Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1837-03-07

The erpunge-a rOice trom the administra-
lion ranks Last week we notified our read
ers that Senator Mexican Of Pennsylvania,
supporter Of the administration, who was de-
tanned from the Senate by sickness when Ben
toms expungng resolutions were passed, had
declared himself against those resolutions. The
present week we have received copy OF his
letter TO the Legislature OF Pennsylvania on the
subject, in which he goes the whole length
with Mr.. Webster, denouncing tho expunge
as direct and papobe violation of the con-
sttution. At the same time he says he was
opposed 10 the resolutions which were TO be
expunged, and that he had prepared series
Of resolutions resembling them in constitu-
tional way, which he would have presented as
substitutes for the expunge could he have been
present. He also shows that the Constitution
of Pennsylvania, like the Constitution OF the
U. S., required tho legislature 10 keep jour.
nails oil proceedings "-and that in 1916, the
legislature Of Pennsylvania had decided, by o
vote Of rs 10 3, that ii could not erpungc any
part ofits journals, even by unanimous consent,
Senators Mexican and Buchanan both voting
with the majority. We are rejolced to have
the testimony Of Samuel Mckcan he is q
democrat Of the old school, and his voice we
trust will have the influence 10 which il is en-.
titled among the democracy. We give the
concluding paragraphs Of his letter:
Time passes away and men change; but
nrtu MI nd irt,fh 1 al
hope that those good old Pennsylvania doc
trines, asserted and acted on in the days when
the venerable Madison commanded the Con-
stitufion, and the patriot Snyder stood at the
helm OF the ship Pennsylvania. may yet sur
vive, and, like the coat OF Hunks, again be-
come fashionable and valuable.
wholly rePudlatc the sickly idea harped on
by those who assume 10 be the keepers Of his
reputation, that the existence on the journals
Of the resolution of the 2Sth Of March, 1884,
has furnished the character Of the Chief Ma
gistratc, and therefore it must be expunged.-
1t is not true; and every popular demonstra-
ton denies II. His faiuc stands too firm and
high to need any artificial propping. And |
protest against submitting the measure of my
, political faith TO be tested by the anomalous
and degrading standard OF the Virgina OK
punging resolutions.
: ask pardon OF the House for digres' ing ia
, few subsequent illusions TO matters having
no connexlon with the House OF Representa-
tives. | could not, were disposed to, be ig.
norant Of the current Instructions from nu-
merous irresponsible sources, to injure me po.
litically in public estimation.
, perfectly understand the authors of the en-
gines Of detracton set in motion 10 dragon
me into state Of abiect political scrviity, or
> to render life unpleasant az the Price of indie
4 pendence and integrity. My first responsible
q political act was vote given in 1903, to aid
IN bringing Simon Snyder into the eubernato-
: rial chair.
n To many of you it is known, and a recur
renee to past events will prove, that have en-
joyed a reasonable perhaps os some have
complained, an undue share Of the confidence
q Of every democratic administration froR, tina
TO the present time. have frequently, from
a sense OF Duty differed from my polilicu
i friends in power, as 10 party measures, with
: out once thinking that thereby | was mourning
, party prescription and anathema mud still
II ess for expressing an honest difference OF opin
VI ion as 10 the import and meaning OF the Con
[. stitutlon. Having thus passed on, withou
known or intentional deviation, for term o
nearly thirty years, now, if nothing butimmo
d lation will appease my enemies, let the blow
e come. | am prepared for the WORST, and on
~ ly regret that can point to so many names, .
q, lli8utT merit, WHO nave muCn sooner SUNK Nn
u der the banelul effects OF this systematzed os
J. tracism.
~ The public records, as cited above, shoy
II clearly, TINT, acting under official oath twenty
" one years ago, declared against the doctrn
of expurgalion.
II must now be content with the opinion o
the House as TO my sincerity, when declax
that every consideration which have been n
BILE TO bestow on the subj ct since, has confr
y, med me stronger in the correctness OF lha
opinion. Under these circumstances | asl
the House of Representatives, what was m
NJ duty as Senalor2 | answer for myself
my health had permitted, | would have bee
rt taken to the Senate Chamber on the night
the 10th of January, and would have offerc
my proposition, reversing the resolution of tn
n 28th of March, 1884; and if this had been re
Jected, would then, as one of the most i'm
parave and conscientious duties OF my li(,
al have voted against the expungng resolution
>, iierly awarding to others, who have though
W and acted differently, what | clam for mysel
e. VIZ honesty Of purpose. declare to so,
or gentlemen OF the House of Representative
- that cond not vote for that resolution, witt
out having, in my own estimation, COMMITTEE
su fragrant nfrae'ion of the Constitution Of III
il country, clear violation of The oath had ia
10 ken to support it, and must stand, ever aitc
!, before GOD and my own conscience, GUILT
~ OF deliberate moral PERJURY
C. SAMUEL McKEAN.
II Washington Feb 10, 1887
10 tEJSThe President is i'll, and will not, it