Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1840-01-18

of hard money, where our ancestors anchored he''
and plunged into the tcmpestuous ocean OF paper
n has been tossed near fifty years in that ocean; but
il now settling back to her old foundations me aa-
mnistrations Of Jackson and Van Buren, are bringing
her back and oil my labors now-al my ianors ior ma
nv years-have been directed to that consumHauo''
and TO the relief country from its degrading rum
Gus, and demorazing dependence on the destructive
and deusive paper system OF Great Britain To break
the chain which now binds lis to the ioofstool OF tue
moneved power Of London-at all events to prevent
that chain from being made HEAVIER ana stronser-'ss
one of the objects of submitting these resolutions and
invoke for them and for what have sad IN tAeif
support the candid consideration of the Senate and the
country.
The question being on the adoption Of the resou-
Mr.. GRUMPY thought that the question should be
taken on each proposition separately and asked tor The
yeas and nars, which were ordered
Mr. LUMPkIN rose and said:
Mr. President: am prepared, here or elsewhere, TO
e,nress INV concurrence in the doctrines and princ-
nlcs embraced in the resolutions OF the Senator from
Missouri, MIR Benton,l and | have listened TO the
Senator speech with much interest ana general APP
probation.
snbiect well timed il at the threshold danger
Gus and unnatural connection which has been antlct-
pated in certain quarters, between the Federal and
State Governments.
Sir in the language of the first resolution, believe
sstliat there is nothing in the Constitution OF the United
States which can authorize the Legislative power ohc
Union to assume the debts Of the States which have
been contracted for local and State purposes Sir,
said Mr. L., the value, the beauty the harmony and
the perpeuy of good form OF government depends
upon the rigid and strict adherence to the letter and
spirit of the Constitution of the United States.
Let the States well as the Federal Government
move in their respective spheres of constitutional
action without encroachment on either side, creating
connections and relations the tendency Of which will
eycntua;e in weakening and diminishing the power and
pf fbo Ctofpc of tHtp fnp ma
nagcmcn OF their State policy and local concerns, look
to and rely upon their resources, and never from
any temporary consideration or embarrassment be in.
duccd to suppcac this Government for pecunlary ad
which will result impairng that lofty spirit OF self
reliance and independence which is absolutely ncces
sary to high sefrespect. Sir, the magnitude of the
danger of that policy which il is the object of the Sc
nator from Missouri to guard against scarcely be
exaggerated.
II It be once conceded that the Federal Government
has the right to levy and collect money from the PEG.
pie for the purpose of distribution amongst the several
States then indeed, is the power Of this Government
unlimited nothing will be left to the States worth con-
tending for Such would nundate our
whole system Instead Of this Government deriving
its power of taxation from The States the States under
such system of distribution, would become the mere
suppants Of this Government, and at the same time
the organs to tax harrass and Cypress the people.
trust that the people of the United States will never
| be tempted dcludcd with the idea that the Federal
Government can or ought 10 mcddic Win STATE aepts
in any manner whatever An assumption OF the State
debts by the Federal Government, either principal
or endorscr should consider the harbinger of all the
great evils so ably forth by the Senator from Mis-
souri.
! But, sir, while so cordially approve Of the doc
trnes embraced in the Senator's resolutions, yet,
CARDS the argumentatvc form given to the resolutions
| entertain opinions and feelings which incline me
to desire some modification of these resolutions. be-
fore the vote OF the Senate shall be recorded on their
passage. am not prepared disposed 10 controver
the correctness of he reasoning embraced in the
utions. Nevertheless think the more appropriate
action of the Senate would be an expression of opinion
on the subject matter 81 the resolutions which will be
! found in the first two, and omit passing upon the
crences and conclusions drawn from the subject
ter Therefore, sir, shall TO lay these rcsolu
tons the table for the present. in order TO afford lime
| for reflection on the subject
In making this motion, said Mr.. L., will repeat my
decided approval of the general views and principles
the Senator from Missouri, embraced in both his
solutions and speech, and him of my hearty
operation in all measures calculated to restrict thu
legislation Of Congress to its proper constitutional
sphere.