Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1837-01-05
DEBATE IN THE u 6. HOUSE OF REPREsENTA-
TIvES ...tt

Nv E''- -
From the National Iniellixencer.
SPEECH OF Mn. PEYTON .(oy TEssEssEE,,
Upon he Resolution Of Mr.. Wise proposing a
select commitee Of investigation, and Nv.
Ptarces motion 10 amend The san,e,-De-
cember Is. 49,. -.'.< t-'.-. -. ..
!, Mr.. SPEAKER: ! was, at first, some has
surprised that the gentleman boss Xkpde Is
land (Mr. Pearce) .hould be found in opposi-
ton TO this investigation. This gentleman
was once the Jealous advocate of rigid scru-
: tiny into all abuses committed by public fnnc-
tioDanes. In an elaborate speech. upon this
floor, he once su'aned on invest, gat on sim
liar to the one now proposed by my friend
from Virginia, {Mr. Wi.c.) ! allnde to the
case Of the Wiscasset Collector But. sir. the
gentleman announces tie MT that he has
ehang'd. lie was then opposed to General
Jackson-violently and bitterly opposed to-
hm--and b. manifested that opposition io
every conceivable way, aud upon every sub
jcct that urose. But having now become
Jackson man, he has undergone, it seems, p
complete political transformation And what
a change his old principles discarded--his
mental vision in total and disastrous eclipse,
ne has eloserl his eyes uPon fraud, and spccu
lation, and plunder. e..
4 But, sir, has it come 10 this, that the gen.
tleman from Rhode Island is put forward as
the champion of Andrew JacksoD2 Has that
distinguished citizen already sunk go low
that his fame and reputation are committed to
the keeping Of such hands? Oh. spectacle,
snortifying and humiliatlng, to the honest
friends and original supporters Of Andrew
Jackson. those who fought with him, and vo-
ted for himt who advocated his frat election
upon principle, and who unlike the gentle
man, yet stand up the dauntless advocates of
the same principles? What must they think
how must they feel. when they are informed
that the Presidents reputation rs statesman
has fallen into the custody Of that gentleman,
who, formerly violent, loathed, and detesteG
assailant, Eas thrown himsclf into the current
of the Presidents popularity, strong enough
to bear even aim along. and has now become
his pretended fulsoine eutogist and defender?
But, sir, to the gentlemans objections. or
rather his pretended objections,to the propos-
ed inquiry. lie has given striking speci-
:. men of the cunning and tact Of the sect to
, which he belongs, by the issue which he has
/. made up-a false hypocritical issue. Whas
: is it? Why, forsooth, that it involves the
: Presidents veracity! that it viii be, does the
President speak The. truth when be says that
. all the officers are "honest" as we'll as capa-
> BILE! and that he, good tendcr-hcsrted man.
cannot endure to hear any thing which infrin-
ges, in the slightest degree, upon the veraci
ty ofthat high functionary. Under this fal e
and fraudulent issue the gentleman takes
shelter, and expects to escape all inquiry, all
investigation. Is argument required to- ex-
pose position so monstrous2 Will not eve
ry high minded man in the nation look upon
it with scorn and Indignation! Sir, ! deny
t and denounce this as that false issue which,
has so long been The shield Of the party, and
behind which they always skul& at the slight
est approach Of danger. The President says
: that they are honest, and the gentleman says
you are not to prove them to be rogues, be-
cause that would be to make OH the Prssi-
dent liar. What position. ..
Did the President write the paragraph ip
his message, ,laudatory of these officers whicis
the gentleman himself admits is uHusual in
. such a document, and which, | am sure, has
. no precedent or parallel? No, sir, not one
word Of it, and he does not know, at this mo-
a ment, that it is there. What is il, sir, thas
these gentlemen, SO able and so honest, have
/ introduced into the message, and now claim
!, that it is evidence Of so high and sncred a ma
ture that it cannot be examined or mpeachedf
Q Here it is: ...-.
+ before concluding this paper, ! think ia
bear testimony TO their prosperous condition.
and to the Gbdify and integrity with which
they have been conducted II has been nv
|" aim to enforce in all of thema viglant and
= faithful discharge Of the public business: and
:, it is gratifying to me to believe that there is
- no just cause of complaint, from any quarter.
" nj the manner in which they have fulfilled
the objects Of their creation"
n, Did Andrew Jackson write this sweeping
q certificate Of moral character for these gen.
tlemen? No. slrno. fplead non esfJacfum-
II is not his deed. They have fraudulently
smuggled il into his message, to evade scru-
= tiny into their conduct. Instead Of sitting
inquiry, il is of itseHa cause Of suspicipn. ]
say sir, that the President did not write; in.
% support Of which averment, have evidence
- :, satisfac actory, at least, TO my own mind, and
- such rs should be made known To this House.
!. TO the country atlarge, and to posterity. IL
= should thus be made known.in order to shield
the name and fame Of the President from thar
imputation which, in all time to come, would
attach tothen',n consequence Of this fagrans
d abuse Of the confidence reposed BY him in
others. The committee On the part Of the
y Senate, which, according to usage, was sp-
$ pointed 10 wait upon the President at the
!, commencement OF the session, and inform
y him Of the readiness Of Congress 10 receive
the very message iu question, found him ex-
y tended on sick couch, scarcely ablc TO ruise
: his hand. On the eve Of their departure, he
, urged the Senator from Penn. tMr. Gtundyb
To come back soon and talk with him; that he
was lonesome. wanted company, and wished
to have his friends about him. File Senator
(sias, thot il should be peccssary for him IN
invoke the Attendance OF such frepds!l did
return,s nd remained with the President mors
than an hour, during which time he. never a.