The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-03-15
CONGRESSIONAL.
DEFERRED DEBATE.


Thousand some odd hundred ctzens ALL he sad, legal
Of the city Of New York, demonstrating against
the passage Of the Independent Treasury bill Mr. T.
sand that the people did not dream that after this mca-
had been put down IN the popular branch by so
Triumphant majority, il at the extra session, u
would again have beenpresented 10 the consideration Of
Congress. Unfortunately, these hopes had proved al-
laclous and not until lately that icars began TO
be entertained that the measure would pass the other
branch Of the National Legislature and hence Il was
that alarm had been Justly excited and the subject Wow
ed as Of the dangerous presented to the
American Congress. Mr. 4. said that but few days
had been employed 40 procuring these signatures and
doubt the have been trebed IN the same space
OF time as not legal voter in hundred but would
cheerluly have signed H. We might now lind thousands
upon thousands ready lift their voices aud make their
appeal to the Government lift their voices, and make
their appeal TO the Government against the adoption OF
system raught with destruction to the great leading
interests OF the country Commerce and inland trade
were Frustrated and broken down. AT this season oil
the year. when, heretofore in that great commercial en-
porium oil life aud gayety, and the busy hum OF M
dusry esounding through the streets, The stores there
shut up and houses left untenanted and what had
occasioned this sad and melancholy change! Let the
course pursued by the past and present Administrations
in relation 10 the currency, answer There were now
hundreds upon hundreds driven from their homes IN mat
city, seeking employment Ia that subsistence which
e present OF things denied them there 10 these
poor wanderers search OF honest bread no relief was
nOlllng
or lead them TO anticipate the comforts and honest nde
pendenee they had before enjoyed the contrary, no
thing stared them IN the face but additional embarass
increased by the mad folly OF perssiing IN nea
adverse TO the interests OF the people lie could
tell gentlemen IL the course was persisted IN not Only
the Administration, but the Government itscli would
he destroyed. We bad now empty Treasury the
sources Of revenue dried up; commerce and inland
trade languishlpg to the last degree and II this
Congress adjourn without doing something for the Tecf
AZ ha bn n
the extreme New York usually contributed three
fiths Of the whole revenue but it would raise
scarcely enough TO be counted any thing and the pros
pect still Worse; unless that city could pay some
3 900 900 or $4,000 900 into the Treasury, there
would not enough be received to carry the Govern
ment, and would at this session, have to resort to
another loan OF Sl5000,000, Why, then, should gen
tlemen seek push through measure fraught with SO
much evil, against the remonstrances OF the people,
Mr. 4. then moved that the memorial be read, printed
aud laid on the table.
Mr. WEBSTER observed that they had presented
this morning series Of resolutions from large and
imposing meeting held III the great city of lhladepha,
demonstrating against the Independent Treasury bill
aud the honorable member from New York Mr.. Tall
madael now presented the memorial or 5000 citizens
OF the city Of New York against the same measure
The honorable member supposed that this memorial,
and other late movements among the people, had been
caused by newborn fear that this measure against
which they demonstrate, would pass. Sir, said Mr. w
1
| fears / say that there is great danger and know
enough Of public affairs TO predict the fate OF measure
so important to the Administration, which has been so
| long in agitation The members OF both Houses had
been long from their constituents it was three mouths
slce they left their homes and when they should come
10 give their opinions it would be three months morc
that there would be six months intervening between
their immediate connection with their constituents and
their voting this measure. Now, under such cir
cumstances he undertook say that there great
of ~
by public opinion of doors There is danger said
he, side and the side Of gentlemen opposed
us, hope and confidence II these proceedings lndI-
Gated the alarm of people out of doors he believed the
alarm was well founded. He hoped that, instead Of
treating these memorials fancies, gentlemen would
pause, aud seriously consider the matter they contained
But he feared that these meetings would be represented
agents and tools Of the bank; aud that the respecta
BILE gentlemen who attended this great Philadelphia
meeting would be represented under the paw Of the
monster ! do pray gentlemen said Mr. w. that, lay
ing aside all projects and schemes they will do some
thing TO enable tue banks to resume specie payments
Without saving more he earnestly desired draw the
attention OF gentlemen 10 these memorials.
The memorial was then read.
Mr. WRIGHT said he should at this time, as upon
all former occasions enter into of these Incidental
morning Debates arising upon the presentation OF pc
tition, with reluctance. After the remarks OF
his colleague, Mr., Tulmadge,l however, and those
which had fallen from the Senator from Massachusetts,
VI
respectful dissent from the positions taken by those gen
tlemcn lest his silence might by possibility be deemed
an assent TO them.
The petition was from the common constituents Of
bis colleague and himself 1t numerously signed,
and he doubted not, the petitioners respectable
as any other body OF citzens OF equal numbers, who
had addressed Congress upon this interesting subject
He happy their expressions of opinion meet
this marked attention from the Senate. These, like all
the other citizens Of the stat had right to claim for
their opinions and interests the most respectful and
faithful consideration OF himself and his colleague From
his colleague they would certainly receive that alien
ton, and was his firm determination that they should
receive 1t from him also. He rejoced that they posses
sed an equal right with himself to speak here They
had spoken, and they should be faithfully and patiently
listened to by him. and SO far as his convictions of
duty would permit, their wishes should be binding up
him.
Still it could not be new to the Senate, 10 his
spectcd colleague and it certainly was not new to HIM
SELF now TO learn that there were many, very many,
among his constituents who differed from him, radical
y upon questions of political principle and questions OF
political policy This petition was but one OF many
proofs which had before the Senate, he had
been member Of It to prove the fact II had been his
design upon all former occasions, to treat such petition
with every respect and 10 give to their opinions and
wishes every aid which principle and duty would permit
The design actuated him upon this occasion, and
he must not, therefore, in any thing he should say be
understood as indulgng the language OF complaint or
censure, because this respectable portion OF his cons
uens had condemned, IN advance, measure which he
had aided III bringing before the Senate, aud the adop-
ton Of which he considered essential to the best nte
rests Of the country On the contrary, he commended
them for their free expressions of opinion upon this and
all other great measures Of national policy, and it
not 10 make single remark III relation TO any thing en-
bodied in the petition, for which he had risen II was
he had before stated express his dissent from the
remarks ofhis colleague made upon the presentation Of
the petition