Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-01-06

ding tho relation of the debtor and creditor,
when established by 26 states, and Of the I'M
mcnso benefit resulting to both by having
this relation Fixed by uniform law.
"Mr. Dawson, of Ga. made an eloquent
appeal in behalf of the unfortunate debtor.
lie would hold the person OF every man sa-
cred, and "palsy the arm of the Sbylock
that would seize upon the body of his victim
after he had surrendered the whole Of his
property" lie was good party man, and
differed with his democratic friends on this
subject with regret.
" Mr.. Gushing deprecated this sudden and
unexplained change in legislation, which, lie
was confident, would not stand the test of the
public Judgment. If the people demanded
the repeal of this law, it was more fitting that
il should be done by their immediate repre-
sentatives, at the next Congress than that
they themselves should destroy the work Of
their own hands. He was in the first place
in favor of retaining the law and modifying
it by striking out the voluntary provision, and
extending the involuntary, so as to include
corporations, issuing notes for circulation.
If this should fail he would then, for reasons
which he gave, make its repeal prospective.
He could in no event 60 for the proviso in
the bill, as introduced, to limit its operations
to the 9th inst. Such provision would give
the bill most unjust and oppressive retro
active operation, thereby increasing the very
evil which formed the obnoxious feature in
the present bankrupt law. He introduced
memorial from citizens of Philadelphia,
against the repeal of the law, and praying
for its modification, which he sent to the
Chair, and which, at his request was read as
part of his remarks.
He then proceeded to reply to the gen.
teman from Tennessee, mr. Arnold) who
in his remarks, when this subject was last
before the House, had made some illusions
to Mr.. Webster and to the controlling nAu-
ence Of the love of power, and the lust for
Office upon him and those other Wings who
had sacrificed their principles to their desire
Of place. He regarded this as charge ca
silly made, and might at any time be urged
against the best men in the country, when
they were called to administer the high Offices
of the government. He held that the desire
to attain to the high honors Of the country
was an honorable ambition. He asserted
that Mr.. Wobster's personal condition would
have been better ii he had accepted no Of
flee, even the highest that it now is. As TO
this fact there certainly can he no difference
Of opinion.
He then referred to the proceedings at
the Extra session, when the ma oriiy Of the
House had the tcmeri,y to modify a bank bill
as it was furnished them by the Executive,
and to rush against the irresistible power of
! the Veto. He asserted that the Executive
power was the inri0luLle rock in our frame
Of government, and that the Wing majority,
notwithstanding his entrcalies, had rushed
upon il and was broken in fragments like
glass. The power of the government was ir-
reslstable, and any party that opposed it
would meet with certain destruction. One
of the parties had already broken itself down
by arraying itself against tae General Gov
ernment. Another party was about to come
into power, and he saw indication that
that parry was about to hurl itself against
the sane immorca6le rock of the administra-
ton. He would call on the democrats to be-
war;! The power of the government was
toe strong for any party, and if they rushed
AGAINST it they would, like those that precc-
'ed them, be dashed TO pieces. lie remark
ed that there were several candidates before
the people for the Presidency, but no one SO
prominent that their strongest friends could
venture to predict who would be the nominee
of the respective conventions; and he would
suggest 10 them that it might not be for THEN
interest to carry on very fierce war against
/ the government.
"Thcre was one thing he was about &c
say, which perhaps had better not be said
ferries say it, say it from all parts of the
House). lie would tell the gentlemen, tina
in the coming struggle for the Presidency
the power of the government would be felt
that not only the Government but its higl
innctlonaries and supporters would have
something TO say, and he would again war;
gentlemen that in determining the succession
the potential element was the Federal Gov
ernment. II is the only power that can &C
upon events with controlling force.
There was great laughter during thi
speech mingled with other and strange ex
presslons OF ieeIng.-Crics OF Patronage,
: Executive Power" "the Spoils," &c. wen
heard, and as Mr.. Gushing took his seat
several members rose to reply. The foo
was given TO Mr.. Thompson of Ind, whc
yielded to motion to adjourn. The discus
) sion will be continued Tomorrow
: In the above sketch of the remarks of Mr.
Gushing | have done him no ipIustice and