Democratic standard. [volume] (Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio) 1837-1850, 1842-08-09

er country would have been treated as
traitors, are, in this, about to be paid ia
money for their treason, by the vory gov
eminent they betrayed.
Next comes he heirs of Gen Hull
with their demand for the SALARY Of their
father, as Governor of the territory oil
Michigan, during the very time, and for
no other time, that the territory was in
possession Of the Brilish-surrendered
to them by Hull HIMSELF, together with
the gallant army from Ohio-a crime for
which he was then under arrest, aud af.
terwards condemned by the law, to DEATH
as TRAITOR. Yes this claim, the very
presentation Of which was an outrage 10
every American citizen, and especially SO
to the citizens Of Ohio, whose heroic peo.
pie had thus been, by this very man, so
basely surrendered TO the enemy, as prls.
oners of war--this claim found favor in q
whig committee in the Senate, was advo.
Gated upon the floor, and defeated only
because some Of that party, and all the
democrats, were ashamed to dishonor the
body by its passage.
But economy-justice-federal econo-
my and justice, were with that very same
committee, found a sufficient bar for the
repayment Of the fine imposed by vim
dicive judge, on Andrew Jackson, for
having expelled traitors from his camp,
during his glorious defence ofNew Or
leans.
IT these things was not on record, no
individual should stale them, as the word
Of no man would alone be deemed, by
the country, conclusive offlc,s so derog.
a'ory 10 the character Of the American
Congress. Yet facts they are, and that
of record TOO, whosOever may be injured
by them.
Amidst the systematic policy of public
ruin, which this congress has pursued, it
has introduced for the frs! time, a prac.
tice in the highest degree dangerous to
the liberties Of the people. allude TO
The practice Of the House in gagging the
minority, and that of the Senate, in veil.
ing from the public eye, the reall condi-
ton Of the government. In both, the dem.
ocratic minorities are powerless--the
federal majorities direct all uction-hurrv
or retard business, at pleasure 1t is
intho House that the great money bills
chiefly originate. There they have been
siudiously kept back for month after
month. In the mean time, as an excuse
for delay, debate has been encouraged on
matters ofiadilierence. Then all things
being ready, those great measures have
been suddenly brought up, and afterthe
most trivial discussion. the gag applied
and the voice slenced under the redicu.
lous preleXt Of want of time. On such
occasions the democracy aIe hushed, not
by the previous question, but a stern res
Oiution which seals the lips and forces
through tho measure, without considera-
lion, however important its provisions,
and without the exposure Of its enormi-
lies, th"dugh destructive il may be, 10 the
)est Interests of the country. Thus have
Millions been appropriated, and taxes by
he million voted in the very last month
If our seven months session without
no single man Of the minority in tho
louso having had time enough allowed
lin 10 expose the impolicy or enormitY
# such measures. But in matters OF no /,
moment, no gag is applied, because, in
hese the freedom of speech endangers
neither corruption nor despotism, 10
ilonce tho representatives, is to spike
he ears ofthe peoole. 1t is bath their
i ght, and his, that he should speak. 1t
5 theirs, because it is their business lie
= doing. tits his, because he is re-.
ponsible for what he does. Their safety
consists in making him explain tho rea
ou Of his votes-his in being able to do
,. Silence and secrecy are to despot.
SIN, as are speece and publicity to free,
om--the two strongest elements Of its :
over and only guardians of its safety. :
is for these reasons thatl regret the =
losing Of its doors, by the Senate, in '
10 matter Of nominations-a practice ia. 8
elcnsible by argument and excused on.
by its antiquity, But to suppress reso- !,
liions of enquiry, seeking from theTrea- e 4
Try Department the facts Of the actual :
ondiIion-and Chat too, at time when :,
oney measures of the first moment, tax y
an and appropriation bills are all pend.
6, and al relating directly to those :,
ny iacts-to suppress such resolutions, "
did tho federal majority in the Senate, y,
nothing less than to compel men to - -
!sate in the absence ofall reasons for W W
. votes they give, and TO withhold from wv
) people things ofthe most serious i'm. q,
IT to them. Those who hide will OK. -
c suspjcion--and Ibis practice OF sup.
sSing facts, had it been, by any other !
ngresS, adopted, would havo attracted .
attention and incurred the frowh of >
county. But SO many arc the OBJ. =
10 Of just alarm with which this Con. =
So has filled the public mind, that the q q
pie very naturally feel more soIicitude y y
go lis session brought to a close and .
evils it still threatens thus arrested q
TO recount those which il has -
ady irretrieyably inflicted uDon Tho 49,