Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1843-03-02
Correspondence Of he Baltimore Patriot

M WASHINGTON, Feb. 18th, iS43.
The Senate has, at last, disposed of the
distractions Of Mr.. Riyes-by postponing
them till next session. Previous to this,
Mr.. A Hen, of Ohio, assisted their author
TO make them more Objectionable than
ever, by declaring against the constiut-
ional power Of Congress to surrender the
public domain, or distribute the proceeds
of the sales, for the use and benefit of the
several states of the Union. This was
just such proposition as was fitting to
sgnalize the union of Virginia Conser.
vative (elected by Wing Legisluture)
with an Ohio Loco Foco in these new at.
tacks upon the State Credit? The ina
gInary spectre of Assumption was not
only 10 be put TO rest, -but the substan.
tial form, of Distribution was also to be laid
low by the few magic words of MIR. VII
ham Conservative RiUes, and Mr.. VII.
liam Loco Foco Allen. And This to be-
their panacea for all existing evils -
They have been attributed to various eau
ses and many have been the remedies
recommended. 1t remained for the as
tuteness OF the Virginia Senator to dis
cover the most productive causes Of our
present embarrassments, in the uncertain.
fy Of the public as to the opinions and in.
tentlon of Congress on the question Of as
Stunning the State debts land for his gen.
ius to plan, by way Of remedy, world
of first principles and theory! Mr.. Nc.
Dufiie would leave the States to right
themselves in the natural way. But AIR.
Rlves thinks that if they are only taught
certain constitutional doctrines they can.
not fail 10 weather the storm.
The public, who are looking for some
practical legislation, will be rejoiced 20
learn the fate OF these idle resolutions.
yet am not sure that those who have so
perseverngly obstructed the public BUSH
ness this week will not repeat the game.
MIR. McDuffie indeed has already on the
table a new set Of propositions, which |
suppose he will try to bring up on Mon.
day next, and Mr.. Walker minated tina,
he would present something of the same
kind himself, If direct vote should no,
be taken on those Of Mr.. Rives.
The public will notice who are responsi.
BILE for this course Of obstruction ;-ant
soho are crying "CRIsIs !" and getting uf
panics, to defeat the legitimate bushes:
Of Congress.
To day the authors and advocates o
these distractions received severe re-
bu1e from Mr.. Crittenden. He ridiculed
with all his inimitable powers of raillery
and sarcasm, their course in bringing to-
gether and summing up, in series Of
resolutions, all the principles Of grea
questions that ever we've discussed anc
IN forcing them upon the attention of the
Senate day after day. Legislation, he
SAID, had lis appointed course, but there j.
no limitation to these speculative resolu
tons, until the wisdom of those, who hays
thus volunteered to teach US, is exhaust
ed. There is something presumptuous ia
Legislative body thus undertaking Il
advance, to settle principles and promul
gate them to the people. Are Senator,
sent here 10 be the creators and propa.
gandists of political creeds 7 Do they
wish to convert the Senate into an assem-
blage OF political doctors, to bind the ma
ton to certain Faith For his owr
part, Mr.. Crittenden was ready to inves
tigate and vote on these abstract princi
pies, when in the regular course of hi.
duty, they came properly before him
But he would not submit to any Sena,o
nor the wisest of them-making O
! creed for him, and compelling him TO dc
eide nay or yea. 1t is not {said he) Go
vernment authority that can impose doc
trlnes upon the people, or to stop tn,
force of public opinion. Do gentlemen
mean to say, that in no emergency which
might possibly arise, could Congress con
stitutionally interpose to relieve the States