Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1841-07-24
REMARKS OF Nix. SMITH,
IN srNArr. Fanny. Jrxn Is. lsn.
OF INDIANA,
1890. $500. .. OF INDIANA,
On the Bill for The relief Of Mrs. Hs'viSos

Mr.. SMITH of Indiana. said; Mr., Pres.
ident, during the debate Of yesterday. n.
NAMED silent, and my intention was ~ say
nothing to-day on the subject before vou.
did fondly hope that the vote on inc pas
sage of this bill would have been taken TO-
day, without debate. Il was most fitting
the occasion that such course OF action
should have been adopted on the part Of
the Senate, rs commemorative Of the sol /
emn event of the removal to its FINAL Garth 7
II ~ resting-place at North Bend of the NOR
tai remains of the illuStrious citizen whose |
name is SO closely associated with this bill. |
1t seems that it could not be So Senators
have pursued another course and it is not
for me to complain. |, however, find my
self SO far driven from my original inten-
ton as to be compelled to claim the indul-
gence of the Senate to say a few words,
at the hazard Of delaying the vote few
minutes longer.
do not PROPOSE Mr. President. to pro-
nouncc an culogy on the life and Charac-
Ter of President iIarrison; all our eulo-
gums cannot add one leaf to the laurel5
that will ever cncirclo his tomb. His remains
sleep with his fathers; his spirit has gone
above, to add one more TO the galaxy in
the heavens Of our country's heroes and
patriots; the nation is in mourning; and
nothing rcmains for us but the duty Of cher
ishing his fame as one of the brightest jew
els in the national diadem.
Dir. President, rose for purpose very
different than that Of prolonging this de-
bate by going into an argument in favor Of
the bill. The country does not require it
Of me-mv State does not-thc Senate
does not: and my feelings. at this moment,
will not suffer me to go into calculation
of dollars and cents in the matter--to see
whether the bill is precisely correct in 4
counting-houso view. Let Senators who
can cipher over a subject like this, do So
must be excused.
Sir, rose to say to the country, to say
TO my State, to say to the Senate, that
consider this as one of the happiest days Of
my life; to have the opportunity, at this
time, in this place, on this occasion, Of vo-
ting for a bill that may, in some degree, do
Justice to the widow of the early and de-
voted friend of the West, the defender OF
my State in her infancy, is a privilege
shall prize while memory holds her place
The bill was debated yesterday at large
Senators over the way opposed it on con,
stitutional grounds. To-day understood
some Senators, with characteristic honesty
and frankness, to speak out, and raise the
party question. ] SO understood the Sen
ator from Arkansas, (Mr. SEvIER) Sir
while the opposition to the bill was con
fined to constitutional grounds, it was lie
gtimate and entitled to the respect of all
and while | was not convinced by thei
arguments, listened to them with calm
attention. But, sir, the party question il
very different matter. Thought, when
supposed the attempt was making to raise
the party flag, that no laurels could be wor
by any party in contest like this. Sen
ators have disclaimed all party considera
tons in their opposition to this bill. They
no doubt feel sincere. Still it is very diff:
icut to account for the coincidence of opin-
ions that had brought the entire Opposition
with the exception Of the Senator from
Pennsylvania (Mr. BucHANAN) and the
Senator from Mississippi, (Mr. WALKERl
to vote against the bill upon other thar
party grounds. But, sir, let thatpass. The
Senator from Arkansas thinks that the
Whigpart may well vote for this bill, bu
that he must not be expected to give such {
vote. He says General Harrison had done
much for the Wing party. ! regretted cx
ccedingly to hear the word party named il
conncxion with this measure. which risel
above all party. considerations. Let ms
tell the Senator that it is not the Whc
party alone that is under Obligations L
Harrison; it is the whole nation. Were
party lines consulted in the pcrils of hi.
life, in his personal sacrifices for his country
or in his devoted patriotism! Did he pro
tact one party alone from an invading
British army, or the more sanguinary say
age foe! Ask the frontier settlers cf thu
West, and they will tell you, no! The ser
vices Of General Harrison like his fame
belonged TO the whole People, and will in
ure to nations benefit. 10 a nations hon
or, and not merely to party. Let me sar
70 honorable Senators that whatever 0
party character the subject may assum
here, the nation, every part of the nation
will repudiate all party distinctions tina
will withhold from them participation il
the measure Of relief before you How
stands the case in the West--his own West
Had you seen the citizens of the State O
his ear Y adoption--the State that twic
gave evidence Of her confidence in her frs
Governor by giving him her electoral yot
by large malOrlties--yes, sir, had you see
the citizens of Indiana when the new
reached them OF the death Of their esteem
ed President; had YOU seen the tear stea
ing down the cheeks Of his early associate
and friends Of all parties, you could the
feel the force of my rgnnarls