The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-04-09

ness of the leader the subserviency fihc led. And
oh, sir could that honest and unsuspec,ing people
cast glance behind tAe curtain which conceals
the controlling spirits of this scene not even the
dry linsel of sumed patriotism in which they stand
enrobed nof the gaudy gauzes Of affected purity which
bedeck their deformity, could for one moment save
them from the whitening, bhghting, blasting gaze OF
that indignant and betrayed CONS ituency.
And let not gentlemen fs,ter themselves that can
be deferred from an exposure of these things by a
dread Of their displeasure The weak and blunder-
ing policy pursued at that extra session cllngs like
poisoned garment to the country and even the giant
strength of the people is wasting beneath its banelul
influence. N liNi ts.i-tt 5tNt
perceive, sir that gentlemen are becoming restless
under this investigation. Let them keep cool l, sir,
am perfectly cain, notwithstanding the murmured
dscontents and unusual and unnecessary Interrupt
TONS | will give the People lille insight into
things hitherto shrouded in mystery.
You wished to pass the Distribution bill, and IN
order to do So you found it necessary to entr into
bargains and secret understandings with the advocates
of the Bankrupt bill. And even then you could not
secure lis passage through TIE other branch OF Con
gTess without adding your evasive and deceptive com
promise clause, that if the duties imports exceeded
twenty per the distribution should cease to ope
rate. sf
For political purposes and seemingly under the pre-
tsnce of amending or repeating the Bankrupt bill
you provided that it should 60 into effect until the
first day of February and what was the consequence
NO sooner MAD Congress me-, IMAM many memoo'e
who had voted for that bill under secret promise IN"
it should be amended or modified finding that these
PROMISES about to lie violated, undertook to re-
trace their steps and repeal the bill and after days OF
fierce contest majority Of thirty-one members voted
for its repeal showing plainly that the measure never
did have the deliberate sanction of the House. and YET
it. is a law.
This is specimen of the legislation of the extra
session, which gentlemen pride themselves What
is the result OF your twenty per cent clause
to the Distribution act. You knew full well that
twenty per cent. upon imports would not give you
revenue sufficient for the wants Of the Government
An honorable Senator from Kentucky MIR. Clay
had shown that beyond dspute yet you adopted that
proviso, through the agency of the caucus system
And now part of you insisting on distribution,
regardless of the proviso while another portion are IN
sistlng that deliberate pledge that the duties
should not exceed that limit without repeal of the
Distribution act, and murmuring daily complaints
about deception and want of faith. Thus are you
surrounded and beset with difficulties of your own
creation. Such will always be the effects of nsincere
and unfair legislation. And when the Tariff bill
comes up for discussion you will hear crminaton and
recrimin aton and heart-burnings and accusations,
and thus will business be again delayed
will spare gentlemen from an expose of the mans
ner in which the Revenue bill was passed. believe
that is the title by which that hing is in courtesy
called. II were not now seriously inclined, would
relate some rather amusing facts connected With its
rise and progress how by decision, duties on
tea and coffee inserted in the bill, and how, by
caucus reconsideration they stricken out again
In the Senate; and what astonishing effect was
produced upon the iron Of very dauntisss poll
ticans, by the potent protest of the coee-p.ts and
pots of the good old ladies of the country But,
sir the gravity of the occasion permits not O. augh
like mirth.
ITO be continued