The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-02-02


the Cape of Good Hope. But, he wished 10 see
something like reciprocity established. lie re-
peated, that the proposed taxes would be chiefly
borne by the weather. classes, and here he ask
ed, in what attitude do those who have proclaim
ed themselves as the peculiar guardians Of the
poor, stand before the country, how do they
treat the poorer ciasses2 AT one time they bring
forward proposition TO reduce the price Of la
Dor Is this to benefit the poor? AT another
time they object TO measure for equallzlng
more nearly the burdens of Government, by tax
ing luxnries. Is this to benefit the poor? AT
another time, again they resist the measure
which would most eliectually prevent the neces-
sily OF resorting in some of the States to direct
taxes: namely, the measure of distribution. Is
this their friendship for the POOR
Mr. Wright had argued that the debts of the
Revolution had not been paid from the public
lands-then they must have been paid from other
funds of the peopleand if so, il is an additional
reason why the people should be reimburse by
receiving the proceeds of those lands which were
gwen Tor the purpose of extinguishing those
debts. Mr. w. had also charged against the
especially the expenditures for our Indian rela-
tions-ihis was truly countng-house view of
the subject. Our expenses for the Indians grow
out OF the most solemn obligations TO protect and
take care Of those tribes but if the lands are to
be charged, is there nothing with which they
are to be credited? are they not TO be credited
with the great advantages flowing from the ac-
misifion nf Tonisiana and tho navioafinn If
the Mississippi. Is the sovereignty Of that
State nothing is the sovereignty of Florida no
thing are the customs, are the wealth and ex-
haustless resources of Revenue there opened up,
not TO be taken into account2
MIR. CLAY spoke with severe repro5ation ofthe
negative proposition brought into the Senate at
the last session. on the assumption side by the
General Government of the State debts. He cha
racterised il as vindictive, malignant, Danton-
like proposition. No Senator had ever suggest
ed such an assumption, and the wanton course
Of the Administration party was calculated to
impair the credit of the States at time when
some OF them were deeply embarrassed. The
Government could not assume the debts Of the
States, but there is vast difference between
paying debts for them, and paying to them what
is justly due. He said he cordially responded
to the sentiments expressed by Mr. Webster
some days ago, on the subject Of State debts and
State credit. He was proud Of those sentiments
he was proud of the eloquence with which they
had been clothed and enforced. They were no
BILE, hgh-minded, patriotic and worthy Of his
distinguished friend. There were some who
seemed DESTROYS that the States should violate
their public engagements. He would repe such
wish as disgraceful to the man who could en-
terrain it. No State could lose its honor without
bringing some degree of disgrace upon the whole.
The fate of the different States, said he, is ours
their honor is ours, give them what belongs to
them, and let their credit remain pure and un-
contaminated. .
He pronounced the charge which has been
SO frequently rung into ears of late, that the
late election was carried by foreign influence
foul, malicious, atrocious libel upon the country,
its character, its institutions, and upon liberty
itself He treated with merited contempt and
ridicule the pretended proofs brought forward TO
substantiate this charge such the Missouri
| correspondence with some London banker, &c.
The truth is, the men in power have administer
ed democracy 50 badly, that they find themselves
without credit at home or abroad, and now they
come with whining complaint, that they have
lost credit here, because they have none at all
in any foreign country.
! Mr.. Clay closed with most animated and
| eloquent appeal in favor of distribution as a,
means Of Strengthening and perpetuating the
Union. Years may roll away, and yet the
land fund will, if wisely administered, still con
tinue unexhausted, and our children, to the latest
posterity, enjoy its advantages. 1t is, indeed, a
measure Of Peace, OF Amity, and of Union
| On Saturday, Mr.. Calhoun made another
elaborate effort in defence of his project of CEs-
SION; and seldom have the peculiar characters
tics Of the Senator's style of debate been more
strikingly exhibited In advocating his own
proposition, and controverting the views Of his
opponents, he really gave no more satisfactory
reason for his opinions, than that he, MIR. John
c. Calhoun, was pleased TO hold them. He
made bold assertion, and called it demonstra-
ton lie stated irrelevant facts, and declared
they established his theory and answered OBJ
jectons by the simple denial of their force and
correctness. 1t was all dogmatism and sophis
try from beginning to end. Having concluded
his argument Mr.. Calhoun referred, in very
deliberate manner, and with an air so solemn as
to excite the attention Of the whole audience, TO
some remarks which he said had been thrown
out against himself personally, by Mr.. MANouM,
of North Carolina. He did not state what the
remarks were of which he complained, and we
were at loss to know what he could allude to ;
for though Mr.. Mangum opposed his proposition