The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-04-07
SPEECH OF MR.. PROFIT,
D,Irered in the House Of Repre sentatires the 18th o.
March, on the Loan Bill
OF INDIANA,

The House being in Committee OF the Whole, ana
having under consideration the Loan Blll-the pend
ing question being on the mohon OF MT FILLMORE
(under direction of the Committee OF Ways and
Means) 10 add after the third section of the BILL the
following as section No. 4
Sind be il further enacted That the proviso to the
second section Of the said act Is hereby repealed and
the Secretary Of the Treasury is hereby authorized
IN cause the stock hereafter TO be issued to be dis
posed of at the highest price which he obtain for
the same on its being advertised reasonable time
for proposals but stock whatever shall be sold
under par, except upon and in pursuance of, spe-
c6c advertisement and in virtue thereof
MIR. PROFIT said: Mr. Chairman TO say that
am deeply mortified at the course which this debate
has TAKEN and that il is painful in the extreme to lind
myself compelled to participate in it, is but feebly to
express the feelings with which rise to address the
Committee.
That parties must exist in a republic as under
other forms of Government, none will deny. II may
be that il is not desirable entirely to extingush them
The Jealous vigilance they engender, acts as guard
against suplneness in the public mind and prevents
aught like Indifference and neglect on the part OF the
People to the correct and pure ADMINISTRATOR oi
their Government.
An occasional display Of party feeling is excusable
even in the national councils An indulgent and IN
telligent constituency ects not perfection and IN
falliblity in the representative chosen, amid the ex-
elements necessarily attendant on system OF almost
universal popular elective franchise
But SIR II is objectionable, eminently ungrateiul,
in selected representative, to sink the high
character conferred on him into that OF party
mercenarya political soldier OF fortune, proud
only Of the professional honors Of the camp in which
for the time being he serves and forgetiul that he
has or had country entitled to his devotion and
his services. And no dazzling display OF talent no
brilliant gladiatoral fea-no ready ruse can conceal
disguise or ennobe the wretched calling of the man
who thus unmindu alike of the dictates Of honor or
of patriotism prostitutes the station to which he has
been elevated.
Looking sir, on the political struggles which have
and still continue TO agltale tins country, names OIL
teher than things causing the rally, it Is painful to
witness the bitter frus of error committed No ques-
ton of domestic policy settled particular principle
finally established every thing seems to be the sport
of the hour or OF the majority temporarily In the as
cendant. The national vessel, tossing on the waves
of a rough sea, makes political Roadway rocking
and pitching at the mercy OF the elements the roar OF
waters and the bowling Of the tempest drown every
voice; and the gallant crew who have weathered SO
many storms and still are ready 10 stand by the ship
to the last plank astounded TO find all effort una
,aIng, all devotion futile; for munny and dssension
stalk her quarter deck, and through jealousy or hate
parayze the perence and energy OF the man called
TO the command by her conhdlng and patriotic people
But To drop the figure winch evil times have but
too much familiarzed 10 our minds, ask, where are
the ripe and rich fruits which ~eie promised to the
people in return for their confidence Where are
the evidences of that devotion TO Their interests and
Where is the fulfment Of the pledges W ich party
from time time PROMISES in he heat of contest,
forgets in the hour of triumph w ere are the mo-
raj and legislative reforms the adherence to principe,
correction OF abuses the strict appca ion TO egit-
mate legislation, repeatedly and solepnly promised
Do we see consistency and steadiness maintaining
their sway Ia rush for Office, IN the dusty
of the ambitious Where, | ask, Is the standard
arouLd which the people more may rally Is
at the Capitol ! The ensign that each day floats
over its Halls, and calls up the eloquent blood TO the
cheek of every American who gazes at Its stars,
and remembers what triumphs 1t has won waves,
alas, arena where personal feuds overpower
public OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES expediency or party OBJ
jects results in remote district, attachments
distinguished but interested leader, animate
debate and decide every questions where the great IN
erests of The public lost IN private animoses and
the sacred, social bond OF Union becomes the
paythng OF the fanatic the Careless sport OF an UNI
occupied hour
This sir, is lamentable picture, but appeal to he
country for its truth. fearful responsibility rests
upon this Congress- and, il mistake not the signs OF
the times strict ac, ountabity will be demanded
The startling fact cannot be concealed that We have
been nearly four months, and as yet scarce
ly any measure of Importance has b en- acted upun-
The voice of the people crying for rel.ci has passed
unnoliced; nothing has been done Tor the permanent
maintenance OF The national credit steps taken 10
rep.nish exhausted Treasury; the threatening as
pect of foreign relations and the almost defence
less condition OF The country seem unheeded or forgot
Who, sir is accountable FIR thi, criminal neglect?
Who il responsible for his wanon waste of time
The Chairman of the Committee of Ways and
Means, (Mr. Fillmore has thought fit to charge this
want of action upon the friends of the Adminstra-
ton. He has accused Of delaying the public
business by factious opposition.
This, sir, is grave charge, and i, for one, must
emphaticaly deny it. will take, for instance, the
debate upon this bill will anayze it, and ascer-
tain clearly and fairly who is responsible for its inn
riafy ap1th hon the Judge be-
tween the friends of the Administration, and the ma
jority in power on this floor
said, in the opening Of my remarks, that was
compelled to participate in this discussions repeat,
sir that am actually forced into defence Of my
self and of the friends with whom my pride to
act. For months we have in silence suffered personal
magnity seemingly to exhaust itself. The display
Of party bitterness which, with dsgraceiu distinct
ness records the RIGHTEOUSNESS of assaiants has
passed UNDECIDED. 1t would now be met with the ST.
lent GOODNESS of contempt, had not the hartman of
the Committee of Ways and Means, in his convul-
sve effort avoid responsibility, presumed to prefer
charge against US, amounting to moral treason 10
the country, in Withholding necessary supplies, and
embarrassing the action of the Government.
What is the question now before the committee :
The Secretary OF the Treasury, pressed by the de-
plora lie condition of the national finances, and by
letters from the collector of customs at New York.
had sent a communication to the Committee OF
Ways and Means, proposing that he be empowered
to sell Government bonds for what they would
bring, Sc The Chairman MIR. Flmore) has with
held this communication from the House, until a
final vote upon the Loan bill was about to be taken
although had been in his possession from the 18th
instant He then proposed an amendment in unison
with the views of the Secretary.
This proposition changed The entire character of the
Loan Bill 1t was grave question whether Con-
gress under any emergency, should IN time OF peace
expressly authorize the sale OF bonds below par, or
rather at any price they might bring in deranged
money market. 1t was question nh CHI admitted Of
serious iuves, igation, and which deserved statesman
like conslde. alion. 1t was neto question: and one
Which gentlemen of all parties might honestly dit
fer in opinion Immediately after the presentation Of
this amendment, the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr
Underwo God } pure and highminded man, and an I'M