The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-03-10

appointment OF the Secretary Vi INC iiea'"'J "N
he transferred to Congress, addressed the House IN
substance as follows;
Ma. CHnRMAN OF all the epochs that marked the
nrogress of Democracy III ancient Rome, none was
more interesting in ITSELF or more important IN It's
consequences than the institution OF the lriouhes
When the people were ground to the dust by the re-
lentess tyranny of naughty Senate when they
who fought the battles of their country were forced
into slavery or dragged into warehouses ana prisons
when private right and public liberty were saier
abroad than at home and amongst the enemies OF le
Republic than their own teow-citizens, the oonsu-
tuition afforded no hope of relief, no prospect OF re-
dress To rescue themselves from the degrada'lon
and misery into which they were daily plunged aeeP
er and deeper, the poor pleblans wi,hureW ''o o.
selves from the city, and encamPed on ihe hnio' ~
the banks of that river, and almost within sght o. .e
eternal cty thew remained for days in perfect quiet
without DESTROYING the property or threatening e'o
life of a single man From the hill upon when 'hey
had pitched their tents, they never returned un'
their voice was declared poteatial IN the Sehate
Two officers were chosen, who, Dy Single worn,
could forbid the passage OF any law The mount
npon which this concession to liberty was eNacteo,
ire people regarded sacred; the law by when IL
was secured revered as holy Here was an nstltu-
ton which was created for the defence and not Tor the
punishment of the citizen. Here we've officers VINO,
without aspiring to the name of magstrates-who,
although not covered with the toga or accompanied
nv ctors were vet for ages the only shield that pro-
tected the liberties of the Republic Iuily WIZ tel
YOU that the Roman Senate often attempted 10 CIR
clmscribe the power of the Tribunes, and the same
shirt of usurpation and the same eagerness to break
down the barriers of the Federal Constitution nave
of late seized the American Congress NOT even inc
power and popularity OF the Gracchi couid cneeh
the expressions of the nobility, and restore the iioer
lies of the Republic. The people, animated by the
Mold eloouence of Memmils did indeed gain tenn
porary ascendancy, but being mised by the iathess
Mars their liberties and the power of the Irlbunes
were swept away at one and the same blow by the
mercess tyranny of Syla. The history oil nations
gary in facts which they record, but agree IN the les
sons which they teach The same principles which
have protected the liberties of other Republics must
shield those of our own. The same caamities which
have elsewhere attended every encroachmeht upon
the true Democracy we cannot hope TO escape,
Born in the arms of the people and rocked IN the era
die of public liberty, the Veto power stands on the
portals of the Government the safest champion OF
popular rights and the truest defender OF the Con-
stItlltion.
Mr. Speaker: That the vices of the present age are
impatient of the restraints imposed by the virtues OF
the past and that the selfish schemes OF designing
men and the blind fury of needless partisans, were
foreseen and guarded against by the sages OF the Re
public, the present rage to tinker with the Federal
Constitution affords conclusive evidence Does any
man think-will the member from Jefferson (Mr
Thomason) himself pretend that this IS favorable
time to NEEDLE with machine composed OF such va
rous and delicate instruments, and OF which de-
rangement OF part will produce disorder OF the
whole Does he see throughout the country such
absence of party spirit such freedom from local and
personal selfshness and such an enlightened regard
for the interests and liberal devotion to the liberties
of the whole Union, distinguished the trainers OF
the Constitution, and are as indispensable requisites in
those who change in those who form the funda-
mental law Never the statesmen of Ameri-
ca more completely engrossed by plots and ntrigues
for personal ACCOMPLISHMENT and political power
never was the country more thoroughly imbued
with political sophistry ridiculous vagares and dam
gerous radicalism, and never were the people more
universally debauched by the patronage of the
Federal Government by the corruptions of mo-
neyed corporations, and the baeful arts by which
elections have of late been carried Was this
schetne OF changing the organic la" conceived
wish the leisure and calmness of cool elaboration
Was it put forth from sole regard for the safety OF
the Republic and with view to the success OF any
faction or the elevation of any man Where, when,
and by whom was this startling proposition to tear up
the Constitution, by its roots first promulged. AT the
late extra session ofCongress, portion representing
themselves to be majority OF the Wing Senators and
Representatives in Congress, assembled in caucus
and issued a manifesto to the people of the United
States. A more unfortunate meeting never was
vened--t more ill-timed document publish
ed have high regard for the gentlemen whose
names are attached to this document, but when the
assigned for its publication Is the blight which
a single act of the Executive has cast upon the fruit
of their twelve years long and arduous political strug
gle | must remind Mr.. Tallmadge, of New York
and Mr. Berrien of Georgia, that it is not quite
long they belonged to the very same party, and
espoused the very same measures which they now de-
nounce OF the amablc and excellent gentleman
who is the iepued author of this address Mr.. Ken
needy, OF Mary and, shall only say that would ra-
Their read his novels than subscribe to his POLITICAL BIZ
bic If this manifesto be intended as Ieveat on of
the ancient creed of the Wing party, deny its au-
thenjc,ty, and pronounce it Apocrypha If it be
Published as the basis of new party, wipe my
hands Of all such political heresies. | shall not suffer
myself TO be misled by names, whip into the traces
b. who fancy that they hold the party lash in
their hands. Whatever may be the consequences, |
am resolved to maintain the broad Repub lean ground
upon which the civil revolution of 1910 was accom-
pilshpd ! know that the Bank question not
made issue before the people OF the United States.
Although believe that national currency is indis-
pensable oi the encouragement OF national industry
ana the development of national resources, yet shall
not in the enemies of the President in denouncing
him for an act which was in exact accordance with
the whole tenor ofhis political life, and which, what
ever we night have hoped, we must have expected
In the folly of those who, because they differ from
their Chief Magistrate single question, abandon
ed Wing President to the mercy of political oppo
nents and declared to the world that they would no
longer be responsible for the acts of Wing Admin
i.trauon Heaven forbid that | should JOIN The
sensees camor Of noisy politicians, and the vile abuse
OF conlederaed press, have no greater weight with
me than they have had with the people at the polls
all lnleb ed to serviIty and compliance with the
purpose. OF great for the confidence reposcd in
by he freemen of Fayete. hold my seat in this
Holseby high and honorable tenure. My lease
was executed by the seItappontc1 guardians and
trustees of the people, but drawn out at length by
b5id constituency, signed with their hands and
Sc I'D win lhen seals | am not a Constitution
breaker, nor are ray constituents Constitution break
efs. may dead the power of a single Executive,
hut shrink from aud shudder at the idea of a Con
gressl nal led on by bold and reckless Dicta-
tOr In ali this zeal for Liberty aud pretended patriot
ism see but one design, to trans power from the
hands oi the lawful Executive to hose of Congress
sionai caucus And hold him to be a dangerous CT
,zsn of this Republic, and an unsafe counsellor Of
this G ,efnnenti whose political elevation is to be
reared only upon the fallen liberties and Frustrated
Constitution of his country.
Mr. Chairman The Importance of time and the
value OF antiquity in ripenng political institutions
and commenting them TO the esteem and veDeralion
OF n,tkiud have been felt nd nc X noWletDed by the