Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-12-28
ALEXANDRIA GAZETTE.
co N G. h e . = {.
Mr.. CLAYs SPEECH.

announced the speCia' orue1 VI "e Doys oe"6
the Report Of the Secretary OF the Treasury
on the subject Of the removal Of the depos''es-
NJ. CLAY rose, and offered the following
resolutions:
1. Resolred, That by dsmissing the late Sec
re,ary of the Treasury because he would not,
contrary IN his sense Of his own duty, remove
the nonry Of the United States IN deposite
with the Bank Of the United States ana lis
R,.,ches. m conformity with the Presidents
op.n,cn; aud by appointing his successor 10 t'
fsrt such remnvsI, which has been done, the
p,s.,d.n, ba, assumed the exercise OF power
over the Treasury Of the United States not
granted to him by the Constitution and Laws
and dangerous to the liberties OF the People.
Q Resolved. That the reasons assigned oy
the Secretary Of the Treasury Tor the removal
of the money Of the United States, deposited IN
m. Rank of the United States and its Branches,
communicated to Congress on the Sd day OF
December, 1885, are unsatisfactory and lnsnfn'
cient.
The resolutions having been read
Mr.. CLAY rose and addressed the Senate to
the following effective are, said ne IN the
midst Of a revolution, hitherto bloodless. out
rapidly tending towards a total change OF the
nure republican character Ut the Government,
and 10 the concentration Of all power III the
hands of one man. The powers oil Congress
are paralyzed, except when exerted 10 con'or'
m,ty with his will, bv frequent and an extra
ordinary exercise Of the Executive Seto' not
apticipated by the founders Of the Constitution,
and not practised by any Of the predecessors OF
the present Chief Magistrate. And, TO cramp
them still more, a new expedient IS sprinsihg
in,o use, Of withholding altogether bills when
have received the sanction 0i Doth HOUSES "
Congress, thereby cutting OH all opportunity OF
passing them, even if. after their return, the
pm.mhsrs shouId be unanimous in their favor
The constitutional participation OF the Senate
in the appointing power is virtually abolished oy
the constant use Of the power OF removal
from office, without anv known cause, and BY
the ,pDo,ntment Of the same Individual 10 the
same Office, after his rejection by the Senate-
How often have we, Senators, feit mat the
check of the Senate, instead OF being, as the
Constitution intended, saiutary control, was
AN idle ceremony? How often, when acting on
the case of the nominated successor, nave we
felt the injustice Of the removals how oiten
have we said to each other, well, what can we
dor the office cannot remain vacant, without
prejudice TO the public interests, anu, we
reject the proposed Substitute, we cannot re-
store the displaced, and, perhaps, some more un-
worthy man NAV be nominated!
The Judiciar, has not been exempted from the
nreysihns rage tor Innovation Decisions Of
the tribunals. deliberately pronounced. have
been contemptuously disregarded And the
sanct,ty oil numerous treaties openly Violated
Our Indian rea ions, cOeSai with the existence
of the Government, and recognized aud es'ap
li,bed by numerous laws aud treaties, nave Oe"n
subverted, the rights of the helpless and onfor
tunate aborigines tramp pied in the dust, and they
brought under subsection to unknown laws 10
which they have no voice, promulgated IN an uh-
known language. The mast extensive and most
valuable public dpmail. that ever tell to the lot
of one nation, is threatened with a total sacri-
flee. The general currency OF the county
the lite blood of all its busness-is 10 the
most eminent danger of universal disorder and
confusion. The power Ut Internal improvement
lie. crushed beneath the Veto The system OF
protection Of American industry was snatch""
from impending destruction, at the last sess''s,
but we are now coolly told BY the Seer" sCN d
the Treasury, without blush, "that y IL 10
ders,ooJ TO be- conceded on all hands, th.' ! FAR
in for protec ton merely is to be finally ahihdon-
ed" b, the Sd Of March, 1887, 1t tn. progress
of innovation continue, there VIII D. 'f"cstS
A. ,estise remaining Of the Government aL' va
polic,, as they existed prior TO the Sd OF Mach,
1929 Ia a term OF years. little more than
eouaI TO tina, which was required to establish our
formed into an elective mOnarcby-the worst oil
all forus OF Government.
Such ~ melancholy but faithful picture OF
the present condition Of public affairs. 1t is not
,ketched or exhibited to excite, here or else
where, irrita,ed feeling have no such Pur'
nose. would, on the contrary, imp'ore the
Senate and the people to discard all passion aud
prejudice, and to look calmly, but resoute'y,
mon the actual state Of the Constitution and
the country. Although bring into the Senate
the same undated spirit. and the same frm de-
termination which have ever guided me in the
support Of civil liberty. and the defence OF our
Constitution, I contemplate the prospect before
Us with feelings of deep humiliation and Proioono
modification.
1t is not among the least unfortunate symP' |
toms Of the times, that large portion OF the |
good and enlightened men OF the Union. OF all
parties. are yielding to sentiments OF despon'
deney. There is, unhappiIy, feeling OF dis