The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-06-16
SPEECH OF MIR. REED,
OF MASSACHUSETTS,
On the General Appropriation Bill

House OF REPRESENTATIVES, April %
The House being in Committee Of the Whole
on the state OF the Union, and the appropriation
bill for the civil and diplomatic expense Of the
Government being under consideration
Mr.. REED, OF Massachusetts, rose and said
that, during the debate upon this appropriation
bill, great variety of political topics, old and
new, had been introduced and discussed. He
trusted many remarks had been made which (if
foreign to the bill before the committee) might
be useful to the House and the nation He
thanked, among others, his friend from Yer
mont (Mr. Everet) for his judicious remarks
and estimates, and he thanked him for offering
an apology for the latitude of this debate The
Representatives of a free People had the right,
and must have an opportunity for free discus
sion. There must be some fit occasion 10 inves-
tigate the policy Of the Administration; to sug-
gest Improvements and amendments to point
out the injustice Of laws, and call for their
amendment or repeal; TO expose frauds and
abuses in the Administration fthe Government,
and demand redress of grievances.
This free and general debate (said Mr. r y
until the time of President Jefferson, was excr-
cised in reply to the speech Of the President.
am much inclined TO the opinion that it would
be an improvement to return to the usage in the
days of Washington, and have our general de-
bate for the benefit of Congress and the People
al the beginning of the session, and in reply to
the Presidents speech or message
But, sir, the usage has been, for n number of
years past, to exercise the privilege Of general
and free discussion when appropriation bills
have been under consideration. In these dis
cussions every member of Congress must Judge
for himself what is fit and proper TO say, and
must be responsible to this House, his constitu-
ents, and the country for what he says
| have neither the disposition nor physical
ability to make long speech, or pursue the ar
guments (if arguments they may be caed) Of
some gentlemen who have addressed the com
mttee.
desire (said Mr.. r. to state some principles
and facts, and to call the attention of the com
mttee to some errors in our laws which require
amendment, and TO abuses in the Admnistra-
ton which demand redress, and notice, very
briefly, some remarks made during this debate
calculated to deceive and mislead this committee
and the People generally.
The majority-the Administration, as they
are called--are responsible for the laws and the
administration of the Government. This plain
principle has not been questioned until lately
Suppose measure be successful, and meet the
appreciation Of the People, who claim the honor
OF it? ANY popular and successful measure,
however fortuitous is claimed for the glory of
the Administration. A treaty made under any
circumstances, if esteemed favorable is their
frenIH Indeed, some have claimed the pros
perity and abundance Of the country, as If the
fruitful and productive seasons were under their
influence. Do they erer allow any credit to
the minority, their opponents, for their aid and
support Certainly not. Yet, if any measure
of the Government is unpopular, and esteemed
injurious, they call upon the minority magnani-
mously 10 share the responsibility. Sir, | hold
myself responsible for all my acts; but the ma
iority have the power and ofiices-they are the
makers and executors of the laws-they alone
have all the credit of popular measures, and
must take the responsibility Of unpopular ones
If the national debt be paid, who paid it The
disgraceful war be made and prosecuted against
few hundreds of poor and unfortunate Indians
in Florida, who is answerable for It's commence
ment without cause} Who Is answerabe for
its miserable, wanton, and cruel waste and de-
struction of life Who is answerable for the
extravagant, wasteful, and profigate expend-
lures in its prosecutionl The Administration.
All has been done by their order. IL has been a
most humiliating failure. They sought glory,
and have reaped shame and dishonor. Who is
answerable for our Indian treaties, and for their
execution Treaties by which, under pretence
of generosity and charity TO Indians, a most ex-
travagant and unreasonable amount OF money
and reservations in land have been allowed, by
which, in the first instance, the United States
have been defrauded. But the Indians are not
suffered to enjoy the booty; il was not intended
for them. Indian agents. spectators, and re-
tanners of the Administration soon obtain then
money and reserved lands. And II the treaty