Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-06-10
SPEECH OF MR.. WEBSTER, OF MASS,
ON the Presidents Protest, in the Senate OF
the United States, May7, 1884.

cannot fail to produce important effects on the
character of the Senate, and the character OF
the Government.
Unhappily, sir, the Senate finds itself involv-
ed in q controversy with the President of the
United States-a man, who has rendered most
distinguished services to his country; has hi
therto possessed degree of popular favor, per-
haps never excelled; and whose honesty OF mo-
tive, and integrity of purpose, are still main
tanned by those who admit that his Admlnistra-
ton has fallen into lamentable errors.
On some of the interesting questions, in re-
gard to which the President and Senate hold
opposite opinions the more popular branch OF
the Legislature concurS with the Executive. 1t
is not to be concealed that the Senate is engag-
ed against imposing odds. 1t can sustain IT.
self only by its own prudence and the justice OF
its cause 1t has no patronage by which to Sc
cure friends; it can raise up no advocates
through the dispensaton of favors, for it has no
favors to dispense. Its very constitution; as
body, whose members are elected for a long
term, is capable of being rendered obnoxious,
and is daily made subject OF opprooflous re-
mark. II is already denounced as indepen-
dent of the People, and aristocratic. Nor is it,
like the other House, powerful in its numbers;
not being like that SO large as that It's members
come constantly in direct and sympathetic con-
tact with the whole People. Under these disad-
vantages sir which, we may be assured, will
be pressed and urged to the utmost length, there
is but one course for us. The Senate must
stand on its rendered reasons. 1t must put forth
the grounds of its proceedings, and it must then
RELY on the intelligence and patriotism OF the
People to carry it through the contest
AS an individual member of the Senate, 1t
gives me great pain to be engaged in such "
conflict with the Executive Government The
occurrences of the last session are fresh in all
our recolleetions; and having felt it to be my
duty, at that time, to give my cordial support TO
highly important measures of the Administra-
II I'd t1u hat mr. mi
to place me- afterwards, in an attitude of oppo-
stion. In all respects, and in every way, it
would have been far more agreeable to me to
have found nothing in the measures of the Exc
. cutive Government which could not cheerfully
support The present occasion of difference
has not been sought or made by me. 1t is
thrust upon me, in opposition TO strong opinions
and wishes, on my part not concealed. The
interference with the public depostes dispelled
all hope of continued concurrence with the Adj
ministration; and was measure so uncalled
for so unnecessary, and, in my judgment, so IL
legal and indefensible that, with whatever re-
luctance 1t might be opposed opposition was
unavoidable.
The paper before us has grown out of the
consequences Of this interference 1t is pa
per which cannot be treated with indifference
The doctrines which it advances, the clrcum-
stances which have attended its transmission to
the Senate, and the manner in which the Sc
nate may now dispose of 1t, will form memo
rable era in the history of the Government.
We are either to enter it on our journals, as
sent to its sentiments, and submit to its rebuke;
or we must answer it. with the respect due to
the Chief Magistrate but with such animal
versions on its doctrines as they deserve, and
with the frmness imposed upon us by our pub
lie duties.
Now sir, the President wishes the world to
understand that he himself decided on the ques-
ton of the removal of the deposites; that he
took the whole responsibility of the measure
upon himselE that he wished it to be consider
ed has oaon act; that he not only himself decided
that the thing should be done, but that he regu-
lated its details also, and named the day for
carrying it into effect.
| have always entertained very erroneous
view OF the partition OF powers, and of the true
nature of official responsibility under our Con-
sttution, if this be not plain case OF the as
sumption of power
The Legislature had fixed place, by law,
for the keeping of the public money They
had at the same time, and by the same law,
created and conferred power of removal, to
be exercised contingently. This power they
had vested il: the Secretary, by express words
The law did not say that the depostes should
be made in the Bank unless the President should
order otherwise; but it did say that they should
be made there unless the Secretary of the Trea-
Sury should order othereise. put it to the plain
sense and common candor of all men, whether
the diScreuon which was thus 10 De exercised
over the subject was not the Secretary's own
personal discretion; and whether, therefore, the
interposition of the authority of another, act
ing directly and concusively on the subject,
deciding the whole question, even in its particu-
lars and details, be not an assumption of DOW
err
The Senate regarded this interpositon as an
encroachment, by the Executive, on other
branches OF the Government; as an interference
with the legislative disposition of the public
treasure. 1t was strongly and forcibly urged,
yesterday, by the honorable member from South
Carolina that the true and only mode of pre
serving any balance of power, in mixed gov
ernments, is TO keep an exact balance. This is
very true, and to this end encroachment must
be resisted at the first step. The question is
therefore, whether, upon the true principles of
the Constitution, this exercise of power by the
President can be justified Whether the con-
sequences be prejudicial or not, if there be an
illegal exercise of power, it is to be resisted in
the proper manner. Even if no harm or in
convenience result from transgressing the