Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1839-08-02

Why did not the Secretary stand up, in the
midst ofthe scene. and say to the President
of that body "Sir cannot I must MI do
this deed. My hand can never hold the pen
which blurs and blots the record ] have
sworn TO keep Take from me my office
eonsign me TO beggary il you will but do
not require me TO disregard my official oath,
aud violate the Constitution of my country
My duty has been to this moment, and shall
continue TO be, faithfully performed but
come what WILL thu deed cannot, | must
not, will not do p
What II sublime example Of selfsacric-
ing devotion to principle would have been
thus exhibited Sir, would rather, so far
as personal qualification is concerned, have
occupied the position OF that officer at that
moment, than to the President OF the United
State to the end of my life There would
have been more true glory 10 such refusal
than in hundred military victories and the
laurels which would have adorned his brow
would have remained fresh, when the name
OF one connected with that transaction shall
have been consigned TO execration & infamy.
But, Mr. Chairman, there WaS one redeem
ing act connected with that scene 1t was
the act of the distinguished Senator from
Massachusetts who rose, as the final vote
upon the resolution was about TO be taken,
| and, in the name Of himself and his col
league, read to the Senate their solemn pro.
test against il. Sir, it was a noble sight -
the Senator standing up, with his erect form
and manly bearing and declaring 10 the Sen
ate and the world, in the calm dignity of con-
scious uprightness and truth, the great prin-
ciples OF the Constitution, which forbid the
deed that was about to be committed
But, sir, the exposition Of constitutional
principles was not the only feature ofthe pro-
test which gave it interest 1t declared,
with becoming plainness and directness,lh The
true origin Of the influence which was then
about 10 carry the expungiug resolution
I'VE have seen (says the protesl with deep
! regret and sincere pain, the Legislatures OF
respectable States instructing the Senators
| Of those States TO vole for and support this
violation of the journal Of the Senate; and
this pain is infinitely increased by our full
belief and entire conviction that most, if not
all, these proceedings Of States had their
origin IN promptingS from Washington !; that
they have been urgently requested and insis-
ted on as being necessary 10 the accomplish
men. of the intended purpose and that IL as
nothing else but The igfaenee and porer Of
The Erecuiire branch Of Mis Government
which has brought the Legislatures of so
many Of the fee States of this Union TO
quit the sphere Of their ordinary duties for
the purpose of cooperating TO accomplish a
measure, in our judgment, so unconstitu;ion-
al, so derogalory 10 the character Of the
Senate, and marked aoih so broad an
impression of compliance teiM pO,cer.-
But this resolution is TO pass We ex.
pect il. That cause which has been power
| full enough TO influence 50 many Slate Leg
isiatures, will show itself powerful enough
especially with such aids, 10 secure the pas
sage Of the resolution here"
Thus, sir, did the Senator from Massa-
chuselts, al a moment of intense interest,
and under circumstances of peculiar respon-
sitiiny, stand NJ. in the face Of the Senate
and the world, and soemnly declare his
"full belief and entire conviction" that it was
the influence and power OF the Executive
branch of this Government which had
brought the Legislatures of so many of the
States TO quit the shpere OF their ordinary
duties 10 aid in carrying into effect the will
of the President in the measure then about
10 be consummated.
! And wha, reply was made TO this charge
| Was il answered Was there any attempt
10 answer it No, sir. Every expunging
Senator covered under It's whitening re-
buke. All felt its justice, for its truth had
been written on almost every page OF our
preceding three years political history
| The ''promptings" has been visible TO every
intelligent observer. None could deny their
reality---none did deny it--none dared deny it.
Thus, MIR Chairman, have / glanced at
the four years warfare upon the "pure" AID.
ministralion--at the pretended apprehen,
sions, by the "put-down" conspirators, OF dan.
ger from the abuse OF Executive patronage
their extreme solicilude lest the purity of
Congress should be assaled by the appoint
ment of its members TO office-lheir fears
tina, corruption would become the order Of
the day-their alarm at the pretended Giscov
cry OF extravagance-their gland prepare
tions for retrenc hment, as soon as they could
have the cooperation of the Executive, and
the pledges of the President that he would
respect diligence. talents. and integrity" in
his appointments--see that power should not
be placed in "nniailhfnl or incompetent
hands" and take care that his patronage
should not be abused to party purposes.
| have also reminded the committee Of
the violations OF all these pledges by the
men TO whose hands credulous People had
been inducedto confde the administration of
their Government And. sill, it is amazing
to contemplate the extent and the openness
of these violations One could hardly be-
lieve his senses when he beholds them. es-
pecialy when he looks at the bold and dar
ing disregard OF pledges in the prostitution