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

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For one, intend TO clear myself from all blame.
intend this day. to Tree myself Of the responsibility Of
consequences by warning you Of the danger which
you are conducting our public affairs, by urging and
treating you, do urge aud entreat you by in
yokng you, do invoke you, by your love Of coun-
try and your fidelity to the constitution TO abandon all
untried expedents; 10 put no trust in ingenuity and
contrvance; 10 have done with projects which alarm
and agate the people 10 seek no shelter from oblea-
ton and duty but with manlness dlrectness, and true
wisdom, apply To the evils of the times their proper
remedy. That Providence may guide the
sells of the country this end before even greater dis
asters aud calamties oyertake Us, my most ereni
prayer! 49,.
Mr. President, on the subject Of the power Of Con-
gress, as well as other important topics, connected
with the bill the honorable gentleman from South Caro-
lima has advanced opinions, of which feel bound to
take notice
That honorable gentleman, in his recent speech, at
tempted TO exhibit contrast between the course OF
conduct which J. and other gentlemen who act with me,
at present pursue, and that which have heretofore
followed In presenting this contrast, he ssid be in
tended nothing personal his only object truth. To
this could not object. The occasion requires sir,
that should now examine has opinions and can truly
say with him, that mean nothing personally Injurious
aud that my object, Also is truth and nothing else.
Here might stop but | will ep say something
more.
1t is now five and twenty years, sir since became
acquainted with the honorable gentleman, III tho House
OF Representatives, IN which he held seat, think,
about year and half before enteredt From that
PERIOD sir down TO the year 1924 can say with great
sincerity, there was not among my political contempt
rarles, any for whom entertained higher respect
warmer esteem. When first met, both
young men. behed in him generous character, a
liberal and comprehensive mlnd engrossed by great OBJ
ecs, distinguished talent, and particularly, great orgi
naty and vgor of thought. That he was ambitious
did not doubts but that there any thing in his
bltion low or sordd any thing approaching love Of
the leaves and fishes OF Office did not then be-
lieye, and do not now believe If, from that moment
down to the time have already mentioned differed
with him on any great constitutional question, do not
know It, ....
But in 1924 events well known to the Senate sepa-
rated and that separation remained wide and broad,
until the end Of the memorable which terminal
ed in March, 1888 With the events Of that session,
OF difference had ceased certainly for
the time, aud, ! sincerely hoped, forever. Before
the meeting of Congress- the pabc dposI,es had
been removed from their lawful custody by the Pres
dent Respecting this exercise OF the Executive power
the honorable gentleman and myself entertained the
same opinions; and IN regard TO subsequent transac-
tons connected with that aud growing out Of 1t, there
was not so far as know, any difference of sentiment
between We looked upon all these proceedings but
many efforts to give to the Executive an uncon-
stutlona control over the public moneys We thought
saw, every where, proofs of design to exte nd Ex-
ecutve authority not only derogaton OF the Just pow
Of Congress, but to the danger Of the public liberty
We acted together, to check these designs, and to ar
rest the march OF Executive prerogatlye and DOMINION
In all this but cooperating with many other
gentlemen here and with large and intelligent portion
OF the whole country
The unfortunate results Of these Executive intereren-
ces with the currency had made impression the
public mind revolution seemed in progress, and the
people coming in their strength, we began TO
think, to support and our principles
In this OF things sir, met here at the COM
mencement of the September session: but met not
we had done met, not we had parted. he
Of May, the policy of the President IN reference
to those events the doctrines Of the message OF Sep
tember the principles and opinions which the honorable
gentleman both my surprise and TO my ihnlte regret,
forward then support, rendered quite mpos-
sbe for 10 act together, for single moment longer
To the leading doctrines OF that message, and to the
policy which il recommended. felt, and still feel deep,
conscientious, and rreconclable opposition The ho-
norable gentleman supported, and still supports both
Here them part On these questions OF constitutional
power aud duty and these momentous questions OF ma
tonal policy separate And so broad and ample the
space which divides u.s. and so deep does the DIVISION
rum touching the very foundations OF the Govern
ment, that, considering the time olfe to which we both
have arrived 1t is probable that are to meet
again | say this with uneigned and deep regret Be-
eve me, sir would most gladly with the honorable
gentleman. If he would but come back, now, to what
consider his former principles and sentiments If he
would place himself those constitutional doctrines
which he has sustained through long series oil years
and it. thus standing he would exert his acknowledged
ability to the prosperity OF the country, and put
an end to the mischefs of reckless experiments and
dangerous lnnovation-I would not only willingly act
cuh him. would act under him | would follow him,
would support him, would back him, at every step,
the utmost Of my power and ability. Such is not to be
our destiny That destiny is that here part and
all say further is, that he carries with him the same
feeling Of personal kindness my part, the same hearty
goodwill which have heretofore inspired me
There have been three principal occasions, sir, on
which the honorable gentleman has expressed his opn-
ions upon the questions now under discussion. They
are his speech of the 18th September, his published let
of the Sd November, and his leading speech at the
present session. These productions are all markedwlth
his characteristic ability they ingenious, able, con-
dcnsed, and striking. They deserve an answer To
some of the observations in the speech OF September,
made reply the day of its delivery there are other
parts of it, however, which require more deliberate
examination. ..
Mr. President the honorable gentleman declares in
that speech that he belongs TO the State Rights party;
that that party, from the beginning Of the Government,
has been opposed a national bank unconstitutional,
nexpedient, and dangerous that has ever dreaded
the union Of the political aud moneyed power, and the
central action Of the Government to which so strongly
tends that the connexlon OF the Government with the
banks whether it be with combination OF State banks,
or with national institution, will necessarily centralize
the action of the system at the principal point OF coec-
ton and disbursement and which the mother bank,
the head of the league of State banks be located
From that point the whole system through the connex-
ion with the Government will be enabled 10 control the
exchanges both at home and abroad and with it, the
commerce, foreign aud domestic including exports and
imports
Now, sir this connexon between Government and
the banks TO which he imputes such mlscherous con-
sequences he describes TO be the receiving and pay
ing away their notes cash and the OF the public
money ilom the time Of the collection TO the dlsburse-
ment"
Sir if clearly comprehend the honorable gentleman,
he more after all, than this that while the
public revenues collected, as heretofore through the