Cheraw gazette. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1835-1838, 1836-05-24
Extracts from Mr.. Gorlaud's Speech in reply to
M Bell

The honorable gentleman from lennes-
see, (Mr. Belly in assigning the reasons
which have induced him to abandon ''the
party" now sustaining the Administration,
charges, lst. Thatthe Administration came
into power upon the profession ofone set OF
principles, and practices upon another. I'd.
That the Administration has been grossly
derelict in its duty in recommending proper
measures and providing for the defence OF
the country. Sd. That its practices are
prodisal and corrupt in the employment and
Disbursement of the public funds used in dis
pensa.;ag the patronage ofthe Government.
And 4th. That it has attempted to delude
the People, and produce public excitement
upon subjects which they recommend, and
never intended to carry out into practice.
Before, however, proceed to answer these
charges, propose to ascertain the true point
of responsibility, If they be found true. The
honorable gentleman from Tennessee says
he attaches but slight degree of RESPONSE.
bility to the President, for the practices and
neglect which he charges upon the Admin
issration but holds his feutenants, rs ne
calls them, responsible, and thinks the Vice
President himself should be held somewhat
responsible; that he ought, to some extent,
to examine into the practices ofthe Govern
ment, and correct abuses. do not, Mr..
Chairman, concur with the honorable gen.
teman in his views upon this subject. !
hold the President himself responsible for
all and every abuse Of Executive neglect OF
duty or abuse ofpower. The Constitution
charges him with the whole Executive duty;
he appoints to office and removes at his will;
if fabuses exist, the Constitution has placed
in his hands the corrective power; and If he
fails, whenever he has knowledge ofabuse,
to apply the corrective, hold him respon-
sible to the country. Twill not separate be-
tween the President and Executive officers,
because all his duties consist in controlling
their action aud correcting their malpractl.
ces. tits here abuses may sometimes exist
for time without his detection; but when
he does detect them; it is his duty to correct;
and, fhe fails, he is deeply responsible.
But upon what principle the Vice President
is to be held responsible, ] confess cannot
discern. He is charged by the Constitution
simply with the duty oil presiding over the
deliberations of the Senate; he can neither
appoint nor remove an Executive officer, nor
can he conshtutionaly do single Execu-
tive act, unless he is charged with the duties
ofthe office of President, by the death, re-
moval, or resignation, or disability OF the
President. Sir, the Vice President is upon
no principle responsible for any abuses OF
the Government, however glaring or cor
rupt, for the simple reason that he has no
constitutional power to correct them. 1t Is
obvious, however, that he is to be held res.
ponsible by his opponents, with a view to
Observation-Disclosures election.
; / come now, Mr.. Chairman, to consider
the charges of the honorable gentleman
from Tennessee against the Administration;
in doing SOL shall attempt to defend the
Administration by fact and reason. shall
not employ opprobrious party epithets, or
simpeacht the motives ofany man upon this
floor. Conscious ofthe integrity ofmy own
opinions, shall extend to others with whom
Idifer as much credit for integrity of opin.
ion as claim for myself. knowing, as |
do, the liability Of the human mind, and its
proneness to err, and being unwilling to claim
), to myself infaIibility,if facts and reasons
cannot be found to sustain my opinions, !
am sure denunciation viii not. The first
charge that propose TO consider is, that the
Administration came into power protesting
one set of principles, and that It practices
upon another. The first specification made
by the gentleman from Tennessee, which |
shall discuss, is the subject of "Internal I'm.
proyement." He charges that the present
Administration came into power protesting
opposition to this system, din practice had
expended more money than in the same pc.
sriod Of any pre-existing Administration.
First, then, sir, as TO the profession, and then
the practice. And here ] might rest the
defence Of the Administration against the
charge, by simply quoting from the speech
ofthe gentleman from Kentucky { Mr.. Allen
the charge that the President came INTO pow
er Jarc7ng Tie system Of Internal Improve
ments, while his practice has overthrown it
This gentleman read an extract from u letter
from the President to the Governor Of Indi
ana, in which the President refers to his votes
as q member ofthe Senate upon this subject
and asserts his opinions to be unaltered
This letter, the gentleman from Kentucky
says, deluded the Westinto the suppor, o
the President. He says: This letter, through
out the West, was considered as removing
every doubt, and the cote Of that eounir!
uas given upon the faith Of the posiar
pledge /. contained" The gentleman sar
castically says that this pledge was re
deemed By the reto Of the MaysViLe 5ll
and that the veto Of the bill for the ben