Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1839-02-09
Twenty-fifth Congress---3d Sess
SPEECH OF MR. NILES, OF CONNECTICUT.

(COneiudedj
But this is not all Recent events have proved that
the concerns Of the Treasury De conducted without
anv hank agency whatsoever. This has actually been
done the past year, with the exceptions named without
any substitutes being provided by law either as dePosi
or fiscal agents II the concerns OF 'he treasury
have been safely managed the principles OF the 81.
paraton without the substitutes, or any OF The sale
guards which the blll provided, does II not demon
strste that had il become law ITS operation would
have bee found convenient, saEe and highly beneficial
The experience therefore, OF the past year has proved
tina, bank cred, and has not suffered but pro
badly been benefited, ny the Gisconnecon OF the lrea
sury with banks; and 1t has also proved that The con
Germs the Treasury be conducted with their aseh-
cy THESE are very important points which recent
events have established
But Sir il ia ,riumphanty asked whether, in his al
fusion 10 'recen events, the President refers 10 the
dsfsca,ons of his Sub Teasurers? And who are those
dsfaul,ers whom the Senator denominates SubTiea
surers. They the late collector OF New YORK
the late district attorney OF the 50 city, ano dsnu's
ing officer in the army These are Inc Senator Hno'
Tressurers: but unfortunately for his purpose, my
were Sub Teasurers under his favore dePoste bank
sysem and their delacatons occurred under that sys
TEN; and vet the gentleman sneerlngy characteristics
these officers Sub Treasuters Sir, not one OF them
was Sub Treasurer according to the provisions o Inc
bill which passed the Senate al the last session. Ont
was collector of The customs but would not nave oeen
de positary Of The had that bill beoeie law;
one O dsbursDg officer IN the army, nno lie DINER
district attorney who was neither receiving or dis
bursino officer What, then have the d. fications OF
these officers do with The Sub Treasury: will tell
YOU Sir what they have TO do with It, They show, or
particularly that Of the collector the urgent necessity
of some Of the legal provisions and safeguards con
tanned the independent Treasury bill they prove the
defects Of existing laws and the mpeous necessity Tor
additional guards checks and securities, IN respect |"
all public agents WIN either receive keep d'sbuse the
public funds: they demonstrate the Importance and ne
cessy Of great moral principle contained IN That OIL
which made the conversion OF the public funds CRIME
a feiony This principle would have thrown around
l,kl, nj 1
there is any one consideration which will operate with
more force than any all Others on men IN responsible
and honorable public stations is the apprehension OF
the loss of character to be followed by disgrace and IN
fanny This powerful resI aint has been wanting. The
polcy of yout laws instead of making it crime to
the public money, has encouraged It's use by the agents
having the custody Of it. And, in regard to detauers
they subject TO criminal prosecution ana incur
no other responsibility than liability to civil suit, for
the money which they have plundered from the ltea'
sury. =,
Bu, we are told Sir that such is the weakness of hu
man nature that will not do 10 enirus the public
trsas,rs 10 men in public Office "Far better would
be in NV humble Judgment, TO heed the prayer which
Divine Wisdom has taught TO human 'ce0hnsss, aud No
lead not public officers (who but men) into tempa
ton by committing to their custody large sums oil mo-
new The weakness and depravy Of human naur
NAV be q sound principle in theology, but in Pntcs
is the principle Of despotisn the basis Inch all Co
vernmen,s rest tina, tread in the dus, the rights and
her,es of the people This not the FIRST time hav,
heard this Language from the same quarter II has beer
repeated in every discussion Of the financial question
before the Senate the last two sessions The weakness
Of human nature! Public officers who are C"tmen canno
be trusted they ought not to be exposed TO temp
ta,ion To whom shall public trusts be conhded, IT no.
10 ene Shall they he intIusied TO corporations which
are above the weakness Of human nature and removed
from temptation What slavsh doctrine is this TO b.
heard in the Senate of the United States' Sir, have
listened to this language with aslonshmen in this hail
coming as it has, from quarter whence should have
least expected sentiments derogaory TO freemen,
f.1n, nfattuo
that enlightened Commonwealth, which, on former &C.
casons speaking through her distinguished and engat
ened sons, the first to proclaim and defend those
great truths of the moral and intellectual capabilities oi
man for the high purposes Of selfgovernmeut Is this
the language sir we hear from prolessed disciple ri
Jefferson claiming be brought up at the feet Of Ga
maIis disciple, will not say, without any of The Prin
cples Of his MASTER but certainly wanting in some OF the
essential and fundamental principles which dstin
gushed that illuslIious man.
Sir did Mr. Jefferson talk about the weakness and
fray of man: Did he disrusl the people? Let him
speak for hnse: Some, says this great reformer,
"suppose that cannot be trusted TO govern himself
Have We them found angels in the form Of kings to
govern him. Let history answer this question Mr..
Jefferson said that selfish weak and timd Arstocrats
alone dstrused and feared the people, whilst the honest
the benefits OF social institutions had confidence in
mass, as he was willing to erjoy his own rights in CON-
mon with them, believing tat the only just and eftc
tual way to his individual rights to guard
and protect the rights and liberties of all He did nu,
believe thai men were frail to be entrusted with
power or the public treasure. If he had any error it
was in going to the opposite extreme, and entertaining
too exalted opinion Of The moral and intellectual
pscities of mankind
: This doctrine, that from the weakness of human ma
ture men cannot be safely trusted with the custody and
recon of the public revenue, not argument against
the Sub Treasury bill only but it is equally argu
uent against all free Governments Yes sir, against all
Governments which profess to consult the rights and
interests of the people. II is consistent only with
Government purely despo,c, where The rulers form
distinct class from the Of the nation and permit
ted to Cypress aud pluuder them ct their pleasure.
The unreasonable distrust of the Executive, no is
popular magistrate, elected by the people, respon
.be to them and liable at all times to BE- mpe by
heir Representatives, is part of the same doctrine
sundsd on the "weakuess' Of human nalas Whe-