The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-10-23
MR.. WEBSTER AND HIS POSITION.

MR. WEBSTER AND HIS POSITION.
The disappointed editor of the Courier and
Enquirer is reading lessons of political morality
will put this matter right before the public.
The late Cabinet were appointed by Gen.
Harrison. President Tyler found them in Of
fee. The relation between the President and
the Cabinet should be confidential. The men,
bers should not only harmonize with him, but
with each other. 1t is not to be expected that
seven intelligent and independent minds shall
perfectly agree in all things, or that their judg-
ments or opinions should concur on every ques-
ton which may be presented in the admnistra-
ton of public affairs, but the members of the
Cabinet should have community of feeling,
and mutual confidence resulting therefrom.
When Mr.. Tyler came into Office, the first
question was whether he should retain the old
Cabinet. If we turn to the statements made by
Messrs Ewing and Bell, it will be found that
he explained to them fully, his position in rea-
ton to Bank of the United States. He told
gress had the power to create corporation in
the States, and that thus believing, he never
would sanction any bill asserting that power
Hence Mr.. Ewings bill provided that the Bank
should be located in the District of Columbia,
and required the consent of the States for the
creation of branches. This was so fully under
stood, that Mr.. Ewing himself says that his bill
was modified so as to meet the Presidents con-
stitutonal opinions; and he further says that the
President could not have signed the first bill be-
cause it was, in his opinion, a violation Of the
Constitution.
If we turn to Mr.. Bells statement we find
that in the conversation of the 18th, Mr.. Ew-
ing, Mr.. Badger, Mr.. Webster, and himself
pledged themselves that they would exert their
influence, not only to get up such bill as he
could consistently sign-that is, bill which
should conform to the Presidents constitutional
opinions-but that they would exert their iniu-
ence to prevent the passage Of any bill which
the President might suppose, would be after
wards amended and made the basis of such an
institution as the late Bank of the United States
Now what was the conduct of Messrs Ew-
ing, Badger, and Bell? When the bill was
prepared, and the President called upon his Ca
binet to fulfil their pledge, and if possible post
pone it until the next session, did these gentle
men fulfil that pledge? So far from it, they
met Mr. Clay, they acted with Mr.. Clay's eau
Gus, and united with the Presidents enemies in
the attemptto dictate to and disgrace him. On the
Contrary, Mr.. Webster acted in good faith. He
advisedthe Senators from Massachusetts, to post
~ ko
had promised he would use it, to protect the Pre-
sident against the attempt to force him to vio-
late the Constitution.
Such was the part acted by Mr.. Webster in
that emergency. and the part thus acted at that
time is fully appreciated by the President and
Mr.. Webster's present colleagues The ru-
mors about Mr.. Webster's leaving the, Cabinet
nro gotten up by those who desire it, because
they believe that by doing so he will be compell-
ed to throw his influence, and that of his power
full friends, into Mr.. Clay's scale. They would
create jealousies between Mr.. Webster and the
other members of the Cabinet, that they NAV
thereby provoke him to resign. They know
that Mr.. Clay and his partisans have it in their
power to defeat any scheme for bank which
the President can approve, and they thus fore
see that Mr.. Webster's hopes and wishes, in
this particular, may be defeated and would
place him in position to compel him to resign.
Mr. Webster's past course is an earnest of what
he will do, under such circumstances He diff
fers with the President on the powers of Con-
gress over this subject. He will therefore do
what he can, consistently, to obtain Bank, but
when be shall find, as he probably will find, that
the course of Mr.. Clay and his partsans have made
it impossible to obtain charter, then he will
doubtless do what he can consistently doto favor
suchegslalion as will best promote the great ends
which he desires to obtain through the agency
of Bank. The labors of the malcontents will
be vain-the efforts to excite jealousies will be
defeated-the Cabinet and the President will
act together, and in harmony.