The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-08-28
II srs,rs UNITED sr4rrs AuGusr 10, 1871.

Mr. CLAY, ofKentueky. rose and addressed me
Senate as follows MIR. President, the ohi wnich
forms The presen subject Of deliberations had pass
d both Houses of Congress by decisive majorities,
and Ia conformity with the requirement OF the Con-
stituon was presented to the Presdent Of the United
States for his consideration He has returned II TO
the Senate in which il originated, according TO the
objection of the Constitution with message announc
ing hs veto of the BILL and containing his objections
10 its passage And the question now TO be decided
s Shall the bill pass by the required constitutional
majority of two-thrds, the Presidents objections not
withstandingf
Knowing, sir, but too we'll that no such majority
can be obtained and that the bill must fall, would
have been rejoiced to have found myself at liberty 10
abstain from saying word on this painful OCCASION
But the President has allowed me to give silent
vote | think with all respec, and Difference to him,
he has not reciprocaed the friendly spirit OF conces
sion and compromise which animated Congress N the
provisions OF this BILL and especially IN me modhca
lion Of the sixteenth fundamental condition Of the
bank He has commented think with undeseived
severity on that part of the bill he has used, am
sure Internationally, harsh, If not reproachfui, Ian
gunge; and he has made the very concession which
was prompted an a peace offering, and from friendly
considerations the cause of stronger and more deci
ded disapprobaton Of the bill Standing In the rela
ton to the bill which do and especiayto the excep
tionabe clause the duty which owe to the Senate
and to the country, and sefrespect impose upon me
the obligation of al least attempting the vndication Of
measure which has met with fate SO uninerited ana
80 unex pected.
On the 4th of April last the Iamented Harrison,
the President of the United States paid the debt OF
Nature President Tyler, who, as Vice President,
succeeded the duties Of that office, arrived IN the
city Of Washington on the 9th OF that MONTH lie
found the whole metropolis wrapt IN gloom, every
heart filled with an Sadness every eye stream
ing with tears, and the surrounding hills yet fingng
back the echo of the bells which were toed on that
melancholy location. On entering the Presidential
mansion be contemplated the pale body Of his prede-
cessor stretched before him. and clothed in The black
h.h Of laath nj MOI
NO doubt that the heart Of President Tyler was over
flowing with mingled emotions of grief OF patriotism,
and Of gratitudeabove ALL gratitude to that coun-
try by majority Of whose sufrages, bestowed a. the
preceding November he then stood the most dstin-
guished the elevated, the most honored Of all
living Wings Of the United States.
Ii was under these circumstances and in this pro-
babe state of mind that President Tyler on the lotn
day of the same month Of April, voluntarily promul-
gated Address to the People Of the United States
That Address in the nature of coronation oath,
which the Chief Of the State, in other countries, and
under other iorms takes upon ascending the throne
Ii referred to the solemn obligations, and the profound
sense of duty under which the new President entered
upon the high trust which had devolved upon him, by
the joint acts of the People and Of Providence, and
stated the principles and delneaed the policy by which
he would be governed in his exalted station II was
emphatically Wing Address, from beginning to end
every inch of il was Wing, and was patriotic.
In that Address the President in respect TO the sub
ec matter embraced in the present bill held the fol
promptly give my sanction TO any constitutional mra
sure which, originating in Congress- shall have for its
object the restoration OF sound circulating medium SO
essentially necessary TO give confidence In all the
transactions of life 10 industry its Just and
adequate repards, and to reesfablish the public pros
periiy In deciding upon the adaptation Of any such
measure the end proposed, nell its conformity
to the Constitution, shall resort TO the Fathers 81 me
great Republican school for advice and instruction, to
he drawn from their sage views of system Of Gov
ernment and the light of their glorious example,
To this clause in the Address of the President l
believe, but Interpretation was given throughout
this whole country, by friend and foe, by Wing and
Democrat and by the presses of both parties II was,
by every with whom conveTsed on the subject
at the time of its appearance, or OF whom have since
inquired construed to that the President intend
ed to occupy the Madison ground and to regard the
question Of the power 10 establish National Bank as
immovably settled. And | think may confidently
appeal to the Senate, and TO the country TO sustain
the fact that this was the contemporaneous and unani-
nous Judgment Of the Public Reverting back to the
period of the PRONUNCIATION Of the Address could any
other construction have been given its language
What is 81 shall promptly give my sanction to
any constitutional measure which, originating in
Congress- shall have certain defined objects in view.
He comedies the vital Importance of sound circalat-
ing medium to industry and the public prosperity.
He comedies that its origin must be in Congress- And
TO prevent any differences from the qualification, which
he prefxes 10 the measure being interpreted that
United States Bank was unconstitutional he declares
that in deciding on the adaptation of tho measure to
the end proposed and its conformity to the Constitu
ton he will resort the Fathers Of the great Repub
lican school. And who they II the Father Of
his country is TO be excluded, Madison, (he Fa-
iher of the Constntion) Jefferson, Monroe, Gerry,
Galatin, and the long list of Republicans who acted
with them not to be regarded among those Fathers1
But President Tyler declares not only that he should
appeal to them for advice and instruction. but TO the
light Of their glorious EXAMPLE. What exampel
What other meaning could have been possibly applied
TO the phrase, than that he intended to refer what
had been done during the Administrations of Jefer-
son. Madison, and Monroe
Entertaining this opinion Of the Address, came Il
Washington, at the commencement of the session
with the confident and buoyant hopes that thu
Wings would be able carry all their prominent, mea
sures, and especially Bank Of the United States BY
far that one OF the greatest immediate Importance.
anticipated nothing hut cordial cooperation between
the two departments of Government; and reflected
with pleasure that should find, at the head Of III,
Executive branch, personal and political friehd
whom | had long and intimately known, and highl,
esteemed. 1t will not be my fault If amicable re
niions should unbappy cease, in consequence of an,
difference of opinion between on this occasion
The President has been always perfectly familiar witt
my opinion this bank question.
Upon the opening Of the session. bot especially OF
the receipt ofthe plan of National NIX propose,
by the Secretary of the Treasury, fears excite,
that the President had been misunderstood in his Adj
dress, and that he had not waived but adhered to hi
constitutional scruples U,der these circumstance
it hoped that, by the indulgence Of mutual spiri
oil compromise ana concession, bank, competent U
fulfil the expectations and satisfy the of the PEG
pie might be established.
Under the influence Of that spirit, the Senate an,
the House agreed, ist to the OF the proposed
bank. ] confess, sir, that there something ex
cecdingy outree and revolving 10 my in the tern
Fiscal Bank" but, thought What is there in
namel rose, by any other name, would smell a
sweet" Looking, therefore, rather to the utility
the substantial faculties than to the of tho
tcmplatcd institution, we consented TO that which wa
proposed.
III As to the place Of location Of the bank AL