The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-05-19
MR.. BUCHANAN.

| The Globe of Monday gives what purports to
be an extract from /" Mr.. Buchanan's torthcom-
| ing speech" We trust the copy was not " sur
reputiously" obtained by Mr. Benton. We de-
sire this nasmuch the extract, if genuine. will
most admirably serve to define Mr.. Bucha-
mans position" to our many readers in Penn
| sylvana.
| The subject of the speech is the recommen-
dation of the Executive to pass law removing
the trial of foreign offenders against the peace
of the United States, from the local courts OF
the State in which they may be apprehended to
the Federal Court, simply to prevent repetl-
ton of the difficulty recently experienced in
the case of Mcleod. This is the subject OF
the speech. The intent Of it is different mat
ter-at least we are led to believe so from the
fact that Mr.. Buchanan dilates upon the petoes-
condemns the Erchequer-expatates on the
Rhode Island affair. &c. &c.
Another intention was TO embrace the occa-
sion to endeavor to get rid of portion OF his
old Federal leaven. That he might effect his
object and to adhere to the merits of the sub
ject under consideration, he quoted one of the
| HuOeN
| too:
| Resolued, That this General Assembly doth also
express its deep regret that spirit has, IN sundry in
stances, been manifested by the Federal Government
to enlarge its powers by forced constructions of the
constitutional charter which defines them; and that
indications have appeared of design to expound
certain general phrases (Which, having been copied
from the very limited grant of powers in the former
articles of confederation, the less liable to be
msconstrued) to destroy the meaning and effect
of Il e particular enumeration which necessarily ex
plains and limits the general phrases and to con-
solidate the States by degrees into one sovereignty
the obvious tendency and inevitable result of which
would be to transform the present republican system
of the United States into absolute, or, at BEST
mixed monarchy"
Now, the fact that the resolution had no bear
ing on the subject under discussion, was mat
ter of no importance to the orator Unanswered
his purpose. 1t showed his familiarity with the
doctrines of the old Republicans. The natural
inference would be, that he had actually cast off
his Federalism. But loe shall explain the reso-
luton. 1t had reference solely to Legislative
constructions" The subject under consider
alton is purely of judicial nature. This Is
brief exposition of its pertinence, but it is
sufficient.
But the last artifce of Mr. Buchanan is the
most extravagant of all. The intent was to get
rid of his 90 low aoages' odium. He proceeded
by indrecton at first, but soon betrayed his aim.
He denounced (of course he denounced it) the
measure as one that would tend to consolida-
ton, usurp the rights of the States, and ulti-
mately end in monarchy! AS for consolida-
tion the advocate of State rights have always
imputed this dangerous tendency to the Erecu-
tire and Legislative branches of the Federal
Government. How an increase Of the jurisdic-
ton of the Supreme Court of the United States
is to produce monarchy, we are utterly at a
loss to conceive. The judges cannot be remov-
ed by President and therefore the Execu-
tive cannot use them for purposes Of usurpalion.
Nor are they Hkely to be contaminated by the
, Legislature. AS TO the usurpation of the rights
of the States, the idea is as ridiculous as the
other. The cases which are designed by the act
to be brought before the supreme Judicial tribu-
nal of the country, are only those which involve
peace or war with other countries. Would Mr..
Buchanan have a Stale declare war; or go to
war, against foreign nation? Would it tend
, to consolidation, or usurpation of State rights,
for the Federal Government to send troops to
Pennsylvania if that State were invaded by the
British
, But the very ecstacy of absurdty in this
"extract Of the forthcoming Speech" is the ar
gun,ent TO show that this law would produce
monarchy. Mr.. Buchanan quotes British
, writer to prove his assertion Now, will any
American believe that British writer would
f oppose such law if he thought it would pro-
duce monarchy in this country2 Is it not
more reasonable to suppose that this British
; writer is laboring to produce desired effect at
home? Is it not more probable that he is en-
deavoring TO operate on the credulity of his fell
! citizens to prevent them from ensigrating to
this country? Is not his interest to arrest the
emigration of high minded noble hearted, hon
est and industrious citizens, from England, Scot
land, Ireland and Germany, to this country
And what could better effect 1t than to create an
impression that our glorious Republic will soon
give way to tyranny worse than that from
which the prosecuted Of the nations mentioned
above are flying ? W oud Mr. Buchanan stop
this emigration Are his " lolo Wages" doc
trlnes repugnant to the taste Of the Germans
and Irish Of Pennsylvania Would he prevent
an accumulation of foreign voters in his State
We trust Mr.. Buchanan will give the remain,
der Of his g forthcoming speech" in broken
doses. If the extract before US is a fair specl-
men OF the whole production, we profess ca
gerness to see it. And we predict, if he does
not alter suppress it, that in thirty days all the
village sheets, that have his colors flying, will
t be at half mast, or incontnenty strike their
| cOlors