The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-07-18

| his present term His proposition then smacks
somewhat Of bargain, on attempt 10 buy up the peo-
pie with the reduction Of the price Of The public
lands
He, In substance, says 10 them, want 10 he re-
eecfed President Of the United STATES. In addition
70 this, want my power greatly enlarged want
the number Of my hired reiainers increased--i de-
sire above all things, toregunie the currency by the
establishment OF a Government Bank--the issue OF
20 millions Of Treasury notes to constitute perua-
nent circulating medium being the first step towards
the accomplishment Of this great object in consde-
ration Of all these things, which am laboring 10
bring about out Of pure love TO the people, am viii
ling 10 recommend the graduation OF The price OF The
public lands, measure which 10 be sure, once
voted against, but which am now inclined 10 yield
upon the terms proposed This, Mr. Chairman,
would be hard bargain on the one side, and very
advantageous one on the other, and anxious as The
people are 10 see the price OF the public lands graz
duated, they would be still unwilling TO purchase
this boon at the expense Of their liberties. For sir,
we may takas please, but once cloihe the Execu-
tive with the power asked for-onee pass the Sub
treasury bill, and you render him. In fact more po-
tent than any sovereign OF Europe.
His will will then, indeed, be the law ofthe land,
and the Legislative branches OF the Government will
only assemble TO register his edics, and do his bid
ding Already are those who doubt his Dfallibiliiy
or question the proprieiy OF his measures denounced
as traitors and enemies 10 their country but shud-
| der 10 think what The condition Of these will be,
should any be found so hardy, who venture TO stand
/ forward in defence of freedom Of opinion and Of
action, when he should be armed with this tremen-
dous power (Here Mr. Cushman, OF New Hamp-
shire, remarked that the President could not buy up
the West) Sir, said Mr.. May, thank the gentle
man for the compliment Il Is true, that the free
men OF the West have too much stern independence
TO be bought or sold; but the gentleman has not ven
uredto say, that the Presidents exerons 10 buy up
the supporters 10 other quarters 10 the support Of his
new system of finance, would not be attended with
| more success.
Sir, The whole course Of Mr. Van Buren, whistle
was asSenaior In Congress has been marked by
4 nj tn Meet han
considered the candidate of the Republican party,
that hostility was overlooked and he was warmly
supported in my State. Its well known, that con-
ribued my humble exertons to secure his elevation,
but am very far from feeling myself bound BY that
/ circumstance TO support him after he has departed
/ from the principles upon which he was elected TO
| Office.
| have said, that Mr. Van Buren's course whilst a
Senator in Congress, was marked by spirit of hos
ility To- the West. In support of that assertion,
] propose TO give only few instances of the many
Votes he has recorded against western interests and
western measures On The 2S,h OF January 1924
he voted against bill providing for The adjustment
of land titles in Missouri and Arkansas. On the
22d Of February 1925, he voted against bill for The
confirmation Of land claims in Missouri.
On the 9Th Of February 1927, he voted against
bill authorizing those who had relinquished lands 10
/ repurchaSe the same al fixed price On the 9Th of
February 1927 he voted against bill TO confirm
land claims in Missouri
On the Isl Of March, 1927, he voted against Col.
Benons motion 10 survey road from ST. Louis 20
| the seat of Government Of Missouri
On The same day, he voted against bill TO make
roads in Michigan. .
On the 2Ih OF May, 1923, be voted against bill
to grant quantity of land to The State Of Ohio to
aid her in the construction Of canal.
/ On the Odd Of January, 1923, he voted against
bill for making the National Road west Of the Ohio
river and last though not least he voted on the 10Th
Of May, 1926, against bill to grant quantity of
land the State of Illinois, for the purpose Of
stlucting the Illinois and Michigan Canal.
These two last measures against which MIR. Van
Buren, recorded his votes, of The last importance
10 the State of Illinois, and nothing but spirit OF
lliberality towards the States of the West, could
/ have operated on his mind when he gave them; Tor
no will pretend doubt their constilutonality.
Al this day, no man can rise into public favor in my
district, who has ever been suspected of hostility 10
the cana, work which is second in importance 10
no other work of internal improvement in the
Union. Illinois is now engaged in prosecuting that
great undertaking TO successful termination, and
there is every reason 10 suppose thai in few years
hence, shall realize all The benefits resulting from
an increased commerce! and the facilities that Will
thus be afforded for the transportation of the rich
products of our State. Already along the line this
great thoroughfare, well as at either extremity
have towns and cities sprang into existence, as ii by
magic; and where, three or four years ago, the In
dian roamed in undistulbed pursuit. Of the beasts of
the forest, to be the abodes Of civiliza
ton, the busy hum Of industry and all the elements
Of social and civilized life Our prairies teem-
ing with living active, enerprising freemen; moral
industrious, and happy. Need stop 10 present TO
the view OF this committee, what our condition would
have been at this day. but for the munifcent dona-
uon OF Congress, by which the State has been ena-
bed TO prosecute this work, with the certainty of its
speedy completion? Sir it is no extravagant es,i-
mate TO say, that for ten years 10 come the northern
part Of the State of Illinois would not have con-
tanned its present population, had the grant of land
made by Congress for the first specific object been
defeated.
1t was not defeated but we owe no thanks to the
President of the United States for the of the
4 influence
vote, and in opposing it, he but too plainly indicated
! the narrow selfish feelings Of his mind and his
hosityto western interests. Many of those votes
given by MIR. Van Buren,, were unknown to the peo-
pie of Illinois, at the time he received their support
for the Presidency. He only known as The friend
OF Gen. Jackson in whose footsteps he stood pledged
to tread, and to this circumstance mainly was he in
debted for his popularity in Illinois as well as else
where. How he has redeemed his pledges let sad
experience and the suffering condition of this
happy country answer. In the brief space Olga few
short years have been reduced frona state of the
highest prosperity to the very verge OF national bank
ruptcy, which has been greatly accelerated by the
obsnacy Of the administration in its adherence TO its
| tavorite Sub-treasury project. Mr.. Van BurenS
predecessor always paid due respect to the popular
/ will, whenever that will was clearly indicated.
His successor, although protesting the same
gard to public sentiment, seeks TO trampe upon this
paramount law, in forcing contrary TO every mani
iestaton Of public feeling, his Sub-treasury scheme
upon the country. Gen. Jackson has declared, the
issue of Treasury notes TO be unconstitutional
His successor, scorns to be trammeled BY const
iulional law, and urges, and finally prevails, in Sc
curing the passage Of law for the issue OF Trca-
sury notes. Other instances of his deviation from
the footsteps are not wanting, but will not detain
the committee with repetition Of them. return,
Mr.. Chairman, to the consideration Of the bill now
| under consideration.
Let no one suppose that the presumption policy
/ can now be abandoned although the President has
recommended it. or that the people OF the new States
i will ever consent TO It's abandonment. The policy