The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-02-19
Washington.

When its shadow darkly fell,
And blessed lesson of hope is left
By the dying years farewell
..., ~ Washington. r-,9. s
eIn Correspondence of the Herald.]
WASHINGTON, Thursday night,2
Feb l6, 1S43 :
The Question OF Assuming State Debts
Bill No. 34s I'm the Scnatc--The Infamous
Post Office Bill In the Vousc-Oregon-
Warehouse system-Reciprocity Treaties
-Tarlfr-The Seniors Casc-A' Curlous
Case OF Double Marriage-Gossip, &c.
Although the caption 10 this letter is large, yet
there was not much real business done in either
House to-day.
The question of the assumption of State debts
was discussed on Mr.. RVEs' amendments to-day in
the Senate and that body also referred Arnolds
celebrated Retrenchment Bill to the Committee on
Finance. In the House, the Postoffice Committee
reported the tyranncal bill to stop private Expresses
without amendment, and also the bill to settle the
Oregon Territory; and had long discussion on the
Reciprocity treaties between the United States and
Denmark, Sweden. the Hanseatic Towns, &c. :;
but no definite action was had upon any thing.
| will begin at the beginning.
After showing disposition seriously to consider
and pass House Bill No. 54S, and referring it to the
Finance Committee, the SENATE proceeded to con-
slider the following resolutions of Mr.. Rives, re-
lative to the assumption of State debts &c. There
his been no correct copy of them published be-
fore. .Et. snref
Resolved That another ofthe'prominent which
tend to Proong and increase the financial smbarrs.
ton Of public and private credit the uncertainty and
suspense thrown the policy Of this Government in
ecs for the virtual assumption Of those debts by the a
hori,ies of the Union. That while this uncertainty is
permitted to exist its mischevous effect is to foster de-
usive hopes of reefrom quarter whence it
legtmaely proceed and to divert the attention of the
indebted States from that timely and energetic application
ments which they would otherwise make, and which is
the SOLE natural and proper reliance for the liquidation
ofher respective liabilities And therefore urgently
demanded by the interests OF the parties Immediately
cerned well those of the country at LARGE that
Congress should now explicitly and unequvocally de-
clare the views enterains of the appropriate and
sutional sphere of its powers and duties in relation to
this subject
Resolved That in the fundamental division and allot
Of political power established by the Constitution
between the Government Of the Union and those Of the
several States there power or authority given to the
former provide for the payment of the debts incurred
by the latter in virtue Of their undoubed competence and
within separate and exclusive jurisdictions that any
attempt by the General Government thus to assume and
impose upon the people of the Union the debts Of ndv
dual States, would be not merely gross perversion of
the confded to it, but utter humiliation of that
wholesome and necessary relation between power and
responsibility which is the vital principle Of all repre-
sentative government. That such arbitrary and
thorzed transfer Of burdens from those who created and
should alone be responsible for them, to others who
alien alike to their origin and their benefits involves
fragrant violation K the principles Of justice that it
could not but most Sefiousy impair the harmony, and
ultimately leopard the union Of the sates and that any
expectation therefore, that this Government will at any
time hereafter provide for the payment
othe debts ofhe individual States. directly indirectly
il wholly UNIV arranted and lusory.
fResolved That just sentiment of respect for the cha
rscter Of sovereign States mourning pecunary obliga
pledge public faith through their constitutional and
appropriate organs forbid the apprehension that any of
the States this Union will fail to call forth their utmost
for the final redemption Of their engagements
preferring every sacrifice to dshonor and proud illus
trae that jealous spirit of independence which belongs
free republican States by stern and strenuous reliance
their faculties for dcverance from their present
temporary entertainments.
Mr.. RrvEs thought moment should not be lost
by Congress in expressing their opinions upon this
subject, III way or the other. 1t was peculiar
questioned the most momentous and urgent char
acter-it met them every where-and movements
were made on every hand to obtain an assumption,
by the general government, of the State debts. A
virtual assumption had been proposed by gentle
man in the other House, in the issue oftwO hundred
millions of government stock. The project had
originated here, and not among the people. 1t
seemed TO him that the resolutions of the Senator
from Maine. (Mr. Evans,) tended to this assumption,
and only needed the enactng clause to complete it.
Was it not due TO themselves, TO the world, and to
the States, that Congress should tell them what they
will do? The States were looking to them and as
the matter now stood, would use no measures for
their own relief He wished and urged what was
declare, by their action upon these resolutions,
whether they will will not provide for their re-
lief. He believed this the most important question
ever brought before Congress, and wished decided
now, without further debate. l..s,
Mr. MKRRIcK was not willing that the Senator
from Virginia should make his remarks upon the
subject and then shut others from the same pri.
vlege, He preferred. however, that the whole sub
ect be laid overthat they await the OF events
and leave the public mind free to Judge, examine,
and decide for itself. He had no idea of divorce
between the people and government Of the United
common fate and destiny. Why were such resolu.
tons offered, destructive of the honor and credit of
the States7 When a cruel father advertises that he
Will pay no debts contracted by son, does il not
tend to embarrass and cripple the business of that
son, although he might otherwise have prospered!
And woud not these assertions on the part of the
general government have the same effect upon the
credit OF the States! He had been adverse, and was
adverse, and would not sanction, the assumption OF
State debts; but he claimed, and his State claimed
her share OF the public domain He was not afraid
to speak out on this subject. He had enlisted for
stand his ground till the last gun was fired He Of
ered set OF resolutions substitutes Tor those OF
Mr. Rives, declaring, in effect that government MT had
the power and it was her duty, to assist the States
public lands.
Mr. WOODBURY. did not rise to discuss the gene
-al merits OF the subject, but to urge the Senate TO
take the question as soon as possible. He did say,
however,at the beginning. that in relation 10 the as
sumption of State debts, a more dangerous PROPOSE
ton could not be introduced into this nation, sndhe
and his people were ready TO meet II as one OF vital
importance affecting the dissolution of the Union
When gentlemen talked Of the States being chill L
dren, and they the father, he disagreed with them
they were the children, and the states the Parents
they the created and the States the creator. They
had no powers except what were delegated to them,
and when they trampled upon, and abused those |
powers the parent and not the child had the right to
complain. He hoped the Senate would take d |
rect vote upon the question--it was due to them
selves and to the world.