, 1840-08-15

" Remarks Of Mr.. LINCOLN of Mass De-
bate in the H. of REPRESENTATIVES on the
General appropriation Bill. April Is, I84o.
Mr.. Lincoln said, were it not for the situa.
ton he was placed in reference to the
committees, he would not press himself up
on the attention of the committee at the
present time. 1t seemed that after seven
days consumed 10 this debate, it was about
time to inquire what had resulted from the
deliberations of the committee. They were
the faithful representatives and servants of
the people; and he said, whether Gen. Har-
rison was a fit person for the Presidency or
not; whether he should be elected to that
office or not; whether he was an Abolition
zionist or not; whether he was a hero, and
entitled to the confidence of the people, or
unworthy of their confidence, could not at.
feet this bill. This appropriation bill must
be passed; for one, he would say that he
would vote for it, whatever might be the
condition or disposition of the Presidential
question. He would vote for it; but be-
fore doing so, he should endeavor to make
it as free from objections as possible. The
Government mus, have means TO carry on
its operation. He presumed that there was
no gentleman in that House who would take
upon himself the responsibility of with hold
ing such means as were necessary for
that purpose. 1t was to pass in some
shape or other, and he felt bound, from a
conviction on his mind of a sense of duty
and patriotism. to piss this bill as speedily
as possible. There will other occasions on
which debates of the characters which had
taken place on this bill, and which had anus.
ed and instructed us. and instructed the na-
ton will be more IN place, and the time would
be more ample and attended with less preju-
dice to the public service.
Mr.. l.. thought it high time that some limi-
tation were made to the strange latitude of
debate in which gentlemen had thought prop
er to indulge for the last few days. For his
part. he did not feel authorized, on a subject
like the present, to take up and discuss the
merits Of General Harrison, although per-
haps, on a proper occasion, it would be found
that he was as able to undertake that task as
some others.
Mr.. L. then alluded to his political rela.
tons with the other four members on the Com
mit,ee on Public Buildings and Grounds,
when it so happened that he was placed sin
sie handed to represent the Wings. Wheth-
er it was his misfortune or his fault he would
not say; but it was a fact that, on all meas.
ures in relation to business, flor politics were
GU, of the question0 he invariably concurred
in the opinions of those gentlemen. II, in
the present instance, they had done wrong,
he was also to blame, for he had concufred
with them in recommending the appropria-
tion. If any thing exceptionable had come
from the committee, had been introduced into
the general appropriation bill, he felt him
self bound, in honor, to take his share of the
reproach. He would consider it mean and
cowardly, when his political opponents on
the committee were attacked, for him to at.
tempt to escape from c%ensure, when he was
conscious that he himself had acted with
them. He mentioned that as matter OF lit
tie consequences; but he felt bound, whoever
might be the accuser, to stand up and do his
associates on the committee justice.
He regretted to sec that,in relation to some
stems of the bill, there had been some strange
misapcrehensrons, and more particularly by
the gentleman from Pennsylvania, N. OeLE.]
He understood the gentleman objected to the
tenn of s.. 665 for alterations and repairs
to the Presidents House. Now, it would
r. found that this sum was made up of a num-
bsr of small items, all of which were per
.fsct,v reasonable. But he would tell the
gentleman from Pennsylvania that his attach
On such matters was a very small business
indeed, and before he should conclude, hi
would point out to that gentleman much
HIGHER game, if he felt disposed to pursue it
in the first place, the gentleman had en-
itireIy mishapprehended the character Of til.
item Of appropriation to which he objected
small Items, and he felt confident that wher
the gentleman understood how that agggre
agsts amount was made up, he would no longe
Object to it, or deem it so very extravagant
One of these items was. A3or the annua
repairs OF the Presidents House and furpi