Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-02-18
Cerespendenes Of ths Irhig.


Nothing Of interest in Congress, to day. The
principal matter was the District Bank Bill FOR the
relief Of the Banks here and in the vicinity, which
passed the Lower House by considerable majo-
rity.
There was quite an interesting debate in the
Senate on yesterday, on the proposition Of MIR
Pierce. Of New Hampshire. respecting the New
York Custom House Iuveslis ,tion. The discussion
was marked by much pleasantly and good feeling,
and by some indications of cheering character.
Both parties seemed determined 10 probe this rotten
business to the bottoms and when the probing opc-
ration shall have been performed. there will be foul
matter developed in any quan,ty. Mr. Clay denied,
peremp,orily, the right Of tie President apart from
legal provision, TO institute these Commissions Of
Investigation. II was a stretch OF power, he said
justified by precedent, oLly, which ought TO lie ar
rested, for the future, by proper legislative enact
ment. He did no, charge the uipalon rs pecu-
liar to Mr. Tyler; or the contrary, it had been the
usage Of several Administrations, which made il bu,
The moro proper that the matter should become the
subject of legal provision. And yet the notion is
indus;sousy circulated, that Mr Clay is one of rhoss
politicians whose view, Authoritarian that he
scarcely regards the Constitution at all. could
Wish that some OF our brawnS, insane State Rights
puriss had The same holy regard foe the Charter of
our Liberties tina; Henry Clay possesses. While his
cspicious ard s,atesmanlike mind is no; trammeled
/ by that silly characterization which i, so unsuted
to the breathing world he is as deeply mbued, as
any msn living with the broad .rri, of Freedom,
and as well understands the S-ea, fundamental prin-
cples th,i lie al the foundations OF civil liberty
lie is one Of these great Statesmen, who aim at the
,k..,, ~
TO the practical affairs Of human life system of "a.
,ioraliiy rather than the subile,y OF har-sp,ing
metaphysics Hi, is that rational system, which is
adapted to the imperfect exis;cuces around us, net
the U,opin fabric Of moon-s,ruck sentimental lists;
and while some Of the renowned intellecis of the
Union are sacrificing the prosperity and the very
honor OF the nation 10 an unmeaning and unreal alb
s,rac,orism, the great statesman Of the Yves, would
ties; AID govern the policy OF the tie country by a
plain common sense standard. lndeei the bcseitins
error ofihe diyis absrae;onisn. I, has brought in
ca!culsble evil on the country. Had CONNER sense
prevailed rather than political meta physics, the Old
Bank ofihe U. States had never gone down, and the
country would have been spared much OF tina, ca
lamiiy which has srievousy afflicted il from 1911 TO
,hi, day. Had the Bark Charter been renewed in
1911, there would have been no inordinais and i'm
polite augmentation OF State Banks. and if there
had been no inordnste multiplication of State
Banks, the monetary system of the country would
, not have become eniangled and complicated as it
now is, and all that portion OF the public suffering
which has resulted from depre cinied and redundant
currency and confused exchanges, would have been
wardsd off, To this same spiri, OF foolish puri,m
we owe ruch ofour present difficulties. II the soft,
narrow minded Creature that now fancic. himself the
very Solomon Of the land, had possessed tenth
par; Of ;yihe OF the plain wisdom Of Harry Clay.
he had never sacrificed the fiscal Hills Of the Extra
Session 10 the acquisitions of few strnisht.laced
s;ieklers for imaginary principles. But am travel
ing oil liom the point at which started. So will
dispose Of the topic by reuarking, tbs; it s sin
guar Circumstance in tie public life Of SIR Clay,
lha: en- al occasions, he has shown hmsslfan enemy
10 prefogslive-lhst 20 Executive Power The great
danger, after all, to free instiuions-he has
proved himself through lons hie devoted TO the
public service, an Incorporating and unsparing
foe. II once he has been OIL the eide or Power
against the People, LEI the occasion be pointed out,
MIR Buchanan, it gives rae pleasure TO state agreed
IN opinion with Mr. Clay TO the constitutional
power Of the Presiden; in respect 10 the institution
Of the Investigating Commission.
There was nothing very consolatory fox the Pre-
sdenI in this interesting debate. AL the speakers
admitted hat &c had no party in Congress to carry
GU. his measures, and hey regretted That such wa,
the unfortunate condition of the country. Myself,
almost doubt the right of tie country to claim the
sympaihies OF any for having placed so inferior
man as John Tyler in a position for even the con.
;ingency OF his reaching The Presidency. Never OF
,,ek -. e. II
his nomination a. Harrisburg, pros.ated in the very
dirt by his snominious course, in 1882 during the
tendency OF the Senatorial election, it is surely to
be wondered a. that even hi, poor name came to b..
placed along side OF tina, OF the illusriou, Harrison.
But i. is useless to ''grieve for split milk but
rather conjecture that are laugh, lesson in tie
selection OF Vice Presidents which We shall no, coon
forget.
a little incident occurred while this debate was
pe'ding, which is not likely to b. very interesting
except that the impudence and III breeding which
it disclose, ough, TO be published in every paper in
the land to provoke the kissing Icorn Of al! who
| detesI impetinenee.
Mr.. Clay remarked, in the course Of his speech,
Iha; Congress had manifested all possible dispo,.
ton 10 harmonic with the Executive, and tina, the
second fiscal bill or the Extra Session. was framed
with referens. to the views OF MIR Tyler. At thi.
point, Mr. Benion, (whose seat 10 near MIR Ciny's)
remarked, in an under tone, Tut audible TO those
around him-"That is the fact We have high eyi.
dence Of lhal'-or words 10 this effect. Towhich
Mr. Robert Tyler, who was Standing near, replied,
in a distinct tone, Undressing himself to gentle.
mln hear) Chat is id lie." DO not give YOU
this as fumour-it 10 fact for which am responsi-
be. The remark was made in the hearing OF Sc.
veral members Of Congress, is now the subject OF
common talk in the city, and the making Of /, was
duly communicated to tho President Of the Senate,
FOR such action the case nigh, bs deemed TO re.
quife. ! suppose, tha, ss the Father vcn,urcd TO
give the lie to three Secretaries, the son might take
the small liberty Of giving the Odd liop to orc
Senator. Besides, the young gentleman has lately
written "Ahasuerus," and is, Doubtless 90 lifted up
by his own inspiring Toys, as TO feel himself above
the observance Of tho ordinary rules Of good breed
ing. "Pn's" poetic son had better take cure les, he
lose bis privilege Of tho Senate floor; and If an
not misirformed, we shall al soon see, whether
THAT is id Ito" or not; for venture 10 guess
that ere many days eapse, somebody pretty high
IN place, II not in tho popular respect, will be roast.
ing on grdiron, which will throw him into awful
eoniononS, unless paralysis Of oil feeling has Ia
ken place.