Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1838-04-27
FRIDAY. APRIL 27, 1888.

and duty; but with manlness, directnes.
aud true wisdom, 10 apply to the evils q
The times their proper remedy. That Prov
'dence may GUIDE the couusels of the coun
try TO thus end, before even greater disas
tors and calamltes overtake w, is my mos
tervent prayer!
Mr.. President, on the subject of the DOW
er OF Congress, as well os on other mpor
'ont topics. connected with the bill, th
honorable gentlemen from South Carolin
has advanced opinions, of which | fee
bound to take some notice.
That honorable gentleman, in his recen
speech. attempted to exhibit contras, be
tween the course Of conduct which |, and
other gentlemen who act with me, at pre-
sent pursue, and that which we have here
'ofore followed, In presenting this con
lrast, he said he intended nothing personal
his only object was truth. To this coult
not object. The occasion requires, sir
that should now examine his opinions
and can truly say, with him, that ! near
nothing personally injurious, and that nv
object. also, is truth, and nothing ese.-
Here | might stop; but will even say
something more.
1t is now five and twenty years, sir
since ! became acquainted with the honor
able gentleman, IN the House of Represen
'atlves, in which he had held seat,
think, about year and a half before | en-.
tered it. From that period, sir, down to
the year 1924, can say, with great SINGER
l'y there was not among my political con.
temporarles, any manfor whom | entertain.
ed higher respect, or warmer esteem
When we first met, We were both young
men. beheld in hin generous charac-
ter, liberal and comprehensive mind, en-.
crossed by great Objects, distinguished tai
ent, and, particularly, great originality and
vlgor of thought. That he was ambitious.
did not doubt; but that there was any
thing in his ambition low or sordd, any
thing approaching to love of the mere
loaves and fishes of office, | did not then
believe and do not now believe. IF, from
that moment down 10 The time | have al.
ready mentioned, Uttered with him on
any great constitutional question, | do no,
know It.
But in 1924, events we'll known to the
Senate separated US; and that separation
remained vide and broad. until the end oil
the memorable session which terminated in
March, 1888. With the events of that SEES
SION, our occasions of difference had ceas.
ed; certainly for the time, and as | sin
cerely hoped, forever. Before The mex,
meeting of Congress, the public deposites
had been removed from their lawful cu,to.
dy by The President. Respecting tins ex.
erc'Se OF the Executive power, the honor
able gentleman and myself entertained the
same opinions, and. in regard to subsequen,
transactions connected with that, and
growing out it, there was not, SD far as
| know, any difference of sentiment be.
tween us We looked upon all these pro.
ceedlngs but as so many Efforts to give tc
the Executive an unconstitutional contro
over he public moneys. We thought we
saw, every where, proofs Of design &c
extend Executive authority. not only ir
deroga,ion of The just powers Of Congress
but to the danger of the public liberty
We acted together,,o check these designs
and TO arrest the march Of Executive pre-.
negative and dominion. In all this, we
were but cooperating with many other
gentleman here, and with a large and in.
telligent portion of the whole country.
The unfortunate result ofthese Execu.
tive interferences with the currency haC
made an impression on the public mind.
revolution seemed in progress, and the
people were coming IN their strength, al
we began to think, to support US and ouI
| principles
In this state of things, sir, we met here
at the commencement of the September
session. but we met, not as we had done
we met, not as we had parted. The events
of May, the policy Of the President ir
reference to those events, the doctrines o.
the message of September, the principles
and opinions which the honorable gentle
man, both to my surprise and to my infinite
regret, came forward then to support, rem.
dered it quite impossible for US TO &C;
together, for a single moment longer. To
the leading doctrines OF that message, and
to the policy which it recommended. felt
and still feel, a deep, conscientious, and
irreconcilable opposition The honorable
gentleman supported, and still supports
beth. Here, then. we part. On these
questions of constitutional power and duty
and on these momentous questions of ma
| tlonal policy, we separate. And so broad
and annie is the space which divides US
and So deep does the division run. touching
even the very foundations of the govern.
ment, that, considering The time of life to
which we have both arrived, it is not prob
able that we are to meet again. say this
with unfeigned and deep regret Believe
me, sir, would most gladly act with the
honorable gentleman. If he would bu,
come back. now, to what | consider his
former principles and sentiments; it he
would place himself on those constitutional
doctrines which he has sustained through
a long series of years; and if, thus standing,
he would exert his acknowledged ability to
restore the prosperity of the country, and
put OIL end to the mlschiefs Of reckless ex
perrin enls and dangerous innovation,
~ I