The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-03-22
COURSE OF GENTLEMEN IN CONGRESS-

COURSE OF GENTLEMEN IN CONGRESS.
However we may disapprove and hold up to
public censure the course pursued by some gen
tlemen on the floor of Congress with reference
to the present Administration, we cannot iall u
appreciate the manly bearing and liberal views
of those who adopt different and, as we con-
ceye, much more patriotic course. Gentlemen
should bear in mind that whatever may be their
| sentiments towards the President as an lndlvid-
ual, he is the Chief Magistrate of the American
People, and as such is entitled to high consider
alton. With regard to the supplies for which
the Executive asks, they are not for himself
but for the public service, and the honor of Con-
gress is as much concerned in sustaining the
national credit as that of the President can pos
sibly be. yMe creditors Of The nation are I'M
paid, The honor of The country suffers, and 1t be-
comes the duty of every patriot to step forward
to the rescue, and see that the public faith be
kept inviolate. Congress knows and the coun-
try knows that, apart from the National Legls-
lature, the President has no power 10 raise
money that branch of the public duties having
been wisely left with the representatives of the
People If, therefore, protests be made at the
door of the Treasury for want Of means, the
odium of Withholding those means must attach
to Congress. As for the President and his Ca
binet, they can do no more than to disburse the
national treasure in accordance with the orders
of Congress, and, however Illuminating it may
be TO them as Americans to see the national
credit dishonored, they must be exonerated from
|
all blame in the premises. We cannot but ex-
press our decided appreciation Of some Of the
following sentiments expressed by Mr. BRowN,
of Tennessee, during the debate of Friday last,
as given below:
much less party speech, but to express his indvdi-
al views the questions imme datcly before the
mttee. He certainly felt much solicitude for the
credit and honor Of the country, and was deeply
anxious that the public faith should be saved from
the disgrace that now hung over it, But to vote for
the sale of bonds at home or abroad below par,
he could not. Nor could he vote to raise the interest
to more than SIX per cent or extend the time OF the
loan beyond the time mentioned by the Secretary
To give these votes in his opinion, would not be to
save the credit of the Government, but to sink it,
If Congress places credit below par, brokers and
bankers will do the The credit Of this Gov
eminent depends on the pulse of Congress in rela-
ton to taxation That pulse, he sorry to say,
was rendered weak by ''humbuggery.' There was
scarcely nerre left to do our duty What was our
duty 1t was to cut down expenses as low as we
could, Yes sir, low as possible. To make APP
preparations specific, the usage was in the days Of
the simplicity Of Republic. To cut down the
contingent expenses" the "incdenta expenses" and
the miscellaneous" expenses which only other
| names for wastefu extravaganza, and which is not
only exhaustng the Treasury of the nation, but is
wasting treasure still more valuablethe morals of
the country. Ina word, we should exercise honest,
unpretending economy.
| But, sir even economy will not pay arrearages or
liquidatc the past folly OF the Government debt
hangs us. 1t must be pald-and how Com
merce, almost eless, does not yield its accustomed
| tribute through the customs. Our currency is in
wretched condition. The planter, the farmer, the
laborer in the field and the shop not receiving his
due reward The consumption of imported articles
must decrease and our revenue from that
still sink lower. What must be done' In the name
of all the humbugs that flood the land what must be
done The duties must be rased-not for protection
no. The national honor does not hang that but
| on revenue. Whatever connexion a tariff may have
with the future prosperity of the country is not
the question 1t is revenue that demands our aten-
ton. The gentleman from Vermont Mr. EveretD
has told us that he will neither vote loan Treasu-
ry notes until means provided by the increase of
duties. After this strong ground, hope (sald MIR.
b. he will not delay action to inquire into questions
of protection. While the national honor bleeds the
manufacturing interests will surely not be the pri
mary consideration. Let duties be laid for revenue
and Incidental protection will be objected to but by
| few-certanly not by him. He hoped, in conclusion
that this bill would be speedily disposed of that il
may be passed without authority to sell the bonds be
low par and without increase of interest or al
improper extension of time. And he believed thai
proper and immediate action the subject of the
revenue would restore confidence and enable the ne
cessary amount to be raised to meet the engage
ments of the Government.