The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-10-13

have uttered this day in the presence OF that sacred
building the theological seminary consecrated Il is
to the maintenance of the great truths and duties Of
Ieliglon-of that duty which we owe TO the common
Providence which rules the destinies Of the world
in the presence of all these mementos feel how
lemnly am called upon TO speak 10 you one that
should never utter before sacred audience of reemen
what has not the sanction and concurrence Of his
whole heart. (Applause
Gentlemen will you permit me to call your atten-
ton to another most revolving scheme for the subjuga
ton of the people Of these States, which Mr.. Van
Buren, originated What do you think il is ? have
told you what his great object is in obtaining posses
sion OF the public purse and the sword of the counry
let me tell you another prominent measure of his adj
ministraton, which he has inculcated himself, and
how destructive is to the prosperity of the country
and am the prompted TO call your attention to
the subject because il exhibits its true light the
question: who has changed-whether Mr. Martin
Van Buren,, or those old unchanged Democrats Of
New York and Virginia, who would not sacrifice
their principles for the paltry service of cheftain
What did Mr.. Van Buren, propose on the occasion
to which have alluded Why, he made PROPOSE
ton to take your and other State institutions out OF
the hands OF the legitimate State soyereigntiesthose
institutions which have been identified with the in
terests of every man in the counry-and expose them
TO the contr of the Executive head of the Govern
ment. ailude 10 his recommendation to Congress IN
declaration of principles which was formerly made
by him. 10 take all our State institutions and subject
them to ruthless federal government allude to the
State banks. He did not recommend bankrupt law
for the relieconstutional believe il TO be, for
the Constitution gives power to pass uniform bank
rupt law--not bankrupt law applying to individuals,
but ruinOus law applying TO State corporations -
What was his proposition Why, the State banks,
under an emergency shall fail for period of time
however transtory TO redeem their notes in specie
what to be done Not to leave the State egisla
ure TO correct the arrangement but the Federal go
vernment to in and subject the State corpo-
IN he vsian and nd
tive acts ofthe federal goyernmento give the Presi-
dent of the United States power to step in by his
Commissioners and their Secrctaries---or tell you,
with the voracty of the horse-leach his demand is
for Executive power at the expense of the people to
send his commissioners with their Sc day to take
possession ofhese State institutions seize their
counts, to the payment OF every debt due to
them to draw in their notes, forming the currency OF
the country and to bring you down to hard money
currency. Gentlemen, am told that MIR. Van Buren,
says that posterity will do him justice. Posterty is
very him now laughter, )---and will be nearer
before the 4th Of March next, too. (CheeTs) We,
gentlemen, shall be the posterity to him can tell you.
We know how to appreciate the treason ne has com
mitted To We know how to appreciate his at
tempt to gain power collect all the debts due to
these State institutions at once and in hard money
and To call in all their notes, and bring us down to the
Procustes bed Of hard money currency.
In 1897, what was the state Of the banksl They
had suspended under a necessity which your State
an apology for 1t for We were not dupes enough to
be the footballs of demagogues. Because banks have
not at all moments, specie enough to pay dollar or
dollar for their notes. they nsolvent and they
therefore be subjected the tender merces Of the
Federal Government How many there here Of
you who deem yourselves solvent ready at all times
when the day of payment comes round, to meet il
We farmers--for / am one-( cheers III am Virgil
MAN farmer am one of yourselves-l have had the
honor to-day clasp the hands of many Of my brother
farmers of New York. and it is my pleasure and pride
clasp them it is TO clasp the hands of my
brother Virginia farmers, of whom have become
bone Of your bone and flesh of your flesh, Who are
your Speeds, your Roses and your Boxes, all Of whom
we sent amongst you but Virginia farmers ndoctri-
mated with the spirit of our Republican party, and
who have stood up for the cherished rights Of the
States in crisis which deeply involved the
country than any that had heretofore occurred?
But am drawn aside from my purpose Let me
then return, and ask whether farmers not oc-
casionally unable pay in gold and silver but
nsovent then We have our crops, and our stock,
and lands but fear, byandby, crops will be
permitted to rot this paricda government of ours is
permitted to continue its course much longer Mr..
Van Buren, seeks to speculate on the prcudces OF the
people, whom he considers ignorant canaillc
but | know you to be an enlightened population, and
you will teach him that you are enlightened for
his purposes. He knows not how to appreciate the
Democracy of the country. Cloud cries of :" But we
will teach him" and G he will End it out in Novem-
berry Whenshe has arrived at Undertook he will
know it. He does not know il now, or he would not
seek to play upon your prejudices The sovency OF
banks Because, under the pressure of adverse cur
rents Of foreign trade they have suspended specie pay
ments are Federal commissioners to in, close the
banks and at the same time call from circulation all
their notes Let me tell you, when he recommended
this ruthless scheme, there from five to six mil
lions of dollars due to the State institutions, which he
wished to be called in and paid in gold and silver and
all their notes. forming the actual currency of the coun
try were to be drawn in, and when drawn in. you
were TO be fitted to his Procrustes bed. Gentlemen,
picture to yourselves the scene of universal ruin
which such scheme calculated to produce, and look
at the present calamities which have upon us
der his administration, and tell me whether he is re-
publican President c. No, he is despot." Is he a
States Rights President-or man who seeks and
aims at oious innovations the rights of the Statesl
Mr. Van Buren, tries to reconcile his former with his
present opinions, but tell you boldly and fearessly
he cannot do it. In 1896 he held language such as
this on measure, which in 1897, he himself recon-
mended !" II is an odious and unconstitutional inno-
walton on the rights Of the States" That was the
language of States Rights man in 1926; but he has
since eaten his words and he wishes you to do so too
He has turned and turned again. and he wishes you
TO lump "Jim Crow" Sometime since was invited
10 Jump Jim Crow" apd my friend there, (Mr
Tallmadge,) knows il. After conversation with
the gentleman who waited upon me- reminded bim
Of Mr.. Van Burens shameless abandonment of the
postion he had previously taken the principles of
Democracy told him stood side by side with you
on former occasions in defence Of those principles to
which then gave and now give my firm adherence
but now Mr.. Van Buren, was traitor to the cause.
" Oh" said he, Mr.. Rives, you entirely behind
the progress of the age not look
ing at the secret of party discipline
Now, it is rule in dancing in Connecticut that
when the tune turns, you must turn too The tune
now has turned, and you must turn with it. CLaugh-
ter) Well, said l. to this gentleman who is now
member Of Mr. Van Burens cabinet, let me tell you
the rule in Virginia When pay the piper, we
make him play the tune like best. (Rencwed
laughtcr) And when pay President, and we do
not like his sub Treasury scheme, we discharge him
if he does not change his tune" We are not bred
in the Jim Crow school But this is from my
main purpose. wanted to impress you, solemnly,
the stake you the industrious the commercial the en-
terprsng people of the State of New York, have in