The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-03-12
MR.. CLAY'S RESOLUTIONS AND
SDEECII


MR.. CLAY's RESOLUTIONS AND
SPEECH.
From the note of preparation by which the
discussion of Mr.. Clay's resolutions was herald
ed, we had anticipated on the part Of that dis
tnguished Senator display of power superior
to any of the numerous and brilliant efforts by
which his political career has been Marked
This expectation was in part founded on the
general character of the resolutions themselves,
which seemed intended to afford scope for his
mastery intellect in discoursing on the almost
boundless field of State policy. In the antici-
pations thus formed we regret to say, we have
been much disappointed. Whether the disap
pointment thus experienced is to be traced to
inability on our part to appreciate the argument
of the speaker as it deserves, the country will Of
course Judge, but we deem it a duty to set forth
our objections, with all-becoming Difference to
the distingui ,hed individual, in order that we
may be relieved from any charge of prejudice
in the premises. AS for the general truth of
the positions assumed in the resolutions, there
will, we presume be but little difference of OPT
Mon, as they embrace abstract points, on which
all parties are so far as we are advised, perfect
ly agreed. That economy should be exercised
in the administration of all governments, and
particularly such government as ours, no one
will venture to deny, and that for several years
past the grossest profusion has existed, we, at
least, are ready to admit. That judicious re-
trenchment is the only corrective Of profusion is
as readily admitted, but as to what may be fairly
termed ludIcious retrenchment, there may be
difference of opinion; and it is on this point, as
well as some others, that we must differ from
the author Of these resolutions and found our
condemnation Of his speech as unworthy of so
great and enlightened statesman. In discus
sing the question, Mr.. G. seems TO have occu-
pied his time in looping off leaves and twlgs,
when his axe should have been laid at the root
of the evil. That Congress may have employed
more clerks than were necessary, and that more
paper has been used than was absolutely want
ed by the members, may all be, and undoubtedly
is true, but after all what do these amount to
when compared with the great principles on
which the Government has been conducted p
1t is not for such men as Mr.. Clay to go into
petty details about dollars and cents when mil
lions are involved, and we had hoped that in
stead of fitting at rats and mice and such small
deer, he would have launched his javelns at
nober game. No matter how much money has
been spent, the question is whether it has been
well expended, and whether the great interests
of the country have been faithfully and judi
ciously cherished and protected. Mr.. Van Bu-
rem is said to have expended on an average thr
ty-fve millions year. Is the country the bet
ter for it, or is it not now in an infinitely worse
condition than it was even when he assumed
the reins of Government? Where are the de-
fences of the land where the public works 2
where the perfection and thoroughness in the
performance of public duty, that might have
been expected with such an outlay Of treasurer
Let the dilapdated state Of our Notifications
the depressed condition of our navy, the neglect
and confusion apparent in every department OF
the civil service, answer the question. However
great may have been the abuse of public conf
dence on the part of Mr.. Van Buren's admins
traton its effect has only been to increase evils
that should not have existed, and enhance the
difficulties attending on the change of policy
introduced by his successors in office, and we
confess that, under all the circumstances of the
case, we were much surprised at seeing the OBJ
jections urged by Mr. Clay against the estimates
of the present heads Of departments, for the en-
suing year. The present Administration asks
for $26,OO0,OOO, instead of $35,O00,000, or
rather $4O,OO000O, expended annually by their
predecessors and yet we are told that their es-
Inmates are too high. For what, we ask, are
the $4,000, 900, which, by the way, is only
$4 900, 900 more than Mr.. G. thinks necessary,
with all his retrenchments in mileage, postage,
stationery, diplomacy, &C., required2 Are they
demanded for ordinary expenses, or such charges
as would have existed had the Government
been previously well administered ? No. For
tifcatons are to be built and repaired, the navy
is to be regenerated and enlarged, the organiza-
ton of the public offices is to be changed and
rendered adequate to the public wants, and for
all these only $26, 900 are asked being, as
we said before, an excess of only $4,OOOO00
over the sum for which the Senator from Ken
tucky hopes that the Government can be admin
istered. The item to which Mr.. G.. chiefly OBJ
iects in the estimates of the present Admins
tration, is that connected with the Navy Depart
ment, which is set down at $S,OOO,0OO, when
he thinks that perhaps $6,00O,0OO, or S6,5oOooO,
would be sufficient. In forming his comruta-
tons, did the distinguished Senator take into
account the existing foreign relations of the
country, and the change wrought in maritime
tactics by the introduction of armed steamers