The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-02-14

doingI will not say their doly to the House and 70 ~
country, bat-justicc to the Secretary himself ~
course which they are pursuing here. ihe g;assnee.;
from New Hampshire (Mr Cushmsn') Iol n'ber dsy
did he not peroeye nov, hi. declsraton The ONE
that the Secretary ready 70 I'm committee
ever The House would consent 70 gs ~ House that
OF his own naming was receiver 5,rst Of morriment
was greeted with an invaiunI ad been induging in
from all sides. as If the geniieeinana
Joke at the expense Of hs IN; Injection had been to
raising The committee BY ballot io nS h. done r;ra
~ ;s;a ,bs committee unless y eou. W 1oo '
,oer i, ,6e broad light Of day, &c, oeI
~ I.ya St.ll il appears TO me, win all Possl-
Mf go 49, thai he who renders his freud ridiculous,
~, hs,eyer means be may do So is not dong nun any
great service, !. 80, a.. - -.
' many great men have served and honored the
,, ,be successor Of Alexander Hamilton and
a,s|ander Dalss--of Mr. Crawford and Mr. Gala
in,be head OF one OF the great Executive Depart
an,a Of this Governments confidential adviser o.
,he president-srmed with mighty powers, clothed IN
;moosng authority surrounded with whatever OF spen
AL l remains TO the dignes OF this country--is u
a. saw that gentleman, standing where MI, WOOD
bury does with sppearaDces-sheiher by ms iauH OF
H.. msforune il wholly immaieral--so much against
MIN should present himself, rather suffer his trends
here n nresen him. the posture oil cnprH at the
Old Bailey challenging Jurors'wilhout cause, picking
flaws IN indictments, and Iesortlng 10 all the tte de-
vices OF a mere technical delencel Should ne not
rather challenge insestgaon--dey it-allow the House
10 choose time, place, manner, weapons
mir eastman here said he had informed the House
that The Secretary did challenge Investigation
Mr. LEGARE Well then, sir, why should he object
10 our appointing committee according TO our own
rulesl What is it 10 him how our committee is APP
pontedl Does it lie in his mouth Ito use that phrsse)
"a saw that having covered himself with cloud OF sus
cion !, shall not be removed unless the committee be
annon,ed in this or that particular wayl Is il
esy due TO his honor no less than to the interest Of
the country that the Investigation should be conducted
in the manner best calculated 10 satisfy the public and
and make them acquesce IN It's results whatever they
may be And now, again ask, if ever occasion was
estraordina--f there was an occasion that called
for the appointment 0! committee by the House itself
as the great inquest OF the country, the principles of
a free, impartial and rigid scrutiny is not this sol
But not only is extraordinary occasion. for the
reasons hitherto gvenit is rendered still more SO by
the very peculiar luncure at which the inquiry is called
for We are fairly arrived at what is called a crisis in
the financial affairs OF this country The public mind
as much awakened, perhaps, ever has been to the
importance Of the great question Of the day have
always thought It question infinitely too grave and too
fundamental, we'll too full Of difficulties of all sorts,
to be made matter Of party contention and management,
and that 1t was really an object worthy Of all our aten-
ton statesmen, 10 arrive at sound, scientific concu
sous regard to it. For this reason, sir, when the
gentleman from New York (Mr. Csmbrelengl omitted
state the grounds on which be called upon insti
this inquiry, do not happen be very sanguine
about the results promised by others, employed myself
with imagining some plausible pretext to indulge
hun IN his wishes The consideration which first pre-
sented itself and most weighed with precisely
this Here we are about 10 pass upon system IN
which the sae-keepng Of the public money is one OF
the most debateable points. We differ most widely
among ourselves as to its probable effects IN this re-
spect and the whole country is and has been for nearly
two years past deeply sgitated by the doubts
ed is
upon Us by the Executive Department for solemn re-
consideration. Just at this moment case occurs
which, Whatever any Of may think Of its peculiar
causes and circumstances, all must admit to have an
immediate, and perhaps, most important bearing upon
this engrosslng subject. Now, sir, for one, want to
see the precise features of what may possibly prove
most instructive experiment IN this department OF public
policy At any rate it very desirable that be sur
veyed with all possible impartlaty and from various
points OF view. 1t will not do to con6de the examna-
non OF such subject TO a committee composed IHincl-
pay OF minds committed to foregone conclusions, or
aoong under strong prepossesslons at least as may
be dcnlt, m the present state of the controversy TO
AVOID this evil we ought, all events to correct ana
mitigate It as much may, by an equal representa-
ton IN of the three classes Of opinions that prevail IN
this House. should not be satisfied with any report
made by gentlemen who differ with me IN their views
whatever might be their integrity abilities This is
matter which will consent 10 look at through an
others preJudlces. .. ..E.t"
And now, sir, ask you. what indgnity am offering
to the Chair, when say so And since IT regarded
by It's friends as bound and determined to give US com
mlttee of parsans not reasonable that re shoule
insist upon the undoubted right Of the House to see
that, subject Of this peculiar character all the par
ties that compose il should be present at the examna
ton, and report the facts according to their respective
ILpressionsl
have shown II ever committee ough be appointed
by the House. according to its rules, this is that
mlttee. The reasoning is entirely conclusive. | defy
the gentleman from New York to answer it. He il
driven back to the darkness he to
OF Observation-Disclosures of Observation-Disclosures of ar
gument ..
mr.. CAMBRELENo surprised that the gentleman
from South Carolna should ask him to give reasons
for that about which he mir c. felt SO little care He
had stated them he did that the mode of appoint
ing the committee matter Of indifference to HIM
and 1t was extraordinary that, after having made this
decsarauon he should be asked to hunt up why
the Speaker should appoint it
MI l.EGARE What, then, did the gentleman mean
by darkness !" Or, if he meant nothing, why not no.
Csy say at first
Before close my remarks it is necessary that I
should advert TO What fell from the gentleman from Ma
ryIand, (Mr Thomas) The House could not but be
struck with the fact, 10 which have more than once
alluded that although this committee was officially
asked for BY the Administration through its leader upon
this hoor reason why should comply with so
extraordinary request was so much as limited, until
late hour Of the second day Of debate upon the subject
Then it was that for the first me this important hatus
in the conduct Of such course attempted to be
supplied by the gentleman from Maryland. The high
place which that gentleman occupies in his party would
alone enne his. opinions and reasoning here to the
greatest consideration. But there is another crcum
stance which still further enhances their claims upon the
attention Of the House. The gentleman TO me
any thing but lavish Of his presence" in debate and
think have generally observed that it is only where his
friends arc in some serious dcuy-nbi al h,arios
rednf--,hat he thinks himself called upon to expose
himself IN the thckest Of the fight, and, dsmountng
from his horse like great captain of antiquity TO charge
sword IN hand, at the head Of his troops Accordingly
his appearance in the melee this occasion awakened
IN me the lNellest interest was curious TO know how
he was gong to defend what appeared to the unite
haole position Of his party, and accordingly left my
seat and approached to him not lose any
par OF an argument which was the last and only hope
OI an 0lhELA.Lsn Lrl..aL. .L.-