Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-03-26
MIR. BUCHANAN AND MIR. DAVIS.

Nn. BUCHANAN AMI MIX. DAVIS.
We alluded, some days ago, to discredit-
able scene in the Senate, between Mr.. Bucn-
ANAN and Mr.. DAVIS, two gentlemen of ha-
bitual dignity and courtesy. We did not
publish the harsh epithets which were eX-
changed on the occasion--as we have no
wish to bring the Senate into dsrepute. We
have since carefully read the reported remarks |
of both gentlemen, and think it but justice |
to Mr.. Davis to give brief account of the
matter. About the middle Of January last,
MIR. Buchanan made an elaborate and able
speech on the Sub-Treasury Bill. On the
23rd, MIR. Davis replied to it. In the course
of his remarks; he combated at length, and
reprobated In strong terms, the positions he
assumed upon banking in the United States
Excessive issues fpaper-circuating me-
dium-credit-spec ulation-eXcessive inn
ports-ncreased cost of production, and the
rate ofwages. With respect to the last, Mr..
Davis understood Mr.. Buchanan as referring
to the probable effect of the Bill to reduce
the currency to point as near as possible to
the specie standard, and that it was manifest
ly theinterest of the great manufacturers and
| their friends in the Senate, to 90 with him in
support of it, for, by the great reduction CT
laborers' wages, consequent on the passage
| OF the Bill, the manufacturers would be more
if, and would be enabled to compete success
fully with the manufacturers of England,
France and Holland. That this reduction
would not operate injuriously to the laborng
and working classes, because all the neces-
saries and comforts oflife would, from the
same cause. the diminution of the currency
be proportionally reduced, &c. This was
Mr.. Davis understanding of Mr.. Buchanan's
| views-and against them he argued. Other
Senators understood Mr.. b. in the same way.
Mr.. Henderson, Mr.. Smith, Mr.. Merrick and
MIR. Crittenden, in their speeches all COM
mented upon the same topic and portrayed
the evils which would result from reduction
ofwages to the standard Mr.. Buchanan pro-
| posed. Mr.. Buchanan listened attentively
| to the speech Of Mr.. Davis and complimented
him upon the ability it displayed. The
speech of Mr.. Davis was published within
fortnight-the delay having been caused by
the illness of the reporter. No notice was
taken of it for more than month, when, at
last, Mr.. Buchanan rose in his place and
asserted that the printed speech of MIR. Davis
was gross perversion of his argument and
went on to characterize the conduct of Mr..
Davis as 'sf1agitous," ''peculiarly Infamous
that it would sstick to him like the poisoned
shirt of Nessus,'' &c.
Such reputation of the doctrines which
he had formerly advocated with so much a.
biiity, astonished the Senate at large, quite as
much as the violence of the language, he APP
piled to a man like Mr.. Davis, disguised the
gentlemen of that body. Several Senators
corroborated the views which Mr.. Davis had
taken, and Mr.. Davis himselfcompletely vim
dictated his course, and said that what Mr..
buchanan had stated ''was not parliamentary
not gentleman-like, and not true
Mr.. Davis proved, completely and incon-
testably,
l. That his speech, as published, was the
same as he delivered it. He made this so
clear and certain, that Mr.. Buchanan could
not, and did not denyit.
2. That Mr.. Buchanan sat by and heard
the speech, without interrupting him, OF COM
planning of any misrepresentation.
3. He attempted no reply to Mr. Davis
speech either for the purpose of explaining
his own or otherwise. And he rested FIVE or
six weeks before he made any complaint at
all.
The truth is, Mr.. Buchanan and the party
became alarmed at the effect produced by
these declarations as to the reduction Of wa
ges being desirable consequence of the Sub
Treasury Bill, and thoughtit necessary to de-
ny that these were their doctrines. Hence
the extraordinary course adopted by MIR.
Buchanan. 1t has failed, signally failed.
MIR. Davis speech has had an extensive cir
culation-and must produce powerful effect
wherever read. The printed speech of Mr..
b. has been softened a good deal in its tone
but the aboninable doctrine is nevertfe-
less clearly set forth, as Mr.. Davis proved to
demonstration by extracts. A reduction of
wages indeed is necessary consequences of
restricted currency, and, although Mr..
Buchanan was the first of the friends of the
Bill who was frank enough TO admit that this
would be the effect, and imprudent enough to
rejoice in the prospect of such state of
things, the opponents of the Sub-Treasury
have always contended that this would be
one ofthe evils. We might refer to almost
any Wing speech in either House to show
thiS.--.4rena.