The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1840-05-15
NUMBER II.

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ment then cacul ating that the demand upon these
depositaries will not require them to keep this
amount of specie on hand, will draw it out clan
destinely for their own purposes, as was formerly
done for the bank of Amsterdam and thar some
future President will by means ofhs stolen money,
subvert the Government, and destroy the liberties
of the people.
Now, sir, is not this the merest fancy picture
that was ever sketched? it is all the offspring of the
Senator's own prolific imagination. II Is all pro-
phesy, and no fact. Even by his own showing,
there is no foundation for it in the bill. On the
contrary, every precantion has been used to pre-
vent the possibility of any such occurrence.
And what reason has he to predict that the
friends of this measure will change all their prin-
ciples and purposes in less than three years, and
by new legislation convert the Independent Treas
ury into Government Bank? Has not every Sen
atOr perceived the holy horror with which my
friend from Misssouri[Mr. BENTON Twas inspired
at the bare idea that the Government might ever
issue ''notes, bills or paper" receivable III pay
mcnt of the public dues' His ynx-eyed Jealousy
seized hold of these genrea expressions in the 18th
10th sections of the bill, and although there
nothing on the face of the earth on which these
words could operate unless possibly on some srag-
Cling Treasury note which might remain unre-
deemed long after it became payable, yet he fsId
them stricken from the bill. 80 lie snuiled the
tainted breeze - from afpr and although there was
no present danger, yet he saw IA possibility that
these words might have meaning hereafter and
that in future years the Government might be will
ling to issue 'notes bills, or paper aud therefore
we all united with him IN voting for its amendment
This was, in the phrase OF the lawyers, the excu-
sion of any conclusion which might by possibility
be drawn from these general words in favor ofGov-
eminent paper.
But again did not the Senator from Kentucky
perceive with what aacriiy the friends of the bill
supported the amendment of his colleague, tMr.
CRITTENDEN,] imposing it upon the Secretary
of the Treasury AS a solemn duty, to take care, ia
his regulations for the speedy presentation Of Gov
eminent drafts to the deposilares, thai these drafts
AS far AS NAV be- shall never he used as paper
f currency or medium Of exchanged
Suppose ir were possible that the Secretary Of
the Treasury, without authority, and in the very
face of the provisions of this bill, and the known
and avowed epnlon of It's friends, should as the
Senator supposcs he might, calculate these Govern
ment drafts IN the form of. bank paper, and of the
denomination of twenty, fifty, and hundred dol
lars what do YOU think would be the consequence
lie would instantly be deprived Of his office for this
daring violation of law, and would be Justly held
up to public cyecratiOn In justice 10 that officer,
} ought TO say that am not of those who con-
slider it possible that he could ever dream of pur-
: suing such course, without the express authority
of Congress; aud may venture to predict, with
uncri"s certainty, that a"oh authority will never be
conferred upon him by the present party in power.
Blu, even if h. should thus VIC ate his duty; whilst
the 23d section of this bill shall remain in force,
thes. drafts never could become n general ciIcu-
ating medium and therefore, there could never
. be as the Senator suppoies, an accumulation Of
\ fory-five or fly millions of dollars in the hands
of the depositaries. But even if this miracle should
! be accomplished, and future President should al.
temp, to elnbczzle this money, for the purpose of
$ subvering the Government, there would still be-
r one most unpleasant obstacle in his way. He
would then, under the provisions of this bill, be
guilty of felony, and would be transferred from the
e White House to the penitenliury. The truth is
that ''theae hydras, gorgons, and chmeras Dire"
exist only in the Senator's imagination.
The Senator in q triumphant tone, exclaimed
that BY the passage Of the bill the union of the
Q purse with the sword will be consumlnated in thu
: hands of the President. This, frue, would indeed
: be fearful II would be the death knel of civil IL
. bcrty in this country. Wheresoever the power
: over the purse ana the sword is united in the hands
: of one man there the Government is despotic II
: any Executive Magistrate, be he King, or be he
President, possess the sole power TO declare war, to
raise armies, to impose taxes. and TO eXpend tn,
public money a, his pleasure, there must be mn emil
. of cv.l liberty in that country. This, and this a.
G lone is what I understand In be a union Of the
n sword and the purse. Bu, under our Constitution
n and laws, the President neither has nor ever can
e have, the power over either. Can h. declare war;
o No sir the constitution expressly coniers This pow
or upon Congress Can he enlist soldiers No, sir;
, he could not raise single company to 20 10 Flor
!. ida because Congress alone had powcry to ia. ,
= and support armies Can he impose taxes upon
! the people, or borrow money ! No, sir Congress,
e and borrowing money But after this money shall
I have reached the Treasury, can he apply dollar
: of it to any use, public or private No, sir 10
4 money can be drawn from the Treasury, but in
I consequence Of appropriations made by Congress
: Nay, more ifihe President were So far TO forget
the duties Of hi high station TO enter into co.
: fusion with any ofthe deposiares, and draw ore
e dollar Of public money out Of then possession h.
: would. like any other citizen, subject himself +,
i fine and imprisonment. And this is the union &C
II the purse and the sword which the Senator has I,
e feclinsy described This phrase, thought, hlh
had its day. and has passed into oblivion bat the
Senator ls again coniurtd up The spectre for the
b purpose of alarming our fears.
9 The Senator tells Us that he has been warning in
vain for the last seven Years, against the extension
; of Executive power and influence. Now, sir, if he
' had informed us that he had been warning against
the Executive. but IN favor of increase of Execu-
tive power and influence, in my humble opinion hc
: would have come much the mark 1t is,
perhaps, the strongest spectacle which has ever
been presented the face ofhc earth, that in ihi,
5 war between the Executive aud the Senator's po-
lical party, he has been endeavoring to deprive
himself of power, whilst they have been struggling
. to prevent him from making this self sacrifice.
5 Let me remind the Senator Of few instances
= and first IN regard TO internal improvements. I
e happened TO be member Of the other House dur
ing the administration Of Nlr Adams. do not in
I tend now TO east any censure upon that admini,-
. traiicn. | speak merely of historical facts In
y those days, by virtue of an act of Congress, III,
: Presiden, exercised the Discretionary power Of
f making as many surveys for internal improve
e men,s as he though, proper, all Of which, il was
: hoped by those Interested. would, at some future
9 day be constructed hy the general Government
, Splendid projects Of such improvements were pre-
senied to dazzle the fancy, and excite the cupidy