Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1837-05-12
MIR. WEBSTER,S SPEECH.


But, gentlemen. it is the currency, the
currency of the couu'ry,-it is this great
subject. sn interesting, so vital, to all elias
seq of the community, which has been dcs.
tined to feel the most violent assaults Of
executive power. The consequences are
around us. and upon us. Not Unforeseen,
not unforetold, have come, bringing distress
for the present. and fear and alarm fer the
future. If it be denied, tina, the present
condition of things has arisen from the
presidents interference with the revenue.
the first answer il, that when he did inter.
fcre, ]ust such consequences were predicted.
Il was then SAID, and repeated, and pressed
upon the public attention, that that ln,erfe
renee mus, necessarily produce derange>
ment, embarrassment, loss of confidence
and commercial distress. pray you, gen
tlemen, to recur to the debates of 1892,
1888, and 1884, and then TO decide whose
opinions have proved to be correct. When
TIE treasury experiment was first announ
ced, who supported, and who opposed it ?
Who warned the country against it? Who
were they who endeavored to stay the vio-
lcnce Of party, to arrest the hand of execu.
tive authority, and to convince he people,
object was mere y to increase executive
power, and that its effect. sooner or later,
must be injurious and runous.
Gentlemen, it is fair to bring the opinions
OF political men to the test of experience
IL Is just to judge Of them by their meas,
ures, and their opposition to measures; and
for myself, and those political friends with
whom have acted on this subject of the
currency, am ready to abide the test.
But before the subject of the currency,
and It's present most embarrassing state is
discussed, invite your attention, gentle
men, TO the history of executive proceed
lngs, connected with it. propose to sta
to you series Of facts not to argue upon
them, not to mystJy them, not TO draw any
unjust inference from them; but merely to
state the case, in the plainest manner, as |
understand il. And | wish, gentlemen,
that in order to be able to do this, in the
best and most convincing manner. | had the
ability of my learned friend, (Mr Ogden)
whom you have all so often heard, and
who states his case, usually, in such a
manner, that when stated, it is already
very well argued.
Let Us see, gentlemen, what the train of
occurrences has been, in regard to our rev.
enue and finances and when these occurs
rences ore stated, | leave to every man the
right to decide for himself, whether our
present difficulties have, or have not, arisen
from attempts to extend the executive au.
thority. In giving this detail, | shall be
compelled to speak of the late Bank of The
United States; but shall speak of it his.
toricaly only. My opinion of its utility,
and OF The extraordinary ability and success
with which its affairs were conducted, Tor
many years before termination of its char
ter, is well known. ! have often express
ed it, and have not altered it. But a,
present ] speak of The bank, only as it
makes necessary part in the history of
events, which wish now 10 recapilulate
Mr. Adams commenced his admins ration
in March 1925. He had beeu elected BY
The House of Representatives, and began
bis career as President under o strong and