Piney Woods planter., 1839-05-11
FROM THE SPEECH OF MR..
DUNCAN, OF OHIO.

<t.t.i ="
But sir, said that more than two
thirds of the Government defaulters arc
opposed to the Democratic party, etc
Sir, | hold in my hand book con.
tanning the evidence of what ! say-a
list Of public dcfaulters from the com
mencement of the Government until
the time il was reported, 1888. II
contains the names, think, of upwards
pf three thousand public defaulters.
am not acquainted with the politics OF
them, but | think | risk nothing in say
ing, that more than tYo-thirds are, and
have been opposed to the Democratic
party. Judge Of those lido not know
by those ! do know. | do not, in gen
eral, mean personal acquaintance. ]
say, as | have done, that defalcations
arc numerous; they have existed from
tlieicommencement OF the Government,
and they will continue to exist while
the Government exists, and while frail
man continues to administer it. 1t is
contrary to human nature. and to all
human experience, TO suppose that this
vast political fabric should be manag-
ed, in all its various and complicated
interests and duties, without abuses;
and all that can. be done to, secure the
Government and people from such abu-
ses and frauds as have been practised,
and to provide against subsequent abu-
scs, is to remove the causes that have
existed, and to establish such addition
al checks as will be most likely to Sc
cure a faithful and honest administra-
tion of the Government in all its parts
least, so far as human weakness, frall.
lty, and temptation will permit. !
think these will be paramount duties to
the idle defamation, and that uhlimi-
ted pouring forth Of vituperation, and
unqualified abuse for party purposes
and President making.
In relation to the defalcations in fin
ancial trusts, the causes seem to have
had their origin or existence, in part,
in the banking system. and the connec-
tion ofthe Government with the banks.
1t seems to me this must be conceded
by all who have honestly Investigated
the subject. Why, then, do those who
are opposed to this administration, de-
nounce it in such unqualified terms, as
the cause Of all the abuses now presen-
ted by the official reports of defalca-
tions, as well as of this Administration
and the defaulters under it, as those
which have gone before it, for which
it is neither morally or politically res
ponsible? Sir, we can retort. ask,
who was it that introduced the bank
ing system into this county in ma
tional sense? Alexander Hamilton
Who was he? One of the leaders Of
the Federal party. What party is it,
and what party has 1t been, by which
it has been kept up? The Federal
party. To what party have the prin-
ciPai defaulters belongedl The Fed
eral party. say under what admin
istration have the greatest amount Of
defalcations occurred? Not this, nor
the one which preceded it. Sir, ! Ipro-
pose now to expose the names Of some
Of those who belong to the party who
are now crying corruption, corruption,
SO loud and long, in concord with the
cry of panic, panic, with which we
have been so long greeted. And, sir,
if ! should open the tombs, break the
ramparts of ancient grave yards, and
dig, hyena like, into the grave, and dis
robe the dead, hope 4 will find an
ample apology in the paramount law
ofself defence. 1t was not ] who be-
gan this exposition. Should any mans
feelings here or elsewhere be hurt, the
blame must not be laid on me, but upon
those who have wantonly provoked it.
The first name, then, sir | will pre-
sent, is that Of one John Adams, once q I
President Of these United States. He,
sir, stands upon the records OF this Co
Yernment as a defaulter to the amount
Of $l2.S9S. The history of this defal-
cation is understood to be. thata sum Of
money was appropriated for furnishing
the Presidents house. President Ad-
ans dreY the cash in advance. He
thisamopnt in purchasing a
splendid carriage and horses, and other
accommodations. This the
officers could not. allow
Hcrcfused to reimburse the money!
This amount, therefore, remains unset
tied to this day, and Will until the last
day. al
Edward Randolph, a defaulter for