Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1836-10-13

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Bank ethe rie,cs Of the administration" as to
the conduct expected from it. But the at
tempt to corrupt the Bank failed, and the al
tentative was put in practice. The national
Bank was assailed, and charged with the ve-
~ political soning into which its accusers
had attempted TO scduce it. The public mo-
ney was taken out of the custody Of the law
into the control Of the Executive; and dispos-
ed Of and employed in the manner the world
has witnessed: until the national Legislature
though hitherto under the same Executive in
fuence, become alarmed; and found it abso-
lutely necessary To arrest the progress Of so
deadly a conspiracy against the liberties OF
the people, BY passing law for the govern
ment Of the Executive Banks, and taking the
surplus public money ont Of his hands and
distributing it amongst the States. Who can
be surprised that Mr.. Van Buren, in his letter
before us, should exult and lament by turns.
But his exultation and lame ntation are equal
ly ill-timed; and lily calculated to raise him in
the estimation of the people of this State
The Representatives of the people, in the
General Assembly, were true 10 their con-
stitnents; and truly expressed their sentl-
ments when they Resolved "that The removal
ollie public money from The Bank Of Me United
States, in mhich by Lac and Contract, IL lras
required 10 be deposited, icas MEASURE un,car-
ranted, M-adrised and injurious 10 the public
interest"
FIFTH AND LAST QUESTION.
"Hhat is yorr opinion of he constitutional
po,cer Of The .Stnaie or House Of Representa-
tires Of The Congress OF the u. S. 10 eypunge
or obliterote from The journals The records and
proceedings Of a prepious session."
GEN. HARRIsoN's ANSWER
81 distinctly answer To this question, that
in my opinion neither House of Congress can
constitutionaly eXpunge the record of the
proceedings of their predecessors. The pow
er to rescind certainly belongs to them,
and is for every public, legitimate purpose,
oil that Is necessary"
Mr.. VAN BUREN's ANSWER.
81 regard the passage of Col. Benion's pre-
amble aud resolutions to be an act of Justice
to faithful and greatly injured public ser
want; not only constitutional in itself, but i'm
periousiy demanded by a proper respect for the
,oeH kno,cn toiN Of the people,"
The resolution Of the Senate, which Mr..
Van Buren and Col. Benton are so fierce for
expunging, went no farther, if so far, as the
resolves Of our own Representatives, which
we believe truly expressed the sentiments of
the people. The Senate believed that the
act OF the Executive taking the public revcn.
ues out OF the custody of the law into his own
control, was unconstitutional. II it was so,
it was an Infringement Of the constitutional
powers of Congress, against which il was the
duty of Congress and Of each House TO pro-
test. But, if the Senate was mistaken in its
opinion,it had right to express it by its vote:
and il a subsequent Senate, because it enter. I
n rlHprnnf CprlI tbnt
vote to be erpunged from the record, it might
equally expunge every other previous vote,
and, in short. destroy the public records
And it's own proceedings might be treated in
the same manner by any future Senate. The
object Of Col. Benton and MIR. Van Buren is,
to humble and degrade the Senate for the
qualification Of the Executive. DO the peo-
pie n this State wish to see the Senatorial
branch of the General Government prostra- .
ted and brought to the feet Of the Executive?
Search on the largest map of the United
States Tor tie spot occupied by our State; and
when you have found H. you will see that j,
may be covered by the palm of an infant
hand. What safety should we have-what
shadow of influence in the General Govern
ment, hot for our equal representation in the
Senate, which places us upon an equal foot
ing with the largest State in the Union: Our
representation in the House of Representa-
tives is merely nominal. And what is our in
fuence in the election OF the Executive, to
whom the Senate is required to bow DOWN.
Reflect upon the composition Of the mass of
voting population in other States especially ]
the large States aud populous cities, and see
the vast hordes embodied IN it t,equally devoid
OF principle, thought and care, and ever rea-
dy to become the instruments o! ambition
These are "the people" into whose ears Mr..
Van Buren pours his adulatons. This is his
"democracy Of the country" These the people
"ichose ,ceN knotcn ,ciH," he says impcriousiy
demands the prosiration of the Senate at the
foot stool Of his and their chief No wonder
Mr.. Van Buren, is so great an advocate for
universal suffrage. Is it for the people of
this State to join in the cry against ohe Sen.
ate? Ought we not rather to feel alarm and
al the worse than Algerine war
carried on against it by the Executive himself
in person. and his adopted successor How
have we had patience to witness the outrage
ous treatment to which the Senate ofthe Uni. \
led States has been subjected We have
seen it unremittingly assacd and reyiled in |
he Executive gazette, and stigmatised as the
Jfacfious Senate" because it had frlnness e.
,ough to preserve its constitutional station in
he Government, and did not submit to the
will of the Executive. We have seen the
Executive himself making direct attempts to
influence the Legislatures Of States to pun
sh their independent. long tried Senators, for
laring to resist his will. -
Fellow-citizens! what will be your Govern
pent it, after the Head of the Executive de-.
,artment, by means OF his universal patron
,ge inflsence, has succeeded in procuring ]
House of Representatives to suit his purpo- /
,es, the States shall join him against their
,wn State Senators, the Representatives of |
heir State sovereignties, and aid him in re-
iucing that branch Of the National Legisla-
ure also under his snbjection' What will be
,our &c MI "a I.1. liknI.r t, !