The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-01-26
THE DEBATES IN CONGRESS.

THE DEBATES IN CONGRESS.
The debates in the two Houses Of Congress
during the past week have been interesting, and
IN many instances very able, exhibiting mark
ed degree Of native talent, general knowledge,
and information relative to public affairs.
The principal topic in the Senate has been the
land system, connected with several incidental
but highly interesting minor questions. In this
discussion Mr.. CRrTTENDEN, of KY, has borne
conspicuous part, which he has discharged
with degree of ability and tact, which have
much enhanced his already wide spread fame and
popularity. The continued attacks upon him of
Messrs. Wright, Buchanan, and others were
met and parted in manner that left the assail-
ants in a defensive position. The attacks of the
Globe upon this gentleman have been false and
unmannery The speech of Mr.. MANauM, of
N. c., which we published few days ago was
a production of high order Of merit That
of Mr.. PREsToN, of S. c., was characterized
by the ability and eloquence which have on
SO many occasions distinguished that gentle
man. Mr.. SMITH, of Indiana, brought to the dis
cussion a mind conversant with the subject,
and accustomed to augmentation. Mr.. WHITE,
of the same State, adduced variety of new
and edityng information, and presented many
very striking views Of the subject, in manner
highly animated and pleasing. The principal
speakers in opposition were Messrs. WRIGHT,
BENTON, CALHOUN, and BUCHANAN, and the de-
bate was continued on Saturday by Mr.. WEB
sTER, in reply to Mr.. CALHOUN, and yesterday
by Mr.. ALLEN, OF Ohio.
On the occasion of Mr.. WEBsTER's speech, on
Saturday, the Senate Chamber was crowded
with auditors in every part. Mr. CALHOUN con-
sumed the first hour or two of the morning in
speech, which we must say was wholly unsatis-
factory to us, and from which we were unable
to CLEAN one solitary substantial reason, why his
proposition to cede the public lands to States in
which they lie, ought to be for moment consid-
cred by the Senate The same gentleman de-
nounced the antagonist proposition, as unconsti-
tutiona and inqutous,
Mr.. WEBSTER followed Mr. Calhoun, to notice
merely, as was inferred from the tenor of
his Introductory remarks, few of the points
Senator progressed, however, the subject seem
ed to grow IN importance in his hands, and he
was soon launched into one of the most able and
brilliant displays of eloquence and logic, that it
has ever been our good fortune to witness The
effect upon the audience was shown in the re-
markable silence and attention which prevailed,
and the very audible applause which on one oc-
cason could not be repressed, and which no one
Of either party seemed at all disposed TO rebuke.
The effort was characterized by gush of pa
triotic feeling, comprehending in its sympathies
the whole country, North, South, East and
West, the States as sovereignties, and, as unit
Land looking to their present interest and honor,
and to their future glory. Its sentiments worthy
of an AMERICAN, in the largest sense were en-
forced by an eloquence Of manner, and soldty
Of argument, only equalled by the pure English
undefled," in which they were spoken. Since
the celebrated controversy with Gen Hayne, we
doubt if Mr.. Webster has achieved so great
performance.
Mr.. Webster maintained that the power of
Congress, over the subject the public domain
was derived from that part Of the Constitution
which expressly places the territory belonging to
the u S. under the control Of the National Lee
gislature, and that too without Limitation. In
addition to this, Congress had general power
to collect revenue by taxes, and both powers
were to be exercised in sound discretion.
To guide and direct this discretion, Congress
might look, first, to the object of the original
grants of these lands for the use of the States,
and the equity arising therefrom; second, TO the
powers Of the General Government and the
State Governments, and especially to the mpor
tant fact that the States had parted with the
,rhole Of their original power Of collecting re-
venue for their own purposes by duties on goods
imported and, third, to the actual condition Of
many Of the States in regard TO debts
| He deprecated the constant appeals that were
made TO the new States, for the regency oil
States was a line rapidly receding from the VI
sion, and all the States were bound together BY
a common interest.
He deprecated the exclusive appeals TO the in
terests of the cotton and tobacco conversion
labor and manufactures, were products as well
as cotton and tobacco, and the interest of abo-
rers and mechanics are to be regarded as wei as
those of the capitalist and planter.
He was for maintaining the public faith and
morals, and for paying our debts and obligations