The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1837-02-15

"'o" W""ey' No pan VIII DC ieIt VntTicO
upon this subject. A distribution of land oi
of its proceeds; n deposite or distribution
law 10 he passed annually ; or any other
plan which will effect The object, will he
r.sorted to. This policy leads the people,
when the election is appro ,cl,ing, to inquire,
(which candidate is in favor of giving us
money" or, who will get The most money
foi us" IN this contest about money.
principles will be overiooked; aud we shall
he governed by the most low. grovelliny,
and mercenary motives which ever control
the human mind.
The North aud the South, the Fast and
the West, have been invoked 20 join in this
crusade against the new administration.
The gentleman from South Carolina (Mr.
Pickens) called upon the south to come To
the rescue; aud confidently predicted that
Massachusetts, aud The country on both
sides of the Ohio, would mid in the prosira.
ton Uf Mr.. Van Buren,. Sir, the gentleman
will find himself in like condition, with a
celebrated character in English history, who
could call spirits fr,m the vastv deep )"
but, unfortunately. Mep pould not come
when he called them. The people ofthe,e
United States are n just people, and they
are disposed To bcstow upon every man the
reward which his conduct hns meri.ed.
They will no, condemn public officer un-
Ill he has done something worthy of con-
demna,ion. know that politicians some
times act otherwise. That" ill-weav'd am
birion," which prompts men t." rash and
dangerous experiments, may induce pub
lie man 10 condemn, without hearing;
bat private citizens will hear before they
strike.
As many gentlemen have recently ven-
tnred to prophrsy in regard 10 future events,
| will follow the example. | hope, how.
ever, to be more successful than the oppos-
( itiun have been for the last eight or ten
years. My prediction il, that the next adj
! ninistrntion will pursue calm, prudent,
aud wise policy both at home and abroad.
/ That it will bear about the same relation to
General Jnckson's, that Mr.. Mndson's did
to Mr.. Jetfrrson's administration, with the
exception that there wll be no national
bank chartered. And if Mr. Van Buren
should he candidate for reelection, me will
get all the States he did at the late election,
and the votes of Georgia, Ohio, Indiana,
aud believe Tennessee in addition. The
country will proceed in its career of pros
perty and the close of his administration
will see him one of the most popular Pres
ldents TINT has ever occupied the Executive
Chair of this great Republic.
With regard 10 the resolution now before
the House, ! have hut little to say. am
IN fnvor Of n thorough examination Of any
department, where there is reason To believe
that either fraud, corruption, or dishonesty
exists. Let there be some evidence to war
ran, the House in adopting the resolution
soIsc definite charge, some distinct state
mcnt, TO warra M the procedure; aud will
go ns far ns any gentleman To ferre, out The
fraud and drag the culprts to light. But |
do not like the language ofthe original res
oluilon, 1t is too general. to sweeping in
its phraseoIogy. 1t includes all the tram
sac'ions of all men with the departments,
whether direct or Indirect, official or unof-
licIal. The contracts aud dealings of every
private citizen, who has ever had my thing
To do with any department of the Govern
ment, may be thus subjected to the inspec-
ton of II committee Of this House. 1t is To
that object.
Sill, sir do not know but shall vote,
for II, rs it is, if | cannot get it altered. |
have not herct fore voted for such prop, IS
itiOns bur, nftcr all that has been said by
the opposition, | think it is due to the Pres
ldent, to ourselves, and Ia the coming ad-
minlstraion, that we should throw open the
doors, and let these gentlemen examine for
The corruption, about which so auch has
been said. 1t is due to The President,
H., IS 4
thnt the condition of the departments be
made known to the country; aud # fraud he
found there, that the Innocent should he
justified, and the guilty punished. 1t is
due Ia ourselves, because we have been in
lirccily charged with desire To smother aud
conceal the NAL administration of public
affairs. And it is due Ia the President
elect. that We should deliver the Executive
Department into his hands thoroughly pur-
fled from all iniqui'y, So us To make him re
sponsiblc only for the misdeeds of his own
subordnn,cs, committed whilst he is in
power. For these reasons | shall vote for
n strict aud general scrutiny, such as shall
he satisfactory to all reasonable men, of
every political party.
One word Mr.. Speaker, in conclusion,
with respect To this KIND OF discussion ~ !
which we are now engaged. No one dis
likes it more than do. What ] have said
has been absolutely provoked by the course
which gentlemen on the other side of the
House have pursued. have listened 10
their attacks upon the administration, aud
upon its friends, for long time, in hopes
that some one of more age aud experience.
and of greater ability, would meet these ns-
sauIts, aud repeI them MS they deserved.
No one did So, aud considered it my duty
to assume The posit on have taken. lam
aware that | have subjected myself to vio-
lent attacks here and elsewhere. survey