Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1841-09-18
DEBATE ON TIRE VETO.
MIR. RIyEs.s SECOND SPEECH

the Veto Message
Mr. Rives rose and said he must DO permitted 10
express ms surprise ut the extraordinary eIhIbi-
ton OF vehemence we had Just Witnessed from the
Senator from Kentucky lie was Who'll
~ nj n loss 10 Conjecture what there was in any
thing he had aid To provoke ~ towering On out
break OF wrath and eloquence. In the remarks he
had made IN reply 10 the honorable Senator he had
limited himself strictly 10 a defence Of a high pub.
iie innc'ionary, who hal felt himself called on by
the most solemn Of oil obligations to exert a great
conservative power placed in his hands by the
Constitution ct his country, against animadversions
and reprolches which he believed in his conscience
were altogether unmeriied. II was an net of
justice which ! should have despised myself (Said
MIR R) II | could have set still in my scat with the
materials OF justification 10 nbundantly existing in
my own knowledge. and have withheld from the
hnmbles' OF my fellow citizens, when thus assail-
ed.
The Senator from Kentucky may have jealousies
and suspicious in his mind rs 10 my course here:
bat. II he has, permit me to say TO him he does me
great injustice. ] concur. with all cheerfulneSs. in
he seliaPpnoving sentiments he has pronounced.
with 80 much emphasis, IN regard TO his own high
character for courage and patriotism, I am tho last
person. let hum be assured. that would impugn. in
any manner. his just claims upon the consideration
and respect Of his country. But, while | admire.
and render the homage due 20 his cou rage aud pat
roiism. as we'll rs his distinguished talents. he will
excuse me for saying ] cannot agree 10 take my les
suns m political ethics from one who, invoking The
name OF Deity and pointing In heaven. boldly inti.
maies that ho would win his way even la that holy
place by n violation Of the Constitution he had
sworn 10 support, and who holds it up rs the high.
at act OF public viuue 10 irample under foot that
Sicred instrument when IL may be supposed To
stand IN the way Of some pecnniary interests Of The
country,
The Senator shakes his head. But, sir. Is this
| not IA tnTr mud unpNnUgerated sfatonant 81 th. ,a..p
The bill which the Senator from Kentucky would
have had the President 10 sign. his convictions To
The contrary Notwithstanding, is one which the
President most deliberately believes is a violation
OF ihe Constitution which, when entering upon his
office. he took u solemn oath 10 preserve, protect,
and defend" Yet the Seaalor from Kentucky, ns.
suming (gntuitously as | humbly think that a ma
J'1iy OF the people are in favor OF this measure,
(which, rs showed when l addressed the Senate.
before, had not even been approved by q majority OF
iher Representatives. insists that The President
ought TO have carried out this imaginary will of The
majority ia despite ofhis owl deep-ruotcd cunvic-
ions oi The uncunstiiuiionaliiy OF the act. and IN dis
regard Of The solemn sanction OF his official oath.-
lithis he the political cusuh iryofIhe honorable Senator
from kentucky, ] must say, with all my respect for
the Distinguished Senator. I cannot consent 10 take
him Tor my guide and instructor in n question @
constitutional obligation. | choose rather humble
rs the comparison may seem To the honorable Sen
f ~ ~ aAu ANlllDAG VI ghAlll
81 Tyler. who. ia needing The 'slill small voice Of con.
science" amid the impotunare clamors Of party die.
: Iation, and in manlnlly standing by what he belle.
YES TO be The Constitution Of his country in The ince
of threatened deuuncialion, has exhibited a moral
courage as high, and heroism Of principle as un.
dannted. and certainly rs worthy Of Inc respect and
Z applause OF n moral and religious people, jealous OF
Their liberties and loyal TO The great char er which
= sec ure them. as tint species Of latiIudinnrian bold.
ness which sacrifices principle 10 eIpediency, aud
(which coniOunds conscience ia publiC affairs with
lPrde, vanity, egsESRi. and even cTime. and which
we have Just heard so vauntingly celebrated in the
her"ic strains o.. The Senator's eloquence as pubic
Z rue i viii venture tn say further. Mr. President
uiAi a large majority ofIhe American people. whe-
lher they agree'~ith Mr. Tyler or not in his Gun.
siruciion of the Constitution. have too habitnal n
respect Tor conscientious opinions and principles OF
ACTON not 10 honor the integrity and firmness with
Which, nj every hazAnl To himself pc rsonally he
has sought, IN the faithful discharge OF the solemn
Obligations of his oath Of office. 10 mIIntiin the
Constitution of his country inviulaIe.
