The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-01-28
DANIEL WEBSTER.

other administration journals are aborng indus
triously to prejudice the new administration in
advance, by assailing the eminent citizen who
has been designated for the first station in Gen.
Harrison's Cabinet. We regret to fnd that
these charges have not been limited 10 the ordi-
nary vehicles of official detraction and abuse (;
but have been paraded in the Senate Chamber
itself Mr.. Allen, of Ohio, took occasion, in the
course OF his speech on the presumption bill, TO
single out Mr.. WEBSTER as the object of a most
malignant and unwarrantable attack; in the
course of which he referred particularly to the
conduct of that gentleman on the notable pro-
position made in March, 1885, to place $3,000,-
600 at the disposal Of President Jackson, TO be
used according to his sovereign will and discre-
ton This famous "niree millions amend
ment' was denounced by Mr.. Webster, at the
time, as so palpable and outrageous violation
OF the Constitution, that no circumstances what
ever could justify it. 1t was not Gas the Globe
most disingenuously stated in an article OF
Tuesday EVENING" "a proposal to raise new APP
preparations for the defence of the country" II
was deliberate motion TO surrender to the Pre-
sident the entire control of the purse and the
sword, TO place in his hands the enormous sum
of THREE MILLIONS, and, along with it, decision
OF the question Of PEACE OR WAR WITH FRANCE |;
al a time, lohen the Senate had solemnly
decided against any hostile Increment By the
United States. The history of the proceeding
will not soon pass from the memory of those
who were conversant with the events Of that
time. The distinguished Senator from North
Carolina, Mr.. Mangum, briefly recounted the
principal circumstances of it on Tuesday; and,
we think his interesting retrospect could not
fail to revive in the mind Of at least one Of
MIR. Aliens present associates, some striking re-
collections. Mr.. Calhoun knows well what were
his declared sentiments at that period, in regard
to the proposition itself, and the insidious de-
signs of its authors and advocates.
II was well understood that there was con
siderable scism in the then Administration
party; one portion being DESTROYS of the nomina-
ton of Mr.. Van Buren--the other being anxious
that the illustrous predecessor should be run for
a third term. This latter faction included the
cabal known by the name Of the Kitchen Cabi-
net. They were extremely anxious TO plunge
the country into hostlties with France, for they
reasoned that, in that event, they could easily
get up cry that the SOLD HERO" was the man
Of all others to carry us successfully through a
war with Heading power of Europe-and so the
whole business of President-making would be
settled at once! Mr.. MANauM dwelt, with great
impressiveness, upon the feelings of solicitude
which prevailed in Congress and IN the country
at that time, and he took occasion, passing, to
pay glowing and merited compliment to HENRY
CLAY, who was then prominent member of
the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and to whom
ne believed the country was, in great measure,
indebted for the preservation Of peace If the
history Of the proceedings in that committee
room could be written, it would add another TO
the many great claims which the Kentucky Sc
nator has upon the gratitude of his country but
although the committee and the Senate decided
against any beligerent proceeding by the United
States, the ioicer cabinet continued so to press
their plans and designs, that, on the very last
night of the session, amidst an overwhelming
pressure Of public business, and while General
Jackson himself was sitting in one of the rooms
of the Capitol, awaiting the final decision of
Congress, the partisans Of the Executive brought
in the enormous and Unprecedented proposition
to which we have referred As if to add to the
unJustfable character Of the act, and render the
outrage more fragrant and more insulting, they
introduced it as an amendment to bill with
which it could naturally have no connection
whatever. They proposed to lay down a. the
feet of Andrew Jackson, with PROSTATE submits
sion, the constitutional power Of Congress over
The public purse, and over the issues of peace
and war.
We well remember the scene in the Senate
on that eventful night Mr.. MANGUM did no
more than justice to Mr.. Webster when he cha
racterized his speech as one Of the most power
ful that ever fell from human lips-as one which
could only be produced by the most eminently
gifted, under circumstances of the strongest ex-
citement. In our memory it stands by itself,
alone, as an unapproachable masterpiece of ora
tory. Such, too, was the opinion of the most
judicious and discerning of those who listened
to it. The tones yet seem to ring IN our ears,
with which the distinguished Senator called out
to the members of that body, :. Let us go to the
vote! Let erery mans sentiments be ,o,.itten
upon his forehead" They did go to the vote;
and they solemnly sustained the course, the SEN
liments and the language of Mr.. Webster,
which are now so ferociousy assailed
Mr. Mangum said that he had adverted to
these circumstances, not from any idea that Mr..
Webster renuired n defence but in order IN mn
himself right--he voted with the Senator on that
occasion--he entirely approved Of the part he
bad taken and he believed it met the app oba-
ton of every true patriot and friend of the Con
stiIuiinn Mr. ManolIm also smoke In terms of