The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1840-02-15
MR.. SPEAKER HOPKINS.


We have been good deal surprised at
khe uneenerous ,uncandid and violent attacks |
made upon this individual by the Spirit Of |
the Times, in PhiIadelpha. and most Of the
federal papers throughout the etstu. IL is
uniformly represented by these papers, that
Mr.. HoPLINs alleged he had backed out
from the position he had taken, that he had
not courage to stand up to the mark, and
that he had truckled IN his course aud abana
doned his principles. Never were charges
3 more gratuitous and unfounded. AS the
\ best answer to them, we publish below the
4 remarks Of Mr.. Hopkins on The special
Message, which have been made the ground
fof all those malevoleni assaults. These re-
marks were furnished bv our reporter in the
House, who stated by the editors Of the
,Washintou GIoDje, 10 be one Of the best and
most accurate reporters they ever had In
their employ. heystone'
Mr.. HoPK1Ns-~Sad it appeared to him
.tha, the debate had taken entirely too wide
a range; the simple question was on reso-
lution pledging the faith OF the state for the
ful6lment Of her engagement, and how 1t
was that the question in regard to the re-
sumption of specie payments had been lug
-oed into this discussion he could no! exact
y comprehend. We have heard good
deal said about " feceding," and the gentle
man from Philadelphia county Mr. P. has
told us that we have been brought to the
"thlnking point" but he could noe but ad-
uire the suggestion Of friend on ais right
Who thought the gentleman ought TO have
said "sticking point" This he said was
an appropriate suggestion as We had truly
reached the sticking point, to recedine
from former position, he, Mr.. H., nigh
be permitted to say that he, In cer'lar
sense, had undergone that process already
--hs had done his share Of receding -
he had voted for the resumption resolution
when his own private opinion was ihat th'
true policy would have been 10 have pass
ed a general Banking law, with such restric
lions as would efectually guard against tn
recurrence Of existing evils, and previdln
also, for as early rcsupmtion ascould posi-
bly be brought about consistently with tn
interests of the people. This course h
thought, would have been preferable TO lie
Vislating on the abstract question OF resump
tion, as this partial legislation could at oes
do nothing more than relieve US tenporar
ly and would not afford the people gua
antee again,, similar difficulties in future
He thought the people were more deslrou
10 have such restrictions imposed upon I'll
banks as would preyen! them from suspend
ing hereafter, than they were as TO part
ular day for resumption; besides, he ha
feared that the debtors of the banks woul
not be able to NEE, their engagements at {
early day as the 18Th, and consequent
the pecunary embarrassment under "Eic
that portion at least Of the community al
labsring, would be increased. Yet, sr,no
withstanding these were the private opi
ions entertained, and expressed TO man
Of my democratic friends, when ! discove
ed that large majority Of the party wi
whom | acted, entertained differeat view
and as it was only difference of oPiniC
as 10 the best mode of bringing about Il
game result, yielded my own notions
policy, rather than take an obstinate star
agains. a clear majority OF my polite
friends. The position occupied seem,
TO indicate this as the bes, course; and d
90 the more readily, being aware that Il
people who have the honor in part to r
present, are anxious for an early resum
slon.