The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-03-22
COURSE OF GENTLEMEN IN CONGRESS

init 10 the verdict That may be rendered.
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 fail to
| appreciate the manly bearing and liberal views
of those who adopt different and, as we con-
ceive, much more patriotic course. Gentlemen
should bear in mind that whatever may be their
sentiments towards the President, as an ndivid-
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
J 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. Lfthe creditors ofthe nation are I'M
paid, the honor of the country suffers, and it 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 Legis-
lature, the President has no power to raise
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
of Congress, and however humliating 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:
MIR. MILTON BRewN said his object was not speech
much less party Speech but to express his indyidu
al views on the questions diatey before the com
mittee 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 fol-
the sale of our bonds at home or abroad below par
he could Nor could he vote to raise the interest
to 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 same. The credit of this Gov
ernment depends on the pulse of Congress in reia-
| tion to taxation. That pulse, he was sorry to say
| was rendered weak by 'humbuggery, There was
! scarcely nerve left to do duty. What was oul
duty' 1t to cut down expenses as low as we
could. Yes, sir, as low possible To make ap
preparations specific the usage was in the days OF
the simplicity OF our Republic To cut down the
contingent expenses the ''incidenaL expenses, and
the "miscelaneous' expenses, which only other
names for wasteful extravaganza, and which is not
only exhausting the Treasury of the nation, but is
wasting treasure still more valuabe-the morals OF
| the country. In word we should exercise honest
unpretending economy.
But, sir even economy will not pay arrearages OF
| liqudate the past folly Of the Government. deb
hangs over u.s. 1t must be paid-apd how? Com
merce, almost leless does not yield its accustomed
tribute through the customs. Our currency is il
| wretched condition. The planter, the farmer, the
laborer in the field and the shop is not receiving his
due reward The consumption of imported articles
must decrease, and our from that mus
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 tariff may have
with the future prosperity of the country is not now
the question. 1t is that demands our atten-
| ton. The gentleman from Vermont Mr.. Everett)
has told us that he will neither vote loan or Treasu-
ry notes until means are provided by the increase of
\ duties. After this strong ground hope (sald Mr.
B. he will not delay action to inquire into questions
of protection While the national honor beeds, 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 it
may be passed without authority to sell the bonds be-
low par, and without increase of interest or an
| improper extension Of time And he believed that
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.