The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-04-23
SPEECH
MIR. WILLIAM COST JOHNSON.
or MARYLAND.
On the Treasury Note Bill.
SPEECH
In the House Of Representatives Friday, Feb 9Th, Al
or MARyLAN


The bill authorizing the issue Of Treasury notes to
the amount five millions Of dollars being under con-
sderaton--snd Mr. BARNARD, Of New York, having
moved TO strike out the enacng clause Of the bill
giving notice that II the motion prevailed and report
10 that effect should be made 10 the House. he would
then oiier the following resolution:
Resoired, That The subject of making provision for
the wants OF the Treasury he referred back 10 the
Committee Of Ways and Means with Instructions
First. To bring in bill authorizing the Secretary
Of The Treasury % borrow ten millions of dollars
the credit of the Government, and to issue bonds or
script therefor
Second. To bring in bill imposing duties for adj
ditional revenue wines, silks, linens Specs and
other artcles being Injuries imported into the United
States; but IN such manner not to conAct with the
principles policy, and spirit Of the Of March, 1883
commonly called the Compromise act"
After Mr ADAMS had concluded his animated speech
MIR. Wm. Cosr JeHSsoN, of Maryland, rose and OBJ
tanned the floor, but was requested by Mr. WISE to
yield il for short expianalon.
Mr. WisE having concluded his remarks in response
10 Mr.. Adains,
Mr.. JOHNSON proceeded by saying that his purpose
in gaming the floor not 10 continue the exciting
and personal discussion. When the gentleman from
Massachusetts Mr.. Adams) yielded the floor 10 him
for an instant he had if he might be allowed TO the
cant expression OF the day, defined his position and he
doubted not that il fully comprebended, notwilh-
standing the intended sarcastic remark of the gentle
from Massachusetts. He would, however, saw
those who thought that their character and their honor
were worth being preserved and protected Whilst
the gentleman rcbukes, with much severity, the
consequences which grow out of personal discussions
and assaults, who there fond himself gene
rating what he denonnces? In the whole range of
his observation, said Mr.. Johnson, he knew OF no
one who seemed mole TO take a model and a study
the striking characteristic OF Tam OShanta's wife
than that gentleman" Of nursing his hath To kept
il warm" He did not envy would he discuss the
prsprleiy or morality Of such course but would
proceed briefly 10 explain his main object in claiming
the attention Of the Committee.
Mr.. p. F.. THOMAS here asked Mr. Johnson to give
way for motion that the committee should rise Mr..
Johnson said he would soon conclude what he had
to say that evening in the morning but as he
willing TO consult the pleasure of the Committee he
would yield the floor for the motion
The motion was made and the Committee rose
The next day, when the House went into Commit
tee, Mr.. JOHNSON resumed, and said, that his pur-
pose, when he reached the Hall this morning, to
occupy not than five or ten minutes of the time
of the Committee, and then to move that the Commit
should rise and report the bill and amendments 10
the House. but he found the House had resolved TO
continue the discussion in the Committee until
O'Clock this evening. He would still however be very
brief and general in his remarks he had prepared
no data and it the farthest from his purpose TO
make set speech. He should not do SO, because he
had, from the commencement been opposed TO the
scope of the whole discussion. He was opposed to it,
because he foresaw thought he foresaw in its incl
piency that there object of pubic and pcrma-
ncnt good To be attaned-that the whole discussion
was thrown open merely for augmentation. He be-
lieved from the beginning OF the session, that the
party which controls in this Hallthat the admins
traton party proper meant TO do nothing studiously
intended do nothing of salutary and useful cha
racte beyond the necessity Of passing the usual APP
preparation bills That they meant to adopt measure
OF general relief for the suffering coun,ry-were for
allowing the session to pass through IN proess de-
bate and for throwing the whole responsibility OF
aflm etr WI ~
quickly To succeed them. Under this full and firm
conviction, he unwilling to trespass on the atten-
ton of the Committee, or waste lime which might
much properly be de, oed to the consideration Of
private bills and which could not be tor
iured ino parry questions. But ifthere is solitary
member OF the Committee OF either Of the two great
political parties who believes it is the intention of the
Committee To act defnitively on the question before
them, on any great measure of public policy-any
general system Of inance-any enduring and abiding
measure of national utility, he should be most happy
TO know who that member was, and he would acknow-
ledge he had done that member at least injustice IN
forming the conclusion 10 which he had attained IL
said Mr.. Johnson) / thought that this Committee
meant or intended to take up for final action for ul
innate disposition the great questions OF The day.
should be among the first and the anxious TO see
DONE and il my public duty should admonish me to
give my views should do Il most cheefully, as hum
BILE and poor those views might be.
He would not go into discussion of the Bill I'M
mediately before the Committee, in relation TO
issuing of Treasury Notes because he had given hs
views on the subject sessions gone by Al the Ex
Session of Congress he the first who gave his
opinions the subject and he did not feel disposed
10 renew rereat them 1t was enough 10 say, that
he had from the commencement opposed the whole
plan and system of Treasury \ otes. he voted at the
Extra Session Of Congress, and subsequently against
the emission of Treasury Notes, and meant TO do 50
again. No amendment could elicit his support or his
vote. He went against the measure then, because
he thought unconstitutional and he had seen moth
ng,-heard nothing, 10 change his opinion. lfhe had
but doubt on his mind, az to the power, he should
not vote for the measure, because the Constitution
points other remedies for every emergency 10
which the Government is subject in its fiscal opera
lions. IT. declared in the Constitution, that Con-
gress shall have the Iower to borror money, and 10
raise rerenue from customs. He would 90 for d.
rect loan 10 meet the instant emergency he would
have gone for it, at the extra session, and he would 60
heart and hand for modification OF the revenue laws
that the ofihe Government might lie AIDE quaie
to meet the liabilities Of the nation. lie would most
cheerfulIy advocate and support these two measures,
at the moment and in the same bill. But as he
had avowed his belief that the administration meant
do nothing for the permanent policy OF the nation
he willing that the responsibility ahouid fall on
the administration in relation to the measures which
it may either carry forward omit and he would not
leap advance OF this administration 10 place himself
himself in the of the next. lie should let tins
pass through all its coursedo its work as II has
power to do in its way, and when the next comes
into power il take its latitude and departure
can move forward with a knowledge OF the past, and
with full hope OF the future to speed #.
Mr.. JOHNSON said he not in his scat when
the discussion commenced and had not heard two or
three speeches made carly in the debate yet in rea-
ton TO the proposition o. the gentleman from New
York, MIR Barnard who had moved 10 strike out the
enacing clause the bill before them, for the purpose
Of offering amendment, which is on the table,
w.t. that shall be raised by duty luxu
mes taking the precaution not to interfere with the
Compromise act, whilst he would not go into dis
cusslon the question, thus presented, he
would give opinion, far 10 say, that he would,
with great cheerulncss, for it, But he did not
ex pcct to be called do this, for the Committee
would never take vote the subject or IL II went
70 the House would never be pa.sed upon this ses-