The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-11-10
HUMOROUS SPEECH.

WILLIAM LOST JOHNsON, ~ the evening SESSION.
Of the 2th, aud requested Mr. Pope togive way,
he appeared evidently exhausted and he would pledge
himself and the honor Of every member the floor,
that he would be listened TO on morrow with the
greatest pleasure for the conclusion Of his able and eo
quent discourse. Mr. Pope acceded TO the proposal.
Some gentleman moved that the committee rise, but
Withdrew his motion at the reques, Of Mr.. Johnson.
Mr. Chairman, said he, in thus thrus;ng myself upon
youl patience at this late hour, appeal to the magma
nimty Of gentlemen in the hope that they will indulge
me for short half hour The question before is all
important to the great farming interest Of the country
have the honor OF representing that interest exclu.
sycy. -
said sir, l would crave your attention for half
hour When Walter Scott was asked why he had not
written the Life Of BOnaparte in volume, he said
had not time. II should encroach upon the time
have limited to myself pray YOU to consider the am
have not had the time to dive into the question IN all It's
bearings and consequently shall not be able to express
myscIf in the briefest and most felicitous
Before 20 any farther, as we are in committee con-
sderng the state Of the whole Union, will take this
occasion Of rendering the amcndc honorable to the Post
master General stated in my place former
casson, that the Post Office Department corrupted
10 the In saying did not mean that the Post
master General personally liable TO this accusation
And would have then disclailned imputing any such
crime to that gentleman, but for the facs That was
met with two challenges, five threats TO be cowhlded,
death had said and say it now if any man calling
himself gentleman to challenge me, would ac-
cept his proposition without delay. Under such cir
cumstances, Icond nor explain Now, sir these things
have been all arranged, and take pleasure in saying
that did not mean any thing offensive to the Postmas
ter General personally.
But to the question before US The conduct Of the
member from South Carolina, (Mr. Pckens,) and of
several Virginia members appears to me most inexpl.
cable. They come up here with the Constitution IN
81. th.,h sta
Well, sir, do they give plain common sense view
Of this Instrument No, sir They appeal to the OPT
Mon of Mr. Jefferson Now do protest against this
PROCLAMATION Of that great mans name No one can re-
verence it than do, but read the Constitution,
and dare interpret it for myself according to the rea
son God has given Not so with these patriotic
South Caronians and Virginans. There trerc men IN
Virginia and Carolina sir, III times gone by who dsred
think for themselves IN interpreting this instrument
They gone, and we have III their stead host OF
new lights depending for their thoughts, their opinions,
their political creed, and their legislative principles on
Thomas Jefferson and the true Virginia doctrines Of
l79S. Between these two authorities they vecr from
time to tme and when they longer suit their views
they ay TO James Madison. For shame, gentlemen :
What would you do if the point faPpui of your poisi
cal lever destroyed!
They would be in the condition Of the brother OF the
present Attorney General of Maryland, (Mr Balley)
On the Eastern shore Of Maryland, in former times,
there knot OF sincere iederslIsts 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 round the Speaker
Complete slence1 The news Of the death OF Gen.
Hamilton was received Of their ieass, where wine
and reason flowed in equal streams They broke their
glasses for grief the loss OF tho great chief OF the
Federal party Various were the laments made by
every one of the coerie Mr.. Bailey had sat all the
while silent. His grief was of the deepest dye He
empcd his glass, however, more frequently than usual
At last he broke out with earnes,ness OF manner that
ouieted his companions "Gentlemen," said he, 81
have Of grief than any Of YOU. II can never
be assauged while live" "What is it--"hat IS 1T!
were the EXPLANATIONS consequent this bold declara-
ton Whilst Gen. Hamilton lived his opinions per-
fectly accorded with mine. was then spared the trou
Bile of investigating things Now, only think Of II,
shall be compelled 10 think for myself" Tremendous
laughter
So il would be with the members this floor if
Thomas Jefrerson's opinions were to be suddenly
wres,ed from existence. They would have to think for
themselves, and great would he their lamentations, but
less long their speeches. [Suill greater laughter
Give me, sir the old fashioned Virginian and Caro-
lnian who used to think for himself and dare TO ex-
press his opinions too. When Mr.. Lowndes was told
on this floor that National Bank unconstitutional
what did he say "Gentlemen have urged that the
Constitution should be amended to give the power
to Congress TO charter a bank. Now, have two OBJ
lections to this The first If the proposal be made 10
the States, believe il will be rejected and the second
IS, believe the power already exists ~ the oobsttu
uon" He was opposed, Mr.. Chairman, al the Tune by
every member from his State, yet he dared IKE
to speak his honest sentiments. tic did mol, IKE
your modern politicians, seek TO get under the shield
Of Thomas jefferson, God tnows they want some
place to hide their Lllputan notions in and they have
justly chosen the Virginia doctrines and Thomas Jei-
fersons opinions
In another branch Of this Legislature, we have SEEM
most magnificent scale, the grand play OF hide and
seek. The gentleman who, within few weeks, past
sustained the principal character, enacted II so adm'ra
bly, that old Proeus when caught by the shepherds was
thrown into the shade. | tried to follow hun, Mr.
Chairman, in his two last speeches, but my BRAIN be-
came bewlldc-ed Before would fol,w In his wake
as his friends on this floor have done, would cut my
political jugular hearty laugh, and all eyes turned
on Mr. Pickens. who laughed too
We have been told sir, by the gentlemen from Vir
gina, Mr. Robertson that not to legislae Tor pos