Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1838-03-15
TWenty-fif1h Congress---2d sess.
.Monday, March IL, 1888.
III SENATE

IN SENATE.
message was received ftoaa the President of the
United States, through MIR. A. Van Buren, his private
Secretary.
The following petitions, &c were presented
By Mr. Mexican: The memorial Of G. A. Perkins ant
ninety Others citizens Of Athens, Pennsylvania, remon
stratng ag.inst the annexation OF Texas TO the Union
and praying Congress to respect all propositions OF
sort from whatever source the may come Laid on the
inbe. -
By Mr.. Buchanan: From citizens Of Washington
county, Pennsylvania, against the practice OF dueng
and praying Congress pass law for its suppression
By MIR. Wall A memorial of the same import, from
O meeting at Newark, of citizens Of New Jersey Both
memorials read laid on the table, and ordered 10 oe
printed.
By Mr. Rlves From the mother of The late John b.
Tanning, praying pension Referred.
Mr. Crittenden rose he said, 10 present TO the senate
certain resolutions Of the Legislature OF Kentucky con
demuatory Of the Of the late and present ADM
ps,rtons in relation the currency, and especially Of
the SubTreasury bill, and he would accompany the per-
forn,ance of this duty with few remarks
These resolutions said Mr. g., express the opinions OF
the State of Kentucky the of measures pur.
sued for several past by the General government
on the present arrangement OF The currency ana as
of the Country and they take particular noce OF
the preatheasu.e before Congress and the Public
called the Sub Treasury sysem and against this they
express their decided opposition and the decided and
earnest desire Of that State 10 prevent ats passage
have been INDUCED by The Senate with an opportunity
subject and shall not repeat them: but on this &C.
cason it becomes me 10 express, what do with the Ut
most cordially, my entire sympathy and accordance
with the sentiments here expressed one and all OF the
State which in part present. and with them would
prevent the passage Of this measure as one not only IN
furious and dangerous the Institutions OF the country,
but deeply dangerous to the spirit Of liberty.
Mr. President, if look at the intrinsic merit or de.
merit of this measure it resolves itself into elements Of
high and momentous import But if the intrinsic pro-
prIety of it is questionable in itself! beg leave 10 call
the attention Of the Senate 10 principle involved 10
carrying forward this measures and 1t Ia the prlncl-
pie of that Of difference which 10 The public
will, and which lies the foundation Of all insti
buttons BY this do not mean every accidental Hash
and flourish Of the public mind, but mean its delibe
rate judgment and opinion, brought to bear on the con-
duct and opinions of the public servants; and beg the
Senate give their attention 70 this state of the
and ask every fair and candid man. have not the peo
pie sign6ed that the Law and Constitution Of the coun.
Try are invaded. The subject of this measure has long
engaged the public discussion, feeling and judgment,
and has long excluded from the public contemplation
almost every thing else, as unworthy OF their regard
What has been the result of this inquiry, and what the
verdict of this great nation this great question? Was
there decision decided any question in
the history Of this Government? And in this estimate,
do not take into the account the expressed opinions Of
private assemblies the private circumstances against
this measure presented 10 this body, not the vou
nnoas probes. against from nearly 5000 legal voters
of New York city; but speak of the solemn acts OF the
legislative assemblies of whole States and ask those
who profess difference for the public will, how they
neglect this loud, solemn, and imperative voice Of
remonstrnnce?
What are the States that have felt it their duty, by
the emergency Of this great question, to pronounce
the decision of their respective people against this mea
sure? Here, Erst IN wealth, resources and population,
comes the great State of New York; she is against it,
Pennsy lvania, slow, majestic, asd consderate, in
nouncng her opinions is also advancing to the rescue
Of the country from this measure. And here is little
Rhode Island with all her business, talents, and saga
city. New Jersey, Ohio, and Tennessee, have also come
forward; and see in this bright array the State
of Kentucky Are all these to beDegected? Are they
entitled TO no difference in this strong expression ct their
opinions when they speak in the national councils?
How stands the in the other House? There l2l
representatives. have been instructed by theie respective
Legislatures to vote against this measure, composing
nearly one half of the whole House. And let NE call
your attention 10 those States that have not sent such
instructions but which, from their known sentiments
undoubtedly in those instructions. Here is Ma.
ryland, in our immediate neiglborhocd; and what are
her sentiments? They against the measure, and
every one knows it, and if they have not been express
cd is simply because she supposes that all the world
knows them already. She is the side Of the protest
anita And Indiana let her two Senators speak Tor herr
one Of whom is friend Of the Administration, and is
yet against this She, too is among the pro-
testans Old Massachusetts, she also here, and speaks
in voice that needs aid of mine. Vermont is in the
ss,ne ranks and little Delaware not least in talent and
intelligence. Add these to the States that have actually
protested against this measure, and It makes loa Repre-
senatives the ether House, being majority of 10 in
The whole.
Here, Sir, is no argument. These are facts worth
thousand arguments And supposing this measure
intriasieally wise, it be right to force it
an unwilling People, Are we to do the People good
against their will 1t is the tyrants example. All
usurpaons power have been made and exercised
under the petence Of doing good against the common
will and the common Judgment But il is sentiment
utterly sbhor,eat 10 the genius of this Government.
Aud, now, what have you to oppose 10 this mass OF
evidence that this is contrary to the will md
sndo ~ tho her fha Etate fhn
are in favor of il? On that side is powerful Admins
tratioa, with long Of power before it, and this
Administration is staked this the very
point which its existence is turned To be
be- the question which it has involved in the
failure of this II has exerted its power and
influence TO bring over the country and after ALL what
States in favor Of it? IL has been said that Kings
seldom WOO in vain; and this may be said of Pres
dents.
This occasion called forth the exercise Of counting and
woong, and yet what has been the result? S. Carolina
10 only State that has forward her OPT
MON in favor Of the Attempts have been made
in other States, bet where else have resolutions Of
appreciation been carried. Here ead there Office
holder takes his cap in his hand aad huzzas for the
Sub Treasury; bat is this aay evidence Of the public will
and Judgment in It's favor:
We have all this evidence, not from excited public
meetings. but flom legislative bodies, speaking in deli
berate and solemn council. And yet you ace going
seckessy to force this measure upon the country Sir,
you have right to force it, the nation claims the
right of judgment and unless have the right to
ag.nst the known will Of The People, we have no right
to force even good measure upon them.
Do you indulge the idle hope that the People will
quiesce in this matured and carried Into effect
10 which in its nepency they manifest great aversion:
No, Sir no, Sir. If the hills and valleys Of the country
are already reVerbersng with the voice of emonsrance
and opposton pass this BILL and it is no longer ques
ton Of relief and expedency, bat question of liberty.
This measure will be regarded insui, added to the
rna of their business the arrangement of the currency,
and the inaicoa of greatand general distress; and un
der such al insult, they will never be silent
Sir, yoa already know my judgment and opinion OF
this measure as injurious and dangerous 10 the public
prosperity aud the public liberty But passed also in
opposition the public will, it rises far higher in its