The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1841-09-25


brought, as it was, into that series ofmea-
sures which were supposed to embrace
the scheme of relief which the nation at
large required, it met wing Congress
that support of which the chief argument
vnd highest value are derived from the
respect which every one fetl to be due to
a comprehensive policy, whose scope
should includcevery intcrt st in the nation
1t lisa trial for the benefit of the country,
and remains to be altered or improved, as
the public wants may hereafter be found
TO require. The importance, in the pre-
sent posture of our affairs, of attending to
the national delences suggested the mea-
sures of establishinga Home Squadron, of
repairing and arming the Fortilicat;ons of
providing for the defence of the Lakes; and
OF bringing the nation at large into state
OF readiness against hostile aggression
in regard to which measures, as great I'M
animity prevailed in Congress, we may
safely assure. ourselves they will meet the
undivided appreciation of our continents
throughout the whole Union.
This rapid review, fcllow-citizens, will
exhibit what we have done, What we
have failed to do remains to be told.
1t is with profound and poignant regret
that we find ourselves called upon to in
woke your attention to this point. Upon
the great and leading measure touching
this question our anxious endeavoIs to re-
spond to the earnest prayer of the nation
have been frustrated by an act as unlock
ed for as it is to be lamented. We grieve
to say to you, that. by the exercise ofthat
power in the Constitution which has ever
been regarded with suspicion and often
with odium-a power which we had no.
ped was never to be exhibited, on this sub
ject, by wing president-we have been
defeated Ill two attempts to create Fiscal
agent, which the wants of the country
had demonstrated is us in the most abso-
lutte form Of proof, to be eminently ne
cessary and proper IN the present emer-
gency. Twice have we, with the utmost
diligence and deliberation. matured plan
for the collection sale-keeping, and dis
bursting of the public mon ey, through the
agency of a corporation adapted to that
end and twice has it been our fate to en-
counter the opposition of the President,
through the apr lication Of the veto pow
er. The character of that veto in each
case, the circumstances in which it was
administered, and the grounds upon which
it has'met the decided disapprobation of
your friends in Congress, are sufficiently
apparent in the public documents and the
debates relating to it.
This subject has acqu ircd painful in
terest with us, and will doubtless acquire
it with you, from the unhappy devclope-
ments with which it is accompanied. We
are constrained to say that we find no
ground to justify us in the conviction that
the veto ofthe President has been intcrpos-
ed on thisquestion solely upon consci-
entlous and well-considered opinions of
constitutional scruple as to his duty III the
casep resneted.
On the contrary, too many proofs
have been forced upon our observation
to leave us free from the apprehension
that the President has permitted himself
to be beguiIed into an opinion that, by
this exhibition of his prerogativc, he might
be able to divert the policy of his Admin
istration into channel which should
lead to new political combinations, and
accomplish results which must overthrow
the present divisions of party in the coun-
try, and finally produce state of things
which those elected him, at least, have
never contemplated. We have seen, from
an early period of the session, that the
wing party did uot enjoy the confidence
OF the President. With modification we
have observed that his associations more
sedulously aimedata free communion with
those who have been busy to PROSTATE our
purposes rather than those whose princi-
pies seemed to be most Unidentified with
the power by which he was elected. We
have reason to believe that he has permit
ted himself to be approached, counselled
and influenced by those who have mani
tested least interest in the success of
Wing measures. What were represented
to be his opinions and designs have been
freely, and even insolently put forth in
certain portions, and those not the most
reputable, ofthe public press, in a manner
that ought to be deemed offensive to his
honor, as it certainly was to the feelings
of those who were believed to be his
friends. In the earnest endeavor mani
tested by the members Of the Wing party
in Congress to ascertain specifically the
Presidents notions in reference to the de-
tails of such bill relating to Fiscal
agent as would be likely TO meet his ap-
probation, the frequent changes OF his
opinion and the singular want OF consIs-
tency in his views have batfied his best
friends, and rendered the hope OF adjust
ment with him impossible. |
Congress, early in the session called
upon the Secretary of the Treasury for
the plan of FISCAL agent the result Of this
call was bill which was reported i'll de-
tail, with an argument in its favor, and it