The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-03-29

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that the Government will be obliged to come
back again 10 the people, and participate with
them in all the vicissitudes, whether tor veal
or for woe, that overtake the country. This
is RepubLicanism.
While we are thus confident, that the ques-
ton is settled by the present action of the
House Of Representatives or, that il will, II
hereafter renewed, be put at rest in that body,
we feel il an imperative duty devolying on US,
not to pass by in silence, the manner in which
the subject was treated by majority Of the
i Senate.
The bill, as it passed the Senate, is in the
worst possible shape in which it could have
been moulded, when connected with the
manner she leaders Of the majority evident
~ intend to have it executed, in case it shall
ever become law.
1t is manifcstly their intention, that the en-
tire revenues Of the country shall be collect
ed in specie only, or in the notes of banks
that are in the immediate vicinity Of the pla-
ces where the payments are made SO, that
the specie can be demanded for them on the
same, or the day succeeding their receipt
The rejection Of Mr.. Tipton's amendment,
directing the receipt Of the notes Of specie
paying banks, under such regulations as Con-
gress might afterwards provide, would justify
the Executive in giving construction to the
resolution Of 1916, which the bill, by striking
out the 23d section, was thrown back upon,
so that nothing whatever but specie should be
received in payment Of public dues.
| The.vote of Mr. Benton in favor OF the bill,
shows that he understands it to be a hard mo-
neg bill ; likewise Mr.. Morriss Of Ohio;
who was opposed to the bill as it stood orr
ginally, retaining the 23d section, which made
it imperative on the Government to collect
certain portion in specie; because it did not
90 far enough. He said he would "use
words of the most obvious meaning, The
funds to be collected should be in money, be-
cause this is the proper constitutional term to
be used for the purpose" The language of
the President, in both his messages, shows
that he would give that construction to the
bill in case it should pass, and be left to his
discretion to execute. The speeches of Mr..
Wright on the subject, go to sustain that be-
lief. There cannot be doubt entertained for
moment, by any one who will look at all the
circumstances, that such would be the con-
| structon and enforcement of the bill, should
it ever become law.
Are the freemen of this Republic prepared
to place in the hands Of the Executive, in the
hands of single man, such an awful and
tremendous power, as this bill would in
vest him with 1t cannot be possible, I'M
less they are prepared to surrender up their
liberties " . ..".. s..
Has not the wekin rang for years with the
expression made by Mr.. Biddle, That there
,cere but fe,c banks phich the Bank of the
United States could mol break u it chose 10 er-
ercise The poper IL possessed. And what was
the power? 1t would be as feather when
compared with that which the bill would place
at the disposal of the President and authorize
him to WELD
He could break any bank and every bank
in the country if he should choose. He could
| favor any bank which would consent to be-
come subservient to his purposes. He would
WELD power more terrible than any despot
in Europe.
| The very effort which has been made to
obtain that power ought to excite distrust and
alarm with the people.
| A bill granting such despotic powers to the
Executive, and jeapordizing the Liberties of
the citizens of our republic is to be crammed
down their dissenting throats, by bare ma
jority Of i,co only, in the higher branch of our
National Legislature 1t is monstrous. The
ministers of no monarch in Europe would
dare to accept any measure whatever, deeply
affecting the interests ofthe country by bare
majority. George the Fourth Of England,
who sought by every means he dared to en-
ploy, DIVORCE from the Queen, was
afraid to accomplish it by a small majority
The bill before the House of Lords on that
occasion was carried to its third reading and
passed by vote of 1OS to 90 leaving ma
jority of only 9 in its favor. In this stage
LORD LIVERPOOL, rose and said:
ale could NOT be ignorant Of The state Of public feel
ing nth regard 10 this measure, dnd appeared 10 be
The opinion Of The House, that The bill should be read
third lime only By a minority Of ntne rotcs. Had the
iird reading been carrted By considerable number
of peers as The second, (66 maority) he and has COL
league would hare fe their duty 10 persepcrc ,cM the
bill and Send ado,cn The other branch of the Lcgisia
hrc. IN THE PRESENT STATE OF THE
COUNTRY, HOWEVER AND WITH THE Dl-
| VISION OF SENTIMENT so NEARLY BA-
LANCED, Just ecineed by heir Lordships they had