Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-04-21

pied with the Presidents protest AS, however,
I.they were important, we make now more ex-
tended notice of them
In the Senate ON Friday.
The Senate was crowded at an early hour.
Hundreds went away unable to obtain admit
lance. After the presenting ofsome memorials,
&C. the Presidents Protest was taken up, or ra-
Their Mr.. POINDEXTER'S motion not to re-
ceive it. Mr.. LEIGH took the floor. After
solemn and impressive exordium, in which ne
spoke Of this new contest causelessly commenc-
ed by the Executive, as another Of that series of
strides to conquest and power which had mark
ed the career Of the President; confessed that
he felt deep indignation at this declaration of
war upon the Senate;" and that he now seemed
to be walking amidst the splendid ruins of this
magnificent Constitution; he proceeded with
mastery skill and ability, to examine and dis
sect the Protest He combatted, successfully,
the argument of the President, that the Senate
had no right to act legslatively upon his con-
duct, because they were to try him if he should
be impeached. The Parliament ofEngiand had
often passed such resolutions in relation to the
Crown as the Senate had in relation to the Pre-
sident but no Monarch there would think of
sending Protest.! What was the history Of
Mr.. Cummings famous resolution that " the in
fuence Of the Crown had increased, was in
creasing, and ought to be diminished? No le
gislative action followed this; and yet did
George the Sd complain Of it as a breach Of
law? The Senate had carefully abstained from
charging any criminal intent upon the Presi-
dent. They had acted purely in their legislative
| capacity; and if the President ever should be
| impeached, they would beprepared to try him
Just as fairly as if no such resolution had passed.
| Mr.. LEIGH then examined the circumstances at
tending the Removal Of the Deposites and
showed that it was the bounden duty Of Con-
gress, or either Of its branches, to notice the
conduct Of the Executive; and then proved that
the resolution the Senate had passed was just
and true and proper. The power claimed by
the Executive, in the Protest, over the public
treasure, was then examined, and refuted most
triumphantly. Mr.. LEIGH then spoke of the eX-
ertions for Power used by the President; denied
that he had been successful in, OF DESTROYS Of
DESTROYING the system of Internal Improvement
by the General Government; and secuted the
idea of his having been instrumental, in the
smallest degree, in settling the Tariff question.
No, said he, that honor (and | speak it in the
absence of one of the gentlemen, and without
f1attery, for to him do render the need of my
gratitude and admiration,) belonged to Mr.
LErcHER, of the House Of Representatives and
HENRY CLAY, of the Senate
A simultaneous burst of applause here fol-
1 ,la.x crriyvn
to clear the galleries; but the public feeling
could not be repressed, and again and again
round Of applause was given. Mr. BENTON
moved to take the offenders into custody. Some
conversation ensued as to the improperly of
executing the order, and the illegaity of issuing
such a general warrant. In the mean time, the
galleries were cleared, and Mr.. BENTON with
drew his notion.
Mr. LEIGH then resumed and concluded his
speech, by referring to that part of the Presi-
dents Protest where he speaks of himself He
described it as the artful appeal of a dema-
gogue, to excite the passions and work upon the
feelings of the people, and enlist them in a war
fare against constituted branch ofthe govern
ment. An appeal was made to the people
OSUtItSI tuc kCClldtc'- Alu tu0 people dlS W NC
excited against that body which is the greatest
check against the Executive which the Consti-
tuition has created! Again are we referred to
his military exploits. Surely never did single
battle cover man before with such a blaze of
glory! But because General Jackson fought at
New Orleans, are we to submit to every en-
croachment of power and suffer our liberties to
be trampled on? God forbid! He speaks, said
Mr.. LEIGH, of the honorable scars he received in
the Revolutionary War-of course he is to be
believed-but the fact is mentioned in no record
of the times, and it is well that he lives to tell
his own story But his grey hairs IT'S true
the frost of ages has whtened his locks, but they
have not cooled the fires of his passions The
Presidents reference to hereafter, he left to his
conscience and his God!
When Mr. LEIGH concluded, Mr.. EWING
of Ohio took the floor and the subject was post
poned to Monday.
Mr.. WILKINS then moved to 60 into Exc