Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-02-05
Cervsspsnisnes Of iAs MAR.

Ia the Senate, this moraing, AIR Buchanan held
the floor on the Resolutions OF MIR Clay. proposing
amendments Of the Constitution, and in opposition
TO any modification Of tho Veto power. His speech
was able-for Mr. b., besides being a good speaker
a gentleman OF fine abilities, and is both an no.
noe and an ornament to his party. I cannot under.
take TO say Whit will be the fate OF the Resolu
tons Were to venture prediction, I should
say, that the Senate will be found adverse to any
alteration Of the Constitution, far as the vetc
is concerned. profess not to be competent judg,
in such weigh,y matters; but to me il does seem
mat the Veto power, as now regulated, is nconsist
eh' win the true theory of popular government,
ana with the Just principles Of Civil Liberty. And
docs further appear ID my mial that the history
OF the last six months ami the present unfortunate
condition of the country, furnish an incon,roveHibls
arsumen, 10 favor OF Mr. Cay's view of the subject,
Here we arc, with all the resources tina, can bless
Nation, the helpless victim, Of an extraordinary
u's'rcss every interest of the country Frustrated,
the people groanng under weight OF oppression
next to intolerabc. ready almost, in the agony .oi
their suffering, to fly to violent means for relief
aud yet all this state Of pressure AMI affection, is
the fruit OF one mans doing, The reprs sen,,tves
OF the peoplc-fresh from their very mds,-wi,b
instructions OF the highest kind the loud voice o
an i'l-treated, borne down and indisn,n pcople-
assembled, aye, called together for the exnr.,
purpose OF min'sterins TO the coun,ry's necess,e,
by system OF measures to be adapted to tina, han.
py emu. The wisdom Of the nation consrega,ed
entered, with high hope, upon its patriotic task.
chmeto satisfactory results; sed measures VIII oh
n'u oeen tested by time and experienc,-,he very
measures that, in times gon, by, had fully, amplv
secured the prosperity AMI honor of the coun,rv-
ana yet all this work Of wisdom aud patriotism is
'nnhila,ed in breath, by the oper,;on If m. one
man power! One fral, weak minded. deuIed
seIn'n uemisosue is allowed to set aside the united
wisdom OF large mNiory Of the Representative,
OF great and enlightened people. II proof more
convincing OF the impoicy of this m,n,rchic,l pre
rogatve be required, man mus, be of hard faith in
deed. II we could have any reasonable as,nr,n,e
that the power would be always, or even ccncr,u,
exercsei for the public advantage Their. mich,
not be so much reason for complaint But a.. b,v,
no such assurance. We are fallen upon evil
times Ambition rules the hour. Party suprem,
'y anu personal asgrandzsnen, aro become IN.
encs OF political acton-;he use of the Veto. the
instrument OF ch'ctin, the unworthy objects aimed
NJ. Here Is man now ruling oar destiny and ru,.
ing US, too, with n rod of iron. who by his whole
conduct has made i, m,nifest that the good of his
country has never once entered his ambition
struck braini Who rs all must and do know has
never taken his eye for one moment of the next
Presidency; and who exercised the Veto in relation
To The bank bills with sole reference to Loco Fo,o
interest; soush, to be prppiti,,ei by the act. For
one, have NJ idea that the hapoiness of n ,r.,t
people like ourselves, sI,l hang By the senner
thread OF one mprtal's nod, for sad experience de-
nonsirntes that II is not the wise and good TINT we
are always TO have in the Chief Magistrates s,,.
ton.
But TO return TO the narrative Of Congressional
proceedings. The House OF Representatives is still
the theatre of scene which no friend to the d,n;,v
and quiet OF the country can contemplate vtbon,
deep regret. This morning, soon after IN. pce,;,,
~ the House, a motion was made TO lay the subiec,
oil consuming Mr. A iams on the table. which w,s
'ost-ayes 81, nays liz. Mr. Adams then submit,
'eu our resolutions c'ling for certain information
from the Executive Department, which, he ,,;d
was necessary for his defence Til. first ,hre, of
his series were adopted by small m,i,ri,iss. SOM,
less the subject be otherwise DISPOSED of we ore -
have abundance OF speaking yet, when the gentle
man from Massachusetts shall open his new bpd,e,
Inc fourth resolution of the SERIES pr,oosing call
on the Executive for a letter supposed IN have hoe,
written by the P'esiieni, during the E,,r, Session
70 MIR Cost Johnson. of Mi, cDmin, M. Mr. Wis,
moved an amendment thereto, calling on the Er,eu
tive 10 communicate whitevsr informition the nah
TIC archives might furnish in relation 10 a ch,rse
said 10 have been once made by Mr. Adams In NJ,
Jefferson, concerning attempt of cert,in Sor,bern
eder''ts to dissolve the Union. So you perceiv.
That the discussion is no, likely To want for irri,atng
matter Fortunately, the 4ih Resolution, together
win the prop'sei amenimsnt, was. by a large
'o'e' laid upon the table, where may it ,ors slum
Der in peace.
MIR Adams then proceeded in his defence. and
ook OCCASION, to the sincere qualification of all lover.
d quiet and calmness, to define his position. "A.
declared, most unequvocally. before Heaven and
he country, that he was no Abolitionst that he.
10 more than any Southern man, flvoured the mad
resigns Of the antI-Savery families Of the North
ha' IRON his place. he would say 10 his consti,u |
ntS, that 1t they sent their Numerous petitions N
ilm' under the belief that, the merits. he would
us'a'n their views, they were widely mistaken
hat no man revered the Union more than b;usoIr
hat, IN public life Of sixty years, he had don. M
r'' nor oreathed one sentiment, disoyal to the |
Jn'on; that he presented the petition now in oues
'on' as he did all Abolition petitions. as m,,,er NJ
representative duty; that he regarded the rirb, NJ
'euton as sacred, and tina, il was in deCerenc. IN
ne great principle Of the popular right of petition
md to the representative duty that he thus acted
nd on no other motive Whatever. Such were the |
1plicI' avo~als Of Mr. Adams. must confess IN,
'hen heard these declarations from the venerable.
I'd man, MADE with all appearance ofsoemnitv and
arnestnoss was disposed to throw the mantle NJ
Marty over his eccen,rcities, and forgive him.
ave never, indeed, permitted myself to cherish IN
Yards him the feeling of deep m entity which some
Gem to enertNn concerning him
When MIR A. took his seat, Mr. Summers. Of V,
h'ained the floor, and hking the advantage of the
ivourable moment presented by the softenino cY
osIuon OF Mr. Adams moved to refer the vVhole
Inject to special Committee, 10 report what. nm.
or all tho circumstances Of the case, m ght he pro
er TO be done. Had the vote been ,nken \, the
's'an', there is no doubt that the motion Of MIR
you'd have prevailed by an overwhelming ma ioritv
nd Mr. 5. would have gained the credit of trans.
'rnng this mos, agi,ntng SUBJECT to a moro pence.
al tribunal, AMI OF forwarding the important bust
ess OF the session. But Mr. Gmer, Of your STATE.
ppealed 30 earnestly to Mr. s. to Withdraw the
rcvious question (which Mrs. had made bofo,e
king his seaO that ho Mr. s. would not resist. and
ccordIngy Withdrew his cal, for the previou, ou.,.
on. Mr. Gilmer then went into defence Of his