Litchfield enquirer., 1832-02-09
CONGRESSIONAL.
DEBATE IN THE SENATE oN MIR. VAN BUREN's NOMINATEON.
Remarks ofMr. Chambers.

which could occasion with him more pain. fuI struggle between personal inclination and official obligations, than the one on which he was now called to act. With the nominee, said Mir. c. have for years enjoyed personal and social relations that have left impressions which it would gratify ma to indulge by an expression of their kindest recollection, and this consideration, with the fact of his frequent elevation to offices of high honor and dignity, and his distinguished position in relation to the political parties in the country. will con- meet with the subject an interest rarely occa- stoned by the nomination of an individual to office. The office itself to which he is nOmi- mated, is one so intimately affecting the pecu- liar duties and responsibilities of the Execu- tive Magistrate by whom we are invited to confrm the appointment. as to require on the part of the Senate a peculiar degree of indul- gence. Regarding diplomatic functiOnary us the confidential organ of the President, as selected with previous knowledge of the particular duties to be performed by him, and with reference to his especial fitness for those duties. it is undoubtedly proper that the Ex ecutive will, in regard to the agent, should not be controlled but from the most unyielding obstacles: to oppose it for light causes would lessen the weight of his responsibility and greatly increase our own. To re feet the nom- inati0n of Minister at home or abroad, can, in my view, he defcnsible only upon the strong grounds of principle, having direct and mme- diate references to considerations of public nature.
 In the deliberate counsel and advice which the Constitution requires us to give to the President, there is no proper place for the ex- ercise of personal favor or Ill will, for party prejudice or partiality. Sir. as one of the humbIest members of this body, l can fear lsssly appeal to my course here on all for mar occasions, and to the course of those with whom usually act, with the most en- tire confidence that it will evincs liberal charity toward the officers nominated, and a magnanimous surrender of personal and DO. liiical preludices on the altar of the public good, and just regard to the prerogatiyes of the President.
 With these opinions, MT. President, it is scarcely necessary to affirm, that in the vote which ! shall give on this occasion, I have Obeyed no other impulse than that of my judgment; but it will be permitted me to as. sert, as l do with the most unaffected sheer ity. that my personal inclinations have relucs tantly witnessed, and would gladly reverse the sentencs which high sense of official duty will compel me to record, with deep and abiding conviction of its justness. am alto gether aware of the danger to which my vote may expose me, from the malignant virulence of those who, themselves insensible to the honest and honorable feeling which subdues the petty passions of contracted and factious Dartizan, are on all occasions inclined to at. tribute the conduct of others to tho narrow minded policy which governs themselves Sir, should be an unfaithfnl servant of my State, treacherous to the high trust which am charged to execute, and destitute of the cour- age necessary to protect the interests confded to my guardianship, if apprehensions like these could for a moment divert me from tho path to which duty points. It would have afforded me great qualification to have listened to some more able advocate of the nations honor, and to have been able to re- pose my vote on the causes more satisfactO- rily assigned by another. But the question is about to be taken, and will net consent to allow an occasion to pass, without raising my feeble voice tO redeem the tarnished reputa- ton of my country. If other Senators ac- cord with my opinion, it is essential sir, that the vote of rejection shall go forth associated with the reasons which influence it. Yes, sir, 1 the honor and the dignity of this nation has, s(and think it demonstrable) 1.-the heretofore unsnllied diplomatic character of the Amsr- can Republic has been stained, its lofty pride has been huiniliated wanton. ly hnmbled-by the man who is now propo- sed as ito guardian. and protector, and advo. cate and as an American Senator, am not content barely to put upon him the seal of ra- probation in a secret session of this body. No, cir, let tho American Government-let the American people, proud of their national hon. or, know that no ruthless hand shall desc crate it with impunity; and let foreign na- tiOus and all the world know, that even an American Secretary of State darenot poi lute ito ermine.
 Mr. President, mean to resist the confr- nation of MT. Van Buren's appointment ex- clusiveiy on the ground, that in his instruc- tions to Mr. McIaane, on the subject of the colonial trade, he has violated the honor of the nation, has wounded its high and elevated character, has evinced disregard to the in- terests of the American people-nay, has in- suited that people in the person of their gov ernment, has attempted to promote the Ob- jects of pGrty amongst us, and has disclosed total ignorance of the proper principles and feelings which should adorn the diplomatist. For proof of these assertions mean to rely exclusively on his own words, deliberately < easbodied in a state paper. and on those to which he has himself alluded, and found amongst tho archives of the Department of which he was then the head.
 Kn directing the attention ofths Senate to ParticnlarPGrt sfihe letter ofinstructions from Mr. Van Buren to the American Minister then
 at the Britsh eOurt, disclaim the inference that
 SAAsA AnRA A t~ Al-A Al.