Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1840-03-14
CONGRESSIONAL.
MR.. BUCHANAN AND MR., DA


ming 5 Globe the remarks of Mr.. Buchanan in the Sc
nate on Tuesday last in relation to the misrepresena
tons of his speech in favor of the Independent rea
snry bill, contained in the published speech of Mr.
DAVIS against that measure. IL Will be perceived ina
the charge made was, that this gentleman had, through
out the remarks, alleged that Mr. Buchanan had sup
ported the bill on the principle that it would destro,
The banking system, and restore exclusive gold ant
silver currency, aud would necessary consequence
| check importatonS, suppress credit, and reduce h
wages of labor and the value of property to hal
their present prices. Such objections have hcretoo
been those chiefly urged by its enemies against The
measure; but by Mr. Davis, throughout his whole
speech, they have been put into the mouth of Mr.
Buchanan, as arguments in its favor. Every cal
perceive low much political capital might be made b.
circulating throughout the country, that the nnfounde
objections made to the bill by its open enemies
not only admitted to exist by distinguished riens
OF the measure as Mr. Buchanan, but had been actual
| ly urged by him as arguments in IFS favor
So far from this being the fact the speech of Mr.
Buchanan and we heard every word oft, not only die
not contain any such arguments as had been attributed
to him by Mr. Davis; but his arguments were all of
contrary character. He ridculed the idea which hat
been formerly urged by the opponents of the BILL tina
sit TO devour all the banks, and establish pure
metallic currency for all the transactions Of all the PEG
pie of the U. s.; and whilst he proved concusvely
that it would be of ncstimabe advantage by separating
the banks from the Government, he rendered it clenl
that it would not inluriousy affect the banks the b
slHesS OF IloW VT. DAVIS could
such arguments into his mouth he has DONE we arc
utterly al a loss to con lecture
A friend of Mr.. Buchanan having called his aten-
ton TO the published speech of Mr. Davis the former
brought the subject before the Senate Tuesday last
in the remarks which we now publish. Mr.. Buchanan
condonay applied the cplthct s.fagitiOuS,' which
Mr. Davis had first used IN his speech TO characterize
the propositions which he said had been advocated by
Mr.. Buchanan 10 the misrepresentation made hy Mr.
Davis of Mr.. 5 argument. This produced some al
crcaon; but, after the gentlemen had compared
with each other, the subject seemed TO have passed
away without appearing 10 leave any very unrrasan,
feelings behind. On the next morning, "wednesday }
Mr.. Davis appeared IN the Senate SAID that his re
MARKS on the preceding day had been misunderstood By
his friends, and desired further opportunity o! adj
dressing the Senate on tic subject. Tins delayed
by Mr.. Grundys speech until Friday morning, when
Mr. Davis and delivered speech marked through
out with strong and personally offensive expressions
in regard to Mr.. Buchanan previous remarks, and
concluded with the declaration that 'shc repealed them
with the scorn and contempt they deserved.
Mr. Buchanan, who is pr"veTbiaiiy mild and courc.
10 hs opponents left without any alternative
but tha, Of treating Mr. Davis with severity. He was
perfectly calm and collected in his manner. He com
menced with stating what We copy from the notes nf
Reporter: THAT when b" had addressed the Senate
few days ago. lie had underworld TO state what he be-
eved TO be hls grievance. in the mdes which
the nature of the admitted, and to treat the Scna
tor from Massachusetts, SO lar rs he could, with
tcsy and respect The remarks of that gentleman to-
day, had however absolvcd him from any such nbIiga-
ton, and he should proceed 10 treat his nsreprescnta
tons Us they deserved We have never heard more
Just and conclusive reply, or in lis
character. The Senator appeared altogether a new
light. Mr.. Davis rcoIncd: the alteration became quite
personal boh sides and Mr. Buchanan, in conclu.
