Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-02-09
Twcnty-sccomd Congrcss.--sess. 4
DEBATE IN THE SENATE
ON MIR. VAN BUREN'S NOMINATION.
REMARKS or MIR. CHAMBERS.

ON MIR. VAN BUREN'S NOMINATION.
REMARKS MIR. CHAMBERS
Mr. Chambers said there few occasions which
could occasion with him more painful struggle
personal inclination and official obligations than the ON,
en- which he was called to act. Will, the nominee
said Mr.. c. have for years cnoyed personal and soca
relations that have left impressions which il would graft
~ me TO indulge by expression of their kndcs rcco
lecon and this consideration with the fact of his rcquen
eevauon TO offices OF high honor and dignity and his dis
hngushed position in relation the political parties in the
country, will connect with the subject interest racl,
oocaoned by the nomination of an individual TO Office
Tho office itself to which he is nominated il one so in
maeiy affecting the peculiar duties and responsibilities
tho Executive Magistrate by whom are invited to
sonhrm the appointment as TO require the part of the
senate peculiar degree of indulgence. Regarding a
diplomatic functionary the confidential organ Of the
President, selected with previous knowledge of tho
Particular duties TO be performed by him. and with refer
ence to his especial fitness for those duties il il undoub
edy proper that the Executive will in regard TO the
agent should not be controlled but from the most unyicd
ing Obstacles TO oppose it light would lessen the
weight OF his responsibility and greatly increase our own
10 reject the nomination of Minister at home or abroad
can, IN my view, be defcnsble only upon the strong
grounds OF principle, having direct and immediate refer
chce 10 considerations OF public nature.
In the deliberate counsel and advice which the Consti
luton requires us 10 give to the President there no pro-
per place for the exercise of personal or i'll will for
party prejudice paraliy Sir as one of the bumbcs,
members of this body, fearessly appeal 10 NV
mere on all former occasions, and the course of those
WIN whom usually act with the most entire confidence
at WIN cvncc liberal charity toward the officers no.
minated and magnanmous of personal and M
ucai the altar of the public good and lust
With these opinions Mr. President is scarcely
sary to Affirm, that in tho vote which shall give on This
occasion have obeyed no other impulse than that of my
judgment; but II will be permitted TO assert os | do
with the most unaffected sincerity that nv persona, in
clinations have reluctantly Witnessed and would gladly
reverse the which high sense of official Juty
VIII compel me to record with deep and abiding convic
uon OF ITS business am altogether of tho danger
10 winch my vote may expose me from the malignant vi
ruencc oil those who, themselves nsensbe to tho
and honorable feeling which subdues the petty passions Of
contracted and acuous parizan all in
ched 10 attribute the conduct of others to the narrow
minded policy which governs themselves. Sir, l should
be an uniaithfu of my State trcacherous to the
high trust which am charged to execute, and destitute
oil the courage necessary protect the interests conded
TO my guardianship if apprehensons like these could for
moment divert from the path which duty points II
would have afforded great qualification TO have listen
cd 10 some more able advocate of the nations honor and
TO have been able TO rcpoo my the cascs more
sacorly assigned by another But the question is about
10 De taken and will not allow an occasion TO
pass, without raising feeble voice TO redeem the far
mshed reputation OF country If other Senators accord
with my opinion 1t is essential sir that the reicc-
on shall go forth associated with the reasons which nl
ehce IT. Yes sir the honor and the dignity of this nation
has(and think 1t dcmonstrable 1.-THE heretofore unsul-
lied diplomatic character of the American Republic has
been stained, its lofty pride has been humated-unnc
cessarily wantonly humbled--by the man who il now
proposed as Its GUARDIAN and protector, advocates and
as an American Senator, content barely TO nut
upon HIM the seal of reprobaon in secret session of This
body No, sir, let the American Government-let the
American people, proud of their national honor know that
no ruthless hand shall desccrac with impunity and let
foreign nations, and all the world know that even an A.
mercan Secretary of State dare pollue its ermnc
Mr. President mean 20 resist the confirmation of Mr.
van Burens appointment exclusively ground that
in his instructions to Mr. McIane on the subject NJ Tho
colonial trade he has violated the honor of the nation has
wounded its high and elevated character has eyinced
disregard 10 the interests of the American pcopc-nay
has insuted that people in the person of their
mas attempted TO promote the objects of partu AMONGST
u.s. and has disclosed total ignorance of the proper prin
cpies and feelings which should adorn the diplomatist
For proof OF these assertions TO rely exclusively
on ms own words, deliberately embodied in paper
and those 10 which nc has himself alluded and ound
amongst the archives of the Department of which he
then the head
In directing the attention of the Senate TO porticuIor
part of the letter of instructions from Mr. Van Buren, to
the American Minister then at the British Court, dsclaim
the Inference that the residue of that letter. or that
other letters OF instruction contain excepionabe
matter. There are many positions which, on another
occason' would DO proper to dispute and the whole
mity and concession, and conviction of error and sun
plant entreaty of favor and notice, which American CT
tizen who thinks and feels think an American free
should do regard the appropriate language M
his government, pledged is o ask nothing but what
Is right and TO submit to nothing that is wrong"
The portion of Mr.. Van Burens work however 10
which will more particularly aIude part of his let
ter of instruction TO Mr.. MLanc dated 10th July 1929
He uses this language
"The opportunities which you have derived from par-
hcpaon in our public councils, well other sources
OF in'omaon VIII enable you TO speak with confidence
las lar as you may deem proper ana useful do) of
the respective parts taken by those whom the admins
traon of this Government is committed i'm relation
TO the heretofore pursued upon the subject oC e
colonial trade Their views upon that point have been
submitted TO the people of the United states-and the
coenscs by which your conduct is directed, are the
result Of the judgment expressed by the only earthly -
Duna to which the late administration amenable for
ats acts 1t should be sufficient that the claims set up bv
them and which caused the interruption Of the trade in
question, have been explicitly abandoned by those who
hrst asserted then and revived by their success
sors III Great Britain deems it adverse TO her interests
70 allow us to participate in the trade with her colonies
ana hhds nothing in the extension Off Others TO induce
her 70 apply the same rule TO us, she will we hone be
sensible OF the Proprety Of placing her refusal on those
grounds 10 set up the ac OF the late administration as
the cause oiOciture OF privileges which would Otherwise
be extended TO the people Of the United States would IN
der existing circumstances be unjust in itself and could
not id to excite their deepest sensiby. The tone Of
ieeing which unwise and unlenable IL cal
cuated to produce, would doubtless be greatly apprava
ca by the consciousness that Great Britain has by Order
ia Counc opened her colonial port Russia and France
Notwithstanding similar omission on their part to accent
the terms offered by the act Of July 1926
on cannot press this view othe subject too earnestly
upon the consideration Of the British Ministry II has
bearings and relations that reach beyond the immediate
Now Sir when stripped Of It's vcrliaQe and reduced 10
It's plain import what does the Secretary of State here
press so edrncsfiV That Mr.. McLane the Minister ,ybo
had been member OF the political party of wLicltn,s
Then President the nominal head land the Secreiarv
OF Stale most conspicuous supporter with imputed an yie