The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-07-02

| elect that the public revenue should be collect
ed IN the current coins of the United States.--
This was the beginning, the embryo, ofthe Sub
treasury. The proposition was earnestly dis
cussed, and, upon being brought TO vote, bu
one member OF the Administration party in the
House voted in It's favor. Both parties concur
red incondemning IT. The public press denounced
It. The official organ of the Administration de.
clared Il to be a proposition disorganizing and
revolutionary, subversivc OF the fundamental
| principles OF our Government, and of its entire
practice from 1889 down TO the present day. ~
II pronounced il 10 be scheme which would
bring the public treasure much nearer the ac.
tual custody and control Of the Executive than
II IS now, and expose il to be pundered by a
hundred hands, where one cannot now reach
H." The proposition met with no favor in any
quarter. Ii il did not then awaken any strong
expression OF Indignation among the people, il
was because no one believed that IL could ever
be seriously entertained much less adopted. II
was consigned TO merited reprobation and for
getfulness. No one again heard Of il, until the
condition OF the country rendered il necessary
Tor the President 10 convene special session OF
Congress in the fall of 1897
II ever there was an occasion, Mr.. Chairman,
on which the President was called upon to lay
aside the little arts of party, and come before the
Representatives of the people, in the spirit OF
ever there was an occasion on which the Presi-
dent was called upon 10 invoke the counsel and
the aid OF our wscst, most experienced, and pa
trlotic citizens, il was that to which have al
uded. The country was bleeding al every pore.
IL was looking, with intense anxiety, to the Pre-
sident and TO Congress for some measure Of re-
lief And how did the President conduct in this
great public emergency? Whom did he con
suit; and what did he propose for the relief Of
the people who had honored him with their
confidence Sir, the message which he sent To
that Congress was concocted in the dark coun-
ellis OF the party. II struck the public mind with
astonishment when the news flew through the
country when the news went forth, that the
President had recommended To Congress the
adoption of the very scheme which, only two
years before, had been so signally stamped with
Reproduction by the Representatives of the people.
But mark the change! 1t was now an Erec,t-
IRE measure. Ii was backed by all the influence
of the President and the power Of party. Men
who came here 10 represent the sovereignty of
States and the rights of the people, covered be-
fore these teartl influences, and surrendered up
their opinions.
A few only, among all the friends of the Adj
ministraton, hadnerve andindependence enough
TO maintain the integrity and consistency Of their
principles. 1t was small, but gallant band,
which, in that dark day. resolved to sacrifice
themselves rather than their country. love 10
speak of an exhibition of patriotism so true and
so lofty. We honor men who, in the public
cause, have had the courage TO expose their lives
on the field of battle But sir, higher honor is
due TO those who, in this instance had the mordi
tirmness TO meet Executive smiles, and resist
them; to meet Executive offers. and 10 spurn
them to meet Executive dictation, and defy it.
The noble manner in which some Of these illus
trous men have been sustained in their course,
is rs honorable 10 them as 1t is TO the people OF
their States. One, who bore a conspicuous part
| in that desperate struggle, is now shining light
in the other branch Of Congress. We hail the
| return of patriot and statesman to the coun-
ellis of the nation. We welcome him. coming,
as he does, laden with the confidence, the graft
tude, and the honors of the Empire State.
have adverted, Mr. Chairman, 10 the past
history of this bill in order to illustrate its very
anti-repubican origin. The measures of Go
vernment, like the Government itself, ought 10
spring from the Intelligence, the experience and
the practical wisdom of the people. But, in this
instance, the opinion of the people has been
overruled. The subTreasury experiment is 10
prevail by the mere pertnacity and influence of
the President. Having been three times reject
ed by the Representatives of the people, it comes
To us now for the fourth time, recommended,
urged, pressed upon Us by the Executive. In
into the continents of the East, and into the
islands of the sea, that he might learn how to
manage the affairs OF our own republic. Instead
OF listening to the opinions OF our own great and
patriotic statesmen who have gone before us
instead of consulting the practical wisdom and
experience of our own country, the President is
importing the laws and customs of the hard
money despotisms of Europe. Nothing, sir,
can more strongly Illustrate the immense power
Of the Executive than the manner in which thi,
foreign policy, so ant-republican, and so opposed
to the habits of our own people, is about to be
forced upon the country.
1t is not long since that Alexander Hamilton
was denounced in the other wing of the Capto
as an arstocrat and iedcrast, because. as was
alleged, he had borrowed some of his financial
notions from the English. Alexander Hamilton
was denounced by on honorable Senator, dis
tinguished partisan of the Administration, be-
cause in the early formation of our Government
and before we had had any experience of ou
own. he had consulted the laws and usages O
| England, the most enlightened, the most com
mercal and the freest Government in Europe
But what would have been said of him wha
might justly have been said of him, if in thi,
age of the Republic, and with all the lights we
now possess, he had gone 10 Cuba, 10 Spain Il
France, to Turkey to borrow models of imita
ton
! will not, sir, discuss the question as TO what
financial policy may be best in Spain, Austria
Italy, or Turkey. The policy in all these coun
tries is 10 make strong government, and tc
keep the people as quiet as possible. We have
had system of our own, under which we have
lived and prospered for more than fifty years
| Until Mr.. Van Buren, came into power we never
heard of sub Treasures nor Independent Urea.
suries The Government had always made
common cause with the people. {" What wa.
/ good enough for the people was good enough
| for the Government" The Government re-
ceived its dues in the same currency, and made
| its disbursements in the same channels, in which
the business Of the country was conducted i
did not seek TO divorce itself from the people