Vandalia Whig and Illinois intelligencer. [volume] (Vandalia, Ill.) 1832-183?, 1834-05-15


good work should be crowned with su,
cess, and the only atonement made, whc
1t was in the senate's power to make, to II
violated majesty of the constitution, II
invaded privileges of the house of represei
talives, and the subverted rights of a
American citizen.
In bringing this great question befor
the American people, Mr. B. should con
slider himself as addressing the calm int
lIgence OF an enlightened community. H
believed the body of the American peopl
to tealhe most enlightened community upo
earth; and, without the least dispara gt
ment to the present senate, he must be pei
mltted to believe that many such senate
might be drawn from The ranks of the PEG
pie, and still leave no dearIh of intelIi
gence behind. To such community. =
III an appeal, on great question of con
siItuiIonal law, to the understandings o
such people,-decamation, passion, epi
thets, opprobrinus language, would stant
tor nothing. They would float, Harmless.
ano unheeded, through the empty air, and
strike in vain upon the ear of IA sober and
dIspassionate tribunal. Indignation, real
or affected; wrath, however hot, fury.
however cnraged; asseverations, however
violent; denunciaiions, however furious.
will avail nothing Facts-inexorabIe
facis-are all that will be attended to: rea-
son, calm and selfpossessed, is all that will
be listened to. An intelligent tribunal will
exact the respect of an address to their
understandings; and he that wishes to be
heard in this great question, or being heard, ,
would wish to be needed, will have occa-
sion to be clear and correct in his facts :;
close and perspicuous in his application of
law; fair and candid in his conclusions
and differences; temperate and decorous in
his language; and scrupulous,y free from
every faint of vengeance and malice. Sol
EMMY impressed with the truth of III these
it was the intention of himself
(Mr. B)-whatever the example or the pro-
vocation might be--never to forget his
place, his subject, his audience, and his
object! Never to forget that he was speak
ing IN the American senate, on question
Of violated constitution and outraged indi-
vidual right, to an audience comprehend
ng the whole body of the American peo-
Die, and for the purpose of obtaining
righteous decision from the calm and sober
Judgment of high-minded, intelligent, and
patriotic community.
The question Immediately before the
senate was one of minor consequence; il
night be called question of small import,
except for the effect which the decision
night have upon the senate itself. In that
Joint Of view it might be question of
some moment; for, without reference to
Individuals, it was essential in the cause
IT free governments, that every department
IT the government, the senate inclusive,
should so act as to preserve to itself the
aspect and The confidence of the country
The immediate question was, upon the re-
ection of the presidents message 1t was
moved to reject Ito reject, not after il
Vas considered, but before it was consider
I'd, but before it was considered! and thus
o tell the American people that their pres
dent shall not be heard, should not be
lllowed TO plead his defence,-in the pres
snce Of the body that condemned him, nei-
her before the condemnation, nor after il
This is the motion! and certainly no ene-
NY to the senate could wish 1t to miscarry.
The president, in the conclusion of his
message. has respectfully requested that
his defence miSht be entered upon the jour
nal of the senate,--upon that same Journal
which contains the record of his convic-
ton. This is the request Of the president.
Will the senate deny it? Will they refuse
his act of sheer Justice and common de-
Will they go further, and not only
refuse to place it on the journal, but refuse
even To suffer it to remain in the senate?
Will they refuse to permit it to remain on
file, but send it back, or throw it out of
doors, without condescending to reply to it I?
tor that Is the exact import of the motion
now made! will senators exhaust their
minds, and their bodies also, in loading
this very communication with expithets,
and then say that it shall not be received
Will they receive memorials, resolutions,
ESSAYS, from all that choose TO abuse the
president, and not receive word of de-
fence from him? Will they continue the
SPcctdCio ;" uifi ldS pceH PIoseutcu mere
for three mon,hs--a daily presentation OF
attack from young and old, boys and men,
attacks echoing the very sound of this
resolution, and which are not only receiv
ed and filed here, but printed also, and re
ferred to a committee, and introduced, each
one, with lauded commentary of Sc
phrase? Are the senate to receive all these
and vet refuse to receive from the object o