The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-12-19
DEBATE ON THE PRESIDENTS
MESSAGE.
MA. WRIGHT AND ma. WEBSTER.

NH. WRIGHT AND MR. WEBSTER.
Presidents Message was continued in the Sc
nate on Thursday by Mr.. WRlaHT This gen
tieman intends to report himself; and, we under
stand, expressed wish that no one else should
report his remarks. We will therefore, wait for
The publication of his own written account of
what he said. The Globe endeavors 10 give
the impression that he answered Mr. Webster;
but we submit to all candid and intelligent men
who heard the debate, whether he answered
the Massachusetts Senator successfully on any
single point. He did not indeed contradict a
single important fact stated by Mr.. Webster
lie said that some further portion Of the Chcka-
saw funds had been invested than had appeared
in the accounts. But he admitted that the
S2,5o0,000 stipulated TO be vested for the use of
the Winnebagoes and other tribes was a debt
against the United States. Wholly misunder-
standing, and certainly misstating Mr.. Webster's
point as to this matter, he asked Mr. Web
ster whether he objected 10 those Indian
treaties2 Mr.. Webster promptly and con
clusivey replied that il was notorious to the
49," VIZ Scuuh1s ht hou nv opJtthou' "
the treaties-he had, on the contrary poted for
them But, what he complained of was, that
the message kept out of sight the large sum Of
money which was debt contracted on that ac-
count and which the Government was bound to
pay.
Mr.. WRiaHr argued at large against the po-
Icy Of National Debt. But here again, he en-
tircly missed, or cvaded the point of controversy
for Mr.. WEBSTER had emphatically expressed
his concurrence in the sentiments of the mes
sage in this particular; and what he complained
Of was that the message imputed desire to
create debt to Mr.. Van Buren's political oppo-
nents. This is quite evident from the reading
Of the following paragraph of the message.
:" have deemed this brief summary of our fiscal af
fairs necessary TO the due performance of duty spe
cally enoined upon me by the constitution 1t will
serve Also to illustrate fully the principles by
which have been guided in reference to two contest
ed points in public policy, which earliest in
their development, and have been important in
their consequences, than any that have arisen under
complicated and difficult yet admirable, system OF
government: aude to a national debt, and nation
al bank II in these that the political contests by
which the country has been agitated since the
adoption Of the constitution, great measure, ORR
ginated; and there is too much to apprehend
that the conictng interests and opposing principles
thus marshaled, will continue, as heretofore, to pro-
duce similar, if not aggravated circumstances"
II is quite clear that this refers not TO brokers
and various interests Gas Mr.. Wright argued)
but TO political parties existing from the origin
of the Government and it was against this I'M
just accusation that Mr.. Webster had protested
in his speech.
| The Massachusetts Senator was perfectly
right in saying that the six millions of postponed
custom-house bonds were properly chargeable tc
this Administration. The duties for which these
bonds were given had accrued before December,
1885, the time of the great fire in New York
BY the act Of March 18th, 1886, the payment
Of these bonds was postponed three, four, and
five years, beyond the time Of payment stated
in the bonds. They have fallen due under the
present Administration therefore, and the sums
have gone into the Treasury The additional
sum Of six millions makes the whole expendi-
ture of the last four years, THIRTY-THREE MIL
LIONS AND HALF over and above the accru-
ing income from all sources during the same
period.