Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1838-03-27


unconstitutional why did he not introduce reso,nl"'i
proposing 10 amend the Constitution YET he one'eu
no such Thing When he produced his splena'o report
from The War Department, what did lie mean: WY
did he tantaze us with that bright and gorgeous picture
Of canals and roads and piers and bors II was un-
constitutional for us touch the plan with one oil our
fingers The Senator says in reply that Tins report n'e
moi breach the constitutional question. lFEe pat why
Is there any other conclusion than that he did not en-
tertan himself uny doubt about IL /: What m'st cx'
,rnurtnury thing would i, br, should the head OF
Department, his official capacity present reporl u
both Houses of Congress, proposing most e'an"a'e
plan Tor the internal Improvement o Inc "hnie uhu"'
accompanied by estimates and statistical tables, when he
BELIEVED there was power in either House 10 adopt
ony part oi It, .
In conclusion repeat the 10 my friend who
sits near me- that had not the most remote intention OF
casting the smallest reflection on his State, nor did IN
my oYn opinion, say any Thing which could LARRY be so
interpreted.
Mr. CALHOUN again rose. tl"arse as he was he
would make brief reply. The Senator asks, "hy
made that report 10 Congress: was under ali linpe.
r,iyr cal! from Congress and could not avoid making
H. aud believe that duty Mas imposed upon me by tie
Senator from Kentucky.
mir. CLAY said No
AIR CAMPUS However that may be, the report was
made Ju;nr the session Of lSI5-l9, under call Of the
House and i, did nvolvr the constitutional question
As to the tariff of 1916 never denied that Congress
have the power impose protective tariff Tor the puF
vuse of ryruur and beyond that The tariff of 1916 did
of The protective tariff WINS never raised III! some Time
afterwards.
As To what the Senator SAYS o! Executive power, |,
much he, opposed 10 Ills augmentation, ana
will 90 rs far in preventing any in this House.
maintain that the Executive and Judicial authorities
should have discretionary power and as soon as thy
begin exercise such power, the matter should be TAX.
en- up by Congress These npinons are well gounded
in my mind, aud will go as far any in bringing the
Executive 10 this point But, believe, the Executive
is now oulslrpped by the congressional power. lie Is
for restricting the one. war upon both
The Senator snys assigned rensUn oil my course
at the extra session, that suspected that lie and the gen.
.eren with whom he acted would revive the Tariff 1
spoke not of the Tariff but National Bank believe
That banks naturally and assuredly ally themselves TO
taxes On The community The higher the taxes the
greater their profits; and so it is with regard 10 surplus
and the Government Disbursements If tie banking
power is on the side of National Bank, see in that
what may lead 10 all The consequences winch nave de
scbcd; and oppose institutions that are likely TO ean
results. When the bank should receive the mo-
pey Of the Government would ally itself to taxat'on
and il ought TO be resisted on that ground am very
glad that the question is now fairly met The tate OF Tie
country depends on the point OF separations II there De
n separation between the Government and banks, the
banks will be Oh the Republican side in opposition 10
taxes il they unite, they will be in favor OF the eXer-
else of the taxing power
The Senalur says acguesced in the use OF the banks
because the banks existed. did because the connx.
ion existed Tie banks already used as deposlio-
rcs Of the Government, and it impossible al once
10 that stale OF things. ! went on The ground
that the banks necessary evil. The State Banks
exist; aud would not he BE- mailman that would ami
hlne them brcausc their respective bills are uncnF!cnt
in distant parts OF the country The work of creating
them is DONE and cannot be reversed when done,
i is dune forever.
We have law in South Carolina which makes il Pc
nal for Magistrates marry, and the penalty is fine u
sIUO ! was engaged in Il case Of this sort in COURT
md although the marriage Illegal, II was not re-
vrrsed And yet the Senator considers TO be necessa-
rly absurd what hold 10 be nconlrurer!ibP, that tIe
must be taken TO reverse an unconstitutional act
(prac,ice;) and il may only be- constitutional, but wise
to do SD Suppose the Tariff in its Objectionable iea
lures, unconstitutional deem them, had been arrest.
ed at an individual blow millions millions Of property
would have been sacrificed And o"k at all the Banks;
if they were stopped at once the Senator would
Guire If they unconstitutional what would not be
the consequences Mr. c. said he would not farther &C.
cupy the time of tie Senate.
Mr.. Clay agree that il is unnecessary 10 consume
the time Of the Senate; but when vas up omitted TO
close the Edgefeld letter.
MIR. CALHOUS (slIl slandlng) desired to notice one
point farther He formerly decided in favor of
puraling The banks and the Government but it was i'm
possible make il, and il would have been followed
by nothing but disaster. The Senator says the scpara
ration already exists; but is only cnnngen whenever
the banks resume, the connection will be legally restor
ed. in 1884 objected to the Sub Treasury project and
thought it not safe the system now beiuIe U.s.
But it turns cut that il suie as appears from
the argument of the Senator from Delaware Sir. Bay.
urd.) was then under The impression that the banks
were safe but it proves otherwise.
Mr.. CLAY said, if the Senator would review his
speech again. he would see there plain and explicit
denuncialion of a Sub Treasury system.
The disliug Senator from South Carolina had
almost said my friend from South Carolina 50 lately and
so abruptly has he bursled all amicabe relations between
U.S. independent Of his habit of change, think, when
he finds into what Federal doctrines aud Federal conf
pany he has gotten lie will be disposed 10 feel
Gret and 10 return TO us) has not, am persuaded,
weighed sufficiently the mpor, OF the unkind Imputa-
tons contained in his Edgslied letter towards hs for
mcr aIcs-impuatiDns that their principles danger
Gus institutions, and OF their want OF irniuess and
patriotism | have read that singular letter again and
again with nrxprssbe surprise and regret, more how.
ever if he will allow TO say so. on his own than on
our account.
1t is undoubtedly true Mr.. President, that the sud
den destruction o any unconstitutional system or mca
sure, which has been long in operation, may lead to
serious if not runuus consequences. But that cannot
alter at oil the question OF constitutional power. IL
practical inconvenience auhn'ise you To Proong an
unconstitutional system, II may justify lis creation; and
then all constitutional authority will be merged in con.
stcraliuns of expectancy With respect to the Sena
tors obsr va,ion that banks the natural allies to the
protective policy: aud TO lavish expenditures, beg leave
oppose fact 10 his theory. The banks are generally
owned controlled by the mercantile class. and That
class always opposed TO the protective policy. We
found il one most formidable opponent. The merchants
in favor Of the foreign trade, and were unw'-
ling any Of its sources dried up. Break down our
manufactures and impnr,aons would increase. and
must continue 10 increase so long could find means
to pay for them There merchants wlo like
the Senator from North Cnroina (Nr Strapge and my
Lord Chatham, believe it was, wished tina; not hnh-
nail should be made in America The merchants, too,
opposed The late war; and undoubtedly, seasons
of peace most favorable TO commercial enterprise,
they 10 the happiness and prosperity of commu-
MITES
Mr.. President, am done; and sincerely hope that
the adjustment of the account between the Senator and
myself, just made, may be satisfactory 10 him, as
him and the Senate, it is perfectly so 10 me-
MIR. Calhoun. have more to shy, but will forbear,
the Senator appears DESTROYS Of having tie last word
Mr.. Clay Not at all
The Senate then adjourned