The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1838-07-03
SPEECH OF MR. DAVIS,

MInLSMA Vh NMAAs MIN ANo9
Or MASSACHUSETTS, UPON THE BILL REPORT
ED BY THE COMMITTEE OF FINANCE, AMI
COMMONLY CALLED THE SUB-IREAsURi
BILL.
(Deiivered in the Senate Of the U. S., on tho 28th O
February and LIST of March, 1882
Mr. DAVIS said, that finding no gentleman
willing to take the floor, he would venture to oc-
cupv the attention of the senate, though he had
hoped first to hear from the distinguished sena-
tors from Tennessee, (Mr Grundy) and Pennsyl-
vania, (Mr Buchanan,) who had recently an
nounced their purpose of voting against the bill,
in obedience to legislative instructions. They
were instructed to oppose the measure, and hear
ty opposition implied, especially in regard to those
gentlemen, something more than recording. a
vote among the nays; they had yielded to in
structions against their own entiments, and he
was anxious to see them employ their talents in
argument, as well as to give their votes, agreea-
bly, to the opinions OF their respective leglsla-
lures. If voting in opposition to the convictions
of the mind is manifeStlng becoming obedience
then enforcing that vote by argument, sustaining
the opinions of those giving the instructions, tho
it may be opposed to all the convictions of the
mind, is a higher proof of respect for Instructions
He thought, indeed, that if Tennessee and Penn
sylvania had right to the votes-they bad a
higher right to have their sentiments enforced
by the learning and eloquence of the two sena
PENNSYLVANIA say his lips were sealed He hop
ed that opinion would be revised and we should
vet hear an argument from him, for the State had
right to all his exertions in her behalf 1t they
Welded obedience their obedience should be UNI
qualified.
Mr. Davis then said he was about to enter in
to the debate with unaffected reluctance, for the
country had been long agtated, credit was pros
trate, confidence greatly shaken, business sus-
pended, bankruptcy had been stalking through
the land, laborers thrown out of employ, and
public distress and embarrassment had drawn to
its aid the most searching and powerful minds III
and ont Of this house. The subject bad been
greatly dscussed;,the princi pal topics has become
very familiar, and it might justly be considered
presunptuous in one, even of higher pretenslon
and greater research than himself, to hope to en-
gage the attention of the senate or of the country.
He would attempt it though he could promise
little that would be instructive.
The enquiry said he, which fills every mind
is, what is the of this extraordinary state
of things?
Some have the hardihood in the press and
even here to call it panic, and to assert that it
is manulactured as if the public were feIgning
distress to make an exhibition of itself; and as if
the government itself, which with all its resour-
ces, can scarcely move forward, was playing an
tics to amuse itself Let those who live in ease
and luxury, reposing themselves ON couches, and
feeding on taxes wrung from the people to fill
the treasury, jest at the hunger and nakedness OF
those who have been thrown out OF employment
They may delude themselves, but the time for this
kind of imposition others has passed away.
IftEe voice of the people has not clearly been
heard by such hearlless beings, it will reach them
o in tones that will start them from their repose,
unless they sleep the sleep of death. Those who
ridicule public distress will soon cease their un-
timely testing, for the people are coming to their
own rescue.
Sir, dsmay and dependency do pervade the
country, and you cannon shut your eyes against
a truth so palpable.
Divine providence has been propitious-lhe
seasons have been returned upon us-the earth,
though sometimes more prolific, has yielded
great abundance-industry and enterprise have
been untring-labor has, in its thousand ways,
filled the country with productions, as has been
proved by the high price of wages; and yet, in
the midst of apparent plenty, many suffering
with pinching want, and the country, with the
flush of health upon the cheek, is sick at heart.
We have many singular proofs of an extraor-
binary state Of things We know the United
States has turned out of its employment the la
ed the work upon some of the public ships, be-
cause we have seen in this chamber, morning
after morning, the petitions of those laborers,
praying to be restored to the occupations from
which they have been suddenly dismissed, in this
inclement season. Yes, sir, the very defences OF
the country are suspended, the regular annual
increase OF the navy, provided for by law, is in
terrupted. The Departments wiring, and twist,
and turn, and shift, to MAINTAIN any thing like
decent credit. The revenues are collected ins pe
Gle, and yet deprecated paper is paid out to cred
tors. From the Secretary Of the Treasury
statement in late document, understand that
of $220,OO0, provided for the late quarterly pay
ment of debenture certificates, PENSIONS and fish
ing bounties, at Boston, only $4,000 was in
specie. Ten millions were authorized to be Dor |
rowed at the hast session, and yet this giant with
all its credit, its surplus revenue, and its vast re-
sources, can scarcely struggle even by dismiss
ing the laborers from its employ. If the govern
ment is thus entangled in its own meshes, if it is
thus paralsed by the times, what must be the
condition of individuals who have no power to |
resist the tempest which has swept over the
country? ,
We may we'll them inquire what is the cause
of this state of things? Where rests the respon-