The native American., 1838-06-09

!, Executive Department.
ie1 now, the President who represents these
: principles, and is committed to the execution of
them, claims Of the House eronerofion from re-
! sponsaoaf'ty Tor an acknowledged Delinquency Of
ihe mead OF an Executive Department and Of the
same Department!
1t is well, think, sir, to revert occasionally 10
the doctrines of yesterday; it inspires circum
|spection in the actors Of tomorrow. In the pre-
sent instance, there appears to be a striking pro-
lpriety in drawing, though rapidly, across the Vi
sion OF the President a picture of the past. II
may serve to convince him that it is given TO but
few to deinolish free Constitution and erect ont
of its strewn fragments an Executive stronghold
so stupendous as that erected in practice, by his
predecessor.
/ Sir, without expressing any opinion respecting
the Secretary Of the Treasury, or others, wholly
exculpate the President, and do not in case like
this, choose to withhold public expression Of
the qualification which his late Message has af.
forded. recognise in that act, with profound
satisfaction, the prompt performance of what was
due, in my opinion, to the private citizen, to the
House of Representatives, and to Chief Magis-
trate of the United States.
Mr.. SIBLEY, of New York, expressed his en-
tire concurrence in the sentiments of qualification
which had fallen from his colleague, (Mr. Iof-
man, at the course proposed by the President in
his Message of this morning. For the reputation
Of the Chief Magistrate, and the honor Of The
country, am glad (sad Mr. 81 that permission
to withdraw the extraordinary and offensive mat
ter appended to his Message Of the 18th instant
has been SO promptly asked. | hope that such
permission will be as promptly granted, and
granted with entire unanimity. No member Of
the House can wish to see it degraded by be-
coming the medium of transmitting to the country
the grossest libels Of partisan press upon the
characters of private citizens or the constituted
authorities of municipal corporation. No citi-
zen Of this country be willing to this Hall
converted into a rccord-ofice for matter of that
sort. | am glad, sir, that the good work Of lus-
tration is begun, and / shall be pleased to see it
extended to another document, emanating from
the same source, now lying upon your table, and
soon to be bound up amongst the enduring re-
lcords of the Government.
/ allude, Mr.. Speaker, to that part Of the Pre-
sident's Annual Message communicated to us at
the commencement Of the session, in which he ar
raigns, before the country and the world, the in
entions and integrity Of large portion Of the ci
ltzens of the State which have the honor in part
| to represent.
That part OF the recent Message which the Pre-
sident asks leave to withdraw, assails the re-
putations Of only few individuals residing at the
metropolis Of the State, and with much ribald
personal abuse it mingles some structures npoT
the public. and official conduct Of the gentleman
named. look upon this latter feature as consti-
tntng some mitigation of the otherwise atrocious
mature of the whole production; for, in relation 10
the official conduct of public men, hold to the
fright of the severest scrutiny, and the freest ami
madversion of speech and Of the press.
| But, sir, that portion of the annual message
which would also give the President permission
to withdraw is far more general and expansive in
nf
involves the political purity and personal indc-
lpendence Of mnltitudes of men in all parts of the
State Of New York; Of men in the quiet and re-
tired walks Of life, occupying no public station,
Exercising no delegated trust, and in no wise af-
countable to any officer, high or low, of the Fe-
dera Government for the considerations which
may influence them in the exercise Of their orig-
nal independent sovereignty.
/ In reference to the then recent election in New
York, and for the purpose of inducing ns to dis
regard that expression Of popular sentiment IN our
deliberations upon the leading and favorie mea-
sure of the Executive, the President has seen fit
labor-in wary and ambiguous phrase, but with
conclusions that have not been, and cannot he.
Imisundcrstood-to bring the representatives oilhe
Il People to believe that large majority Of the IN
dependent electors of that State unmndiill OF the
great interests staked upon our action, had cast
their ballots in base subservency to what ne -
pleased to call, in that Message, ''the already
overgrown influence Of corporate authorities"
i Mr. TAYLOR rose to question OF order. lie
asked if it was now in order to discuss the an
nual message!1
If Continued Mr.. S. my colleague will in
dulge me for few moments, he will perceive that
my remarks do not violate any rule Of order, or
that l shall present to him better opportunity OF
raising that question when come to offer an
amendment to the resolution under considera-
| ton.
[The CHAIR suggested that Mr.. s. should now
send up his proposed amendmentl
| It is my intention, sir, to offer such an amend
ment before close; but | wish to introduce it
with few preliminary observations explanatory
Of its character and object and, not intending TO
trouble the House again, shall be willing, with
the permission Of the Chair, to avail myself OF the
l present speaking to assign some reasons ior me
adoption Of the amendment, when It shall De OF
fcred. ,
! was proceeding, Mr.. Speaker, TO point out the
lexceptionabIe parts of the annual message To-
Fl which my amendment, if in order, may be appli~
! cable The seventh page Of that document re-
L - i,