The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-07-01
REMARKS OF Mr. SMITH,
OF INDIANA,
On the Bill for the relief of Mrs. Harrison.
IN SENATE
FRlpAY, June %, 1871.


FRlpAY, June %, lsil.
Mr.. SMITH, of Indiana said Mr.. President,
during the debate of yesterday, remained silent and
my intention was 10 say nothing to-day on the subject
before you. did fondly hope that the vote on the
passage of this bill would have been taken to-day,
without debate. Ii most fitting the occasion that
such course of action should have been adopted on
the part of the Senate as commemorative OF the sol
event of the removal to its final earthly resting
place, at North Bend, of the mortal remains OF the II
usirious citizen whose name is closely associated
with this bill. 1t seems that it could not be So Sen
ators have pursued another course and is not for me
TO complain. however, find myself So far driven from
my original intention, to be compelled To clllm the
Indulgence of the Senate To say few words, at the
hazard of delaying the vote few minutes longer.
do not propose, Mr. President, to pronounce an
eulogy the life and character of President Harr-
son all our euogiums cannot add one leaf to the lau-
res that will encirce his tomb. his remains
sleep with his fathers his spirit has gone above, to
add one TO the galaxy in the heavens OF our
countrys heroes and patriots; the nation is in mourn
ing and nothing remains for US, but the duty Of cher
shing his fame as one Of the brightest jewels in the
national diadem
Mr.. President rose for purpose very different
than that of prolonsing This debate by gong into an
argument in favor OF the bill. The country does not
require it of me my State does not the Senate does
not and my feelings, at this moment, will not suffer
me- to 60 into calculation Of dollars and cents in the
matter TO see whether the bill is precisely correct, in
a counting house view. Let Senators who can cypher
over a subject like this do sol must be excused.
Sir, | rose to say to the country, to say to my
State 10 say the Senate that consider this
of the happies days of my life TO have the opportu-
nifty, tins time in this place, this occasion, OF
voting for bill that may, in degree, do justice To
the widow Of the early and devoted friend ofthe West,
the defender Of my State in her infancy, is privilege
shall prize while memory holds her place. The bill
debated yesterday al large-Senators, over the
way, opposed IT Constitutional grounds. To-day
| understood some Senators with characteristic hon
esty and frankness to speak out and raise the party
question. 50 understood the Senator from Arkan-
sas MIR. Sevler) Sir, while the opposition 10 tins
bill confined 10 Constitutional grounds, IL was le-
gltimate, and entitled 10 the respect OF all; and,
while | not convinced by their arguments,
listened to them with calm attention. But, sir this
party question is very different matter. thought
when supposed the attempt was making to raise the
party flag that no aurels could be won by any party
in contest like this. Senators have discained all
party considerations in their opposition to this bill.
They doubt feel sincere Still II is very difficult
TO account for the coincidence of opinions that has
brought the entire opposition with the exception of
the Senator from Pennsylvania Mr.. Buchanan) and
the Senator from Mississippi, (Mr Walker,) to vote
against the BILL upon other than party grounds. But,
sir let that pass The Senator from Arkansas thinks
that the Wing party may well vote for this bill but
that he must not be pected to give such vote He
says General Harrison had done much for the Wing
party. regretted edngly TO hear the word party
named in cunnexion with this measure, which rises
above all party considerations. Let me tell the Sen
ator that it the Wing party alone that is under
obligations to Harrison il is the whole nation Were
party lines consulted in the perls Of his life in his
personal sacrifices for his country, his devoted
patriotisml Did he protect one party alone from an
invading British army, or the more sanguinary savage
foel Ask the frontier settlers of the West and they
will tell you, no. The services of General Harrison
like his fame, belonged to the whole people, and will
nure to nations benefit, TO nations honor, and
not merely to party. Let me say to honorable SEN
ators that whatever of party character the subject
may here the nation every part of the nation
will repudiae all party distinctions that will withhold
from them participation in the measure OF relief be-
fore you. How stands the case in the West, his
own Westl Had you the citizens of the State
of his early adoption The State that twice gave evil
dence of her confidence in her first Governor by Civ
ing him her electoral vote by large majorlties-yes,
sir, had you the citizens Of Indiana, when the
reached them of the death OF their esteemed Pre-
sident had you the tear stealing down the
checks of his early associates and friends OF all parties
you could then feel the force OF my remarks.
1t is said that there no authority in the Constitu
ton for this appropriation. We are asked 10 point to
the express grant of powers by which we sustain it.
answer by saying that shall not at this moment be
driven into Constitutional argument ] will how
ever the first suitable occasion attempt to show that
the doctrines that have been urged deny all useful
powers TO Congress but, sill, let ask th~se Srna-
tors that deny the Constitutional power to pass this
bill where did you get The power 10 bury your dead =
where to grant pensions l. To erect tombs and
monuments over members of Congress who died here,
and sl,ep in yonder cemetery Where did you get the
power 10 grant relief 10 sufferers hy fire at home and
abroad - where TO relieve the suferngs oil the desti-
tute poor of the District l-where to grant lands to
Lafayette where to pass the bill for the relief OF
Mrs. Brown, the widow of the late General Jacob
Brown That bill was for years pay of the de
ceased General he having v to enter upon the year
that bill supported upon the ground that the year
had commenced, and II 4st and equitable, under
the circumstances, that widow should receive the
balance OF the pay for the year. his bill stands upon
precisely the grounds as 10 principle but upon
much stronger equitable grounds; in that case there
had been immediate sacrifices expenditures the
officer had been for years receipt OF his salary How
dicren, is this case President Harrison had been but
month in the Office, all the expenses and outfits pre-
paratory TO aid his removal from North Bend to the
Seat OF Government bad been incurred and it is not
even pretended by any one here that the small sum
that he would be legally entitled to would indemnify
his family for his actual expe SEES and shall we un-
der such circumstances, refuse that decentralization !
| well recolIecl the of Mrs Blown. was at the
time a member of the House, and voted with the SEN
ator from New York, Mr., Wright, - who was also a
member, for that bill My Judgment and my conscience
told then that | voted right was most assuredly
not liable to the charge OF being governed 10y parry
considerations then my vote, and am about To give
similar vote now. My constituents approved of my
vote then as have no doubt my State will of my
now | have the consolation to know that | shall
give the same vote that President Harrison would have
gwen, was he placed in my situation, lie gave his
hearty and jealous support TO the h for he relief IT
Mrs Brown, and that vote was approved by his coun-
trymen.
Will detain you no longer My position, the
representative of State more closely identified feel
mo with the family of the ilustrlous Harrison than
any other forbid my saying less. Sir, suffer me to
releat before take my seat, that III voting tor thus
b I discharge The most agreeable duty oi my lite,
and was required eiher vote against It or re-
sign n,y scat here would not hesitate moment
woull las down my commission, md retire TO private
his conscious OF having honorably discharged my du-