Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1838-03-24
SATURDA E.,. F.

elements lne complex masses OF IDEAS mat exist u te
world OF mind, chemistry does the bodies that sur
round US in the material world; and without which those
deep and hidden which in constant action and
producing such mighty changes in the condition OF So
ciety, would operate and undecided The ao'
sence OF these higher qualities Of the mind cnnspinu
throughout the whole course Of The Senator's public
lite. 10 This II may be traced that he prefers the spe
cious to the solid and the plausible TO the true I" The
same cause, combined with ardent temperament, It
is owing that ever find him mounted on some popu.
lar aud avorie measure which he whips along, cheer
ed by The shouts Of the multitude, and never dlsmouns
Till he has rode it down. Thus, al one time, we hnu
him mounted on the protective system, which be rooe
down; at another on internal improvement; ana now
he is mounted on bank, which will surely snare me
ale unless those VINO Immediately In'sFese
shall stop him his hendlong career It'll Inc laull OF
hismind 10 seize on few prominent and striking au-
ysnngcs Gd to pursue them eagerly Without look ing 10
cone ouences Thus IN the of the protective sys
tenn he was struck with the advantages Of manufactures
and believing that high duties the proper mode oil
projecting them, he pushed forward The system without
seeing that he enrchng portion ui lhe country
at the expense OF The other; corruPting ,e one anu
alternating line other and finally, dividing the commu.
nifty into two great hostile interests, which terminated
in The overthrow of the system itself So, now, he looks
only uniform currency and bank Us the means OF
securing it, without rejecting how tar the banking
system has progressed, and the difficulties that impede
its farther progress that banking and politics are run
ming tugeher 10 their mutual destruction and that the
only possible mode OF saving his favorite system is TO
separate il from tue Government
To the defects Of understanding which the Senator
attributes 10 me- make reply. II is for others, and
not me- to determine The portion OF understanding
which has pleased the Author of my being 10 bestow
on me- 1t is however, fortunate for me- that The stand
ard BY which shall be judged is not The iaIse PrrJudc'
ed and ms have shown, untounded opinion which the
Senator has expressed, but my acts They furnish ma
terias neither few scan, 10 form Just estimate Of
NV mental faculties. have now been more then TWEEN.
y six years continuously in the service OF this Govern
ment in various Stations and have taken part IN almost
all The rreat questions which have aglaed lhs country
during This long and important period Throughout the
whole have never followed events, but have taken my
stand in advance openly and freely avowing my OPT.
Mons on all questions, and leaving 10 time and expert
ence to condemn approve my course. Thus acting,
have often and great questions separated from hose
with whom usually acted, and if am really so oeec'
tive in sound and practical judgment as The Senator re-
presents the proof, if to be found anywhere must be
found in such instances, or where have acted on my
sole responsibility. Now, ask, in which OF Inc many
instances of the kind is such proof to be found II Is
not nv intention to call to The recollection Of the Senate
al! SUCH but that you, Senator's may Judge tor your
selves it is due in justice 10 myself that should sug
rest few Of the most prominent, which al The Time were
regarded as the Senator considers The present. and
then, as now because where duty is involved, would
not submit TO party tramnes.
90 back 10 the commencement OF my public lie, the
wur session, as it usually called, OF joi2, when
first took my seal in the other House, young man, with
eXperlenCe
frs, instance, the Navy. At that time the Admnslra
lion and the party which was strongly attached were
decidedly opposed to this important arm OF service.
was considered ant, republican TO support III but acting
with my then distinguished colleague Mr. Cheves' VINO
led The way did not hesitate 10 give j, my hearty sup
port regardless of party lies Does this instance sns-
tain the charge Of the Senator:
The ne shall select is the restrictive system oil that
day the embargo the nonmportallon ana non ih.er,
course acts. This, too, party measure which had
been long and warmly contested and OF course the lines
Of marty well drawn. Young and inexperienced MS |
was aud rerolutey opposed 1t, Utmost
alone of my party The second or third speech madr.
after took my seat, in open Remuneration Of the
system; and may refer 10 the grounds then assumed,
The truth of which have been confirmed by time and ex
perence, with pride and confidence This Will scarcely
be selected by tue Senator TO make good his charge
pass over other instances, and come TO MIR. Dallas
bank of lSl4-'l5. That, too, was party measure.-
Banking was then comparatively but little understood
and il may seem astonishing at tme that such pro
pc should have received envy counlenance or sup
port 1t proposed create bank of 500. 0OO, TO
consist almost entirely Of what was called then the war
stocks; that u.s. the public debt created in carrying on
The then war Il was provided that the bank should not
pay specie during the war; and Tor three years afer us
iefmnatiun for carrying on which 1t was 10 lend the
Government the funds ln plain language the ''oVern'
ment was 10 borrow back its credit from the bank,
and pay 10 the institution six per cent for ts use. had
scarcely ever before seriously thought of banks or bank
inn but clearly through the operation, and the
of parly ties or denuncaons opposed and defeated it
in the manner explained at the extra session. then
subiecled myself to the very charge which the Senator
now makes but time has done me JUSTICE as 1t will in
the present instance.
administration of the War Department. where ] acted
on nv own Judgment and responsibility. IL is known
to all that the Department, at The tme was perfectly
dsurranized with not much less than So0Goo,Ooo Of
outstanding and unsettled accounts and the greatest
conrnsion in every branch Of service Though without
experience prepared, shortly alter went IN, The OIL
for IFS examinations and on its passage drew up Inc
body of rules for carrying The act into execution both Of
which remain substantially unchanged 10 his Gay; al
Ter reducing the outstanding accounts TO lew millions
and introducing order and accountability in every branch
of service and bringing down The expenditure Of Tue
Army from four 10 Two and half millions annually
without subtIacling single Comfort from rlller officer
or soldier left the Department in condition that might
well bc compared TO the best in any country. If am
deficient in the qualities which the Senator attributes 10
me- here in this mass of details and business it ought to
be discovered Will he look 10 this 10 make good his
charge
Chair which you now occupy How acquitted my.
self in the discharge of its duties, leave It TO The body
10 decide without adding word The station from lis
leisure gave good opportunity to study the genius
or The Prominent measure of the day, called then the
American system, of which prohted soon perceived
vhere lis errors law and how it would operate. clear
10 saw its desolung effects in one sectlon and corrupt
inc influence n the other and when saw That could
mo-, be arrested here, fell back my own State, and
blow given to system destined 10 destroy our ln
nronnd This brings down to The present times, and
Where passions and peudces strong to make
an appeal with any prospect of fair and impartial YER
dict then transfer this, and all my subsequent acts
including the present. the tribunal Of pusery, with
perfect confidence that nothing will be found in what
have said or done, TO impeach my integrity or under
standing.
have now, Senators, repelled the attacks on me.
have settled the account and cancelled the debt between
me and my have not sought this controversy
nn Ina ve Stunned it when forced on me. have acted
ON the defensve and if it is 10 continue, which rests
with the Senator shall throughout continue 30 TO act
know loo we'll the advantage of my position 10 surren
der it. The Senator commenced the controversy, and
is but right that he should be Responsible LOT Tue uec