Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-02-05
CONGRESS.

Conclusion Of Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN'S
Speech in the Senate, on the REVENUE COL
LECTION BILL.
The measures proposed by the bill are revenue
measures. Looking at them in this view. he re.
ierred the Senate to the act to provide for the
better security Of the duties imposed on foreign
goods, BY which the President was authorized to
cause to be built and equipped, twelve revenue
cutters. SC. Here twelve revenue cutters were
authorized to be armed and equipped. and,a the
discre Of the President to be used for collect
ine the revenue. But there was another provl.
sion in this bill which was of great Importance
In case any vessel should not bring to on being
summoned. after huisting the penant, and firing
gun, it was made lawful for the cutter to fire
into such vessel. Here then was tremendous
power given TO the President; to arm and equip
twelve cutters, aud to authorize the officer com
handing cutter, if merchant vessel refused to
come to when hailed with all the accustomed for
malities. to discharge his whole artillery into the
bosom of the vessel What was this? II was
making war on our citizens quite as efficiently
as can be done under any Of the clauses in this
bill. Merchant vessels are not armed. therefore
the number of cutters was limited. 10 the bill
conc ernng the Indian lands there could be no II.
imitation of power, because it was impossible to
estimate the force against which il would have to
be employed. There were also other laws to
which he might refer the Senate; the law OF
1890, of 1895, authorizing the President to call
out the militia to execute the laws. TO Suppression
sure ctions, SC. of 1907, similar in its character,
authorizing the calliug out Of the militia, and
such part of the naval aud military force as might
be necessary in case of instructions or Obstruc-
tions OF the laws,
lie would ask, then, il those were not ground
less fears which would restrain gentlemen from
again conhding such powers to the President,
who is made by the Constitution COMMANDMENTS
Chief, and Is required by another clause to see
that the laws are faithfully executed. Who was
to be trusted, il he could noe Who was to be
trusted, If not the President, who would execute
the power under his responsibility to Congress
Gentlemen could not terribly him with the cry OF
despotism. Why, if it were now to be put to de-
eide whether he would have despo,ism controll-
ed bylaw, or despuism without law, or in de-
hanee OF law, he should prefer the first. He
would prefer the despotsm of law TO the despot
ism Of notification. He would discard the des-
potism of fraction, of small portion Of this fe-
deral community, and would run in the broad
path marked out bv the Constitution, where, il
he met danger. he should be supported by his
conscience. and BY the virtue of the country.
you do not create despotisn, and, at the same
time, as the gentleman from Kentucky had said,
take care how You make war on South Carolina.
Who makes war on South Carolina? Who medi
tates war? IL there is 10 be war. she will make
il herself. 1t will be her own hand which will
lay the axe to the root of her prosperity. What
have we doneS We have passed law operating
on her, as well as IN all the other States. What
else have we done! The coat he wore was one
on which he paid duty 70 the Treasury. And
she ~ould make war rather than submit to pay
this tax common with the rest OF the Union. -
He submitted that all the features OF the bill
were defensive IN their character and not warlike
in any one of their attitudes. Instead Of making
war bv brute force. the bill was only intended
TO come in to the aid Of law, to eoforce the laws,
and to make them respectable make the State
of South Carolina obey the Law. He would pro-
ceed to prove this.
Che first secticn of the act provides for the re-.
moval of the Custom House. He hoped that
gentlemen would be just to the motives of the
Executive. There had been many fulminations
against the President for this clause. In his
Message he recommends the removal Of the Gus
tom House with view to prevent collisions
What says the Message:-
"There would certainly be fewer difficulties,
and less opportunity OF direct collision between
the officers Of the United States and Of the States
and the collection of the revenue would be more
|ehectuslly secured-if, indeed, it can be done
in any other way-by placing the Custom House
beyond the immediate power Of the county"
The motives of thu President, therefore, were
pacific. 1t was to prevent collisions that he adj
Used the removal of the Custom House. II, in
an unhappy hour. South Carolina should push
her State sovereignty TO the dreadful emergency
Of opposing resistance to officers of the U States
the President suggests. in order TO avoid this
tingency. the removal Of the Custom House. -
Was this the conduct OF a tyran,e Was this
course indicating disposition to hurry the coun.
try TO the verge of precipices Nothing like it.
u this was question with foreign government,
policy would forbid this concession, and eould
require that we should keep the Custom House
where 1t is, and stand by it there. With for.
eisn government he would contest to the last ev-
cry punctiio He would consider it important
to take determined position until the last ,ri-
butte should be exacted. But with our sister
State OF South Carolina, he would forbsar II,
said Mr. F. she urge me from the Custom House
a 4 4 a