Democratic standard. [volume] (Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio) 1837-1850, 1840-09-24

clllZen oil the United States should lach
the comfort ofa seat, while the Presiden
may be called from his table or his study tC
offer him those courtisies to which every
freeman is here entitled7 1t is not thus
my Democracy teaches. The free citi,
zens Of Republic are themselves sover
eigns, and the measure of their right and
the respect which is their due are not ia
be looked for in the conventional Ell.
quette Of courts, nor are they the boon oi
ofprinces. II the constituents of the
member shall visit Washington, and
desire an introduction to the Chief Magis-
trate, and he dare trust himselfto accom-
pany them 10 the white House" VEN
ture TO say he will be made sensible to
the deficiency which the committee pro-
pose 10 supply; and whatever may be his
own views Of subserviency to the customs
of Europe, the indignant expressions of
reproof which he would hear from those
TO whom he should offer such an excuse
for any want they might witness, would
bring conviction to his mind that this was
not the country for princes. What! him
self Wing, and propose a conformity 10
the manners and customs of aristocratIc
power-aping the fashions of royal
courtS Himself protesting to to be a
Republican, and condemn that which res.
pect, for Republican people demands!
Sir, repeat, this is poor concern to be
made the occasion Of so much clamor
1t hardly becomes the member, for such
cause 10 read homlies upon political
consistency TO others. The inducement
10 his gratuitouS labors may be found in
the narrowness of his own views, rather
than in fault of fidelity elsewhere. He
mistakes small matter of business expe-
dency for great question of principle.
MIR. Chairman, lest from the vehemence
OF his dcnunclation, any should be led 10
suppose an abandonment from party by
me, | will even volunteer confession of
faith; and | here profess, testify, and de-
clare, that | am no less whig than if |
bad never seen the Executive mansion;
ay, that | am as much to be confded in
for steadIast opposition to the present
Administration as though like the men,
Der, had The new born zeal of a convert
from Jacksonsm! Sir, | am as thorough
ly opposed to Mr.. Van Buren, as the
member was devoted at one time, to his
q" llustrious predecessor" | regarded
the policy and leading measures of the
Administration as hostile to the best in
terests of the people, and destructive TO
the prosperity Of the country; and as such |
from the first, have been their uncom-
promising opponent, and TO the utmost of
my power shall continue TO resist them.
But in this ! have not, nor shall de.
mean myself, by indulging in hard nanes
and coarse nvectves against the high
officers of Grvernment.
Mr.. Chairman, | might now rest. 1t
not my intention TO enter into any de-
fence of the propriety of the particular
appropriations which, from lime 10 time,
have been made for the accommodation
of the Chief Magistrate Of the nation
Much less would attempt a vindiccton
of the prodigal expenditures Of the pre-
sent Administration. They have been
extravagant and wasteful enough, in all
conscience, and furnish an exhaustless
theme for tho severest anmadVersion. |
When | had the honor of addressing the !
committee, on former day, ! distinctly |
presented, in connection with the subject
now under discussion, some of the most
CRYING abuses, in the construction of pub
lie edifceS in this city, The deceptive es
timates, and irresponsible and profligate
management of those who had direction of
the work, and as ! deemed, the wanton
and lawless diversion of funds by the
Executive. from other and more impor-
tant objects, 10 their completion. AT the
proper time, and on suitable occasion,
| shall be as prompt as another to take
to task the Administration for any and
all their misdoings.
There was one remark Of the member
from Pennsylvania, made and dwelt upon
with apparent complacency, SO extraOr-
dinary in itself, Il was about to say, so
Gtrocious, to my mind, in the only appIi-
cation which can possibly be given TO it,)
that cannot permit it 10 pass unnoticed.
In referring to the furniture and the cul-
tivation of the grounds in the use of the
President, the member said, "the receiv-
or was as bad as the--other man. Sir.
we all know the words of the adage-the
receiOer is as bad as the theft. And
who is the RECEIVER and who is the
THIEF From the days of Washington,
through long succession of illusfrious
men, every President of the U. States,
including the elder Adams. Jefferson,
Madison, Monroe, ]. @. Adams, JACKSON,
and the present incumbent, have receiv-
ed the benefit of similar provision in
their official station. The house, the
furniture, the garden, and the cultivated
grounds have been alike the enjoyment
Of each, and at the public charge. 1t
may be instructive 10 this committee TO
he informed of the grants of Congress