The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-05-01
THE STATEMENT.

THE STATEMENT
A true and exact statement Of the case, in re-
gard to each of these votes, as appears from the
journals and the printed debates.
The charges are at
L. "On the 18th January, 1914 he voted against an
appropriation for deaying the expenses Of the Navy
This is exceedingly disingenuous for two reasons:
the reason for the vote given, that appears in
the debates. A bill had passed the House Of Repre-
sentatves and without opposition either the ques
ton of its engrossment or the question Of its final
sage making partial approximations for the service Of
1874" The Senate inserted, as an amendment, an
appropriation of million Of dollars for the expenses
of the Navy. 1t was quite unusual at that time and
indeed it il believed unprecedented for the Senate to
originate by way Of amendment such large grants Of
money for the public service
On this ground, alone, the amendment was opposed
by some who had been the warmest friends of the
Navy, from the time of Gen. Washington. It was a
question Of the regularity Of proceeding, question Of
the order Of business merely The record shows that
NATHANIEL MACON, and other administration men,
voted with Mr.. Webster on that question, against
concurring with the Senate in their amendment.
I'd. Because it is well known that, throughout the
whole war, Mr.. Webster was constantly urging upon
Government greater extension of our naval means,
and augmented expenditure and augmented efforts
the sea. The Navy had been exceedingly unpopular
with the party then in power This every body
knows; and Mr.. Webster was attempting TO argue it
into popularity. M
The Journal shows that, on the 9th November,
1914 the House went into committee on the bill from
the Senate to authorize the President to build twenty
vessels OF war to carry certain number of guns. Mr.
Reed moved to increase the number Of guns more
than fold for each ship. Mr.. Webster voted in
the affirmative, but the motion lost, and the bill
then passed without opposition Doubtless many other
votes Of this kind may be found in the Journal for the
debates show that Mr. Webster constantly urged the
increase Of our Naval power the best ofmeet
ing our enemy, the proudest maritime Power in the
world
In respect then to the vote here complained Of the
fact r. that It was not vote against an appropriation
to defray the expenses of the Navy, but was vote
against the assumption of the Senate to originate by
way Of amendment large appropriations Of money for
military service
siveIy the legitimate Office Of the House of Represen-
tatives to originate all the principal grants of money
for the support Of Government Would it be consi-
dercd fair to charge Nathaniel Macon and Others the
friends Of Mr.. Madison and distinguished supporters
Of the war, with a disposition to withhold the means
Of defending the country because he and they voted
against the extraordinary amendment of the Senate
Certainly not; and, therefore, the charge now
made against Mr. Webster with voting NTH Nathan
ieI Macon on that question is unfair il not ridiculous
ii. Son the 10th January, 1914, he voted against
aproposon more cectualy to detect and punish trail
tors and spies" AK
This is absolutely untrue.
On the 18th Of January, 1914, Mr.. Wright, of Ma
iyioiAo, inosco ING ionoWinB resoiutIoh'
RESOLVED, That the Committee of the Whole
House be Instructed inquire into the expedency Of
extending the second section of the act forhe Govern
ment of the United States relative to spies to citizens
of the United States"
The effect of extending the rules and articles of
war relative to spies to citizens of the United States
would have been to expose every American citizen
visiting the encampment Of the American Army 10 he
charged with being spy and have thet charge tried
and determined by drum head courmartiaI and that
trial followed by death.
II would have withdrawn from our citizens that
great shield Of American Libery-thc right Of trial
byjury-and placed the whole country, and all OUT
citizens, at once under martial law. SO thought Mr.
Webster and he voted against il So thought Mr.
Cheves and Mr. Farrow, Of 8. Carolina, Mr.. Duvall
Mr.. Ormsby, and Mr.. Clark, Of Kentucky Mr.. Ep
pes of Virginia, Mr.. Kent, Of Maryland, Mr. Sey
bert, Of Pennsylvania, Mr.. Fisk Of Vermont (ol
New York; Mr. King, Of North Carolina (now
Senator fiom Alabama and late President of the Sen
ate,) Mr.. Richardson, (latc Chief Justice of New
HAM shire,) Mr.. Robertson, Of Louisiana and many
others ofthe warmest supporters Administration
OF Mr.. Madison; and they voted with MI Webster
and there II truth in this charge against Mr.
Webster than in the same charge should L be made
against MIR. Eppes the chairman Of the Committee o.
Ways and Means, son-in-Iaw of Mr.. jefferson, and
leader of the then Democratic party in the House
lII aOn the 25th Of March he voted against tn,
bill TO call forth the militia 70 execute the laws Of tn
Union and repcIinvasion."