The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-02-20

any shape. 90 nor oeSissS mss VIZ n
thorises n OF that the true substantial inieres q
The great body OF the people IequIresn when e.
anime the and find u utterly destuts oi
.ngle word or renliment which authorizes Inc essA'
lishment Of forpor.tion o. any SOFT Or
when remember that the trainers ofthc constitution
those Sages and Patriots Of the ever memorable peod
Of the Revolution, refused 10 impart TO tins Govern
mcnt the power TO create corporation OF any so u
description, feel well satisfied Of the dangers wn'In
they believed would grow out Of such power and do
not feel willing 10 resort 10 lar fetched inference
or deduction from the delegated powers Of the cons
tntion 10 supply that which promptly denied IT,
Nor, sir am willing TO amend the constitution ny
judicial decision or Legislative Interpolation There 10
but one way TO amend the constitution according TO the
constitution itself and that is the only way by which
will consent its amendment am not willing to see
this country cursed with constitution OF unstable con-
pressona enactments and judicial decisions. When
thai is the the sovereignty Of the States is broken
down and the liberties ofhe people ramped under FOOT
take the Constitution itself the shield Of the States
and the palladium Of the liberties Of the people, and
view with the utmost alarm and apprehension any.
tire slightest nfraction oft Mr. Chairman, as bitter.
ly as opposed the sub Treasury law, determined
am ON its repeal, am not now, and never was,
opposed TO Il than am TO the incorporation OF
National Bank, such a one particularly as has been
indicated. cannot distinguish in effect between an
overwhelming and dangerous pecuniary influence IN
the hands Of the Executive OF this Government wne-
Their il be directly and openly conferred by SUD fea
sury law, indirectly under the mask OF chartered
hands of free or despotic Government, would, no
doubt add much the OF pecuniary opera
tions Of the trading community but for this benefit TO
the trading community alone let into the gates ofthe
citadel ofliberty most nsdious and dangerous enemy
centlemen should succeed their views and establish
such institution, pray Heaven that Il may not be
the free institutions of this country what the tabled
1oooden horse Of the Greeks to the unhappy Tro
JAMS From these remarks my friends will readily per
ceive thai there is aspect which this question can
assume that IL can command my humble support
But, Mr.. Chairman, am told that these Virgil
MIA abstractions-mere distractions. think not sir,
for well convinced that in the art Of practical alb
sraction Northern friends have decidedly the ad-
vantage OF us while pirate about these principles
they abstract all the money from the Treasury. In
stead therefore, of calling them Virginia distractions,
friends should call them by their apPro pirate
name, Yankee distractions.
These, Mr. Chairman, are my opinions in reference
10 these questions. They early imbbed, and
are too deeply rooted, to be shaken changed The
party with which acted in the late Presidential cleo
lion as we'll knew my opinions on these subjects as
did many theirs, and had more reason to expect
and am did no expect that would aban-
don them, than ] had to expect they would abandon
theirs If had changed my to suit the shift
ing current of events they would have despised and
condemned me. II was not because had undergone
any change OF opinion on these subjects that opposed
the reelection Of Martin Van Buren,; opposed him
for other and higher considerations, both moral and
POLITICAL striking at the foundation Of all freedom, and
Tree tnStltutlOnS--CauseS winch WOuu oppose
and aid in oyerthrowing, any administration.
The freedom of opinion is the greatest birhrght OF
an American citizen, and the shield Of an American
Representative. refused to yield to the demands
of the party with which formerly acted, and will, il
ever demanded, refuse to yield it to any party. Thus,
Mr.. Chairman, you have my views on these important
and interesting questions-such they are they are
honestly entertained, and will be firmly maintained. -
But SIR, why should we be wasting our time in these
idle discussions, upon mere party questions, when
there n N the of N mos m
formidable character which should be preparing to
meet As was intimated by the gentleman from North
Carolina, (Mr. Shepard,) the ambitious designs Of
Great Britain never more clearly developed than
at this time. She governs Asia controls Africa, die
tates TO Europe, and planting her influence and her
military posts all over the American Continent. The
world is scarcely sufficient for her graspng ambition.
Does any man, who is familiar with her history, sup
pose that Great Britain will yield the disputed
territory in Maine and Oregon without struggle 7?
If he does, he has more confidence in her justice
and magnanimty than have. For such strug
gle, Mr. Chairman, what is our preparation =
Our Nary almost dsmantled and disorganized-nota
ship in suitable condition to maintain the honor of
our flag upon the high seas Where is the Army and
what is its condition 7 But little better than that
of the Navy-our whole coast almost defenceless. ~
While Great Britain is making active and busy prepa-
ratons all around US, and studdng her Canada from
tiers with Notifications, we, have been for the
last eight years, are busy engaged in President max
ing and party manGuvrng to the utter neglect Of every
more unprotected and defenceless condition. Iwarn
YOU Mr.. Chairman that the tide Of war is fast rolling
upon U.S. | see il in the distance and it rapidly APP
proaches-t cannot be averted without dshonor upon
our part Is it time then that American statesmen
had buried their party feuds, and all tremendously COM
bine make suitable and adequate provisions for the
coming emergency ], for one, Mr.. Chairman, feel
the necessity, and am, therefore, prepared to com
mence the work of preparation believe in the wis
dom of that maxim of the Father of his country
In peace prepare for mar"
These Mr. Chairman are the remarks which in
tended to make this subject. In making them, it
has been far from my intention to mpugn the motives
Of any party, give offence to any My object has
BEEN plainly and simply, to express my views and
place myself fairly fore the country.