Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1840-03-30
VOL. 30, NO. IS WHOLE NO. 174s.


derstood, from what had been said, that opinions
had been advanced that II would be beneficial to
the country to reduce the value OF property and
wages, and that might, in the course OF the de-
bate, make known my views upon the subject il
suitable opportunity occurred. To this no re-
Spouse was made. Soon aiter, the Senator from
Mississippi (Mr. Walker) delivered his speech
The Senator from Pennsy lvania followed him, and
was followed by the other Senator from MISSISSIPPI
pi, (Mr. Henderson, who spoke Mt large in reply
to him upon the topic of wages. The Senator
from Indiana MR. Smith) next took the floor, and
spoke also briefly to the name point MIR. Merrick
OF Maryland, succeeded him, and went much in
to the subject Of the reduction of wuges, in reply
to the Senator from Pennsylvania, as understood
him, reading the tables of wages, to Illustrate what
the laborer received where the cost of production
was least. The Senator from Kentucky (Mr.
Crittendenl some days after, while another topic
was under discussion replied TO the remarks of
the member from Pennsylvania on the same topic. |
TO none Of these speeches, or the comments of
the debalers, did hear any objection or reply
though thought they understood the speech TO
which they made answer as much as did.
When the Senator from Maryland closed his
remarks, the day was far spent, but the Senate
having manifested determination to take the fl
nal question, by refusing TO ADJOURN late as II was,
rose and assured the Senaie that, while ielt II
to be n duty could not omit to reply to some of
1.-The arguments in which doctrines were advanced
ITeIuttUR SIeut uuu 'h'OiN9'S
those represented, yet should limit myself 10 n
reply, and reply only. think it was well I'M
derstood to what my attention was chiefly direct
ed and thus gave distinct notice to all who felt
any interest in what might say, OF my specific
object.
/ then proceeded, in the presence of the MEM
Der from Pennsylvania, who sits near where
stood, and commented upon his arguments large
portion of the time speaking. lie best
knows whether he was in his seat all the time, but
| saw him there much of it, and have reason TO
believe he there, there, the whole oft.
He did not interrupt me in the progress OF my
remarks to correct any statement OF his arguments,
nor did he suggest that Inexperienced them or
his sentiments, nor did he make any reply, though
he had ample opportunity 10 do it when took
my seat. My remarks were upon his speech ms
delivered here, and as comprehended it from
that delivery. spoke OF his arguments as un-
delstood them, being aided by some rough minutes
noted down MS he was speaking. This occurred
OH the Odd of January, and, in about u lortnigh
my speech was published, having been thus delay
ed by the sickness Of the reporter. lis appeared
ue earlier. The speech delivered is the same
in every essential and material particular as that
in print. The words cannot, know, he entirely
tho same, but all else is. The arguments through
out are identical and, Mr.. President, as you were
an attentive listener, well many others sitting
here now, appeal to you and them II, any varIa
ton has been detected, to make il known. The
suggest any. These are facts about which there
cannot and will not be any controversy.
And here | repeat that | spoke of the speech
delivered in this place it fell from his lips, and
could speak of nothing else, for it had not been
published. spoke of it as understood it in the
delivery, gathering his sentiments and reasoning
from him he proceeded. My comprehension
OF his views WIS the only guide could have. In
my reply ] spoke of it in his presence, i'll yours.
and in that Of the Senate and the public making
every statement, every argument, as clear aud dis.
tinct as ] was able TO do. No objection WINS made
TO any thing said. What more could do p?
I What more can any one do? What other assur.
ance could have of my oorrec,nass, or OF the
lquiesccnce of the member from Penhsy vania in
lit? None whichever, unless the manuscript report
had heen submitted to his revision and correction
! could have reason believe that it WAS pos.
sibls for Inc, under such circumstances, 10 mis-
take or misapprehend him. ] had, on the contra
ry MS strong reason for believing, ever have
in debate, that was right for it is the custom in
this body 10 correct debaors OH the spot by {
plantations n rule belonging to all deliberaive
bodies, and 10 the justice of which no one yields
Il more cheerful obedience than | do, for | am
willing that members should eXpound their own
views. Under these circumstances, the speech
went to the Public, and sIal leave The Public to
determine with what justice n charge of msrep
resenlaon can he sustained, or if there can he
the slightest ground for complaint
Yet, sir, six welks after all this, his speech and
mine having in the mean iine been widely cir
cuated and read, the Senator came MO the Sen
ate, and without the slightest previous lnlimaIon
direct or indirect, to me, of his purpose dissat-
isf,ction, rose and declared here his astonshmenl
at the manner in which he represented in my
reply; and this he did in terms harsh and discour-
teous ] thought he might have pursued u course
much more suitable 30 correct misunderstood
ing if there one and that was his only view
The lapse OF time and the circumstances give to
this movement an extraordinary character aud
mark deficiency in that decorun which s'gnali-
yes the intercourse of the members of the Sen.
ate. see nothing in my course in the slightest
degree dlsrespecIiul TO the member-nohng bor.
dering upon injustice, or from which il is possible
10 infer the existence of n motive TO wrong him
and there was none. But sir, he has chosen his
time and place. Tie came here, and not to me, ol
redress, and here he has made his appeal. II il
could he his purpose 10 come upon me by sur
prise, he succeeded; for no one could have less
anticipated any complaint or of complaint
II II could he his purpose to conceal his grIefs
aud make his attack suddenly that might be
found with The subject dismissed from my mind
WIN neither his or my speech by me, nor any
Thing to refresh my memory, to enable me tC
compare farls he accomplished his purpose ant
had the full benefit of for was indebted to tht
voluntary Kindness of friend for the copy of hi.
speech, handed TO me NJ The moment, from which
real some OF his remarks. Such is the course
chosen Ivy The member. Here he has made hi.
appeal aud here and in the country let the ques
ton rs 10 his motives be judged OF, aud whether
can he justly chargeable with the slightest injus
tice towards him.
After many comments when called upon so to
do, the Senator pointed out TWO paragraphs in my
speech to which he took exception. His remarks
were so difiuse upon wages, labor, and other top
les, that was not able 10 ascertain with salisfac.
tory precision OF what he did complain, nor am |
able now TO comprehend it so distinctly as could
wish. .ir r... 4
will ask him if he has any objections to that
part of my reply relative to the causes OF distress
in the country? We seemed to be agreed that il