The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-07-10
spEECH OLE Mis-. CRoCKETT,

OF Tennessee, in reply to MIR. Strong Of New
York on the sub-treasury bill, in committee OF
the whole on the state of the Union.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, I
June 10th, 1910.
[coNTINUED.
Mr.. CROCKETT said:-
But, sir l do this with great reluctance, be-
cause know that it must be exceedingly pain
full to the gentlemen to find that they have SIDE
parted from the faith once delivered" by the great
apostle of modern democracy to his disciples; but,
sir, the case is so exactly in point, that feel
Obliged to refer to it. And with the permission
of the committee, will read a short extract from
Gen. Jack sons proclamation, in which, speaking
of the powers of the government and of each de-
partment Of it, he says
tsln the House of Representatives there is this
difference, that the people of State do not,
in the ease of President and Vice President all
vote for the same officers. The people of all the
States do not vote for all the members, each
State electing only its own representatives. But
this creates NO material distinction. When cho-
sen, they all representatives OF the United
States, not representatives of the particular
States from which they come. They paid by
the United States, not by the States, are they
accountable to it for amy act done in the perform
ance OF their Legislative functions"
Now, sir, | must beg gentlemen who are ever
lastingly prating about democracy, and who are
il the daily habit of invading the sanctuary of
Alexander Hamilton, the brave companion in
arms OF Washington,-a statesman and patri-
of, and TO denounce him monarchist ard an
enemy of liberty, TO remember this article in
their own political creed. Here, sir, is the de-
elaration put forth in the most solemn form, and
in the most emphatic and unequivocal terms, by
the late President, that the representative OF the
people in this body is not responsible to them or
any act done in the performance of his legisla-
tive functions"-that he is not the representative
sf the State from which he comes, but OF the U.
States! What, sir, must be the inevitable result
of carrying this doctrine into practice, but to con-
so,idate all power in the general government, and
reduce the States to mere subseryient and Deepen
dent colonies? And, sir, what IS this, but the
very and quintessence of federalism?
And yet, sir it is one Of the leading articles in
the political creed OF the present seIt-styled SIDE
mocratic partyr' With all their professions of
respect for public opinion, assert, without the
fear of successful contradiction, that in their
practice they openly disregard it. | believe l
hazard nothing in declaring, that at this moment
we have the most incontestable evidence that if
the wishes of majority OF the people of this ma
ton faithfully represented on this floor, the
bill ON your table would, for the fourth time, be
rejected by decided majority. But, sir, the
party in power, acting upon the principle laid
down in the extract have just read, namely Y,
that the representative is Independent Of the peo-
pie; their viii is disregarded and treated with
contempt.
Sir, this would not have passed for democrat
ic republican doctrine in 1885, and | for one,
shall take this occasion to express my unqualified
dissent from it now. At the same time, Mr..
Chairman, that deny to the Legislature of my
State, the right to exercise any control over my
conduct representative, am proud to ac-
knowledge myself to be one of the representa-
tives from the State of Tennessee; but more es-
pecially the representative of the 18th Congress
sional District of that State. | acknowledge,
sir, with pleasure the right of majority of the
people of that district to control my action
When i was before them a candidate for the
station now occupy, gave them my views full
ly, frankly, and without reserve, in regard to the
under consideration, and all others like
ly to engage the attention of Congress, during
my term of service; and, sir, was elected with
direct reference to the views and opinions then
expressed. ! his have always held, MIR. Chair
man, before lay constituents and elsewhere, to be
the only true and practical mode of giving in
structions to a representative. And, sir, accord
Z ing to this view Of the subject, have been in
structed by decided majority of those have
the honor to represent, TO use all fair and honor
able means TO defeat this bill. shall obey their
wishes with the greatest pleasure, not only on
account of the obligation owe them as their re-
preventative, but also because it is in accordance
with my most deliberate judgment the sub
Iect. There is no reasonable sacrifice would
not make, sir, sooner than disoblige my consti-
tuents, upon whose good opinion place so high
an estimate. But, sir, if a majority of them were
in favor of this bill, could not vote for it; be-
cause believe, as have already intimated, that
it will prove more desolating in its effects upon
the prosperity Of the people, than pesilence, to
say nothing Of its dangerous effects upon our ex-
isting form OF government and free institutions.
Rather, therefore, than give it my support, L
would resign the trust committed to my hands.
Mr. Chairman, owe an apology TO the COM
rnittee, for consuming much time upon this
point. had not intended to say so much, and
will cndeavor TO csndeAse my remarks the
bill much as possible.
Sir, If had been left to choose my own course
in the discussion of this measure, should pro-
badly have taken different one from that which
shall be compelled to take in attempting to re-
ply to the honorable gentleman from New ork
(Mr. Strorg) That honorable member under
took to refute the several objections urged against
this measure by the legislature Of his State, to
which have already referred. And, sir, his ar
guinent was SO brilliant, profound, and over
whelming, that confess feel great difidence
in attempting to open my feeble batteries against
the fimpregnable citadel of defence which he
threw around this great question. IS s.
But, sin, i remember that &c David the son of
jesse, when, but shepherd boy, armed with
sling and few pebbles from the brook, but in
righteous cause, met and slew Goliah of Gath,
the mighty giant of the Phillistines. And, sir,
relying, like David, more en- the justice of my
cause than my own feeble strength & power of ar
gument, will proceed with the discussion. !
shall endeavor to show that the objections to this
bill, which my friend from New York, undertook
to refute, were well taken; and that his own ar.
guments in its defence, plausible and ingenious
as they appeared to be, were sophistical and un-
sound. and the positions he assumed entirely un-i
tenab1e,