The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-03-19

SECOND SPEECH

ROBERT WICKLIFFE, JR.,
On The Teto Poper, delivered in Con'miHee o.
The Whofe of the House Of Representatives.
January, 1912.
Continued.
Mr.. Chairman: OF all the baeful effects OF the
Veto power none seems TO have struck the magna-
ton Of the gentleman with greater than the hui
initiation of the National Legislature, which 1t has
produced Whose cheek he exclaims, did not Jingle
with shame when they saw the hopes and Interests OF
great people crushed the voice of their representa-
tives suppressed, and an answering President pre-
suming to intimate that if he had been called upon he
could have furnished the an of a National Bank
u Unfortunately, the Cons uton requires that the Tx
ecutive SHALL recommend to Congress such measures
A. he may deem necessary for the national welfare
Did the gen,leman's cheek Jingle with shame when,
at the late extra session. he the Senate otthe un
ted States call upon the Secretary OF the treasury Tor
his plan Of National Banks Does be remember
upon whose motion that call was made commend
h,n,to his prudence. If Mr.. Buchanan or Mr.. Ben
ION had proposed these amendments, would the dis
tioousbed member have stood forward their champion
on This floor Would not those doctrines which are
now proclaimed Whig have been denounced as
Democratic When, however, the gentleman rdi-
cules the idea that the abrogaton of the Veto
would be dangerous to the ghts and interests Of the
Southern States he suffers mself TO be carried be-
yond bounds by the spirit OF party When that ca
lastrophe which such fatal step Will inevitably pro-
duce shall at last take place when, by the desruc-
ton of all political checks and constitutional Barriers
the different sections OF the Union shall be arrayed in
deadly host lily against each other and the sun OF lb-
erty shall set in eternal darkness, the member Will be
reused from his ethagc slumber and perceive the IN
fauation under which he has labored Ills heart VIII
be filed with the caanties and ruins which
he has contributed produce. He will regret The
IN ryicial blow which he has aimed at the institutions
Of his fathers and will perceive, too late the wisdom
hr has been unable to comprehend, and sigh for the
protection of the edce he has been too eager de-
inolish Like Marius amidst the ruins of Carthage
he will mourn over the broken fragments of now
peri-hng once glorious, but for men like him. immoI-
tai Constitution.
MIR. Chairman: Amidst the eulogies which the
member from Louisville pronounced upon the old
Cabinet. regret that he should have deemed it ne
cessary to disparage the patriotism and abilities of
the official advisers of the pres mt Administration If
/ may be permitted to except one OF the mem
bers Of that Cabinet, Of whom delicacy forb.ds
me to speak, | confidently assert that it is the
ahlest Cabinet which any President has sum
moned around him since the days Of Washing
ton. The annual reports of these officers at the
commencement of the present session OF Congress,
are the most luminous and profound documents thas
adorn the political history OF the nation. has not
the NAVY gained new strength and derived fresh us
tire from the presiding genius and patriotic govern
ment of Upshur? After reading the report the Ex
cheuuer BILL who needs any additional evidence of
the extended learning and profound abilities OF For
ward Who does not know that the name OF SPen-
Ger is synonyme for indomitable industry and match
less perseverance? And what forum would not be
adorned by the classic, glowing, and splendid elo-
quence of Legare' He, however, who stands at the
head of this Cabinet is the object of the bitter st de-
nunciation and abuse by the member from Louisville
and his political associates. AT period when this
country was threatened with war by the most power
jul kingdom in Europe whole nation de-
handed his experience and abilities at the helm Of
affairs he preferred the calls OF his country TO those
# faction and for this he is traduced. When the
Wing party was threatened with dissolution, and
Nhio Congress declared open war against Wing
President, he exerted himself by night and by day
% procure reconciliation, and to unite even the
most discordant elements for the general good and
his is the sin for which he never be forgiven.
When high public functionares degraded themselves
n the ewes of all honorable men by the PRONUNCIATION
# Cabinet secrets and unmeasured abuse of Chief
to whose misplaced confidence they were
Indebted for their continuance In Office the Secretary
# State preserved his honor as gentleman, even
n the ewes of those who condemned his course as
Minister Does the member from Louisville perceive
he ridiculous attitude in which he stands Does he
not see the folly of attributng mercenary motives to
, distinguished gentleman who, In single argument
before the Supreme Court has received larger sum
han he will, in the whole of his life be able
10 make at the Louisville bar? When l compare the
lavish praise that was formerly bestowed with the
low abuse that is now heaped by the same men upon
this distinguished officer, perceive too plainly that
a change has come the spirit of their dreams.
Even the member from Woodford (Mr. Kinkead,)
has printed speech which he never delivered and
those who expected from him greater
discretion, has joined in the general hue. This
combined assault upon the fame of statesman
whose genius the pride, and whose eloquence is the
ornament of our common country, will recJil upon
those who have been engaged in the unholy crusade
His renown is reared upon the broad basis Of the
Constitution, and well may the statue be proud of the
pedestal and the pedestal proud of the statue. When
the member from Louisville shall have mingled his
dust with that of his forgotten ancestors, and with
all those who have Joined him in this debate shall have
sunk into that oblivion from which not even malice
and detraction will enable them to escape the name
of Daniel Webster will grow brighter and brighter
with each revolving sun, and that career which was
guided by the spirit Of immortal fathers, will be
crowned with the deathless applause of grateful and
admirng posterity. The same niche in the temple of
fame which contains the names of Washington Ha-
milton and Marshall, will be inscribed with that of
Webster and hand in hand will 60 down the latest
posterity the memory Of The father the advocate the
ex FOUNDER and the defender of the Constitution.
Mr.. Chairman: 1t will afford amusement to the
House to compare the different authorities quoted by
gentlemen in support of the new doctrines which they
have espoused | know not whether they lay greater
stress upon the Hanover Speech and proposed amend
ments Of the Senator from Kentucky the messages
and opinions Of the late President Jackson. Here,
sir, is page in political history. The leop-
ard has changed his Spots and the lamb lies down
with the lion. After gentlemen have baltled for
twelve long years against the doctrines of Jacksons
administration after they have for nearly quarter of
century denounced him military usurper, and
his party as a crew of designing knaves, how comes
it they have encamped upon the ground which was
formerly occupied by their political enemies In the
great campaign in which they will shortly engage
new principles will be adopted and recruits
received into the ranks. The army will not con-
sist of veteran warriors and their legitimate de-
scendants, but Of spurious race of mingled COM
pexion and origin And to prodigies that we read Of
in ancient mythology, our own country will give birth
to q whole race-that of Jackson Wings and Clav
Democrats.
Mr.. Chairman The first argument advanced by
the Senator from Kentucky Mr. Clsv lin r.yc