Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1839-01-16
A CONGRESSIONAL SPEECH.
SPEECH OF MR.. WISE, OF VIRGINIA.

A CONGRESSIONAL SPEECH.
SPEECH OF MR.. WISE, OF VIRGINIA.
In reply 10 Mr.. Thomas Of Md. upon a
resolution to print certain documents
relative TO public defauAers.
Mr.. WISE said he was DESTROYS of say
ing few words in reply to the remarks
Of the gentleman from Maryland, (Mr.
Thomas.) That gentleman assumed that
my object ir wishing for the printing OF
the Secretary's correspondence (the most
important document among those pro.
posed to be printed) was merely to
show that defalcations existed to large
amount.
[Mr. Thomas interpcsed to explain.
He had not intended to take any such pc.
sition he then went into recapltulation
of the points he had made in his speech.
Mr.. WISE. / understand the gentle
man. understand him most perfectly.
should not understand him any better
after he had made five thousand explana-
tons Of his speech than did before he
made it. | knew that that gentleman's
party instincts would lead him to oppose
the publication of these documents.
say this without intending to impugn that
gentleman's motives or his integrity. /
speak only of his party instincts. Modify
the motion as may, well know he will
never vote !or it. II the gentleman had
patiently sat here with me the other day
for six hours and half, until had pretty
fully eviscerated this document, No. 297,
containing the correspondence Of Mr..
Woodbury. with his Land Office Recei-
vers, he would have found out that my
object had not been to show, 40 he says, TO
what every body knew before, viz: that
great and numerous defalcatious do ex-
ist; but to declare in the face Of day that
if had the least hope ofeither being sus.
ltained by this House, or Of getting an
honest trial in the other branch, would
not wait twenty-four hours till filed ar
ticles OF impeachment, and rely on no
other proof than is contained in this doc.
ument. And will agree to forfeit forev-
err my public station, to turn my back up
on these Halls, and never again dare to
offer myselfto the confidence Of my con-
stituents, if on this document, No. 297,
and on this alone, cannot convict the
Secretary Of the Treasury of wilful and
corrupt neglect and violation ofhIs official
duty. And ask, was there ever such
an offer publicly made, such challenge
openly proposed, in Parliament or Con-
gress, in respect to Cabinet Minister,
without his friends accepting it, and cal
ling for charges r? ] say again, give me
twelve honest men ofthe Secretary's own
party, and let them be put upon their
oaths to render true verdict according
to evidence, and pledge myself to con.
vici him on an Indictment at common law.
l will show, not merely that delalcations
have taken place, but that the Secretary
is himself the chief offender. do not
mince my terms. lspeak cody, delbe.
rately. once more repeat the aver.
ment, that the Secretary Of the Treasury
is guilty of wilful, gross, and corrupt neg
lect and violation of his public duty. And
| say that this document, No. 29S, will
prove the fact under his own hand. 1t
is 10 furnish these proofs that have cal
led for the printing OF these documents.
| do not cry like the starting without
knowing what my cry means. have
been treated by the gentleman from New
Hampshire MIR. Atherton) just as my
friend near me (Mr. Prentiss) was treated
by him to-day. He has accused me of
a vague, unmeaning charge OF corruption
But | will stand before any honest tribu-
nal, and will ask that the Secretary may
there be heard in his own defence. |
cannot with safety do this here; it would
not be safe: should get verdict accor-
ding to party, not according to evidence.
am therefore driven to another tribunal,
the tribunal of the American People.
ask only that the Secretary may be heard
at their bar; and yet gentlemen are dis.
posed TO deny me this fair, open, honest
opportunity of trying public delinquent.
do not ask you to give my charges TO
the People that will do at my own OK
pense. lbarely ask that Mr.. Woodbury.
himselEmay be heard.
The gentleman from Maryland (Mr.
Thomas) says that he must have the
strongest proof before he can believe the
charge which ! have preferred. lido not