Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-12-28

subject, has himself furaisheu eV'ueuCe ""'e" 20
perfectly conclusive, in the paper which ne mas
read to his Cabinet; for. although ne mas den'eu
TO the Senate an official copy OF that paper Is
universally admitted that he has gwen u TO 'ne
world a containing the reasons which influenced
him to the act. Asa part Of the people, it not
in our Senatorial character, we have right 10
avail ourselves of that paper, and OF all which u
contains Is il not perfectly conclusive as TO the
authority by which the deposites have been re.
moved? | admit that II is an unprecedented ana
most extraordinary paper The Constitution OF
the United States admits OF call, IRON the Chlei
Magistrate, ON the Heads Of Departments, tor
their opinions in writing.
1t appears, indeed, that this power which the
Constitution coniers on the President, had oeen
exercised, and that the Cabinet were d''ideu'
two, and two, and one, Who was ready 10 go on
either side, being a little indifferent no" THIS
great constitutional power was settled by
the President. The President was not sat
isfied with calling on his Cabinet Tor their
opinions, in the customary and constitot'ona'
form; but he prepares paper OF his own' ana
instead Of receiving reasons from them. reads 10
them, and thus indoctrinates them according 10
his own views. This, sir, is the first time IN the
history Of our country. when paper mas oeen
thus ead, and thus published The proceeding
is entirely without precedent Those who now
exercise power consider all precedents wrong -
They hold presidents in contempt; and, casting
them aside, have mrnceda new era IN ad-
m,nistra,ion. But while they thus hold all pre-
cedents in contempt, disregarding all. n" matter
how long established. no matter TO what Depart
ments Of the Government they may have gwen
sane zion, they are always disposed to shield them
selves behind precedent, whenever they can
find one to subser'e their purpose.
Bot the question is" no gave the order tor
the removal Of the deposites! By whose act
were they removed from the Bank OF the United
States, where they were required by the law to
be placed, and placed in banks which the law ne.
yer designated? tell the gentlemen who are oP'
posed to me, that am not to be answered by the
exhibition of an order signed by X. fancy, or
any one else. want to know, not the clerk
Who makes the writing, but the individual who
dictates-not the ha0gman who executes the cul-
prit hut the tribunal which orders the execution.
want the original authority, that may know
BY whose order, or whose authority the public
deposltes we're removed, and again asks
there member of this Senate, is there an intel
Iieent man in the whole country, who doubts on
this pointl Hear What the President himself
saws, in his Manifesto. read to his Cabinet:-
:. The President deems it II Is duty, to cOmmu-
:. ncate in this manner to his Cabinet the final
- conclusions OF HIS own MIND, and the reasons
IS on which they are founded" &c.
AT the conclusion OF this paper what does he
say? F" The President again repeats that he bess
I" his Cabinet to consider the proposed measure
" as HI, OWN. IN the support OF which he shall
:. require no one Of them to make sacrifice of
opinion or principle. lTs RESPONSIBLE rY HAS
" BEEN ASSUMED, after the most mature delb
" Grafton and reflection, as necessary TO preserve
- the morals Of the people. the freedom OF 'he
- press, and rhe punt, o the elective franchise.
without which all Will unite IN saving that the
" blood and treasure expended by our foretath
:. ers IN the establishment Of our happy system
get Government will have been vain and fruit
lass. Under these convictions. he feels that
p" measure 20 important toxte American people
cannot d. com wcnr .too soen; and HE there
I" fore names the first day Of October neat a \
d" period proper for The change "f the depostes.
or sooner. provided the necessary arrangements
with the State Banks can be made" Sir, /,
there a Senator here who will tell ne that Thu
removal was not made bv order of the President!
| know, indeed. that there are IN This document
MANY OF those most mild, most gracious, most
condescending expressions, which power so well
knows how to clo,he It's mandates The Presi
most band and concIlating language: In the
remarks he ha, made on this all important ques
- ton, he trusts the Secretary of the Treasury
I. will see only the frank and respectful declara-
:. tons Of the opinions which the President has
90 formed on measure of great national interest.
" deepl! affecting the character and usefulness
{" Of his administration; and moi spirit Of dicfa.
" fion, winch the President would oe as careful
" TO auoid. as ready to resist. Happy will he be
{" il the facts now disclosed produce uniformity
=. of opln,on and unity OF at ton among the mem.
6. beers of the administration - Sir, how kind!
how gentle How very gracious must this have
sounded 10 the gratifed ear Of the Secretary OF
the Treasury! SIR, it reminds me Of an hlstorI.
cal anecdote related Of one Of the most remarka
BILE characters which our species has ever produ-
ced. While Oliver Crom ell was contending
for the mastery Of Great Britain, or Ireland, Il
do not now remember which, he besieged Ger.
tain Catholic town. The place made stout re-
but at length the town being likely to
be taken, the poor Catholics proposed terms Of
capitulation. stipuIstng therein for the federation
81 tho;r he the