Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1841-09-23

THE public command most iniperatively
drew the notice of Congress, was the
repeal of the sub Treasury Law. Our
next care was the enactment Of the
Land Bill. This was followed by an
act converting the Debt which the pre-
ceJing Administration had entailed upon
the country into a Loan Of twelve mil
lions of dollars, which is limited for its
redemption TO period of three years.
L Associated whh this measure was the
1 Revenue Bill, rendered necessary not
only as n provision toward the extinguish-
ment of the loan, but also ms indispensa-
Bile for the supply Of means TO NEE! the
ordinary and necessary appropriations OF
The year The Bankrupt Act, so ear
ncslly ard so long solicited by large
aud meritorious class of our citizens, has
been passed under circunst ances which
cannot but reflect the highest honor up
on the Representatives of many sections
Of tho country. As measure standing
alone, it might perhaps have been des-
tined to further delay; but being bro't,
as il was, into that series of measures
which were supposed to embrace the
scheme ofrelief which the nation at large
required, il met from a Wing Congress
that support Of which the chief argument
and highest value are derived from the
respect which every one felt to be due to
a comprehensive policy, whose scope
should include every interest in the
nation. II is a trial for the benefit Of
the country, and remains to be altered
or improved, as the public wants may
be found to require. The Importance, ;,
IN the present posture of our affairs, Of
attending to the national defences sug-
gcsted the measures Of establishing
l. ome Squadron, Of repairing and arm
ing the Fortiiications, of providing for
the defence of the Lakes; and of bring
ing the nation at large into state of
readiness against hostile aggression-in
regard 10 which measures, as great
unanimity prevailed in Congress, we may
safely assure ourselves they will meet
.he undivided appreciation Of our con-
sli,uents throughout the whole Union.
This rapid view, fellow-citizens, will
exhibit what we have done. What we
have failed to do remains to be told.
1t is with profound and poignant regret
I that we find ourselves called upon to
invoke your attention to this point. Up
on the great and leading measure touch
ing this question our anxious endeavOrs 10
respond TO the earnest prayer Of the
nation have been frustrated by an act as
unlooked-for as it il TO be lamented. -
We grieve to say To you that, by the
exercise ot that power IN the Constltu-
ton which has ever been regarded with
suspicion, and often with odum, by the
People-a power which we had hoped
was never to be exhibited, on this sub
lect, by Wing President-we have
been defeated in two attempts to create
Fiscal Agent, which the wants Of the
country had demonstrated to US, in the
most absolute fnrm Of proof, TO be emf
nently necessary and proper in The
prcse ut emergency. Twice have we,
with the utmost diligence and delibera-
ton, matured II plan for the collection,
afe-keeping, md disbursing Of the pub
lic moneys, through the agency Of u
corporation adapted TO that end, and
twice has il been our fate to encounter
the opposition Of the President, through
the application Of the veto power. The
character Of that veto in each case, the
tered, and the grounds upon which it has
met the decided disapproba'ion Of your
friends in Congress, are sufficiently ap-
parent in the public documents and the
debates relating to it. This subject has
acquired painful interest with US, and
will doubtless acquire it with you, from
the unhappy developemcnts with which
it is accompanied. We are constrained
to say that we find no ground to Justify
us in the conviction that the veto Of the
President has been interposed on this
question solely upon conscientious and
well-considered opinions of constitutional
scruple as to his duty in the case PRESENT.
ed. On the CONTRARY, too many proofs
have been forced upon our observation
to leave US fee from the apprehension
that the President has permitted himself
TO be Leguiied inro an opinion that, by
| this exhibition Of his prcrogative, he
might be able to divert the policy Of his
| Administration into a channel which
should lead TO new political combinations,
and accomplish results which must over
throw the present divisions Of party
in the country, and finally produce Il
state Of things which those who elected
him, at least, have never contemplated.
We have seen, from an early period Of
The session, that the Wing party did not
crjoy the confidence OF the President.
With modification we have observed
that his associations more sedulously
aimed at a free communion with thr Sc
who have been busy to PROSTATE our
purposes rather than those whose prin.
ciples seemed to be most Identified with
the power 10y which he was elected
II We have reason 10 believe that he has
II permitted himself to be approached, 4,
eounselled, and influenced by those who
have manifested least interest in the sue
cess Of Whig measures. What were
Represented TO be his opinions and de-
signs have been freely, and even inso-
leDtly put forth in certain portions, aud
those not the most reputable, Of the pub
II lie press, in n manner that ought 10 be
II docmcd often sive IN his hnnor M N cor