Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1840-03-24
ASSUMPTION OF STATE DEBTS.
Remarks of Mr. r ESTlsS, of vaSus6mt

Remarks of Mr. r ENTlSS, of vdSusomt,
On The question of tic adoption of the fol-
lowing resolution, among a series Of others.
reported 10y the Select Ccmni lee in relation
TO the assumption by the United States of the
State Indebtedness, one of Mr. Grundy's pro-
jecting which no party approves Of; the States
not having asked the favor.
/. Resolved, That the assumption. directly
or indirectly, by the General Government, OF
the debts which have been, or NAV be contrac-
ted 10y the States for local objects or State pur-
poses, would be unjust, both TO the States and
TO the People.
MIR. PRESTIss moved to strike on, the words
"dtrecHy or indirectly" and insert the words
"0r guarantee Mr. Prentiss said thai, his OBJ
lcct in moving the amendment was TO enable
him to act understandingly. He wished to
reduce the resolution to a simple, definite
proposition, 50 that no misapI rehension what
ever might exist as to lis import and meaning.
he wished TO know, with certainty, the length
and breadth OF what he was to affirm or dis
aiilm by his vote and for that purpose, and
that purpose alone, he proposed To strike out
the words directly or indirectly, and insert
words OF more special and definite import.
They all understood, none of them could
mistake, what was meant by assumption ofthe
debts OF the States. In a legitimate sense, it
comprehended the various forms Of taking the
debts upon the General Government, by pay
Ing them presently, by undertaking absolutely
TO pay them at a future day, or, as he thought.
by guaraniying their payment ultimately: and
ms, DC learnt ilom the chairman, was all that
was intended by the committee. 1.-THE words
directly or Indirectly did not mean, or were in
caDahlp nf heinz ropctr,al g. 49,. s.--l.-
beyond that, to be sure they were entirely
harmless. IL they did no, mean. or might he
construed TO mean, something different from.
or more tlan that. they created the very amlpi-
Buty and uncertainty which il was important
10 AVOID and Tor that reason, and a very suf-
Hcieht reason II was, they ought to he stricken
out, and less equivocal words substituted.
In laying down abstract doctrines, if they
must do so, IN a matter Of so much Importance.
IL became them TO lie more than ordinarily cir
cumspect IN the language they employed.-
lhey mad on record an instance, and a memo.
raoie instance too, of the effects of a want of
suhIclent careinlness in this respect. The
meaning OF tho famous Virginia resolutions of
10 though drawn up bv a very mature scholar
rs well as eminent statesman, had, they all
knew, been a subject of controversy for wears.
Different constructions had been pu, uDon
them. Learned essays had been written p.
lahora'e speeches had been delivered. 10 de.
mons'rafe their true meaning: and vet. the
question renamed undecided aud unsettled 10
ms day. One set of commentators insisted
mat the meaning OF the resolutions was as OH
''cHs as the light itself; that they meant mill
fcatlon. Another class Of commentators o.
qnaliy enlightened, maintained with equal tc.
naclty, and equal periinaciiy too, that The idea
OF hulllticailon was no where TO be found in
them. This was a 81 ynal instance of a die. !
ference oi consiru ton ofabstract resolutions.
and 1t ought to serve as an adm,ni,ion 10 tho
Senate OF the United States, when DEALING in
IKE distractions, TO observe strict precision.
used. "'
If the object Of the words proposed TO be
s'n'heh out was simply, as the chairman Of
The had stated, tn embrace tue case
OF a guaranty of the debts of the States. why
was he not willing to substitute in their place
express words To that ofTectl He had told
them yesterday in his speech, that he did not
profess to go az all beyond what mioht faily
and properly be called assumption or guaranty. |
For one, Mr.. p. said, he was quite willing
10 go thus far. But he wished 10
guard against sayiag. or appearing TO say, that
loan or drpusito Of surplus -.oe-s dis
OF the proceeds of The public lands,
among all he STATES, Though a PAT Of Them
happen 10 be IN debt, and might apply
The money, when received, To the payment Of
their dehis, was an assumption. ipdrerlv, Of
State debts. lie was unwilling TO po. or 10
appear 10 go, Ia sud- extent aud lie wished To
avoid the use of any terms which might admit
" such an Interpretation. lie wished 10 bc
pre- Use, exact. lie wished 10 put ihe
resolution not only in a form 50 exricit as
enable ihem clearly TO see and under
stand lis meaning, AMI its whole meaning.
then, but ~ a form 50 guarded as would SCENE
eife"tually secure II, agaias, an miscon.
siruciion in all lime to come. They shouIJ
Iecoiiect that they are laying down Gindamen-
TAI principles that they were making a decla.
ramon OF constitutional law aud when enpa-
geo IN such grave employment, every exDres-
sloh' every VOID. ought 10 be maiurely. ouch,
70 ne cautiously weighed and considered.
Nf. I. said he would repeat, that he .ishod
10 aiVesi The resolution Of every thing vague
OF equivocal' 10 order that he might vote up-
~ without Embarrassment and he aid M
Wen see how the chairman Of The commi,tee
coula refuse 10 accept an amendment which
caineh oui has declared meaning precisely and
my and a the same time removed an srb,'
guy H. however, the amendment should be
Ieleeiel, he should not feel himself al iibe51v
under the explanation which ~
been gwen by the chairman, 10 vote soairs,
the resolution. e@"NS'
Nj = sad he had nothing further to saw