The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-02-28
MIR. ROANE,s sPEEcH--THE PURSE
AND THE SWORD.

/ Nearly ten columns OF the Globe OF Saturday
night, are occupied with a speech, partly made in
the Senate, and partly written out elsewhere, +" on
tie bin 10 pyerem the Interference Of certain FEDERAL
e1feers Nth elections"
MIR. Rosne, In this speech, refers 10 the part Mr.
Rives took in the debates in The early part OF the
year 1884, in the Senate, on the subject Of the re-
moya Of the deposites when the union of the "purse
and the sword" was a topic largely dwell upon.
Mr.. Roane then asks, "afler all This, is ii not most
strange, passing strange, that now, when a man Of
peace--a meek, mild, placid man-one whose Whole
| life has been devoted to civil pursuits, and who,
dare say, never had an epanlee his shoulder or
sword upon his thigh is the President Of the United
States, my colleague should feel alarmed about the
| "rurse and the sword" being in the hands of the
Executivel Sir, can scarcely realize this
There is something amusing in the thought Of dan
ger from the sword in the hands Of our little Presi-
dent. Why, sir, be could hardly lift grenadier's
broadsword; but, sir, it is the danger from these
"legions" OF officers, these pretorian bands" whom
our President is TO head, sword in hand and march
to the capitol that has seized upon the Imagination
Of my colleague. Ihope he will get over his uneasi-
ness on that score, and assure him that il is too
late in the day to frighen the people by such talk
II they could not be alarmed by the sword Of Andrew
Jackson, they win not be afraid OF his pacific sue
cessor."
What description is here given of the Presi-
dent Of the United States! Given too by one Of
his most ardent admirers and servile supporters
Such is the individual at the head of affairs describ-
edto be when the country is menaced with foreign
war!-"a man Of peace"-"a meek mild, placid
man" devoted to civil pursuits'-one "who never
| mad. an epaulette on his shoulder or sword upon
his thigh"-one who "could Aardlg lift a gyeaa-
dier's broadsDordp This, though il NAV be said
was fguratively spoken believe is but The reality
The President We believe TO be more skilled in The
art, and better qualified TO lead the "prntorian
bands Of federal officers dependent upon his will,
into the election fields than 10 lead the "legions Of
armed soldiers into the field of battle I" sword in
| hand"
That the President is not skilled in the art of war
is evinced in the manner In which the Seminole war
has been conducted during the last two years at an
immense sacrifice Of the treasures Of the nation, and
loss Of character That he wants the energy toavert
war, is manifested in his weakness in permitting the
Governor OF single state 10 interfere in affair
which was The subject of negotiation between the
government Of the United States and that of foreign
power; and which the President himself said, but
three months ago. was in progress topards The sa-
ttsfactory and FINAL adjustment of the controversy"
| Mr.. Roanes attempt TO prove inconsistency on the
part of Mr. Rves, in his doctrines on the union of
the purse and The sword in 1884 and 1892 is mise
rable failure and falls to the ground.