The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-10-23
MR.. CLAWS SPEECH,
On Tie EiscnL Corporation Bill.

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noration being under consideration. and Messrs'
Archer and Buchanan having delivered speeches
Mr. CLAY, of Kentucky, next addressed the
Senate Certainly, said he, nothing was farther
from nv expectations, when came here 10 lis
ten to the speech of my worthy friend from VIZ
einia, than to find myself placed in such sltua-
lion as 10 be called on to say one word in relation
to this BILL But the Senator from Pennsylvania
has INDUCED himself on this occasion in exercl-
sing talent for wit and humor, at our expense,
in which he does not often indulge. Let me, II
he will allow me, make suggestion to him, that
his appropriate province Is logic, or grave debate,
rather than wit. But if should happen to catch,
by contagion, somewhat OF the same ven, he
will, am sure, excuse me, and receive 1t n me
same good humor that we have taken what fell
from him.
As to the bill before the Senate, | have not
much to say. There are two great faculties
which ordinarily belong TO banks one is TO deal
in that sort of commercial paper which Is called
promissory notes, the other TO deal in bills oil ex-
change-also an orderly commercial instrument.
By the present BILL the bank which is to be ere
ated is deprived of one of these faculties, while
the other is left to it, and there is no more dan.
ger of abuse in the exercise oil the retained
faculty. by this corporation, than in the ordinary
banks of the country.
Nor am very familiar with all the proceed
ings at the Harrisburg convention. The honor,
able Senator seems to think that 1t contained Alb
otionists, against whom he appears, OF late, tc
have tax, n up peculiar hostility. call upon
him to name one Aboltionst who was mem
Der. | believe there was not one. | defy him
10 the proof He says that the gentlemen who
composed that assembage were men of all sorts
of political principles: and to some extent that
remark is certainly true. But there was one
principle which am very sure was held by
none Of them: there were none who went for
low wages! "a laugh.) The Senator, howev-
err tells not only that they held all sorts of prin-
ciples, but that they were afraid to publish to
the world any declaration of their sentiments
Now believe it is part of the law OF nations
that when war is made against pirates there is
no need of the ceremony of any formal previous
declaration of war, but it is understood on all
hands that you are at liberty to attack them
without notice and without ceremony, and cut
and slash as hard as you please. But if that
same convention at Harrisburg was such an un-
principled collection of political sectaries-such
an omniuns gatherlIn Of all kndreds and colors
what sort of party must that have been which
could have been so utterly Frustrated and put
down by such heterogeneous combination r
"a laugh).
The Senator commenced by saying that
among other doings, the Wings had done for
themselves" beg gentlemen not TO clay that
fattering JUNCTION TO their souls" What! the
Wings of this country to be annihilated by any
thing which has occurred during this session
Never, never. Their principles are as eternal
as truth, and as sure to prevail is the cause OF
civil liberty to triumph. 1t was justly remarked
By nv friend from Virginia, that the restriction
Of Executive power-ay, OF the royal, the I'M
berial power of setting the will Of one man
against the united will of an entire people, stood
highest on the list of the principles avowed by
y the Wings during the late memorable contest !;
and let me tell gentlemen that if we shall have
shower Of vetoes, that principle will still be
written in letters of light upon all their banners
Let the Senator from Pennsylvania and his
party war, if they will, for Executive suprema-
cy: for the arbitrary principle that the will Of
one man shall prevail against the will Of the
whole country. We are willing to 60 before the
People upon that issue; and, If | am not utterly
mistaken in the inherent love of liberty by them
all, Wings and Democrats there will be gene
raj condemnation of such an odious and detesta-
BILE doctrine. Let the Senator and his friends go
10 the other wing of the Capitol, and look upon
that Macedonian phalanx; standing shield to
shield in a compact and impenetrable line, and,
in defiance of all the difficulties which beset
them, maintaining their position unmoved, and
their front unbroken for, will repeat, which
have often said with inexpressible pleasure, ne
ver-no, never was there House Of Represen-
tatives more imbued with lofty and generous
spirit of patriotic devotion to liberty and to the
discharge of high public duty, Let them, |
saw, look on that spectacle, and then ask them
selves, how is such party to be broken down
BY whom2 BY any one man. Where is he
If Napoleon were to rise from the dead, and ap-
pear again at the head of all his power, he could
not do it. The Senator has prematurey yielded
to feelings of exultation. He has stretched Out
his hand, and grass ed, not the sceptre, but 9
fleeing vision He has cried before he was ou
of the woods.
An honorable Senator from New Hampshire
mr. Woodbury. proposed, some days ago, re-
solution Of inquiry into certain disturbances
which are said to have occurred at the Presi
Dental mansion on the night Of the memorable
18th of August last. If any such proceeding
did occur, they were certainly very wrong ant
highly culpabe. The Chief Magistrate, who
ever he may be, should be treated by every goos
citizen with all becoming respect, If not for hi
personal character, on account OF the exaltet
office he holds for and from the People. And
will here say that read with great pleasure tn
acts and resolutions of an early meeting, prompt
" held by the orderly and respectable citizens o
the metropolis, in reference TO, and in condem
nation of these disturbances. But, if the reso
luton had been adopted, had intended to move
for the appointment Of select committee, anl
the honorable Senator from New Hampshire
himself should be placed at the head Of II, with
majority of his friends. And will tell you
why, MIR. President, / did hear that about eight
or nine O'Clock on that same night of the famous
18th of August there was an Eruption on the
Presidents House of the whole Loco foco party
in Congress; and did not know but that the
alleged disorders might have grown ont Of, OF
had some connection with that fact. "a laugh
understand that the whole party were there
No spectacle, l am sure, could have been more
supremely amusing and ridiculous. If could
haze beer, in position in which, without being
seen. | could have witnessed that most extraor
binary resoion, should have had an enjoyment
which no dramatic performance could possibly
communicate. think ! can now see the princi
pal dranlatis persona who hgmed IN ina
scene. There Stood the grave and distinguish
ed Senator from South Carolina
I'M Calhoun tere instantly arose. and ear