The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-05-23

But my colleague did not examine his ground
before he made declaration SO unjust. He did not
look into the ranks ofhs party Sitting near him,
he would have found two anti-war British FEEDER
alists who vote with him daily. II he had stepped
into the Senate, he would have found three Of
the leading members Of his party there anti-war
Federalists. II he bad examined the Cabinet
OF the President he would have found one, IL
NOT two Of the Cabinet Of Mr. Van Buren's con-
fidential advisers, anti-war Federalists. The
gentleman from New York, (Mr. Morgan has
given the names OF more than fifty OF the pro-
rninent leaders of the Van Buren, party in the
State OF New York who were anti war federal
ists. The gentleman (Mr, Saltonstall) from
Massachusetts has given the names Of many
antl-war Federalists in that State, who are pro-
minent members of the Van Buren, party, and
three OF them run by that party as candidates
tor Congress. But let Us go little further sir,
| and inquire where was Mr. Van Buren, during
the war? Did he fight and win any battles
Did he undergo any Of the tolls and the hard
ships Of the camp and Of the march Did he
shoulder the rifle, and with his gallant country
men volunteer in defence Of the counirys honor2
No, sir. 64
wish my colleagues attention to another
fact. The war was declared in June--the Presi-
Dental election was to take place in the follow
ing iall--Mr. Madison had taken strong ground
in favor of the war. The Federal anti-war
party opposed Mr. Madison, and hoped to defeat
ms. election upon the ground that he had been
IN favor Of the war. Now, sir, in that ever me
morable contest, where Mr.. Van Buren,
found? He was found opposing the election Of
Mr.. Madison, and supporting the Federal candi-
date. Yes, sir, if my colleague will look into
the Journals of the New York Senate, he will
there find the name of Mr.. Van Buren, recorded
IN favor OF the candidate supported by the mem
bers OF the Hartford Convention.
II is true that after the election of President
was over, and the war had become popular, that
Mr.. Van Buren, was found its supporter, and
when, sir, did he ever fail To Join the strong side
whenever he found which was the strongest
He opposed the election Of General Jackson I'M
Ill he found that he would be elected, and then
he became his Jealous advocate. Mr.. Van Blu
rem also supported Mr.. King for the Office of Sc
nator OF the United States. man Of high talents,
but bitter old Federalst, and, in addition, a
Missouri restrictionist
Listen to the following extract from one of his
letters In that letter Mr.. Van Buren, said TO his
friend:
should sorely regret TO find any tagging on the
subject Of Mr.. King we committed 10 his support
Il Is both wise and honest and must have no hut-
tering IN our course. Mr. Kings views towards us
are honorable and correct The Missouri Question
conceals 10 far he Ia concerned no plot, and we
shall give i true direction You know what the
feelings and views Of our friends were when saw
you, and you know what we then concluded to do
My considerations, &c. and the aspect of the ALBANY
Argus will show you that have entered on the
work in earnest We cannot, therefore, look back
Let US NOT therefore have any hating ,riu put
my head on its propriefy"
Yet this is the man whom nv colleague
would exalt into the Prince of War-democrats,
and whose opponents he would denounce as an
t-war Federalists.
The length Of time which have already de-
tanned the committee will prevent me from
making some remarks which intended 10
make upon that part. Of my colleagues speech
relating TO the Sub-treasury But, sir, cannot
forbear to present one view Of that subject show
ing that it will operate injuriousy upon the
State whose interests represent The Sub
treasury bill proposes TO receive nothing in pay
ment Of Government dues but gold and silver.
II Is true that for six years there is provision,
by which the Government will receive, in part,
the tn paper Of specie paying banks But, sir, a,
ceived but gold and silver But with us, sir,
there are no specie paying banks Then the
operation Of that bill with us will be that the
Government will receive nothing in payment Of
public lands but gold and silver In TRUTH that has
been the operation for the last two years. The
Sub-treasury scheme, SO far as the West has
been concerned, has been virtually in operation
since the suspension of specie payments by the
banks. Now, sir, will not the effect of that bill
be upon all the States in which there are pub
lie lands, 10 drain them of the little gold and
silver in circulation? And, sir, to add to the
evil, the Government is now forcing the sale of
public lands, as if with the determination to
make up the deficiency in the revenue, from Gus
toms, by the sales of the public lands, say,
forcing the sales of public lands, because those
who hold their farms by the right of presumption
are forced TO buy on the day Of public SALE or
lose their right of pre-emplon. Now, sir look
at the facts. In the States of Illinois and Mis-
sour, ane Territory of Iowa. the moneys arising
from the sales of public lands are carried 10 the
bank at st. Louis and there deposited Almost
every paper ! receive from the West contains
notice of the departure TO, or the arrival at st.
Louis, OF large quantities of silver, from some
of the land offices in those States or the Terri
tory. When it is thus collected at st. Louis,
would ask you if ii goes back into circulation
among the people of the West? No, sir. 1t
shipped off by the Government to the eastern
cities. II Is brought here to be used by this pro-
dgal Administration. The Sub-treasurv bill
has already, and will continue to drain the West
Of its gold and silver venture TO say that in
the present year the Government will collect in
Illinois, Missouri, and Iowa, more than two
millions of gold and silver in payment of public
lands, which will be thus drawn from the circu-
lation of the West. This is to be continued from
year 10 year. And how long, sir, will il be be-
fore the West will be entirely drained of the
little gold and silver now remaining among our
people Is it any WONDER sir, if under this ope-
ration our banks have suspended specie pay
ments, and have closed their doors? Is il any
wonder that our business has been Frustrated,
and our produce and property have fallen in va
lue Gold and silver is TO the body polite what
the blood is to the human system Take the
mighty giant and prick his veins, and as the
blood flows from him, his great energies will
soon be PROSTATE. The West has giant resour-
ces, but her energies must and will be protrated,