The Senator has INDUCED his fIncy in regard Ia
" certain odbdI which he snys IL is alleged by Ru
mof gan authority he seems prone 10 quote Of late
has been iOrmed for the wicked purpose Of brcnk.
ing up the regular CabineI aud dissolving The Wing
party. Though the Senator is pleased Ioacqnll me
OF being n member Of this supposed ooLal, he .av,
he should inter. from the zeal and prompI;lude viii
which l have come forward 10 delepS to m,,;yo,
anu conduct Of the President, that [ was nj leost
member oil his priUy coWnS l. THANK God. Mr. Pre-
"Sen'' una 10 ms gr'tious goodness he has beer
~uSeu 10 give me q heart To repel Injustice and I,
uelenu 'hc innocent, without being laid under an,
'fe''aI engagement as a privy councillor or other
"Se' 20 do justice to my ~fellow-man; and il there b,
Fay gentleman who cnnnot find in ihe consciousness,
OF hiso own bosom a satisfactory explanation Of so nat
u'hi nm impulse i. for one, envy him neither hi
temperament nor his philosophy. II Mfr TYLER. II
HltdQ oil being n nUgfunouraknI -. II 60
S'ate' and hllIng. Ut this moment. a station Of IN,
hosl halnlul responsibility, wh ich entities him to
candid Interpretation Ofhis official acts at the bopd,
OF al Mss counirymen, had been a total sironper
unAnown 10 me IN the relations Of private or pol ii
"a 'nehuship' ! should yet have fell myself irresis
'oiy impelIed by the common sympaIiies Of hu
mainly TO undertake hs defence, TO the he,t oc m,
poor ability. when l have seen him Ibis day 90 DOW
eHdIIy assailed for nn act, rs I verify believe. q
CONSCIENTIOUS devotion to the Constitution of hi,
country and the sacred obligation Of his high trust.
Inc honorable Senator complains that, in nv re-
ply 10 him' ] unJusily represented him as cen.nrinp
shd arraigning the conduct OF the Chief Maqistpts
lie asks u he used any such language rs De,sdy
dld not say that he used the pord per6iy. but ina
ms al egaiIons resolved themselves substantially in.
10 The charge ofperfdy againsi.ihs President And
- not This iruei / appeal 10 those who heard him
and ! would appeal 90 The honorable Senator him.
sen' ~ his cooler moments, ifiwO thirds OF his speech
''ssAW hmpulaliOHF, more or less direct
on ihe President. for violation OF his fai,h, erprsss or
IMPLIED, 10 his party ard The couniryl Did he not
begin his speech with reading and dwelling mon a
passsee ~ the Inaugural address Of the President.
~hlch he cOntended amounted 20 an engagement 10
me nation to sign such o bill rs had been presented
" hhmf u 70. what - his veto message. now be.
lore Us but a violation Of that engagement or IN
o'hef words a breach Of faith. an act Of perGdy 10
NE naiioni Again, did not The honorable Senator
y ue course which the President has now lnken
could have been anticipated. either by The Harris.
Jug |OnNe"1on or BY The People Of The Iolls. he
would not have received on individual vote in the
,o'nef or a single electoral vote from lbr laner'-
Does n"i this imply a disingesuous supprcssiod SINE.
lug IKE o fraudulent concealment Of his opinions
y Ihe Pfcsdent. which, n true. would. under The
circumstances have been grossly inconsistent with
ne principles Of gDUd faiih' How Iiule foundation
mere is Tor ony such impuiation. hauer myself 4
uu., nave fully demonstrated n The satisfaction Of.
he senate ~ the remarks I had The honor !, make
~ reply TO The FIRST speech of the Senator from Ken.
lucky "" me-"
The hwwl--nH- -.