The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-07-09

The while on the state OF the Union.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,,
June 10th, 1S40.
MIR. CROCKETT said:- ,
had not intended, Mr. Chairman, to treuole
the committee with any remarks this bill,
until the honora bic gentleman from New York,
(Mr Strone) addressed the committee few days
since, and reminded me ST the popularity OF my
position in relation to 1t.
important as | regard it-destructive and ru-
inous in its consequences and tendencies, as
believe it to be, to the prosperity and happiness
Of those who have honored Inc with a seat on
this floor, and of the whole country, had deter
mined to pursue my usual course of silence, and
to manifest my opposition to it by simply record
ing my vste against it. And, sir, so much Of our
time has been consumed in spcech-making-we
have talked so much and done so little during
the present session, that even now, though urged
by an imperative sense of duty, rise with I'M
feigned reluctance.
But. sir as | have refraincd, heretofore, from
taking any part in the discussions which have
engaged our attention, feel encouraged to hope
the committee will pardon the trespass am
about to commit upon their time and attention,
in submitting some OF the views which govern
me in my opposition to this measure
Mr. Chairman, before proceed to the discus
sion of the bill Oh your table, have prior OBJ
legation to perform. The Legislature of the state
which have the honor in part to represent,
at their last session. to adopt resolutions instruct
ing the Senators, and requesting the Represen-
tatives from that state, among other things, to
sevote for and to use all fair and proper exer-
tions to procure the passage of the measure
brought forward in the Congress of the United
States, commonly called the sub-treasury BILL or
independent treasury bill" That bill is now
upon your table. Sir, for the honor of my state,
should be happy If I could discharge what
conceive to be my duty, without making further
reference to these resolutions But the respect
which is due to the action of the Legislature oil
sovereign state, upon SUBJECT oil SO much mag
nitude, entities them to serious consideration j;
and | should feel that had failed to discharge a
public duty, were |, under these circumstances,
to be silent.
The honorable gentleman from New York,
(Tr Strone) and myself, are somewhat similar
ly situated in respect to this bill; and design
to con6ne my remarks chiefly to reply, or at
least an attempt to reply, to some of the argu-
ments of that honorable member, for WHOM, al
though differ with him tote coelo, entertain
great respect
In truth, Mr.. Chairman, | deeply regret to
find my friend from New York, on the wrong
side in politics; for, really, sir, set SO high a
value on his personal friendship, that am very
sorry 10 differ with him. But, feel authorized
to hope, nav, more, feel confident that when
he comes to be convinced ef the fact, as think
he soon must be, that he is acting with party,
and supporting an administration, whose democ-
racy consists entirely i'll name and PROFESSION,
while their measures and practices are OF the
most ultra federal character, he VIII renounce
and abandon them, and GENE over to the true old
fashioned democratic republican faith, and be
good wing.
The gentleman from New York, (Mr. Strong)
will pardon me for one word in regard to the po-
stion he assumed un this point, before proceed
to notice the resolutions adopted by the ieSlsla-
ture of my own state.
Sir the honorable member from New York, as
it would appear from the resolutions OF the Lee
gislature OF that State, which he caused to be
read at the clerks table, has been ddctsed In
very polite and respectful manner, should say,
that he will conform his action to the wishes and
best interests OF the people of his State by oppo-
sing this measure, whica they characterize, and
very Justly, in my humble Judgment, as one
fraught with many evils to the country
But, sir, the gentleman has thought proper not
only to disregard this advice, but to pronounce
some severe structures upon the conduct and mo-
tiycs of those who gave tin other words, the
ZRhig portion of the Legislature OF his State:
He denounces the resolutions as "Janus-faced,"
and altogether seanomalouso in their character.
And why2 because forsooth, they only express an
ogi,,ioss and declare what the will and wishes OF
the peoole of that State are; and because they do
not take the broad ground and instruct her sena-
tors and request her representatives, but simply
intern the gentleman and his colleagues that they
will conform their action thereto by opposing
this measure.
Now, sir, to my mid, the doctrines OF the gen
tleman this point quite as novel and AN
omalouso as the resolutions OF his State Leglsla-
ture seem to be to his. He and his party profess
to believe in the doctrine of instruction. They
hold that the Legislature of State has right
to IN s.ruct her senators, and the people then re-
representatives., and the corresponding obiigatlon
of obedience ON the part of those so instructed
And vet, sir, the honorable gentleman in this
case raises bubble and puts his refusal to obey
on the ground that he is requested by the rcso-
lutions to oppose the bill, but merely informed
what the will and wishes of the people OF his
state are in regard to it. He denounces this as
an a1tifcc Of the Wing majority OF the Legisla-
ture to induce the friends of the administration
from that State, to vote against this bill without
committing themselves to the doctrines of instruc-
ton But, sir, if ! were to hazard guess on
the subject as to the motive of the New York
LEGISLATURE in adopting the resolutions in ques-
tion. should not hesitate to say they did it to
test the sincerity of those who profess this doc
7trine. but who take good care never to practice
,pon It. except when it can be made available foi
party purposes. ~,
: Sir. what do the gentleman and the party will
which he acts understand to he the object of in
str,ctions to public servants? Is it any thing
more or less than to inform them OF the VIII o
tcir constituents? Surely, sir, this is all that l
necessary to be lxnownby those who honestly De
lieve in the doctrine, and wish IN good iaith Y
carry it out in practice. But, passing strange y
il would seem to an unsophisticated mino-oh'
not given to bubbles and subtiehes, the genie
man and his political friends seem wholly inca
pable of comprehending the wishes OF their con
> sst,tuents, from mere expression of them IN
.,ol;te decorous. and respectful manner II seem