Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1838-06-14
CONGRESS-,
SECOND SESSION.
IL ~SENNTE,-May -, 1898.

i'.G
revenue was read a thitd time. Ii was in the fol
lowing words
'ReSoited by the Senate and House Of Repre-
sentehtafireS Of he United States Of Anelfed IN Con
greSs assembled, That II shall not be lawful Tor the
Secretary of the Treasury to make, OF 10 con
tinue in force, any general order which shall ere
at any difference between the different branches o
revenue, as to the money OF medium Of payment
IN winch debts or dues, aecfulng 10 the United
States, may be paid" -
And the question being on its passage.
MIR. WEBSTER rose aud SAID MIR. President, it
has been my earnest desire to propose some measure
of a useful character, in which it was probable both
Houses OF Congress might concur. With this view
moved the amendment TO the suh-Treasury bill,
when that bill WAS before us some weeks ago and IL
is with the same object that have now brought for
ward precisely the same Proposition. have looked
to see what could be accomplished, AZ we'll as what
would be beneficial have considered what WAS
practicable, as well as what was proper; aud |
have believed, and now believe, that, the inca
sure, in It's present form, will meet the prompt and
decided appreciation OF both branches oil the he
gislature. The majority which here showed Itself in
favor Of the resolution Yesterday, ON the question of
engfossment, as well rs the decisive vote OF the Sen
ate upon the same proposition, when submitted by
me as an amendment 10 the sub.Ireasury bill, leaves
no doubt OF the opinion OF the Senate, and be
lievc the sentiment of the other House will be found
not less decisive.
On the present occasion, sir, | do not intend to
N'''fi W " y i'''bNA' 'hFN - wv Fi'
cess of the measure in this body cannot now be
doubtful but wish, nevertheless, to say a few
words.
The measure. as ] propose it, ~iater(eres with no
existing act of Congress. 1t leaves all statute laws
as il finds them, and acts only, and acts directly,
on the Treasury circular of July, 1886, and on
the power of the Secretary OF the Treasury to lssuc
any such orders in future. This is lis single object.
When it shall have passed, distinctions and discIim-
nations letwecn different branches of the revenue
.I - h. If 1,,Y lint ,.,t ,.nl ,,.1 q,
the land Offices, then nothing but specie will pass
at the custom houses. There will no longer be ono
law for a merchant in New lurk, and another law Ton
a settler in the West. The rights of all will be
equal and equality, in this respect, Is Justice.
Sii, doubt not the measure will oiicctually an
swer the end designed by it. 1t has been sugges-
ted that possibly the Secretary of the Treasury
might lulhl the lnjuuCtions of this resolution, and
abolish all distinctions, by requiring specie at the
custom houses, and continuing to require it at
the land offices. There is no danger, sir, Of that.
In the known state of opinion, in Congress and the
country, no Secretary can be supposed capable Of
pursuing such a course. No, sir when this rcsolu-
ton is PASSED, the Treasury order soon bleathcs It's
last breath. 1t will not live a day and no Admin
istration will hereafter venture on another like it.
Such unjust. invldlous, and injurious distinctions in
the collection of the revenue will not be heard Of a
gain, IN our day aud generation. They will be
suppressed, indeed, by the force OF positive law.
Mr.. President, do not mean to discuss the char
aCtCr or operation OF this celebrated Treasury order
at any length. | must say, however, that for one, |
never regarded it rs deicnsble in principle. even if
the Secretary could lawfully have issued il because
it was unequal aud unjust. ltcreatcd distinctions and
gave preferences winch no Inan can Justify. 1t
was unjust 10 the whole West, 1t was unjust to eve
~ man who wished to buy an acre of the public
land, because it withheld from him facilities in ma
king payment to Governments, which other persons.
having payments TO make AT the same time, were
allowed to enjoy. And If the order could lave
been defended, in principle, still never doubted lis
injurious effects on the currency and business OF
the whole country. 1t was a disturbing cause of
great power. 1t derdnged and embarrassed com
mcice. exchanges. and intercourse. 1t drew away
silver and gold 10 unnecessary uses, aud seriously
affected confidence and credit, by it apparent hostility
to the banking Institutions. 1t wore a warlikc as
Get, aud is Wlolc operation was unlIiendly and
annoying.
Its abro gator will produce good in yarious ways.
In the first place, IL will do justice, by restoring equal
lty. This OF itself Is a good. In the second place,
il will be of much importance in aiding the resump-
ton o fspecie payments. The abrogation in this re
spccl Will be iclt every where. 1t will benefit the
East as well as The West. 1t will quiet fears, III
spire confidence, encourage the banks on both sides
OF the mountains in the efforts to resume. They
will look on Government with less OF apprehension
and fear. They will regard tins measure as a p rocla-
nation Of peace, and will trust that they are no longer
to be pursued with hostile intentions and hostile acts.
And lastly. sir, the passage of this resolution will
make a favorable change in the state Of trade and
business ill over the cunntry and II will particular
ly relieve The West. Notwithstanding what has
been said TO the contrary, am confident the whole
West will hail it with eladncss Of heart. The peo-
pie of The West will regard the repeal Of the specie
order not only as proof Of the justice Of Congress,
but also as a welcome harbInger OF better times.
They will view 1t as the first step IA the return OF
former prosperity.
There are other things, sir, which ought to be done,
doubtless, aud which might be done, by way offol-
lowing up the measure. TO these, or some vi them,
intend to call the attention of the Senate IN a few
days. In the mean time, | hope to see this resolution
become a law, without delay.
Mr.. President, ifthis measure shall succeed, we
shall be broughtback upon the resolution OF April,
1916, with the notifications Which this will pro-
ducc.
Now, sir there has been so much misconception in
regard to The object. character, and history Of the
resolution oflSlG, that must ask the indulgence Of
the Senate while | make some observations on those
points.
Sir, there would seem no necessity for mistake
in these particulars. The state of things winch led
to the adoption OF that resolution must be well re
membercd by all, and here are six or seven of US, |
think, now IN the Senate, who were members Of
Congress at the time when that resolution was a
dopted, and bore a part in the transaction. It's his
tory Is this ::
When Congress assembled in December, 1875,
the President, Mr.. Madison, drew our attention 10
the state OF the currency by those passages which
| have so often quoted and referred to, during
the last session and the present, as well as on
many previous occasions. Followingthe Presidents
recommendation; Congress set itself vigorously at
work for the reformation Of the currency, then IN a
most deploiablc state. But before describing the
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