Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1844-03-20

them, armies were wont to dO-.-Would
you listen to it? Surely not. And why
Because il would be ar invasion of your
privileges. It would be the interposilion
of a power not known TO, nor sanctioned
by the Constitution. Then you will lis
ten to no mandate purporting TO direct
either the body, or any of its members,
as to what you or they shall do, or
shall not do, in a matter of which you
legitinately have cognIzance. if it ema-
nate from power not authorized by the
Constitution so TO interpose. 1t is the
right of this body, and ofthe whole coun-
try, that, upon a subject clearly within
your legitimate jurisdiction, each of its
members should come to the decision un-
trammelled; with no guide but his oath,
no light bu, the Constitution and the best
faculties of his own mind. These sub
jects--of treaties, of uniform system of
bankruptcy, of the disposition of the ma
tional revenue-are matters within the
undoubied and exclusive jurisdiction of
The National Government. Shall other
authorities come in and control your ac-
ton, or wrest the subject from you? Sir.
| free Governments, in this world, have
been far more frequently overturned by
slow, cautious, and silent innovation, than
by direct or open assault. And the IN
terposition here ola principle of influence
and ofpower unknown to the Constitution,
and not 20 be found among its defined or
ganic powers, in reference 10 such an ex-
ercise Of it seems to me of the most dan.
gerous tendency.
All avenues of information should
most certainly be open TO US. We should
be well advised of the public sentiment.
Ours, more than any other, is Cover
meDt ofopinion. of public opinion. not of
physical force. But the dictation, the
command of public bodies, of the consti-
tuted authorities Of other Governments,
quoad hoe foreign from this to whom
power TO TIT end, IS not delegated. is an
inr0sion of the privileges of this body
which, if persevered in and submitted TO,
is omnous of fearful and fatal change
in the essential principles of the Consti-
tuition itself.
The doctrine assumed is not only OBJ
noxious TO the objections have stated,
but it conflicts with our whole plan of
Government; harmonizing with no part
of its machinery. 1t is deemed necessa.
ry, for example, that freedom of debate
should be guaranteed to you here but
of what use is freedom of debate, if the
final result TO which you must come, is
already settled by power foreign and
ertrinsic from this body? 1t is expected
that you should discuss, deliberate, and
finally decide, as wisdom and prudence
may dictate. But cui bono, if the meas
ure in consideration, be already predeter-
mined? Sir, from early youth, you and
| have been taus hit to look to the Amer
lean Senate, no, only for whatever was
elevated in patriotism, but powerful in
intellect, and wise in counsel. And it
is because in times gone by, (it may not
be proper to refer to the present time,) it
is here, that the American Senate ac-
guired the name it did-a name that en-
Iarged its capacity TO do good almost IL
lImitably-a name that gave to its naked
opinions a power greater than that of an
.'army with bannersw Sir, it was en-
phatically asked by distinguished Sena-
tor at your last session--and the same
appropriate figure was again most hapi.
ly alluded to by another Senator during
your present session-was this proud
name acquired by autamata? Are we
all machines here? Is there no deiibel-
ton ? no intellect? no wisdom in coun-
sci no concession 7 no moulding Of opin-
ions here? Are we seut here as puppets,
to be moved as the wires are pulled by
those behind us No, sir, MOI And
such doctrine is as consistent with the
spirit of the Constitution, and with that
dignity of character upon which the ca.
pacity for usefulness ofthis body depends,
as its assertion is unsanctioned by any
grant of power by the people TO the con,
sitated authorities of the State Govern
ments.
Sir, it has been surmised by some, that
as the members of this body are appoin.
ted by the Legislative authorities of the
states, therefore right to control the ac-
ton here of those members remains with
the appointing power. With all proper
respect, sir, must say that such con-
clusion to me is most positive non seoul
tur. Apply the proposition to other Ca
ses. The secretary of the Treasury is
appointed by the President: therefore the
,cM of the President constitutes his Su.
preme law. What, then, becomes OF
your public treasure? The Judges owe
their appointments to the same authority
are they also subject to the "doctrine OF
% And what would the
President himself say ifthe doctrine were
sought to be applied to him! We have
had one President who was appointed
by the House of Representatives; was
that House, therefore, to instruct" him