Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-04-16

them. The Prospero, whose fatal wand has
coniured up these elements, into this wild and
fearful and disastrous commOtlon, has no magic
mower to call up the ministering spirits of the
stormy deep, to rescue the sinking fortunes of
a whole people, rashly and wickedly exposed
to the rocks winds, and waves and qulcksanks
ofthis most desperate and lnperous experiment.
Sir. the executive branch of the Government
has plunged the country into this stormy sea Of
DESPERATE adventure, under circumstances which
greatly aggravate the outrage committed upon
fhe Constitution, and upon the rights and inter-
ests of the people. What excuse or apology
can be offered for such daring assumption
and hazardous exercise OF power py the Elk
ecutive? When Cromwell usurped the supreme
power in England he saw the nation torn 10
pjeces by factions and drenched in civil blood;
and his strong arm clutched the fallen sceptre,
to save the country from universal desolatlon.-
When Bonaparte returned from Egypt, and
dispersed the Chamber of Deputies ne found
the armies of the republic driven back, the II
nances involved in bankruptcy and the compln-
ed powers of Europe menacing the existence OF
France Where, said he, are the conquests
made the victories / achieved, the resourcessl
snnplied. and the armies left for the security
of France? But what was the condition OF the
United States at that fatal moment when the
evil genius of the President prompted HIM 10
assume the fearful responsibility OF destroying
our system of currency, in open and avowed
contempt of the legislative power. what was
there in that condition TO afford the shadow OF d
pretext for the usurpaton OF which we COM
plain? What civil discussions was it designed 10
compose; what financial embarrassment and
public sufferings was it calculated to relieve! 1t
is worth while to look back to the inception OF
this executive experiment.. The people OF the
United States were in the enjoyment of an I'M
exampled prosperity: literally basking in the sun
shine of tranquility, abundance, and content,
ment-blessings the more exquisitely realized
from their contrast with the troubled scene which
had recently passed away. They had seen
dark and portentous cloud lowering in the no.
rizon, and could almost hear the distant thunder
and see the prelusive flashes Of the coming
Storm which threatened to shake the mighty
fabrck of this federal system to its deep ioun-
dations. But at this eventful crisis, a redeem
ing power was interposed, in the spirit OF con-
Citation; a covenant OF peace was ratihed mere,
the storm passed away, and the RAINBOW CIR
cled the arch of the heavens the cheering mar
binger of that happiness and contentment which
were the lot of united people, until the fatal
dog-days, when this most pernlclous scheme OF
executive usurpatiOn was engendered not TO
save the country from civil dissensions and res
tore its dsordered finances, but to mar and des-
troy the brightest vision of happiness that ever
blessed the hopes of any people!
fatal experiment are resolved to carry 1t on IN
the same reckless spirit in which it was con-
ceived. Nothing has struck me more forclbly
than the stubborn perseverance OF the ADMIN
istration in their desperate purposes, hoping
against hope blind to the paIpable results of X-
perience and deaf to the cries Of suffering
people 1t is spirit Of heartless indifference to
popular suffering, wholly without excuse, and
almost without example. We have been told
by member of this House, (Mr. BEARDsLEY, J.
in the eXterminating spirit OF that Roman who
always concluded his speeches with the MOTTO
% Carthage must be destroyed"-that the Bank
of the United States must be destroyed by what
ever means, and at the hazard OF whatever con-
sequences. 'Perish commerce, perish credit
give us broken banks and dsordered curren-
cy," rather than retrace the steps of this eXecu-
tive crusade against the bank! And the Chief
Magistrate himself declares that neither " the
opinion Of the Legislature, nor the voice OF the
people shall induce him to abandon his purpose,
whatever may be the suferings produced" add
ing, for the consolation Of the enterprlslng and
industrious classes that if those should fail who
trade upon borrowed capital" they deserve
their fate.
Mr.. Speaker, we can scarcely give credit to
the historian who records the degeneracy and
degradation ola great people of antiquity, when
he informs us that Roman Emperor amused
himself by fiddling while the capital Of his en-
pire and the fortunes Ofthe Roman people were
involved in one general confagration. But our
own melancholy and woful experience is but
too well calculated to remove any historical
scepticism which might induce us to suppose
that the extraordinary spectacle to which |
have alluded, was drawn rather by the pencil of
poetry than by the pen Of historical truth. For
even at this early period in our national pro-
gress, in the very dawn of our republican inst-
tutions, we are ourselves exhibiting to the world
which we vainly boast of enlightening by our
example-a spectacle, in some Of its aspects,
more unnatural and revolving than its Roman
prototype. lfmy recollection ofthis interesting
chapter in the history of man be not imperfect
Nero was not himself the incendiary who APP
piled the fatal torch, by which the temples and
the gods, the senate house and the forum, the
gorgeous palaces and the humble cottages Of
the imperial city were consigned to the devour
ing element. Can you say as much, sir,-I will
not say for the President Of the United States,-
but for that irresponsible cabal, which is the liv
ing emblem of pestilence and famine, by which
even his more noble and generous impulses are
converted into instruments of mischief? Who
is it that has kindled up the con1agration which
is now sweeping over the land like prairie
fire ofthe West-bearing destruction in its bo-