Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1835-01-31


as to the policy of expunging by one party
what had been done by another party; nor
would he even inquire whether any difference
should be made between the Executive and
lower officer; it appeared that
GA saint in Grape was twice
saint in lawn;"
there was wide difference between the Presl-
dent and the Postmaster General; but all Mf. r.
meant to say now, was this, that having sane
ton for such censure as he proposed, before
them, he thought there should be an expression
by the Senate in regard to this matter.
Mr. p had said yesterday what might be I'M
palatable to those with whom he acted; out ne
would still say they were beaten down as par
ty in the country. But they were not yet over
powered in the Senate, though they might be
hereafter He believed Notwithstanding that
the government might still go on, though IT
would REQUIRE all the fidelity of the citizens to
preserve it. He could not loresee when the
principles which he prolessed, and the men with
whom de acted, would come into power; out
he would not act the less with them, because he
believed the truths which they maintained were
destined to prevail. But what would it avail
them at present to denounce the Post Ottce De
partment? did any one suppose that such
damning exposures would effect the popula-
rity of the President? Could any one expect
that the utter rottenness oil that Department
power? 1t was too sanguine an expectation
If it was worse than il was. it would not AFFECT
the present power of the administration. MIR.
p. was not certain but that, when the details
should be given to the people, when even as inc
chairman had stated, the general TACT should
be known that the flood gates OF the treasury IN
that department had been thrown asunder, he
was not certain but this very exposure would
tend to consolidate and sustain the very power
at which the gentleman thought Mr.. L. was aim
ing blow.
MIR. Benton confessed that he was obliged
to regret his own extreme poverty OF speech,
and he must lament his inability to make him
self understood to those distance, if Gas ii ap-
pearedD he was not even understood by those
who were at his elbow.
In all that was said by him yesterday evening,
in all that he had said to-day, he (Mr. Benton,)
had never intimated nor intended to intimate
that the proposition Of the hon. Senator (Mr.
Preston) implied any thing like intimidation, nor
retaliation or desire liberalization. Suchhad not
been his expression or his meaning. HIS ann
and object was to keep things of the same kind
together; he thought he saw an intention in the
speech first uttered yesterday evening by the
honorable Senator (Mr. Preston) to renew the
same measures whichha characterizedth the pro-
ceedngs ofthe Senate oni its former session, mca-
sures which he pronounced to be uncostitution-
al, and which it would be his aim and endeavor
TO have eXpunged from the journals. When he
imagined that he saw an attempt to renew the
very same kind Of proceeding; then in his an
swcr TO the hon. Senator, he had acted upon the
principle ofkeeping things ofthe same nature to-
gether. Although the resolutions of the last SeS-
sion were adopted in the dark, land just at the
close of the Session, yet they had not been dark
anu obscure from him; he (Mr. Benon) saw in
stantlylnto the manGuvre; he understood the tao
tics on which party was acting; he saw instant
49, iph hu
movement. and row. said Mr.. BentonO ano-
Their similar manGuvre is attemptcd-two hooks
have been thrown out to catch us by; on one or
the other of which it is hoped we shall be caught.
| The first hook is. to get us to pass unanimous
vote in favor ola resolution condemnatory OF
the Post Office Department.; and If that succeeds,
| las in the former SESSION. we are caught there,
they have got us on that hook. The other hook
| hung out to gibbet us, is, if we hang Off we
refuse tooin in such resolution, then they have
! hooked us there; then we shall appear as deien-
ders of enormities, black and rotten as HE'LL
| These are the two hooks hung out TO catch us
this is the dilemma in which we are to be entan-
gled. saw it, sir, last session: sawit again last
nights it is still fresh in my recollection, that on
the last session these two hooks were hung out,
and we had to choose which we should hang by.
We chose the former and condemned what we
could not defend; now however, we will be
hooked by neither ofthem-we will not be caught
by one or the other. saw the sna are last night,
sir, and the remembrance OF the same event in
the last session, led me TO express my doubt of
our right to lake ii legislative resolution a
vehicle for judicial and criminal condemnation;
so that now this hook. will not apply, and now
the test will not succeed in being put, to try us on
this floor and to discover who shall be found
bold enough to defend the deep and black dam
nation OF the Post Office proceedings.
Although voted last session as did, my feel
ngs and sentiments were well known at that
time; and if now again were forced to vote on
similar resolutions should vote as did then. !
should not evade giving vote, l should not
absent myself it is not in my character to do so,
should vote as | did then. should not be de-
tected defending corruption, though must OBJ
serve that if these resolutions had been taken
separately, on some should have voted ay, and
on others no; yet as it was, taken altogether and
voted in the lump, was under force from the
Senate to vote as | then did. But because
would not be hung again upon the same hook
thrown out as formerly, therefore determined
last night, when saw the intention manifested
of pursuing the same course and seeking to
hang us again on the same hooks, to bring for
ward a motion to expunge the resolutions of last
session. My desire was to bring on premi-
90 rirrl,f Of afn IN