The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-02-23

20 delayed calling up the resolution from several con
sdeFatons the principal Of which was, that as the
Sub-treasury law is measure OF the party soon 10 %
out Of the possession of powei and one which they
consider as important 10 due adminisii alton of ths
fiscal affairs OF the country, | am wiiiiag ihey shall
have the full benefit Of II ~ long lhry r,uain 10
OF me osernmeni being ohy DESTROYS that
" snail not be thrown upon the Administration
who are coming in with the express and ayowed OBJ
Ject OF setting this measure aside | had intended ii
the amendment had been press ed which proposed "a
deter The repeal Of the sub-ireasury law iii the Alb
uay OF MaIeh mex, TO consent to Il being, as have
said perfectly willing, il gentlemen regard that law az
important that they shall have all the benefit of Il
down 10 the last hour OF their possession Of power
only protest against their successors being compelled
70 carry oui a measure which they highly disap-
prove and which, as believe the Judgment OF nearly
the whole country has In the most decisive manner
condemned.
The question now Immediately presented to the Sc
nate Is ON The amendment my resolution which has
been moved by The honorable Senator from Ohio Mr.
aneh.) The original proposition declares that the
Sub-treasury law ought forthwith be repealed the
amendment after gong into historical recital Of the
considerations which led the adoption of the policy
OF 10y, referring to what the considers sub
sequeni departures from that policy and its resora-
ton by the adoption Of the Sub-treasury bill of Mr..
Van Burens administration, arrives at conclusion
directly the OF that in The resolution the original
resolution declares that the law ought at 10 be
tnc alhenuutnti thai " ought 10
in, as being the original policy OF this Government
now after so long period for the first time restored
The question is now fairly presented To the Senate,
shall the Subtreasury scheme be persisted in not
Shall the law be repealed, or shall it not
said it part Of my purpose 90 at large into
discussion OF the policy OF this Sub-treasury
sure; it has been the subject Of discussion in Cen
gress for nearly three years Indeed from the
OF 1884, when the idea first preached in the other
House, down TO the accession of MIR. Van Buren, to
the Presidency in 1887 has been discussed through
out the whole country; it would be useless, then,
this time TO renew and reopen the discussion. !
beg leave however to assure those gentlemen TO whom
~ mas been my misfortune TO be opposed on many
leading questions OF public policy that it with
purpose Of exultlng over them, with design to
wound their feelings, that introduced the pending
resolution was induced to bring il forward in no
spirit of triumph them but from deep sense OF
public duty-irom thorough conviction that the re-
peal OF this law is demanded by the voice of large
majority OF the people of the United States Nor do
think that gentlemen the other side should regard
this movement as in the least personal to them. We
are here as have former occasion had cause to
observe, trusteesa the agents Of the
people; bound IN all public course by sacred
gard to public sentiment, do not mean by public
sentiment every transient evanescent burst of popular
feeling, but that sentiment which is deliberately Geld
by the great body Of the people after they have had
time for reflection and have come to fixed and set
tied judgment And say that we are bound by this
public sentiment in all cases when the question before
US 10 hlOnet ana no lntractOn oil
the Constitution, or violation of oath of office is
in any way involved in decision When the ques-
ton Is simply question of conformity TO public
timent where, in all Chrstendom is it, on this or on
the other side OF the Atlantic, in any Government
calling itself Republican, in any country whore the
will Of the people is crushed by the iron arm
despotism that public sentiment deliberately made up
and clearly expressed, is not respected
am aware that the question "Subtrcasury or not, n
not the only issue made before the people in the
LATE thpr,,
portance entered into their decision Ii Is certainly
true that great variety OF topics argued in the
appeals made to the people by the other of the
two great political parties which divide the country
but, at the same time Is 1t not true that from Septem
ber 1897 to the close of the Presidential contest this
Of the Subreasury has every where been the
prominent, the leading, the paramount objection urged
against Mr. Van Buren's Administration And al
though prior issues, issues which existed before he
came into office, may have in degree contributed
to his defeat, man can hesitate to say with full
knowledge of the entire history of the late contest
that his adherence to this measure the proxmate
and immediate cause of his expulsion from power.
In the canvass which preceded the dismissal of the
elder Adams and the elevation of Mr.. Jefferson to
the Presidency great variety Of issues urged
on both sides. French influence was attributed on
the one sde and denied the other British inilu-
ence was in like charged, and denied desire
for the establishment of standing army--the too
rapid extension of the Navy-and many other topics
OF accusation were urged against those in power but
the one great and distinguishing measure Of that Ad
minis,ratlon which stood with mountain elevation
among the the sedton law the sedition law
And while the other causes of compla, mt were admit
ted, could it with truth he said by any man that the
sedlion law was not the leading the paramount cause
of the defeat of MIR. Adams Just in the late poll
teal contest; whatever other issues may have been
made, the financial policy of the Administraton-the
obstinate adherence to this sub Treasury scheme was
beyond all doubt the leading and immediate cause Of
Mr.. Van Buren's overthrow. At the battle OF Wa
NAT Arha txh HEB
turned Bonapartes approaching victory into defeat,
than it was the sub Treasury which drove Mr.. Van
Buren, from power.
put it, then, TO the candor Of gentlemen, whether
they ought not to conform their action here to the
public sentiment of The countryl Ought they to view
the repeal or continuance of this law matter per-
sonal to lhem} lfthey repeal the law what will they
do Merely execute the manifest will of the entire
American People Where then, is the cause of self
reproach, or OF reproach from any quarter But |
ask them, further, whether that respectful considera-
ton which IS due from every retiring Administration
to the wishes and feelings Of their successors ought
not to induce them to put out Of their way measure
utterly repugnant TO their views and feelings, ra-
Their than 10 compel them TO carry il into effect for a
single day Amid the vast changes which always
occurring and will again and again continue TO occur
in country free ours there shou Id be dis
position kindness and courtesy and consideration
toward those whom decided majority Of the People
have confded the reins of Government and not de-
light in thwartlng and embarrassing them because
they have succeeded TO the possession of power In
what condition will the Administration be placed
if this law shall not be repealed They will be
CURED to 90 with the salaries Of the Receivers
General provided those in those offices come up
to the standard laid down by Mr. Jeicrson or il not,
dispace the present ncumbents and appoint others
in their places. They must proceed TO erect the re-
naming sub Treasury buildings must employ clerks,
and on the Both June, while the pressure Of public
embarrassmcnts still continues enforce the ith pay
ment required by the bill to be made in gold. They
| .skL al. 4.
cumbrous machinery, a scheme of finance to which
they are themselves utterly and principle opposed
and, which, as they honestly believe, the will Of the
whole country has reprobated and condemned put
.,b. III l. thpga