The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-07-13
SPEECH OF NM. CROCKETT,

OF Tennessee, in reply to Mr.. Strong of New
York, on the sub-treasury BILL in com mittee of
the whole on the state of the Union.
HOUSE. OF REPRESENTATIVES,
June 10th, 1870
had not intended, Mr.. Chairman, to trouble
the committee with any remarks on this bill,
until the honora bic gentleman from New York,
(Mr, Strong) addressed the committee a few days
since, and reminded me # the peGuliarity of my
position in relation to it.
Important as | regard it-destructive and ru-
nous in its consequences and tendencies, as l
believe it to be, to the prosperity and happiness
Of those who have honored me with seat on
this floor, and of the whole country, I had deter
mined to pursue my usual course Of silence, and
to manifest my opposition to it by simply record
ing my vSte against it. And sir, so much of our
time has been consumed in speech-making
have talked so much and done so little during
the present session, that even now, though urged
BY an imperative sense of duty, rise with I'M
feigned reluctance.
But, sir, as have refrained, heretofore, from
taking any part in the discussions which have
engaged our attention, feel encouraged to hope
the committee will pardon the trespass I
about to commit upon their time and attention,
In submitting of the views which govern
me in my opposition to this measure
Mr.. Chairman, before proceed to the discus
sion of the bill on your table, have prior OBJ
legation to perform. The legislature OF the state
which l have the honor in part to represent
thought proper, in the plenitudc of their wisdom,
at their last SESSION. to adopt resolutions instruct
ing the Senators, and requesting the Represen-
tatives from that state, among other things, to
"vote for, and to all fair and proper exer-
tons to procure the passage of the measure
brought forward in the Congress of the United
States, commonly called the sub-treasury bill or
independent treasury bill" That bill is now
upon your table. Sir, for the honor of my state,
I ba h,v@ 4 ,,f I
conceive to be my duty, without making further
reference to these resolutions. But the respect
which is due to the action OF the legislature of
sovereign state, upon subject OF 50 much mag
nitude, entities them to serious consideration /;
and should feel that had failed to discharge
public duty, were |, under these circumstances,
to be silent.
The honorable gentleman from New York,
(Mr. Strong) and myself, are somewhat similar
ly situated in respect to this bill; and design
to con6ne my remarks chiefly to reply, at
least an attempt to reply, to some of the argu-
ments of that honorable member, for whom, al
though differ with hiia toto coelo, entert ain
great respect.
In truth, Mr.. Chairman, deeply regret to
find my friend from New ork, on the wrong
side in politics; for really, sir, set So high a
value on his personal friendship, that am very
sorry to differ with him, But, feel authorized
to hope, nay, more, feel confident that when
he comes to be convinced sf the fact, as think
he soon must be, that he is acting with party,
and supporting administration, whose democ
racp consists entirely in name and profession,
while their measures and practices are of the
most ultra federal character, he will renounce
and abandon them, and come to the true old
fashioned democratic republican faith, and be
good wing.
The gentleman from New erik, (Hr. Strong)
will pardon me for one word in regard to the po-
sition he assumed on this point, before proceed
to notice the resolutions adopted by the legisla-
ture of my state.
Sir, the honorable member from New York, as
it would appear from the resolutions of the Le-
gislature of that State, which he caHsed to be
read at the clerks table, has been odcised in a
very polite and respectful MANNER should say,
that he will conform his action to the wishes and
best interests of the people of his State byoppo-
sing this measure, which they characterize, and
very justly, in my humble judgment, as one
fraught with many evils to the country.
But, sir, the gentleman has thought proper not
only to disregard this advice, but to pronounce
some severe structures upon the conduct and mo-
tves of those who gave tin other words, the
Wing portion of the Legislature of his State.
He denounces the resolutions as "Janus-faced,n
and altogether Anomalous in their charactc
And why? because forsooth, they only expr -
opinion, and declare what the will and ~ az
the people of that State are; and bee ~ss"ee -
not take the broad ground and ir ~~ess ehey u'
tors and request her represe' cstraet her sena
inform the gentleman and ~ss@vesS nut siiapi,
will conform their az Ats colleagues that the,
this measure. >dca thereto by Opposing
Now, sir, to
tleman on = -ay mind, the doctrines OF the gen
omalous" ais point are quite as novel and IAN
ture : as the resolutions ot ms state Legisi a
Z seem to be to his lie ana ms parry ptX re,
=, believe in the doctrine of instruction. The,
hold that the Legislature OF State mas a rish
to instruct her senators, and the people sneli re