Litchfield enquirer., 1837-11-30
From he Madisonian. HUMOROUS SPEECH.

MT. William Cost Johnson, at the evening session of the 18th, rose and requested MT. Pope to give way, as he appeared evidently exhausted, and he would pledge himself and the honor of every member on the floor, that he would be listened to on to- morrow with the greatest pleasure for the conclusion of his able and eloquent discourse. MT. Pope acceded to the proposal. Some gentleman moved that the committee rise, but withdrew his motion at the request of MT. Johnson.
 Mir. Chairman, said he, in thus thrusting myself upon your patience at this late hour, I appeal to the magnanimity of gentlemen in the hope that they will indulge me for short half hour. The question before us is all im- portant to inc great farming interest of the country Ihave the honor of representing that interest exclusively.
 said, sir, 1 would crave your attention tor half an hour, When Waller Scott was ask ed why he had not written the life of Buona- parte in one volume he said, had not time l If should encroach on the time have limit ed to myself, pray you to consider the an- swer of the Northman writer as applicable to myself. have not had the time to dive into the subject in all it's bearings, and conse- quently shallnot be able to express myself in the briefest and most felicitous manner. Before Igo any farther, as we are in com- mittee considering the state of the whole un- ion, will take this occasion of rendering the omende honorable to the Post Master General stated in my place on'a former occasion, that the Post Office Department was corrup- ted to the very core. In saying so, did not mean that the Post Master General was per- sonally liable to this accusation. And I would then have disclaimed imputing any such crime to that gentleman, but for the fact, that was met with two challenges, five threats to be cowhidcd, and God knows how many menaces to be caned to death. I had said, and say it now, that if any man calling hinaseg e gentleman were to challenge me, would accept his proposition without delay. Under such circumstances, could not erplGin. Now, sir, these things have been all arrang- ed, and take pleasure in saying, that did not mean any thing offensive to tho P. M. G. personally.
 But to the question before us. The con- duct of the member from South Carolina, (Mr. Pickens,) and of several Virginia mem- bers, appears to me most inexplicable. They come up here with the Constitution in their hands, to preach against the banking system. We'll, sir, do they give us a plain common sense view of this instrument! No, sir. They appeal to the opinion of MT. Jefferson! Now do protest against this proclamation of that great mans name. No one can reverence it more than do; but read the Constitution, and dare to interpret it myself according to the reason God has given me. Not so with these patriotic South Caroiinians and Vir- ginians. There auere men in Virginia and Carolina, sir, in times gone by, who dared to think for themselves in interpreting this in- strument. They are gone, and we have in their stead host of new lights depending for ] their legislative principles on Thomas Jeffer- son and the true Virginia doctrines of 1798 Between these two authorities they veer from time to time, and when they no longer suit their views, they fly to James Madison. For shame, gentlemen! What would you do if the point d'appui of your political lever were destroyed!
 They would be in the condition of the brother of the present Attorney General of Maryland, (Mr. Bailey.) On the eastern shore of Maryland, in former times, there was knot of sincere federalists. They were in the habit of meeting every week to get merry and sing over their cups. These were the days of American hospitality, sir. Members crowded around the speaker.- Complete silence.] The news of the death of General Hamilton was received at one of their feasts, where wine and reason flowed in equal streams; They broke their glasses for grief at the loss of the great chief of the Federal party. Various were the laments made by every one of the coterie. MT. Bai- ley had sat all the while silent. His grief was of the deepest dye. He emptied his glass, however, more frequently than usual. At last he broke out with an earnestneSS of manner that quieted his companions: "Gen- tiemen," said he. [" I have more cause of grief than any of you. It can never be assuaged while live 1" "What is it-what is it !' were the exclamations consequent on this declaration. "Whilst Gen. Hamilton lived, his opinions perfectly accorded with mine. 1 was then spared the trouble of investiga- ting things. Now, only think of it, I shall De compelled to htink for mysef" [Tremen- dous laughter.
 So it would be with the members on this floor, if fThomas tJefferson's opinions were to be wrested fomexistence. They would have to think for themselves, and great would be thelr lamentations, but less long their speech es. [Still greatef laughter.
 Give me, sir, the old fashioned Virginian and Carolian, who used to think for himself, and dared to express his opinions, too. When
 Mr. Lowndes was told, on this floor, that
 National Bank was unconstitutional, what did he say !-" Gentlemen have urged me that the Constitution should be so amended as to give the power to Congress to charter a bank. Now, have two objections to this.- The first is, if the proposal be made to the States. believe it will be rejected; and the second IS, believe the power already exists m the Constitution" He was opposed, MT. Chairman, at the time, by every member from his own State, yet he dared, like man, to speak his honest sentiments. He did not,
 like your modern politicians, seek to get un- der the shield of Thomas Jefferson. God knows, they want some place to hide their chosen the Virginia doctrines, and Thomas JefferSonss oninsons