Vandalia Whig and Illinois intelligencer. [volume] (Vandalia, Ill.) 1832-183?, 1834-05-22

r thority, and for the respect and affec
ton which the American people bore 10
wards it.
!! fear, sir, from the Developments q
lew hours past, that senators will no
always keep such course. Alread,
have we heard more hard things said il
) THIS chamber, than was ever heard il
1any public dcl,berative assembly unde,
the SUI. II has become the batIie groune
upon which we daily witness the severa
political struggles, in which are exhibit
lea not unfrequently violent denuncia
tons OF men unconnected with this gov.
ternmcnt by any official station; of state
functionaries, Of state laws, and the pol
icy Of the states. Some times too, sir
Jour time is occupied in hearing from
senators complaints Of their own con.
|stituents. This session, SO far has been
|s'gnalized beyond all others, for the heat
and violence Of debate. Time was
when senators wished TO witness polit.
l'cal gladitorial conflict, they went to the
other house Of congress, where young
er, more enthusiastic and fiercer
spirit prevailed. Now, sir, we see, day
by day, members Of the house crowding
III 10 witness our spasmodic exhibitions.
is it wonderful, Mr.. president, in the
exciting circumstances Of party conflict
that even the spirit of senators should
effervesce so violently as to overflow the
Uust measure Of their authority, and
lead the senate directly 10 the a.
doPtion Of measures trenching upon the
constitutional rights Of others! believe
most sincerely, that we have proceeded
against the executive department Of the
government and against the president Of
the United States, in such mode as to
impair the just constitutional powers of
the one and the personal and political
rights Of the other that it was the duty
Of the president, in defence of the rights
and powers Of the executive department.
and his privilege as an officer and free
man, to send US the protest.
Notwithstanding, Mr.. president, the
matters Of grave import, contained in
the several resolutions submitted by the
senator from Mississippi, the first ques.
ton presented for decision, will be npon
the amendment offered by the hon. gen.
tleman from Kentucky, (Mr. Bib. -
That question is, shall the paper be
rejected?
Before we give an affirmative answer
it would be we'll to consider that the
president Of the United States repre-
sents an authority, under the constitu
ton, conferred upon him by twelve mil
lions Of people--that they have lodged
in his hands the Executive power Of
this government-thati it is the duty of
the incumbent 10 guard that power from
violation that it may neither be dimin-
ished nor carried too far--that il is as
much his right and his duty TO guard
that power, as it is the right and duty Of
any other department Of the governs
ment to guard its rights and powers from
violation. When questions Of differ
ence with regard to power arise between
the coordinate branches, Of a nature
not judicial, there is but one tribunal 10
appeal to, and that tribunal is the peo-
pie, the fountain and parent Of all the
powers Of the government. 1t is the
duty Of the conflicting parties to pre-
sent the matter Of difference fairly, in
spirit Of candor, that the points may be
clearly presented, and fully understood.
Remember that our duty requires US to
conceal nothing from the great arbiter,
that we have no right to treat him with
contempt.
The reasons, then, for rejecting this
paper, or refusing to receive il, must be
overwhelming, to justify us in taking
the course proposed, lest we subject
ourselves 10 the charge Of treating
twelve millions Of people. in the person
Of their president, contemPtuously, and
their undoubted power with scorn.
] Will the senate act courteously, OF
|, consult its selfrespect, to read this pro
, test, dissect it, condemn it, answer 1t BY
: speeches, and then solemnly vote not Il
= receive III Would il be honorable If
y private life for a gentleman to receive :
:. communication from an individual, opeu
). il, read il, answer il, abuse il, and con
s denim il by oral declarations, and ther
J. refuse to receive III
!. Let me now ask for the reason which
y will govern the vstes Of those who vii
}. not consent to receive this paper.
i. In its language is il disrespectful, is j
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