The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1835-03-18
REMARKs OF MIR. KING,

,ho Riu for fortifcations being returned to the
Ia Senate with notification, that the House Insis-
TOD ON its amendment, appropriatng S3,OOO,OOO
IA ior the military and naval service, Mr.. WEBSTER
II moved that the senate do adhere to their Disagree
FL ment.
E MIR. KING, of Alabama, said, he very much re-
,rottd that the Senator from Massachusetts should
have made such a motion, 1t had seldom, or never
beep rcsoricd TO until other and more gentle means
had foiIed 70 produce n unity of action between the
two Houses At this stage of the proceeding it would
he considered and Justly, harsh in its character; and
he had no doubt, ii oned by the Senate, would
Greatly exaspcrate the other House, and probably
endangcr the passage OF the bill altogether, Are
I gentlemen, said Mr.. H., prepared for this Will
thew at this particular juucture in the present con-
L dtion OF things, take upon themselves such a fear
ful responsibility, the rejection of this b might
involve. For himself, ii your forts are 10 be left
unarmcd, your ships unprcparcd, and ont of com
mission, and your whole sen coast exposed without
defence ofauy kind; the responsibility should not
resi- upon his shoulders. u is as well, soid Mr. X.
to speak plainly on this subject. Our positions with
regard to France was known TO all who heard him
to be Of such character, as would not in his opin-
ion, Justify prudent men, men who look the pre-
seration of the rights and the honor Of the nation
IN Withholding the means, the most ample means
to maintain those rights and preserve unimpaircd
that honor.
Mr.. X. said, while he was free to confess that the
gether specific he could have wished it, he
could not view it in the light which had, or seemed
10 have so much alarmed The Senator from Massa-
chusetts, and others who had spoken on the subject
We are toc said Mr. X, that the adoption Of the
amendment made by the House will PROSTATE the
fortress OF the constitution, and bury under It's ruins
the liberties of the people. lie had too long been
accustomed TO the of debate here, particularly
in times Of high party excitement, TO pay much at
ention to bold assertion or violent denuuciatlon In
what, he asked, does it violate the constitution
Does it give 10 the President the power of declaring
war! You have been told, aud told truly, by my
/ friend from Pennsylvania, (Mr. RuchauanD that
this power alone belongs to Congress; nor does this
bill in the slightest degree impair it, Does IT au-
thorlle the raising of armies No, not one man
can be enlisted beyond the number required to fill
+ up the ranks Of your ue army; and whether you
+ pass this amendment or not, that power Is al
ready possessed, under existing laws. Is it, said
MIR. IL, even Unprecedented and unusual. A
little attention to the history Of our Government
must satisfy all who heard him, that it is neither
the one nor the other. During the whole period of
the administrations of General Washington and the
elder Adams all appropriations were general, APP
plying gross sum for the expenditure of the Gov
ernment, under the direction of the President, and
t not till Nlr. Jefferson came into office, that at
tU Decllc appropriations were
nl.Ht. .. r.. Institution violated, broken
d8w ta. .rs.. uder the administration OF
ftAe Gaa y! Or did the fortress to
..hscfi l'c massachusetts,, on this occa-
faa' ei... I.. lblc into ruin, when mill
IONS as.. .He. hands Of MIR. Jefferson
a.nself to be dlsr for designated object,
but in every thing else, soajccl 10 his unlimited dis
cretion. No. said Mr.. X. our liberties remained
unimpaired: and he trusted in God, would re-
main, for centuries yet to come. He would not
urge his confidence in the distinguished Individual
at the head Of the government, as reason why this
amendment should pass; hc was in favor oflimng
Executive discretion far rs practicable; but cir
cumstanccs may present thcmsrycs--causcs may
exist, which would place it ont of the power OF
Congress promptly to meet the emergency. To
whom then should they look! Surely to the head of
the Governmen-to the man selected by the peo-
pie guard their rights and protect their interests.
He put it to Senators TO say whether iii possible
contingency, which all would understand, our forts
should not be armed; our ships put in commission
none will venture to gainsay il Yet the extent to
which such armament should he carried must from
the very necessity of the case, be left the sound
discretion OF the Prcsdent-irom the position he
occupies, no one can be competent To form cor
rect Judgment, and he could not, if he would, apply
the money tc other objects than the dccuccs Of the
country Mr. X sand he would not at this last
moment of the session, when time was so very pre-
cious, further dctan The Senate than to express his
deep apprehension, his alarm, lest this most mpor-
tant bill should be lost by tis conflict hctwren the
two Houses lie would beg Of Senators to reflect
on the disastrous consequences which might cnsue
He would again cn,rcat the Senator from Nassa-
chusetts to withdraw ms motion, and asl, confer
cncc, and thus leave some reasonable ground for
hope of ultimate agrocmonj on tlis most important
4 subject.
THE ELEPHANT MOGUI.
4