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

should know that its representatives are yet
possessed of virtue enough to make the distinc.
ton between good and evil, and between right
and wrong; that il may not now, nor in future
ages, be for a moment suspected that we con-
template with apathy, and with criminal ne
elect. gigantic stride which we here see made
towards the moral and political ruin oil our
country. For solemnly declare, that, from
what we have now heard, from the scenes OF
rank corruption which have been now brought
TO view, my mind is filled with the gloomlest
forebodings, my heart is overwhelmed with un'
utterable grief and the most melancholy antici-
nations crowd involuntarlly upon me. Such
are nv feelings, and only such; and dlsciaim
any intention on my part to harrass the gentle'
man.
Mr.. Calhoun moved that the resolution DC Iaid
upon the table, to give the Senator from Alaoa-
ma (Mr. King) an opportunity to prepare re-
solution to accomplish the meditated purpose OF
resembling the former resolutions of the Senate:
I confess, sir, observed MIR. Calhoun) ieei
some curiosity to see how the Senator from Ala
bama will reconcile such proceeding win the
free and independent existence OF Senate.
feel, sir great curiosity to hear how that gen
tleman proposes that the journals are 10 DC
kept, if such procedure is allowed 10 take Ell
feet. Ishould like to know how he proposes 10
repeal journal? By what strange process he
| would destroy facts and annihlate events ana
things which are now the repositories OF hlsto-
ry When he shall have satisfied my curiosity
on this particular then there is another thing |
am anxious to be informed upon, and that Is,
what form, what strange and new plan OF pro-
ceedng will he suggest for the adoption oil the
Senate? will tell him; will show him the on
| ly resource that is left-the point to which he
necessarily comes; and that is this-he will be
Obliged to declare, in his resolution, that the
| principle upon which the Senate acted was not
correct; that it was false and erroneous prln-
ciple And let me ask what was that principle,
which now it seems is to be destroyed! Inc
principle on which the Senate acted, the princl-
Pile which tina! gentleman engages to overthrow,
is this" ace hare ri CHI TO express orr OPINION
He will be compelled to deny that or perhaps he
may take refuge from such predicament, by
qualifying his subversion OF this first principle
of legislative freedom. And how will he quail
fy the denial Of this principle, that is, how will
he deny it, and yet apparently maintain itl He
has one only resource left, and that's, to pretend
that we have right to express our opln..
ions, but not Of The PreSideni!-this is the end
and aim-yes this is the inevitable consequence
and result, of such an extraordinary, such a
monstrous procedure.
| So, then, is it come TO this. that the Senate
has no right to EXPIRE its opinion in relation 70
the Executive? A distinction is now set up be.
tween the President and all other officers, and
the gentleman is prepared with resolution 10
give effect and energy to the distinction; and
now, for the first time that such doctrine has
ever been heard on the American soil, he is pre-
pared to profess and publish in the face OF the
| American people that old and worn out dogma
| of old and Worn out nations, the King can dc
no wrong"-that his officers, his ministers, are
alone responsible; that we shall be permitted
perhaps, to utter our opinions of them; but a
unanimous opinion expressed unanimously by
| . ;,,r Lott m tho DrpSi6ant n
be suffered to exist is no longer permitted to be
given; it must be eXpunged from the Journals.
| confess am agitated with an intense curio
sity; wish to see with what ingenuity of artfu
disguise the Senate is to be reduced to the dumt
legislation of Bonaparte's Senate. This very
question brings on the issue, this very PROPOSE
ton Of eXpunging our resolutions is the question
in which the expunging of our legislative free
dom and independence is to be agtated. con
| fess long to see the strange extremitles to
which the gentleman will come; it is question
of the utmost magnitude; am anxious to see
it brought on; two Senators (Messrs. Benton
and King of Alabama) have pledged themselves
to bring it forward; they cannot do it too soon
they cannot too soon expose the horrible reali'
ty of the condition to which our country is re-
duced. | hope they will make no delay; LEI
themhasten in their course; let them lose no
time in their effort to eXpunge the Senate, and
dissolve the system Of government and Consti-
tuition. Yes, | entreat them to push their deli
berate purpose to resolve; they have now Civ
en- origin to question than which none, per-
haps, is in its effects and tendencies, Of deep
er and more radical Importance; il is question
more important than that Of the Bank, or than
that of the Post Office, and am exceedingly
anxious to see how far they will carry out the
doctrine that they have advanced; doctrine
as enslaving and as despotic as any that is main.
tanned by the autocrat Of all the Russias To
give them an opportunity, move to lay the re-
solution on the table, and promise them that
when they move their resolution will be ready
to take it up.
MIR. Clayton would call to the recollection of
Senators what had happened on former occa-
sion, and would explain when and how it was
that propositions for erPnngine first took their
origin On the lilh of December, $780, he Mr.
Clayton brought forward the proposition to in
vestigate the affairs of the Post Office Depart
ment. Could any gentleman forget what had
happened then? Would it be forgotten that all
the vas of partizan wrath and vituperation
were then poured upon his head2 That then the
Senator from Missouri, MIR. Benton) rose in
his place and urged upon the Senator from Loui-
siana, (now our minister in France) to move that
the proceedings ofthe committee be expunged2