The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-04-07


pose, knew then, a. clearly as know now, alter
his open avowal Of il and this belief governed my
conduct al the time together with thai oil great ma
jorily ofthose in both Houses OF Congress, who af
the act OF 1924 felt bound TO carry out the prov
sions OF that act and 10 maintain them reasonably
and fairly ] opposed the compromise act with all
my power II appeared TO me every way objection
able Il looked like an attempt 10 make new con-
stitution 10 introduce another fundamental law,
above the power Of Congress, and which should con-
Irol the authority and discretion OF Congress In all
time TO come. This, OF itself, was conclusive OBJ
lection with me said so then, have often said so
since and say so now said, then, that J. for one,
should not be bound by that law more than by any
other law except that, as il was law passed ON
very important and agilang subject, should not be
disposed to interfere with IL until case oil clear ne
cessity should arise. On this principle have acted
since When that case Of necessity shall arise,
however should ! be in public life, shall concur
in any alteration of that ACT which such necessity
may require. That such an occasion may COME
more than fear. | entertain something stronger
than doubl upon the possibility OF maintaining The
manufactures and industry OF this country, upon
such system as the compromise act will leave us,
when 1t shall have gone through lis process Of reduc
ton. All this, however, leave TO the future.
Having had OCCASION Mr. President, 10 speak Of Nul
lifcation and the Nullifers beg leave TO say that
have not done for any purpose OF reproach Certain
ly, sir, possible connexlon, myself, between
their principles and opinions, aud the support oil Tins
measure They, however, must speak for themselves.
They may have ntrused the bearing Of their standard,
for aught know, the hands Of the honorable member
from South Carolina and ! perceived last session,
what perceive now, that in his opinion there Is con-
nexon between these projects OF Government and the
doctrines OF Nullihcaton can only say, SIR, that II
will be- marvellous 10 me if that banner though II be
said to be tattered and torn shall yet he lowered in
obesence and laid at the footsool Of Executive power
To the sustaining OF that power, the passage OF this
bill is Of the utmost Importance The Administration
will regard its being TO them, what Cromwell
SAID bat Worcester n
mercy" Whether gentlemen, who have distinguished
themselves much by their extreme jealousy Of this
| Government shall find 1t consistent with their
principles give their aid in accomplishing this con-
summation, remains to be seen. t'...a
| The next exposition of the honorable gentcmsns
sentiments and opinions, is his letter Of November 3D.
This letter, sir, IS curiosity. AS paper, desclb-
ing political movements, and exhibiting political opiniens,
II is without parallel Its phrase altogether military
il reads like despatch, bulletin from headquarters.
Il is full Of attacks assaults and repuses II rccou1s
movements and counter-moy ements speaks OF occupy
ing position, falling back another. and advancing
to third II has positions to enemies, and posi-
tons to hold allies in check. Meantime, the CELEBRITY OF
all these operations reminds of the rapdlty OF
the military actions OF the King of PRUSSIA, the
seven years war. Yesterday he in the South CIV
ing battle TO the Ausirian--o-day he is in Saxony, or
Sesia; instantly he found to have traversed the
Electorate and facing the Russian and the Swede on
his Northern frontier. IL you look for his place on the
map, before you find he has quilted it, He always
marching, flying falling back, wheeling, attacking de-
Tending surprising fighting everywhere, and fighting
all tho time Ia particular, however, the campaigns,
described in this letter, differ from the in whlch
those Of the great Frederick were conducted. ,nink
nowhere read the narrative Of Frederck's achieve
ments of his taking position TO cover enemy, or
position to hold ally in check. These reinements,
in the science Of tactics and of war; OF recent
discovery. .".. .."..
Mr. President, public men must certainly be allowed
to change their opinions, and their associations, when
they 6t No one doubts this. Men may have
grown wiser, they may have attained to better and
more correct views of great public subjects. 1t would
be unfortunate, if there any code which should
obge men, public private life to adhere to opinions
once entertained, in spite Of experience and better
knowledge, and against their convictions OF their
erroneous character Nevertheless sir, it must be
knowledged that what appears to be sudden as well
great change, naturally produces shock. ] con-
fess for one, shocked, when the honorable gentle
man, the last session, espoused this bill of the Adj
minstraton And when first read this letter of No
vember and in the short space OF column and half,
through such succession OF political movements,
all terminating in placing the honorable member in the
ranks Of opponents, and emitting him to take his
seat he has done, among them, not at their head,
confess felt still greater surprise All this seemed
good deal too abrupt. Sudden movements OF the az
fectons, whether personal or POLITICAL are little out oil
nature. ,>.....~. .~.'
Several years ago. sir, some of the wits Of England
wrote Knock play, inerded ridcue the unnatural
and false feeling, the senfimentaty, of certain Ger
school of literature In this play, two strangers
brought together al an inn. While they are warm
ing themselves the fire. and before their acquaintance
is yet five minutes old springs up and excams to
the other, "A sudden thought strikes me! Let us
swear eternal friendship ..
This affectionate Offer instantly accepted, and
the friendship duly sworn, Interchangeable and eternal!
Now, sir how long this eternal friendship lasted, in
what manner it ended those who wish to know, may
learn by referring to the play.
But it seems to me- sir, that the honorable member
has carried his political sentmenality good deal higher
than the flight of the German school for he appears
have fallen suddenly in love- not with strangers, but
with opponents
Here we all had BEEN sir, contending against the
progress of Executive rower, and more particularly,
and most strenuousy, against the projects and expert
ments OF the Administration, upon the currency The
honorable member stood among us, not only as an asso
ciate, but a leader. We thought making
some Roadway, The people appeared to be coming to
support and our assistance The country had been
reused election weakened the strength
Of the adversary, and increasing We were IN
this of carried strongly forward by the
current of public opinion, and only needed to hear the
cheering voice of the honorable member,
Once more unto the breach, dear friends once more !"
and we should have Frustrated forever this anti cons
tutonal, antcommercial, anti-republcan. and anti
American policy Of the administration But, instead Of
! these encouraging and anmatng accents, behold in
the very crisis OF affairs the very OF victory,
the honorable member cries QUITO the enemy-not to
us, his alles-but 10 the enemy" Holoa! sudden
thought strikes me! I abandon my allies! Now
think Of it, they have always been my oppressors
abandon them, and now let yon and eternal
friendship"
Such proposition from such quarter sir, was not
likely to be long wthsood The other party
lutte coy but upon the whole, nothing loath After
proper hesitation and little decorous bushng. it owned
the soft impeachment, admitted equally sudden sym