The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-03-31

President, must denounce us, and abuse the
squalters, as he pleased TO call ihem-iand
pirates is, believe, the endearing epithet ap-
Piled by that gentleman to the backwoods set
tiers Of the West. But, sir, (said MIR. Prof
hl) | will do the gentleman from Maine the
justice 10 say that do not believe that these
terms were applied by him in earnest, al
though his manner certainly 30 indicated. i
think 1t was cunning device, conceived by
the PRESIDENT and my colleague, MIR. How
ard,) 10 which shall take the liberty 10 re-
Ter presently And who, sir, followed in OPP
position to the instructions, and bitterly reviled
and reprDached US for asking this appropria-
ton The gentleman from Alabama (Mr.
Hubbard another devoted friend Of Mr. Van
Buren,, and TO his speech shall pay pas
sing notice before | take my seat. Who fol-
lowed him, Mr. Speaker! Another bosom
friend of Mr.. Van Buren-ihe gentleman
from South Carolina (Mr. Pickens J and for
three hours he acclaimed against the appro-
priaiion; spoke of it as unconstitutional, in
expedent, wasteful, extravagant, and, finally,
openly avowed the opposition OF the Admin
is.railon TO the measure. Now, sir, have no
objection to all this opposition from the Adj
mlhistration and its friends but, sir, never
again let them dare to insult the friends OF this
road with their hollow and deceptive profess
sions of friendship. Let us recognise them
as enemies, and meet them and combat them
as such.
| must now call the attention Of my col
leagues and the House TO the Presidents
Message; and, sir, as / have before intimat-
ed, will prore that the estimates made for
1910, by the Secretary of the Treasury, and
dn mt fa f0r ba
Cumberland road, were made under the spe-
ciai direction ofthe President, and that it was
by his order that the road is passed by as I'M
worthy of notice.
The Message Of the President is Landed
highly, sir, by his partisans in Indiana. 1t
travelled with race-horse speed to the Van
Buren, Convention, held on the sth Of January
in that State, and the address emanating from
that Convention is loud in its praise as recon-
mending s" severe economy" &c. If, sir, it is
any praise Of Presidential Message to say
that it is a cunningly devised document, will
accord that praise to this Message. The
President says:
:" If Congress shall keep the appropriations ,cithin
The eStiafes there every reason TO believe that all
the outstanding Treasury be redeemed, and
the ordinary expenses betrayed without imposing
the people any additional BURDEN either Of loans
creased taxes"
Here, sir, is direct n,imation to US that
we are responsible if we appropriate money
for any object beyond the estimates, and that
the President will not be held responsible for
such appropriations and, that if made, they
are not sanctioned by him. He then proceeds
to lecture us on the improperly OF going in
debt, and then proceeds to say:
The struggle therefore, part, to be success
full, be made the threshold. To make
efforts effective, severe economy is necessary"
Again, sir, he says:
" The whole revenue then accrung from the
toms aud from the sales Of public lands if no, more,
will undoubtedly be wanted to defray the necessary
penses OF the Government under the most prudent adj
mlnstration Of its affairs These circumstances
that impose the of rigid economy, and require
its prompt and constant exercise. With the Legisla-
ture rest the power and duty Of SO adjusting the pablo
expenditure to promote this end BY the provisions
OF the Constitution, is only in consequence OF appro
prialons made by law that money can be drawn from
the Treasury instance has occurred since the esta
hshnent of the Government in which the Executive,
though component part OF the legislative power, has
inerposed objection TO appropriation bill the
sole ground Of its extravaganza His duty in this
spect has been considered fulfilled by requesting such
appropriations only the public service may be rea-
sonaby expected require In the present earnest d
rec,ion Of the public mind towards this bec both the
responsibility which they will be held and
while | am conscious OF my own anxious efforts to
perform with fidelity this portion OF my public functions
it is satisfaction to to be able cordial
cooperation from you"
And, after telling us that the expenses of
the Government have Of late years been re-
duced, (Which, sir, dcny,) he says:
with determination so far as depends on me- to
continue this reduction hare directed the estimates Of
1910 be subjected to the severest scrutiny aud to DO
limited the absolute requirements Of the public ser
vice"
Now, sir, here is direct avowal that the
estimates were made under the Presidents
immediate inspection. and that he, in his " Sc
we're scrutiny" ordered that no estimate be
made for tie Cumberland Road. Out of his
own mouth, sir. convict him of determined
opposition to the interests of my State; and,
sir, the People of that State cannot misunder-
stand him now
But, sir, my colleague, Mr.. Wick, has told
us that the Secretary of War has recommend
ed this appropriation. Now sir, | should be
under an obligation to the gentleman if he
would point me to that recommendation
The report of the Secretary Of War is before
me, and since heard my colleague make
that declaration, have searched with alten-
ton, but in vain, for any thing that could be
construed into recommendation.
find in the report much anxiety expressed
that Congress should continue TO palronize
the Military Academy | find, also, sir, that
the Secretary has sent three gentlemen OF
the Dragon Corps to France, at the public
expense, 10 learn tactics "a la mode Francais."
Our poor Republic, suppose, does not afford
opportunities Of acquiring graceful horseman-
ship, or a proper gait " mllltaire" An Eu-