The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1840-03-31
Speech of Mr. Davis,
IN REPLY TO MIR BUCHANAN

sy'vanla, entered into argument, in the Senate
oi me United States TO prove tina his views and
Opinions were msrepresented in speech Of MIR
Davis, of Massachusetts, delivered on the Odd OF
January last in reply to Mr. 3 on the Sub Treusu
nv bill.
Ihe following is the reply of Mr. Davis to the
charge of misrepresentation:
MIR PRESIDENT; The morning following the re-
marks made by the Senator from .Penusylyu.
ma MT Duchanan) upon my printed speech in re-
ply TO speech OF HIS asked permission of the
Senate TO re.stdte my observations in reply as
mad reason to believe some of them had been mis-
apprehended, and to AID some further remarks as
mad then had an opportunity to run over the
speeches, and should endeavor thus to place the
whole matter on n footing that could not be misap-
pretended.
The Senate being then anxious to proceed in the
unfinished business of the day, signifed its wish
that should embrace another opportunity, and
now seize the earliest opportunity which has pre-
scented itselfto discharge that duty.-This, am
aware, is subj ect that ought no: occupy time IN
duce it, and claim only the right of vindicalng my
self agaIst the extraordinary statements OF the
member from Pennsylvania.
In order to full Understanding OF the relation
which events connected with this subject have with
each other, shall recall TO mind the rences
as they happened
A few days before l replied to the member
from Pennsylvania, l made remarks upon
themselves with the discussion and the Senator
from Mississippi (Mr Walke) and the Senator
from Pennsy lvania replied. then Iejoned that |
! understood, from what had been said, that opin-
ions had been advanced that il would be beneficial
to the country to reduce the value of property and
wages and that might in the course of my debate,
| make known my views upon the subject, if suit
able opportunity occurred. To this no response
was made. Soon after, the Senator of Mississ ppi
| (Mr Walker) delivers his speech. The Senatorial
Pennsy lvania followed him, and was followed
by the other Senator from Mississippi, Mr. (Hen
derson y who spoke at large in reply 10 him upon
the topic of wages. The Senator from Indiana
! (Nlr Smth) next took the floor and spoke also
briefly on the same point. Mr. Merrick, of Mary
land, succeeded him, and went much into the sub
Ject ct the reduction OF wages, in reply to the SEN
ator from Pa as understood him, reading the Ia
bles of wages to illustrate what the laborer receive ed
where the cost of production was least The Sen
ator from Kentucky, (Nlr Critenden,) some days
after, while another topic under discussion
| replied to the remarks of the member from Penn
! ylvania on the same topic. To none of these
! speeches, or tho comments ofthe debators, did
hear any objection or reply, though thought they
understood the speech to which they made answer
much as did
When the Senator from Maryland closed his
remarks the day was far spent but the Senate hav-
ing manifested determination to take the final Ques
ton, by refusing to adjourn, late as il was | arose
and assured the Senate that, while felt it to be a
duty could not omit to reply 10 some of the =
guments in which doctrines were advanced relating
|
represented, yet | should limit myself 10 reply
and reply only. think it was well unders;o cd
to what my intention was chiefly directed and
thus gave distinct notice to all who felt any inter.
est in what ght say, of my specific object
then proceeded in the presence of the member
from Pennsylvania, who sits near where | stcod &
commented upon his arguments large portion OF
the time was speaking. lie best knows whether
he was in his seat all the time, but saw him there
much Off, and have reason to believe he was
there, or near there, tho whole of il.
He did not interrupt me in the of my
remarks to correct any statement of his argum ent:
nor did he suggest that Inexperienced them OF
his sent ments, nor did he make any reply, though
he had ample oppoi unity to do~it when | took my
seat My remarks were upon his speech as deliv-
cred here, and as comPrehended it from that de-
livery. spoke of his arguments [ I'M
derstood Them being aided by some rough minutes
noted down as he was speaking. This occurred
| on the 23d of January, and, in about fortnight
my speech published, having been thus delay
ed by the sickness of the reporter. His appeared
little earler.-The speech delivered is the same
in every essential and material particular as
that in print. The words cannot l know, be
entirely the same, hut all else is. The argument.
throughout are identical; and Mr. President, a.
you were an attentive listener, we'll many
others sitting here now, appeal to you and then
if any variation has been detected, to make i
known The member from Pennsylva has no
ventured to suggest any These are facts abou
which there cannot and will not be any conrover
sy. '...
And here repeat that spoke ofthe speech de
Ivered u This place it fell from his lips and coult
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 a'
he proceeded. My comprehension of his view!
was the only guide could have. In my reply
spoke oft in his presence, in yours. and in that
the Senate and the publIc-making every state
ment, every argument, clear and distinct as
was able TO do No objection was made to an!
I thing said What more could do' What more
can any one do? What other assurance could
have of my correctness, of the acquescence o
the member from Pennsylvania in it? None what
ever, unless the manuscript report had been sub
! United t" his revision and correction. | could have
| no to believe that it was possible for me
under such circumstances TO mistake or misappre
bend him. Ihad, on the contrary, as strong re'son
| for believing, as ever have IN debate, that was
right; for it is the custom in this body to correct
debaters the spot by explanations "a rule be
longing to all deliberatve bodies and to the justice
Of which yields more cheerful obedience
than do, for am willing that members slonld
expound their own views. Under these clrcnm
stances the speech went TO the public, aid shall
| leave that public to determine with what justice a