The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-10-02

they have seized upon few general phrazes here
and ihere, Tudeiy torn from The context which plainly
milsd ana sxplained iheir meaning, TO produce me
false impression thai In 1894 had advocated ex
elusive hard money currency, and pledged myself 10
bring forward, al some future day proposition hay
ing that object m view
have shown you, fellow czens the true scheme
OF currency reform which have invariably advocated
u this scheme which distinctly set forth in the
speech made the removal Of the Depostes 10 1894.
and has since been The chart by which my whole
the subject Of the currency, aud the collec
ton OF the revenue, has been steadily directed Il Is
the scheme TO which then pledged myself; and few
plain matters Of fact will now enable you 10 decide
whether have not faithfully, and to the letter, Pur-
sued and endeayored 10 carry II ouL-pery shortly
afer the speech made by the removal OF the De-
posites. circumstances occurred, as you doubtless well
remember, which made il proper and necessary, as
conceived, that should resign my seat IN the Senate
Of the u. g. WAS two years afer 70 elected 10 the
Senate and again took my in body towards the
close Of the session Of 1885 g. when too late TO
Introduce any new measure Of Legislation Very
early, however, In the succeeding session OF 1857.
brought forward proposition IN exact pursuance and
fulflment Of tho views had expressed, the
sion Of the removal of the Deposes in 1884. In the
interval between my retirement from and return to the
Senate two Of the stcps indicated in the progressive
scheme Of currency REFORM which had advocated had
been already taken. The Back u. 8. had gone down
by the expiration and non-rcnewal OF the charter and
law had been passed to correct the Of
the gold coins What then remained TO be- done. in
completion Of the plan Of policy indicated in 1894,
was 10 bring forward some for the dscour-
agement aud suppression Of the small notes under the
denomination OF ten twenty dollars" The measure
brought forward had this object in view proposing,
after certain designated periods receive in payment
OF the public only the Of such Banks as
from and after those periods respectively. should
to issue bills Of the smaller denominations, extending
the restriction ultimately but gradually all notes I'M
der the denomination Of twenty dollarss policy which,
u heartily adopted by the general government in its
hsca regulations, was then believed, would be finally
embraced aud rendered efficient by the CO operation OF
the States This measure afterwards became well
known under the name Of the Currency Bill II was
passed by overwhelming majorties OF both Houses Of
Congress, but being presented TO the President Gen
Jackson within the last days OF the session Of Con-
gress and Of his administrations withheld by
HIM. and by that means only, prevented from becoming
law, Tor II he had returned with his objections, it
was well known, there was much than the consti-
tulional majority Of two.thrds to override his veto
Why measure which was designed to carry out po-
hey which General Jackson himself had repeatedly
commended, thus violently strangled, have not
been able 10 DEVISE unless II that among its other
provisions, contained one overlaying the fayorite
Executive bsnting Of the celebrated Specie Circular
However this may be, fellow. citizens, think you
Will not hesitate to say upon this simple recital OF facts
that had faithfully and the letter pursued the views
had expressed in ls34-that | did all it was in my
power TO do to carry out the policy and system Of mea-
surcs then advocated and il they were not conducted
successful contamination, the fault most assuredly
was not mine But | wss not satisfied with this single
effort to carry out the views announced by in 1884
At the special session Of Congress convened by Pres
dent Van Buren, in September 1887. again brought
forward in perseverng conformity those views thu
identical proposition which had offered during the
session OF 1857 when, had been supported in it by
the whole administration party in the Senate with the
exception Of four five ds-entents only. On this
OCCASION however, the President having, in the mean
time, recommended his hard money Sub-treasury pro.
ect the whole administration party with very few
ceptons, abandoned me in the position still continued
TO maintain and the proposition, which, only
months before had received the nearly unanimous vote
Of the Senate was now, in consequence of this sudden
change Of front by the body Of the administration party
negatIved by decided majority STILL however. de-
termined to make one effort and during the
cecding regular session Of 1878, submitted for the
third time with very slight notifications, as part Of
more extensive measure, the same proposition which
had at very recent date, been sanctioned by the al
most unanimous approval Of the Senate. But the
edc,ions Of party had been shed upon it, and it was
again rejected There let it rest Having done all
that an honorable fidelity to principle could demand,
leave the responsibility where the power is.
So much. for a charge which though resting on a
gross and wanton mu,ialion of printed context, and
sustained only by total ignorance or misepresenta-
ton Of facts has yet been often the theme of dis
torng partizah maevolence that could not in Justice
to al occasion, doubtless intended by you afford
opportunity OF defending myself against the various
accusations directed against me- pass II altogether
without notice ask then again. fellow-ctzens what
have done to merit all the oboquy and denunciation
with which have been copionsly visited ! have
firmly adhered and to the best Of my ability, zeal
ousy maintained all the old republican doctrines Of
VTgina-I have faithfully represented her opinions,
and sought to guard her rights and interests in all the
great questions Of national policy which have been
called as her representative to actand have steadily
pursued and perseveringy endeavored to carry out,
under circumstances Of the greatest encouragement,
while abandoned by former friends, every principle |
had laid down for the guidance Of my public course
What crime, then, have committed will tell you,
-citizensI have refused the Representative Of
this old "unterrhed commonwealth OF ours, become
the supple and plant tool Of powc have not bowed
the knee to Baal and fallen down and worshppcd the
brszen image Of Executive infallibty. While. in my
conscience, believing the leading Of Mr. Van
Burens administration TO be frought with the greatest
danger to the liberties and happiness Of my country.
have not been willing to utter with my lips, the savsh
and reasonable declaration that | would sink or
swim" with the author and perseverng patron Of these
measures This my crime, and the Of all the
bitter and vindictve denuncations TO which l have
been exposed
No one, fellow-ctzens could have had more
stronger motives Of personal nature adhere and
support Mr. Van Burens administration than I have
had. had voted for and cordially sustained his cleo
uon 10 MS present elevated station IN the honest belief
that he would conduct the affairs of the country with pru
dence, and in conformity TO sound Republican principles
naturally wished therefore, Justify the correctness of
my choice by finding to uphold, far as could
the wisdom Of his measures. Other inducements Of
more positive character wanting to make it the
interest OF whatever ambition might possess, sup
port his administration There was nothing the way
OF official advancement. that could have desired,
which was not placed my disposal within my reach
On the other hand, knew well from the history Of po
ltca prescriptions in all countries, and especially in
own, that, if yielding imperous OF duty
to my country, should fearessy oppose any avor,e
measure Of the administrations, what storm Of
geance and denunciation should draw down upon my
own head. knew all this well then, as know it
now when have experienced it all But in the hiph