Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-04-14
SPEECH

of Mr.. JOHN QUINCY ADAMS, or Mass.
Onthe Removal ofthe Public Deposites, ana ats
Reasons.
We publish. this morning, the conclusion OF the
able speech prepared by Mr.. JOHN Quincy AID
AMs To he delivered on the Removal OF the De-
posites. but which was suppressed by the call for
the previous question. The speech is a master
ly examination of the whole subject, and will
attract great attention. 1t occupies, in ALL nine
teen or twenty columns of newspaper. The
conclusion, which we publish, will show the
views and sentiments of Mr.. ADAMS
MIR. Speaker, in the review of the reasons
which have been assigned, as well as of that
which has been suppressed, for this unlawful
and unjust removal of the public deposltes from
the Bank of the United States and It's branches
to institutions unknown to your laws, and I'M
checked bv YOUR control, it has been my pur-
pose to confine myself vigorously TO the question
before Won If any thing that have said on
this. or a former day, bearing specially upon the
conduct or character of the present Chief mags-
trate as implicated in these transactions, should
have been offensive to his friends and support
ers here. shall regret the circumstance, and
nrav the House to be assured that have said
nothing but under the dictates of a commanding
duty. With regard to any personal felauons
which may have existed heretofore, or may
now exist between him and me, shall say no
thing They form part OF the history OF the
country and to the judgment of posterlty
cheerfulIv leave them. When, as representa-
tive of the people, | entered upon this noor IL
was with a firm determination TO support MS
administration in every measure wmcn my con,
science could approve, and to rebuke nm ana
his administration for every measure, II any
such should occur, which honestly believed
derogaory to the honor, or pernicious to the
interests of my country, during the time that l
have been engaged in this service. | hdpe sup
ported his administration at more than one OF
its times of trial. supported 1t IN the tarlH OF
1882; supported it in the revenue collection Dill
ofthe last session; supported it on both occa-
sions againstm men whom respect and esteem;
supported it with an opposition and resistance
to them from which never would nave recedeo.
hailed his proclamation as an exposition OF
constitutional principles in general, sound ana
creditable. though | could neither conceal TO
myself nor disguise to others, its utter and ire
conciabe inconsistency with the annual mes
sage sent to Congress but six days before
OF that-annual message it became my duty 10
expose, by full analysis, the radical fund
amental and most pernicious errors; OF when
we are now barely beginning to taste the Dill
ter fruits.
In his rancorous and unreenting hostility to
the respectable and worthy President and Dl-
rectors of the Bank of the United States nave
never shared. Ithas appeared TO me passion
ate ebulton of anger and revenge sornlStlca-
ted into self conceit of unbending patriotism
voted for the bill to recharter the Bank, and
deeply Iamented, as l still deeply lament, the
veto which rejected if. To that measure look
as the primary cause of all the miserles we are
now enduring, and of the deeper and deepen
ing woes that await our fnturity. 1t is that We
to which has been snatching from the mouth OF
labor its daily bread and calling down upon
itself the curses of the widow and the heart-ren-
ding cries of the orphan And what have we
seen as its consequences already? A President
of the United States afraid of assassination
President of the United States barring his
gates and doors against populations OF MS SUI
ferring fellow citizens and turning deaf ear 10
their complaints! The removal OF the pubic
deposites is but a natural sequel to the veto of
fhe re-charter 1t was not enough to put the
victim to death unless its dying hour could be
made to agonize with torture. For all this IN
the deep aff1iction of my SOUL lsay the President
of the United States is personally responsible to
this people. For every word that have here
said, or may say of ham, hold myself respon-
sible to him. to my constituents, and my country
But can have no controversy with any one or
more of his admirers in this House, and shall
make no reply to their sallies of temper exercl-
sed upon me in retaliation for my animadver-
sions i'm the discharge of my duty upon ham. 1t
would not become me to speak here In the lear
of him They must not expect me TO be silent
for the fear Of them. believe them more hon.
est than he believes them himself If they are
contented with that character which he gave
of them to his confidential counsellor and Sec
rotary, whom he dismissed for refusing to be
the servile instrument Of his 1riL shall not dis
turb their dissatisfaction. In repeling with in
dignaton, as member of this and of the last
Congress, his imputation of the rankest corrup-
ton upon the whole body of them both, have
not departed one hairs breadth from the subject
of dehberation now before the House. That
imputed rank corruption ne assigned to his con-
fidential counsellor and Secretary, as his rea-
son for insisting upon the removal of the public
deposites before the meeting of the present Con-
gress. 1t was like all the reasons assigned by
the Secretary-ualapftt and unjust
In conclusion, Mr.. Speaker, am am well ell aware
that cannot expect to ind myself IN the m ago
rity in this House upon any question relating
to this subject; but would fain indulge the hope
that the majority will take this question directly,
without retreating from it, without fiinching be-
fore il. Are the reasons assigned by the Secre-
tary of the Treasury for changing the deposlto-
ny Of the public funds from places prescribed by
law, to places selected at his will-are they, or
or are they not sufficient to justify the measures