Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-03-17
VIRGINIA LEGasLATGBsE.
DEFERRED DEB.3IE.-[CoSTiSuED.l


DEFERREO DEB3TE.-[CosrIsuEp.l
HOUSE OF MISUNDERSTANDING, jan rs
EXPUNGING RESOLUTIONS. .
NJ p,,cr said that upou all occasions when his duty
as member required him to address the House. ne mao
felt very great weight OF
IJnon this occasion he experienced tins ecng III It's
most appalling extent, growing as II nIu' 10 so'v
out of the peculiar circumstances under WR'c ne o'u
himself placed Although he had entertained some !ora
of DELIVERING his sentiments with brcvity to the House
upon this interesting subject, during the pcndecy OF me
debate he had idea until yesterday, when he asheu
the indulgence othe House to ADJOURN OF DOING IL ii ;"
early period Ii appeared to INN then, tha nt!cSs ne
ayaed himself Of that opportunity, he couid not nave
anoher-tha the debate closed, and from every IN
dication which he could Sec the question was about
to be propoundcd to the liouSe. ne 'e't '''"t III
was then unprcpared, and could not hope to he pre-
pared to-day But this not ail-flc feared That lr
was about deliver his sentiments to gentlemen pom
subject which their minds had been already made up
The historian Lvy informed that the Roman people
were once furnishing for bread; that their orators cngng
ed themselves in exhorng the people to bear their ca
amity with patience and ortude and hope for deliver
ance: but it was then remarked, that the people were
hungry and that hungry people could hear no arguments
Such he feared, the case with him. lie was, ne
feared addressing gentlemen whose .nds were already
made up and consequently would he unwilling To hear
any argument. Their opinions could not be Changed
bv arrument Yet, notwithstanding the circumstances
under which he appeared so unpropll"us he hop
ed TO express his sentiments with the freedom" and can
The question under consideration Is, Shall those Re
solutions pass And what, said he, is their character:
They propose to instruct Senators in the Congress
of the United States-to do what: TO introduce and
vote for resolution in that body to crpaRgc from their
journals, resolution which they had previously adopted.
The gentleman from Goochland (Mr Waklns) has eau
didly announced that the proposition was novel, and
must be sustained by novel IN xns navel and
novel reasons had been assigned IN support oi It, Duh
said he its novelty is not greater than lis Importance
Its Importance could not be denied IL lhVo'V's said
he nuesuns of most difficult consideration; and when
ever question of such potent magnitude came under
the consideration of the House. TO be settled upon rrn,
cipe ourht not the members TO d!vcs themselves vi all
marty feelings and bring into rcqulsitioa the best and
most impartial feelings Of their mnds for the presrrra
ton Of our glorious political inheritance, and the pros
perity and happiness of our common country They
should said he shake loose the nanaccs ct party dis
cip;ne dspcl tho party mist which lgh have obscurcd
their vision they should lift themselves above the dirty
scum of party influence, and decide canddy, ndepcnd-
emily and firmly.
The first question: said Mr.. P, which sccRscd to pre-
sent itself to his mind for consideration, was this Did
the President remov6 the Deposites from the Bank OF
the United States: The facts, said hc in relation TO the
removal were we'll KNOWN and had been so FULLY and
ably discussed upon various OCCASIONS That seemed 10
him that the subject could net he made palmer by any
reference to it, The President himself assumes The
act as his own He calls the American people 10 con-
slider as his own and his friends ought not TO deny 1t
for him. He "assumcs the responsibility OF the ACT
attempt 10 rob him Of leaf Of laurel which cntwincs
his brow Before he assumed the fact as Proved that the
President did remove the DcpoSItcs from the Bank OF the
u States he would rc!e. the House to the President
himself for proof. Let him speak for himself. In his
address 10 his Cabinet Officers, in September, 1888
prepared expressly fer the occasion we find him
using this language: The President again repeats that
he beps his cabinet to consider the proposed measure
his own in the support of which he shall require
of them make sacrifice OF opinion or pr'ncipir Its
responsibility has been assumed, after the most mature
deberation and reflection, as necessary 10 preserve The
morals of the people, the freedom Of the press aud the
purity of the elective franchise without which, all unite
in wing that the blood and treasure expended by our
forefathers in the establishment of happy system Of
government, will have been vain and frulllrss. Under
these convictions, he feels that measure Important
TO the American people, cannot be commenced
and he therefore the first day OF October next,
S3 as period proper for the change ot the dcpostes,
or sooner provided the necessary arrangements with the
State Banks can be made" He bcgs, said Mr.. F. his
Cabinet to consider he proposed measure his OWL in
the support Of which he shall require Of them
make sacrifice Of opinion OF principle. "lic should
require of the TO make sacrifice Sir the Pre-
sident was very kind to his officers: he would require
no ono Of them to make sacrifice lie willing
give to all Of them the exercise of his own volillun,
and to assume the responsibility himself. This
was very kind lie thought, no doubt, that his Ca.
binet would unite in opinion 'unit." But
MIR. Secretary Duane believing himself Irresponsible
an officer could unite with The President Us unit
He could not offer any satisfactory Congress
for the act and would therefore bc making sacrifice
of opiuion" to do The PIrsdrlt svon relieved his
Secretary from the embarrassment Tie did not require
him 70 make a sacrifice Of opinion principle in obey
inc his mandates, but makes sacrifice OF him as an
officer. lie cxpes his Secretary from office. and ap-
ponls another who the gentleman from Goochland (Mr
Watkips) saws possessed more trmness, hut say
hwn;no ductlity-and within two days time after his
indnction into office we find this 'rm Secretary sign
ino the dictated mandate requiring the public deposcs to
be removed from the Bank Of the United States. The
President says ts responsibility has been assumed after
the most mature deibcration; and, sir Tor what pur
pose Why sir as necessary to preserve the morals
of the people, the freedom of the PRESS and the purity
of the elective franchise Glorious objects TO be at
taiued and worthy the character of an usrious man.
Mr. P said he should assume the fact established
that the President did the deposi,es from the
Bank of the United States, and that the Secretary was
only plant instrument TO effect his purpose. Forms
in the affairs Of nations ought not TO be regarded and
although the Secretary did gu the order Of removal it
was dictated by the President; he the &C, as his
own, and hold him responsible the nation. Then,
sir, by what authority did the President make The re-
moyal? Look for it, sir in the Constitution and laws
and YOU look in vain The Constitution is silent upon
the subject and the only clause Of law known to him.
found in the act incorporating the Bank which he would
read to the House The depostes of the money of the
United States, in which the said Bank and branches
thereof NAV be established shall be made in said Bank