The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-09-26
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.

|
The Senate sdjourned @a 3t NH 8HS
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, II
4, SATURDAY, Sept 20. ~
On motion OF Mr. HAYNES, it was
Ordered, That, from and after Monday next the
daily hour Of meeting for the House shall be 10 O'Clock
n THE vLoRIpA WAR, ETC. 4I.Gs 2aa
Aiter the presentation Of numerous petitions on The
subject OF the annexation Of Texas, and the abolition Of
slavery in the District Of Columbia, list Of which will
be given hereafter.)
The House resumed the unfinished business OF yes
terdsy morning, which the consideration Of Mr.
WIss's resolution for a committee Of inquiry on the
subject OF the Florida War, when 45.t
Mr. WISE said, When Icsrne here, four years ago.
when was FIRST elected by the people Of my district,
was the friend q power had not been here long %,
strong already looked anxiousy TO the condition Of
our institutions and narrowly at the enemies Of those
institutions and soon discovered that their greatest
enemy the concentration Of al power IN the Ex-
ccutiye. ~
Sir, looked at the public domain-,he-rchest inheri-
lance with which any nation was ever ged-more vast
and more fertile and greater OF revenue, than
that which any crowned head OF Europe ever lorded
over. Iound this extended territory, the eminent do
main itself Of the government at the absolute disposal
of the President; and as q necessary consequence OF
this control over the public domain, saw the new
Safes Of this Union within the limits OF which the pub
lie lands are situated entirely at his bidding. .
looked TO other sources Of power surveyed all
the little rs and all the great fountains Of revenue and
found them all pouring in patronage TO the Chief Ex-
ecutve from triple coast the lakes, the Atlantic,
and the Gulf Of Mexico. saw more. looked to the
public press, and found this, too the pensoned subs
diced slave Of Executive will. And, above oil, dis
covered greater power than all because II carries all
power with it, welded BY the President in the appoint
ment and removal Of all the officers Of government All
all these powers, and more saw concentrated IN the
hands OF one maa
Thus there was some restraint some check provided
by the Constitution and placed in the hands Of Con-
gress this check. il was supposed, consisted in the
custody and control OF the public purse Bot between
the period Of my election and Of my taking my seat
sident and indeed, had 4 remained where = was
placed by the Constitution would st pracucaiy nave
Al viii control Congress by he power Of appointing OF
remoy;ng n. members 10 ar from Office
From ali This tremendous mass Of mower saw clear
l. ,har !. offences mus, comet must needs be So
], ,.as inev;,ahIe There ,popH he corruption dcta-
,;o and ali the other train attendant upon
arrouant ab.olu,e mower Nor was this mere theory
\, vss ~, con;ec,pre or annrehension II was fact
n,nJ n.,sy e no,yer nn;stcr;ng 10 nonular Presi
IN, 1890. raxo ,yhose nract;ce was 10 fhs p;rors
6,lonu ii, spo;ix ~
NJ IL IL !. had moi hem lopo here before was
en,relv nnIece;ved lonnd myseif n 4 wrong posi
ton onnd ,ha tbs ro,uIr, ana "a need
cd friends and thereupOn n once declared myself
- he M lonoer he friend of po,yer Forthwith sir
III myself 10 TIE work az diminishing the power OF the
EYecnt;ve n The hest wav nissibe-by exposing ts
monsrous extent. its enorrunn,ies. and It's abuses /
held this 10 he sacred duty Or patriotism and in nv
a nd ,ooL M Hann;b,l oah ~ lischarue Il come
hat would a every ncrsonal rsk and sacrifce Some
ono had 70 discharge the duty to suffering country
and / cond sae m reason ,ybv should avoid IL per
formance foresaw ID dificul,es and its dangers
knew how fearful was 10 beard the lion Of power his
l F. -
he meanst The task seemed hopeless, because so in
4 finite and so weak With what panoply was | to
myself n undertaking aud performing this deed OF
| danperi Sir. thought long, and counted the cost
we'll: but nv mind was at last inspired with the conyc-
| ton that .
|
And, like Prometheus, bring the ire Of HEAVIER
/ 1870 ~ !. -. . - - arnor .bo,,d
be truth But how was the ruth 10 be laid bepre the
world What mode Of proceeding was to be tdopted
as its agent! What department OF the government was
to be looked TO as it's friend? 1t was solemn ques-
| ton; and sir, must confess that my mind was emil
/ vened and somewhat cheered when 1t turned TO this
House yes sir to this House Of Representatives Of the
Peope--,he House Of Comrnons-the grand inquest Of
the nation Here, here were the means OF invtsgat-
/ ng--of nqurng after truth-of fencting out corrup-
ton, and Of exposing abuses addressed myself to
this body with oil the zeal and fixed determination which
the task demanded ] was confident Of its aid and its
corporation, and mus, thougnJ sadH TRUTH Tepds.
How sad was my subsequent disappointment! But
was not alone in this great work. had companion
every way worthy Of the cnterprise-he 10 abssnt--it
becomes me not 10 speak in his praise, for though no
blood Of his runs in my VEINS he is dear 70 me as
| brother; found him more than companion; and II
were permitted to speak OF him as my heart prompts,
would say Of him-powerul in intellect eloquent mag
unanimous, amiabie, brave stretch my faculties as
would press forward as would 70 keep by his side,
found that such was his energy his zeal his mghtiness
Of purpose and OF soul in the onward march which ne
resolved with me TO pursue that could not keep pace
with him. and he was ever still beyond my reach That
man was Babe Peyton, Of Tennessee. We both con-
emned the sceptered hand like the wild wave, and
foreseeing all difficulties and dangers pers and respon
sblltles TO De met and encountered gappled with our