Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1841-05-19


rom Alabama, and late President Of the Sem |
lte,) Mr. Richardson, (late Chief Justice of
New Hampshire,) Mr. Robertson, of Louisiana |
md many others of the warmest supporters of
he Administration of Mr. Madison; and they |
voted with Mr. Webster; and there is no more
truth in this charge against Mr. Webster than
IL the same CHARGE, should it be made against
Mr. Eppes, the chairman of the committee Of
Ways and Me ms, son-in-law Of Mr. Jefferson,
and leader of the then Democratic party in the
House of Representatives.
3. On the 25th Of March he voted against
the bill to call forth the militia TO execute the
laws ofthe Union, and repel INVASION"
This is wholly mistake or ms-statement.
The Journal ofthe 25th of March shows no
such question voted upon, or peGding.
4. On the LIST oil December, only few
days before the meeting of the Hartford Com
vention, he voted against bill to provide adj
ditional revenue fer defraying the expenses of
the Government and maintaining the public
credit"
This reference to the Hartford Convention
is merely for effect, and to make unfair and
false impressions, as it is known to all, who are
not wiIfully ignorant, that Mr. Webster had no.
thing to do with the Hartford Convention.
The opponents ofMr Webster have been,
again and again, challenged in vain to the
proof that he was in any manner connected
with the Hartford Convention, its origin, or its
proceedings. Nosuch proof has been or can
be presented And yet the charge so falsely
made, and so often refuted, continues to be re-
peated.
As for the rest of the fourth allegation,it on
" appears that MIR Webster was in very
small minority against bill LAYING taxes on
various articles, TO some of which taxes there
were very serious objections, however impor-
tant the object, while money could be raised IN
other modes.
The bill proposed direct tax upon various
articles. Il lad duties upon sales at auction,
on the postage of letters, on licences TO retail
wines, on licences TO retail spirituous liquors
and foreign merchandise, on carriages for the
conveyance of persons, and on plate, harness,
sc. II is but fair to ascrlbe MIR Webster's vote
against this bill to his objection to the form Of
some ofthe taxes, because the Journal shows
that, a few days before, he voted in the aftirma-
tive on a proposition TO increase other taxes.
The yeas and nays gwen in the journals
show that the vote on the tax bill referred to
was not, by any means, a test of parties, or
party vote most of the leading opposition
members having voted in the affirmative. The
journal of the 26th of October, 18l4,shows that
MIR Webster proposed and voted for some of
the taxes provided for this bill, but, as he dis
approved ofother taxes contains d in it, voted
against the whole bill.
5. "On the 10th, he voted to postpone in
definitely bill authorizing the President ofthe
u. States to call upon the several States for
the respective quotas Of militia to defend the
frontier against INVASION"
6. "On the 18th he voted against the same
BILL"
The answer to these stands on the same
ground as those ofsome ofthe preceding. The
reason is not given, but the debate shows a
reason, fair and honest, at least, whatever may
be thought of its strength and validity. MIR.
Webster never gave vote against defending
the country, against repelling invasion. or "a
gainst executing the laws. He was as ready
to defend the country as the warmest patriot,
and we have seen stated, what is no doubttrue,
that, when Portsmouth, the town in which he
then lived, was supposed to be in danger OF
an immediate attack by the enemy, he was
placed, on the nomination of John Langdon, at
The head ola committee raised for its defence.
In Mr. Webster's speech, list March, 1888,
in reply TO Mr. Calhoun he challenged that gen.
.leman to show that he ever gave an unpatriot-
C vote during the war, or at any other time
lie admitted that, ,5ih Mr. Calhoun, he had
preferred to carry on the war with England
IN ihe ocean, and had indicated that preference
by his votes, as had Mr. Calhoun and others.
L is well known that. on the occasion referred
w ebster for nearly thirty years III Congress,
md who well knew what his votes were du-
hog the war, was perfectly silent when this
was made.
Z. "He also voted against bin to provide
additional revenue for the support of the Gov
'rnment and the public credit, and also against
IN appropriation for rebuilding the Capitol,
which had been destroyed by the enemy"
The answer given to the fourth charge is the
answer to the seventh, except that under the
1th head is contained, also, a very disingen-
Gus charge-that Mr. Webster, also against
4 bill to provide for the rebuilding OF the Capt.
.ol, after It had been destroyed by the enemy.
The unlairness and falsity of this charge are
shown by an examination Of the record. The
Journal shows the following legislation in res
pect to rebuilding the Capitol 1t is to be re-
however, that, in consequence of
domestic calamity, MIR Webster did not take
his seat in Congress, in 1S14,mtil the l5 day
Of October. On the 26th September, Mr..
Fisk, Of New York, distinguished friend of
the Administration of Mr. Madison, moved for
a committee to inquire into the expediencv
OF removing the seat of Government, during The
session OF Congress, to place Of better securi-
ty and less inconvenience" The motion pre-
vailed ayes ~, noes 81. This was not a par
ty vote, as the record shows.
On the Sd Of October, the committee re-
ported that it is inerpedient, at this time, to
remove the sc at OF Government" but Mr. Fisk
to amend the report by striking
out the word inexpedient," and submitting
" expedient." On this motion the vote stood
6S to GO, and the speaker, (Mr Cheves,) de-
clarng himself for The amendment,it was adop-
ted, and the amended resolution was referred
TO Committee ofthe whole House.
October 4. The order ofthe day on this SUBJ
ject being called for, Nr Newton moved its in.
definite postponement This was neratived:
yeas go, lays II, and not party vote, as the
journal shows.
October 8. The report Of the committee,
having been reported back to the House from
the Committee Of the Whole House, was ia
ken up, and, on the question to agree to it, the
vote stood, ayes 70, and II noes. So the re-
commencing, the removal of the seat of Gov
eminent from Washington to some more con-
venient place, was agreed to, and committee
was appointed to bring in BILL
October ID. Mr. Fisk reported bill for the
temporary removal ofthe seat of Government.
On the 18th October, Mr. Webster took his
scat for the first time for that session, and on
this day the question was taken upon a motion
to reject the bill, and it was negatived ayes
rs, noes 70, Mr. Webster voting in the mega.
tive; that is to say, he voted against the re-
jecting ola bill, brought in by leading friend