Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1839-07-16

could mol rest on The sober deliberate judgment oil
his coun,rYmen. lie must have present sitistfc-
lion The Senate had offended him. and they
must be humbed. and the record Of the obnoxious
| resolution expunged. but how should ii be done
How should such result be accomplished, Sir,
means were no, wanting. Party organization sup
Piled them. Instructions from State Legislatures
could accomplish the end. and party machinery
ives adequate to their production. The President
~ied 1t and tbs result showed that his will, by
mysterious process became the law Of legislative
| action in numerous States Of the Union.
For three years was this process going on
From year TO year the expunging resolution siug-
glcd 10 the Senate, under the overw helming argu
ments which were urged against IL. On one oc-
! casion tMarch l035) were the expuusng words
stricken from the resolution by vote Of 80 to |;
upon which Mr.. Webster in addressing the Sen
ate, said 1.-THE attempt TO induce The Senate 10
expunge its journal has failed, signally and eiIec-
tually failed. The record remains, neither blurred
bloted nor dsgraced."
Would to Heaven, sir, that II had thus still re-
NAMED. The attempt to blot and disgrace it fail
ed, signaly indeed but not finally. Executive in
fuence was too strong for the most unanswerable
constitutional arguments. The State Legislatures
were surrounded and pressed with it. Many re-
sisted but many yielded md Seniors who in 1885
lis material words, and render it a nullity, were,
two years afterwards, induced to yield to the Pres
sIents wishes, and vote to erpunge a record which
the Constitution had commanded them to keep
Sir, was in the Senate chamber when the final
vote on that resolution was passed. heard the
responses TO the call Of the yeas and nays and
the result of the three years Executive war upon
the independence of,hat body. II was a disgrace-
fol and humllatng spectacle, and seemed almost
| to impress upon the very image of the Father oI
his Country, il looked down from the canvass, ar
expression of mingled sorrow, amazement and in
dignaion. There stood the Senator who, SOLITARY
aud alone, hod three years BEFORE set that bill in
notion swelling in triumph at the successful re-
suit of Executive influence and party machinery
and there sat the subdued and the BUNDLED, who
had been made through that influence, the unwil.
! ling instruments of accomplishing the designs Of
the great expunger! The
vote had passed. The resolution was adopted
1t was u moment of thrilling interest. The Sec
reiary brought into the Senate the doomed record
and there executed the sentence by which it was
! blurred. blotted, and disgroced.'
Mr.. Chairman, what redemption from the dis
grace Of that scene might, he at that moment, have
achieved 1t was in the power of single man.
And why did he not seize upon il Why did be
not rally the energies of soul indignant at the
high handed outrage which was u5ou, TO be com.
mtted, and nobly and s,ernly refuse 10 become the
instrument Of It's preparation Why dad not the
Secretary stand up in The midst of the scene, and
say to the President of that body Sir ! cannot
must not do this deed My hand can never hold Tho
pen which blurs and bots the record have sworr
10 keep Take from me nv Office, consign mt
to beggary If you will but do not require me t.
disregard my official oath. and violate the Cons,,u
ton of my country. Ny duty has been, to th
moment, and shall continue to he, faithfully per
formed /; bat come what will h1 Deed | cannot,
must not will not do 7"
What a sublime example of self-sacri6cng de-
vo,ion TO principle would have been thus exhibit
cd Sir, would rather, so far as personal graf
ifcaion is concerned have occupied the position
of that officer at that moment. than to be Presden
Of the United States TO the end Of my life. Their
would have been more true glory in such refusa
than IN hundred military victories and the Lao
rcs which would have adorned his brow woul
have remained fresh when the name OF one con
necied with that transaction shall have been con
signed to execraon and nlamy.
Bot, Mr.. Chairman, there uGs one redeemn,
act connected with that scene. i, was the act Q
the distinguished Sealor from Massachusetts, VIII
rose, as the final vote upon the resolution was a
bout 10 be taken and in the name Of hmselfand hi
colleague, read 10 the Senate their solemn probes
against it. Sir it was a noble sight The Sen
ator standing up with his erect form and maui
bearing, and declaring TO the Senate and the worl
, IN The calm dignity Of conscious uprightness an
truth, The great principles Of the Constitution
which forbid the deed that was about to be CON
mtted.
But, sir, the exposition Of constitutions, prinoi
pies was not the only feature Of The protest whie
gave il interest. II declared, with 4 becoming
plainness and directness the lrne origin Of the in
fueEce which was then about TO carry the expUBg
ing resolution.
ave have seen (ssys the protestl with dee
regret and sincere pain the Legislatures Of respect
able States instuctng The Senator'S Of those Slate
TO vote Tor aud support this violation Of the loufns
Of the Senate and this pain Is infinitely increase
by our foil belief and entire CONVICTION that most
not all. .hese proceedings Of States had their or
giM in prompiings from Washington that the
haze been urgently requested and insisted on. il q
being necessary 10 the accomplishment of The 10
tended purpose and that II ~ HOisiaR oise bal III
igtlaeAee and poper u The EreeHtre JroHeh II di
Government which bss brought the Legislatures q
90 many o. the free States Of this Unop 10 qui th