Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-02-24
Twcnty-sccond Co,.Srcss.--s;css. 4
DEBATE IN THE SENATE.
ON MIR. VAN DUREN'S NOMIN ATION

Mr.. President-l will trouble the Senate with few
words In answer to what has just fallen from the honora
BILE Senator from Kentucky. He did not intend Ne as
sures us to apply his animavcrsions to the whole Stat
OF New York. but only to the dominant party hcrc-th
political friends oil the Minister 10 London MIR Van Ia,
ren But, Sir the state Of facts relative TO the conuc
oil parties in that State will allow OF such restricte,
application II there has been any thing censurabe il
that respect the honorable Senator's political friends
must come in for full share: any distinction is to be
made cannot be in favor of those whose good opinion
he enjoys recurrence TO facts will show that poscrp
ionit it is TO be caedentcrs more deeply into ,he
practice when they get power, than into the
uce OF those who are selected as the particular objects
attack could refer TO recent instances verify the as
ser,on Give them success only in single city, and
the WORK oil removal from office Mt once begins Thew
nave very few "spared monuments; almost all are swept
oti-Ton the highest TO the lowes-down even 10 the
amp.igher The truth is, Sir, the political friends OF
the Senator from Kentucky not the liberal
doctrines he has avowcd this OCCASION If thew have
ever heard of them, they heed them not
Alter all Mr. President, it is quite evident from what
we nave heard in relation 10 the conduct of parties in
Maryland and elsewhere that New York does not differ
from other States Political in all of them have the
same passions, and are actua,ed by like motives and only
uer III conduct by reason of some difference in their
circumstances Where there is alienation success and
deca mere viii be romovalscaed restoration or retail
alton by those who use powcrand prescription by those
who feel it.
If the Honorable Senator understood me 10 sneak Of
only one Office holdcr-a single spared monument as he
called it-frendy to the late administrations being re-
famed, he had Inexperienced me. The number of
changes made in that State is sma-and assure him.
that notwithstanding the ferocous and prescribing poll
ccs ascrbed TO US, he has many friends now enjoying
offices under both the General and State Governments
more than that Sir Mr. Van Buren, has been cens,red
by some OF his political friends for having counter
acted, they suppose the efforts which have been made
IN some Instances, 10 effect changes.
So FAR as my observation has extended, can discover
no sort OF resemblance between the condition of actual
oicc-hoders opposed 10 the administration and that which
has been described They portrayed as class OF
men in the most AFFECT state of fear and trembling not
daring TO speak but in whispers public affairs and
under restraints in their social intercourse They NAV
to fhe
Honorable Senator's but am sure they are not so nre
sented TO Others Tor that snot their true condition. Their
pocal predictions and sentiments restrained by
lear or expressed in whpersher opposition open and
active and sometimes noisy, and yet they remain in unds
turbed possession of their Offices.
must again allude to the grounds of the removal of
some subordinate officers by the present administration in
order that may be understood upon what principle the
act is vindicated and TO repc the charge of wanon p
scrpton The necessities of the late administration were
such that compelled these officers become partizans in
me struggle Many OF them mingled in the hottest of the
bgnt they were paragaphwriters for the newspapers
and the distributors of political handbills and herey
posed themselves to the vicssudes which those are all
ways exposed for whom the political in free 90
vernmens are waged iainong this class ofoicers there
was more mortality attendant upon the late conflict il was
because there was more disease.
The Senator from Kentucky has denounced
from office as violation of the freedom of opinion and
the liberty OF speech and action He advocates the liber
y OF speech and action. He advocates course of CON
duct towards political opponents, characterized bv Great
moderation and orbearance, and what is more he pro
esses TO have concerned his actions TO his prccep We
I'LL Oh us, DehcVc admire these liberal
feel disposed in abstract speculaons adopt them
the ruc of conduct The theory is indeed boantiGt
but sir do we put them in practice when brought TO the
experiment. would ask the honorable Senator he has
himself prac5cd them? l will not say he has not he
cause he assures he has; but win say that some mart of
his public conduct has exposed him strong suspicion of
having departed from The path which he now points out as
the true and of having wandered into that which he
now thinks 1t is ccnsuabc for others have pursued
1t will be recolcced sir, that there is considerable ma
ronage attached TO the Department of State. Tot apper
ains the selection of the newspapers in which the laws of
the United States are published well remember that
while the honorable Senator the head of that De-
parlmen and when the fortunes of the late Adminstra
ton began to wanc, the patronage of publishing the laws
was Withdrawn from certain public Journals which had
long enjoyed H. What the cause of this change
this removal from Office, believe may call il? 1t was
not violent and vndcive opposition the existing adj
minration. Some of these journals had scarcely spoken
in whispers against it. No, sir il for lukew armncss
for neuality-A want of zeal in the cause of the adj
mintrahon alleged to be the offences prescription was
the punishment Where was then that sacred regard for
the freedom of opinion and the liberty of speech and ac
ton which we now hear so highly extolied' Was non
this an attempt TO control public opinion through the me-
dunn OF the press, and TO bring that press into subser
vicncy TO the views OF the men in power,
Sir wish not TO be misunderstood. have not allrd
ed TO these things Tor the purpose Of accusation do not
even complain OF the manner III which the honorable Sena
tor used the patronage entrusted to him but do complain
that he has seen fit TO bring before this body the conduct
of political party in New York as a theme of renroacb
and anmadveron, when its conduct is disngushabe
Except for more moderation and olerance) from that of his
own personal and policita friends in that Stae-when its
cOuc' oeS ho' ucT from that pursued by political
in other States; and when ii has Justification if needed
one, in the honorable Senator'S example.
REMARKS OF MR.. MILLER.
Mr. President understood the honorable Senator from
Massachusetts, when nc addressed the Senate early in the
debate, TO say that he intended 10 TO have the in
junction of secrecy removed, with view that the public
might be informed TO the grounds upon which this no.
mnaon had been opposed and supported; and from the
expression OF opinion of those around me- have no doubt
that motion will prevail. The situation in which stand
in relation 10 the parties here, and home require me
briefly 10 assign my for the vote shall rive
may be permitted TO declare have the MOI perfect re-
spect for this body, individually and collectively The
observations shall make 10 show the public the Sc
nate, and my constituents, the ground on which stand
trust, II any thing escapes from in the hurry of de-
bate, savorng of severity the conduct Of the nominee
will be considered sprngng from conscious sense
OF what owe myself and the State i'm part represent
and not in the slightest degree implicatc the feelings
Of any here, much less influence their opinions Thus
called on 10 give vote responsible and delicate sub
icct it would have been desirable hat should have had
the same grounds 10 rest with others who have embark
ed in the debates but have not this consolation Upon
This question am insulated and have reasons which have
not yet been brought forward, which are peculiar TO
myself stand here ike OF the of Ishmae INV hand
IS against every and The hand of every against
The Senator from Mississippi. (Mr. Poindexer0 said,
on yesterday he had heard in his absence that motion
had been introduced for specific inquiry Otto conduct
OF the nominee, during his superintendent Of the State
Department, and that this inquiry had been resisted by
his friends And understood the Senator from GEORGIA
(Mr. Forsyth TO say tie Senator from Mississippi was
misiniormcd the of the friends of the nominee
these resolutions Sir, it win be rocoleced when this
appointment first under consideration that sunocsi-
ed doubts upon my mind in relation to supported the
motion to refer TO the Committee Of Foreign Relations de-
string 20 shelter myself under the authority of that most
incidentally thrown out, such 70 the Of the late
dissolution Of the cabinets the propncty OF having resi-