The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-08-07

moi tho best remedy for the disease under which the
monetary system of the country was suffering 10 come
forward and tel him what the best remedy. He
had far heard nothing sug .esed but the sub Trea-
sury, and that had been condemned by the people in
manner as decisive as any measure ever had been or
ever could be condemned. Mr., z. here ad,crted TO
the Immense gatherings Of the people which had taken
place all the Union in favor OF change Of rules
and OF measures, and 10 the decorum briefly and in
elligence which had characterized these meetings.
such scenes had never been witnessed the
OF Old Adam Gentlemen might talk of crisis in
me Affairs OF this nation, but MIR. p. would say that
inc scenes TO which he referred had had the effect
MS mihd 10 strengthen his confidence IN the nslitu-
lions OF the country. After this experience the
gloomy anticipations which many gentlemen were
known to have entertained 10 the destinles of the
Republic ought 10 give way, and we should find IN
TINS renewed evidence that the Liberties dearly
purchased by the blood and of foeialhers
would yet be perpelualed to US.
One word on question which had been started
here, very improperly as he thought. He alluded TO
the argument about the Executive veto, and the pow
er OF the President As the Judiciary and the Ex
ecutive, Mr.. Z. had nothing TO say. II was enough
Tor hun 10 know what his own duty was, and to per-
formit When the hill should come before the Presl-
dent let that officer perform his duty, that high
sponsblity which attached to him. Mr.. Z. referred
To a well known nmation Of the late President Van
Buren,, to veto bill should pass the two houses OF
Congress and deprecated that proceeding the
ground that Congress had right TO talk the Pre-
sident the President to Congress TO their par
ticular duties
He would not view this question PARTISAN. He
had been in favor of change of administration from
conviction that the interests of the country required
IT, He had acted upon those great principles which
had been coniended for by the Wing party, and he
had acted with fidelity both for the and the men
who were engaged in it. But his great object had
been, il would continue to be- the promotion of the
public good and the public interests.
Ahouuh in soma ma lar plares tho nueston of
National Bank, from motives of policy, had no, been
pressed, yet the Van Buren, party had pressed that
hobgobn, bloody bone issue upon in every part of
the Union and there could be no better evidence
against the Sub-treasury and in favor of National
Bank than had been furnished to the country in the
result OF the late popular contest w haiever might
have been the fact IN particular places he elt perfectly
sure that the result OF that contest a decision
against the Sublreasury and in favor Of National
Bank, One thing was certain the people had been
dissatisfied with the manner III which their Govern
ment had been administered, and they had decreed
change. For his own part, he disposed To try
again the party which had been defeated; they
had been once rIed, condemned, and punished and il
against the genius and spirit Of the Constitution
to try and punish man twice for the Of
fence Once was enough. Now, our lime was come;
and Mr. p. was perfectly willing to allow TO the other
party the full privilege Of charging, arraigning
vctlng, and condemnlng Us II they could He would
never charge that party, they had charged US with
Wing party responsible for the measures Of the pre-
sent Administration; he was willing To take his share
OF The responsibility he would shrink from its
acknowledgment Stll, II gentlemen Of the other
party chose 10 with him, he should Ike it kindly;
but he would never cast IT up against them.
There were two questions which presented them
selves the one of constuonality the other of ex-
pediency. And then there a question whether
this the sort of bill that should be passed. On
this last point he should not multiply words. Nor
an nfh h.r th.n &c Iof
ferson, w ashington Madison, nor any body else. He
was not for iesorlng the authority OF great
he was of opinion that experience that The practical
results OF great measures were the best teachers alike
of ndi,ldu and Of nations, Mr.. p then adverled
briefly TO the condition OF the country at the time the
first bank charter signed by Gen Washington,
and 10 the beneficial results TO which 1t led lie traced
briefly, but graphically the history of the U. States
Bank, and It's results from that time 10 the period Of
Gen. Jacksons declaration that - by the Eternal il
should die And die 1t did because II was in posses
sion of the Wings. The difficulty was, that if
the party opposed TO us could have bank which could
be controlled by themselves they were willing; but
otherwise, not
1t was SAID that bank unconstitutional. He
would not at any length into the discussion of that
subject nor even appeal TO the opinions Of Gen
w ashington, whose opinions nevertheless, he regard
ed as entitled to more weight subjects which he
had considered than those OF any other under the
sun. And there was no Congress that had ever been
called to pass upon the subject that had decided against
the constitutional power OF Congress. The Supreme
Court Of the United States had also decided the point,
and although he might not perhaps give much bind
ing force 10 the decisions OF the Supreme Court as
some persons yet they would have most persuasive
influence on his mind. And whilst as he said he de-
precaed the disturbance of the Iong-setted decisions
of the various parts Of the Government, still he
not going to call upon gentlemen to vote for this bill
because this man that man, this o. that tribunal
had decided in favor OF II but because the great nte
rests OF the country required it.
On reference to the proceedings of the Convention
that framed the Constitution IT would be that
proposition submitted giving Congress the pow
10 emit bills of credit and that il was almost unan
mousy rejected and ifcm the time that he had first
here down 10 the present hour 1t had been said
that, although the Convention had refused to give the
power tina; was no authority against II. The Con
ventlon was afraid to undertake specify the various
means that might become necessary in the of
time to sustain and carry into effect the great powers
of the Constitution. They contented themselves
therefore, with specifying the cardinal powers with
which the Federal Government should be clothed
and leaving to II to devise those auxiliary and
TO exercise those auxiliary powers which might be-
necessary for the administration of the Govern
ment.
But he placed this constitutional power the
ground ofthe Constitution itself Mr. p. followed out
the cunstit utiona argument somew hat more specca
ly; and then, passing from that point urged briefly
and earnestly the passage the bill the ground of
cxpedency, necessity, the extent OF our territory the
requirements of commerce, and the convenience
and prosperity of our people. Tie would, he sad,
amend the bill ii he could in particular, namely,
the amount OF the capital winch he did not think to
be near large enough But as proposition of his
could change the mind ofany man, he would take the
bill as it
MIR p. had not quite concluded when the hour had
elapsed.
The Speaker resumed the Chair informally for the
purpose OF receiving a message from the Senate,
through A. Dickns, Esq, their Secretary informing
the Hons. that the Sana,a hai p~el L.ii .. i,,t,u
and continue in force for ten years act entitled An
act TO incorporate the Mechanics Relief 5 cie,y Of
Alexandria,
Also, The act making appropriations Cor various for
uhcauons for ordnance, and for preventing and sup
pressing Ind an hosullties," with amendments