Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1840-12-22
nd no, til then, shall we have the true issue

n-iscd little anticipated any such movement during
lbs short session Of Congress. had supposed that
The repeal Of the Treasury act would be at
,em,,cd under the next Administration, but had not
even imagined that it would then be urged without pre-
sen,np some substitute and must confess mat oid
no, look fr such proposition from any quarter during
The continuance Of the present Administration rs,
however before us and it presents distinct ques-
ton The resolution proposes to instruct The commit
tee on finance report bill providing tor the ih'e
date repeal of the Sub-Treasury act presented 10
the same Senate it proposes to bring the subject De
fore the very Congress which, but few months past,
enacted this very measure. Sir, could not nave De
eyed tina, an me mber of this body would urge upon
the Senate the repeal of this measure which had been
adooted after go much debate after much reflection,
and after so much consideration. But, again say,
that the proposition has been presented let us now
meet il manfully, and with determination TO review
the whole ground. l cannot say, win the Senator
from South Carolina that regret TINT this proposition
has been brought forward. l can say that DID not
anticipate it. | can assure the Senator from Ken.
lucky before is, it cannot silently he dsposeo
of 1t must and trust 1t will be debated, and ioiiy
debated Let the whole ground which has heretofore
been occupied in argument, be reexamined and let
il be made appear if it be, that our positions are
untenabe, and that arguments are faliacous ano
that the measure itself ought to be abandoned II all
that can be shown them for one shall be prepared to
vote for its re peal but until that can be done, VIII
sustain the measure essentially connected as believe
it TO be- with the best interests OF the country, with
what little ability possess. What are the reasons
II,
na,or from Kentucky offer his resolution He says
that the result Of the late election is expression OF
the deliberate judgment Of the American people
in relation to this measure: That they have spo-
Ken in language too plain to be misunderstood,
their utter condemnation Of this Sub-Treasury sys
tenn: That they have dernapded at our hands It's
immediate repeal. Sir, utterly deny the fact, and
stand here saying that man has the right to make
any such deductions from the result of the recent RE
sidential election. The declaration is unwarraned, in
nv Judgment from the facts known to have existed dur
ing that canvass What right has the Senator to sny
that any such issue was made up before the American
people, Where is the evidence OF IT. Who heard
from the party newspapers Of the day. that the new dv
nasty intended repeal Of the Treasury, and that
an appeal was ever made to the people, urging upon
them the propreiy of changing the present Admins
tration SO as efectuay to put down sins oil OF aoo-
mnations as they were pleased to call It, Others
may have seen such avowas but If they existed they
wholly escaped my observation. No declaration was
made By the great Convention at Harrisburg against
this Sub Treasury policy, which had been in operation
for wears before No such manifesto has been published
since by any convention opposed 10 the present Admi-
nistraiion This not the issue made up before the
American people
II NAV have been intended-it certainly not |
oyowed-and until this resolution was offered who has
ever heard that il the purpose OF the Opposition to
bring about repeal of the Sub Treasury, without, al
the same tiine presenting other measure in its
stead:
Mr. President, we'll recollect that soon after the
elections Virginia, document was sent forth under
the authority of executive committee And was the
Administration assaed 10 that document Tor IT'S indie
pendent Treasury operations: No. sir, the Admins
tra,on was attached for its alleged wasteiulness, lis pro-
fipacy and corruption III relation TO the public expen
dtures Ii was attacked for attempting TO palm upon
the country standing army OF two hundred thousand
militia. 1t was the expenses of the Administration,
and MIR. Ponse;ts militia report which constituted the
grounds of attack in the document to which have re-
frred; and they constituted the great burden Of the
position song in my country from the close OF the late
session Congress, until the day ofeecton Had the d.
rect proposition been submitted 10 the American people,
wl Won continue The Independent Treasury system
i, is or vii! YOU go back the State Bank depos,c
system as it was in 1885,: what think you, Sir, would
have been their decision? For one, entertain no
doubt if the people could have been left TO the exer
Csc of their sober judgment, that they would have re-
turned clear verdict in favor of this great measure OF
the present Administration. And just would it have
bee n had the question been Bank of the L. S. or
continuance of the present system But no such issue
made; and OF consequence, no such DECISION has
been given as has been alleged. No such inference
can fairly be drawn from the result OF the late cleo
ton.
The Senator from Kentucky says, unless the repeal
of this takes place, thst, soon as Congress
can be assembled after the 4t of March next they will
not fail to accomplish the work. Be 1t So rejoice at
this distinct declaration of the Senator. did not be-
lieye that it would be attempted without going
further The declaration Of hostility 10 this great mea
show whether the Senator from Kentucky is right in
his calculations TO the state of popular opinon-o
public sentiment with reference TO this measure In my
own State know full we'll tina. il is held in high COM
incubation; and It be true, alleged, that the result
of the late elections is to be regarded test OF the po
puarty Of this measure, the Senator himself WILL and
must admit, that the people of New Hampshire have
expressed most undoubted opinion in its favor for the
majority in that State friendly to this Administration,
is one hundred per cent greater than 1t was at the
last contested elect on in 1885
cannot doubt, no member of this Senate, no citi-
zen Of this country, has right TO doubt that the ude
pendent Treasury which passed at the last session
or Congress- and which is the law Of the land, and
IN successful operation is TO be made the subject Of
ut,acs by the next administration. This purpose IS
ayowed distinctly by the Senator from Kentucky
And although are without any official PRONUNCIATION
Of this intent from him who has been elected to preside
over this nation, yet it comes to IN questionable
shape II is avowed by the very man whom the Presi-
dent cleo. has recently declared f read the journals
of the times correctly worthy OF the place than
himself 1t is therefore, fair to infer that the Senator
speaks like one having authority. shall not be here;
bu, able and efficient friends will be ready to take
Of this great measure Let all prepare for the contest
Then, and not till them will this battle be fought with
any prospect of success. The present movement can
not succeed, in my judgment.
The Senator from Kentucky says, that there is no
practical difference in the management OF our hscal
concerns under The Sub Treasury system, and under
that system which existed anterior 10 the coming IN OF
this Admin straton. 1t may be but, If the fact be
as stated those charged with the execution Of the
law are greatly fault and should be held answerabe
for any departure from the line of their official duty
But, SIR, greatly mistake the sequel OF the mes
greatly msindge the indications of popular feeling, if
there is not an ncre asng sentiment favorable to this
Sub-Treasury policy. And if the new Administration
design nothing than the repeal of this measure,
their anticipated security in the confidence and support
of the community will fail them The Senator has APP
pealed to me for information the manner of exc
cutting this Treasury scheme. Mr. President, may
not live quite as remote from of these Receivers.
General as the Senator himself, and, unlike hun,
have no wish 10 live more remote. One thing be-
lieve as much as believe in my existence-that he
who charged with the execution of this net Boston
does not disregard its provisions in practice know
him well and, knowing him as do, should be slow
TO believe that the General at that point fails
so carry full effect the letter of the independent
Treasury If he does sir, can assure the Senator
he