlom and Gen.
Jackson there existed the most deadly hostility.
The administration of Mr.. Adams had charms for
| Mr. Van Buren,. and after due deliberation and a
"judiciots estimate of the probable results he be-
came the advocate OF Gen Jackson for the Presiden-
cy in opposition to the incumbent whose prospects
for reelection were overcast with doubt and I'M
certainty, and from whom he could expect no ia
vors either for himself or his friends The capital
which he brought into the stock Of political infi-
ence then operating on the pending presidential
election, supposed to give him claim to the
highest distinction, In the event OF the successful
termination of the struggle. Accordingly he was
placed by Gen. Jackson at the head of his consti-
tutional advisers, preferring him to other dstin-
guished gentlemen, whose support was of longer
duration, and, to say the least, equally efficient
and whose talents would bear advantageous
comparison with the most enlightened statesmen
in the world. Thus promoted and hattered, WELD
ing he did, the executive arm of the nation per-
init me to ask what was the conduct of Mr.. Van
Buren,, then Secretary of the Department of State
| Was the honor and welfare of the country, or the
purity of its ca acter, objects nearest 10 his heart
Was his mind free from the bias of undsciplned
ambition or he exclusively devoted to his
own elevation, regardless of the means or of the
honor Of his venerable Chief and of the integrity
of the party which brought him into power can
not answer these grave questions by any thing
which falls within the scope of my own personal
knowledge but if there be truth in facts which
have been detailed to me by men of the first rank
| in the nation, and which am bound to believe
until contradicted by evidence still more imposing
his whole course was marked by a systematic tissue
of dark and studied intrigue, which, in its conse-
quences, swept into chaos the eler,ents of that
patriotic band who fought the battle and gained
the splendid victory in 1923, which placed on the
brow of the hero of New Orleans the civic wreath
of his grateful country. Discarding all personal
considerations, for have neither revenge nor po-
litical aspirations to crafty, and if l had, they
would not enter these walls, to influence my DELHI
erations in matters of national concern, ask only
the lights of truth, to guide me to decision which
shall accord with strict and impartial Justice and
secure to me the appreciation Of an enlightened
people and what is still precious, the smiles of
an approving conscience.
| Ir then the friends of the nominee deem the in
| formation which have received, and on which,
for the present. must rely inaccurate or not sus-
ceptible of satisfactory explanation, invite them
| urge them, in justice to their friend, to rescue
him from every shade Of suspicion which may be
| cast on him. by the appointment of a committee
to be chosen BY this honorable body, who shall be
charged with the duty of collecting all the ;estmo-
ny which can be adduced, either for against the
nominee, and making faithful report of it to the
Senate and fthe result should be such satisfy
my mind that the nominee is innocent of the un-
worthy conduct which has been ascribed to him.
nv vote will be given in favor of his nomination
with more real pleasure than can feel in obcying
the dictates of duty, by denying to him my support
| To such a committee am authorized to furnish
the names of several gentlemen, high in the conf
dence of the country, who are ready TO testify on
OATH if required, to all the facts which they have
authorized me to communicate to the Senate on
the present occasion, in a mucn more enlarged
and satisfactory manner than il is in my power to
give to them. But | must be permitted to remark
that if this invitation is declined by the friends of
Mr. Ven Buren,, my vote mus: be recorded against
his nomination, confding. as do, in the honorable
sources from which my information is derived.
forbear to dwell on the novel and extraordinary
character of the instructions given by Mr.. Van Blu
| rem 10 Mr. Mcisane, our late minister to London,
| on the subject of opening the West India trade.
The views presented of the nature and character
| of these instructions, by other gentlemen, leave
me nothing to add but the expression Of my deep
regret that under any circumstances, the Secreta-
nv of State, acting either under the influence of
his own passions or prejudces, or by the instruc-
tons of the President, should deem it compatible
with the dignity Of his station, or the elevated
character of his country to approach the throne Of
foreign monarch in the style Of suppication, ask
ing favors on the hnmilatag assurance that the
party TO which he belonged, exercising the powers
of government were better entitled to his tender
meTcies than their predecessors in Office, who, it
seems, had been guilty of the crime of demanding
under color of right from his Majesty, concessions
In favor of American commerce which more en-
ligbtened administration, recently brought into
nower bv an overwhelming majority of the people,
were ready to abandon unfcunded "pretensions"
Sucb an sppeal was unnecessary, and unworthy of
statesman representing the interests and honor of
great and powerful nation, In its intercourse with
foreign powers and merits the reProof OF this hon.