slon rIumphany declared that he had fixed the charc
of nrosslv iniSrenrsa III rn,stk .upon INN, anu
We have not met any candid and impartial mo-. . In
WIN does not believe that Mr.. BrcaI,,,
made ont his case clearly and trumphantly. 1t WORLD
have been better much better for Mr. Davis at first TO
have admitted the Misrepresentation charged, ana
stated that they were unntentional mistakes, II SncD
were the fact From the result Of the controversy, We
entertain not doubt that he is of the same OPT
Mon When the entire debate shall be published, We
have no doubt this will be the settled convictions OF
our readers. -
The speech of Mr.. Buchanan, given to day, il wi!
he perceived is that which first invited the attention
Of the Senate and Mr.. Davis the misrepresentation
complained of by Mr. B. To this Mr.. Davis had scvc-
raj DAYS TO prepare himself for reply In answering
it. he not only repeated the Misrepresentation, but used
the indecorous and offensive language towards Mr.
Buchanan which provoked the indignant ana severe
retaliation on his part, alluded 10 in Fridays Globe
This renewal OF the debate, which occurred on Friday
last, will be given hereafter
We should have noticed the attempt of Messrs
Preston and Clay to the retreat OF Mr.. DAVIS,
in our article Of Friday last Mr.. Preston only could
anv language or argument which justified, in the re-
notes, degree, what had been imputed to hun by Alr
Davis Both pretended, however, to be happy 10 o.
serve that there had been reracton, on The part
Of the Republicans in the Senate, from the stand Ia
ken nv them against the banks. They insisted thai
their policy a. first meant nothing bit the destruction
of the banks The obiqne attack thus made 10 cover
Mr. Davis's retreat, repealed promptly, and with
spirit and success, by Col. King and MIR. Brown OF
North Carolina. They showed that reform OF bank
abuses was the aim pr"posedby the Democratic party,
moi the destruction Of the banks themselves and they
bore their testimony at the same time, as 10 the ms
representations of the Senator from massachusetts,
in regard to Mr. Buchanans remarks, and the change
imputed by Messrs. Clay and Preston TO the Demo-
cratic party, which they called ga rcrantnfion
Mcssrs Clay and Preston when thus called on could
not name an individual OF the Democratic party who
had in the slightest degree, relaxed in zeal for the tho
rough reform of the corporation abuses, winch nave
produced tie present embarrassnents. Not man OF
the Democratic party, either branch OF Congress- mas
receded from the strongest aud most advanced position
ever taken by the Administration to redeem tic CO.
vernmcnt from the disasters which hank association had
nroduced nor from the most etfectua legitimate inca
sure ever suggested to relieve the nation from the ms
chief of deprecated paper currency, no matter from
what source emanaiing.
In the Senate to-day The motion for the al ournment
of CONGRESS- after filing the blank with the 18th OF
Nav was discussed al length, and was then post
poncd until Monday next The bill more electuaiiy
to secure the public in the hands OF ocers ana
AGENTS of the government, and to PUNISH pnoc aean-
ters was made the order of the day for Monday next
message was received from the President of the Y;
States transmitting correspondence on the SUBJECT OF
the Northeastern boundary, which, after some remarks
from Mr. Williams was ordered TO be prlnted-dlo0e'
REMARKS OF MR. BUCHANAN, OF PESysrLrANrA;
In Senate, Tucsday March ;, lS4o-On The speech 0,
MIR Davis of Massachusetts, against the Independent
Treasury bill.
Mr.. President: I rise to perform painful hn'
imperous duty which ] owe to myself. The speech
which lately delivered in favor of the Independent
Treasury bill has been made the subject of criticism
and censure in another part of this Capitol; under
what rule of order confess cannot comprehend
In some portions Of the country, at public meetings
and in the public press have been denounced as inc
enemy Of the laborlng man, and have been charged
with desire reduce his wages, and depress his con-
dton to that of the degraded sers of European des
potisms Sentiments have been attributed TO me,
which never uttered and which my soul abhnrs.
repeat what declared in that speech, that u couIo
believe for moment that the Independent Treasury
bill would proye injurious to the laborng man, u