Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa Territory [Iowa]) 1840-1846, 1844-06-22
BURLINGTON, IOWA: SATURDAY, JUNE %, 1874

proclaiming that revolution had already
begun; all tho business Of legislation in
both wings Of the Capitol postponded TO
that q agitation and panic, an extra-judi-
cial and branding sentence pronounced upon
the Chief Magistrate Of the nation, in vio-
lation Of usage and Of the Constitution
these features present but faint picture
Of the alarm and confusion which prevailed.
CONSERVATION had almost seized upon the
republican ranks, thinned by descrtions and
harrasscd BY distracting doubts and fears.
But the stern resolve Of him whose iron
arm guided the helm Of State, conducted
the perilous conflict 10 successful issue.
Nor should've forget the eminent services
Of the individual who presided over the
Committee Of Ways and Means. His cool
ness, promptitude, and abundant resources
We're never ut fault. His opening speech
in vindication Of the Presidents measure,
contains all the material facts and reasons
on the republican side Of the question, en-
forced with much power and illustrated by
great research. To this speech almost
every member ofthe opposition, who spoke
upon the question, attempted 10 reply, but
the arguments which its author brought
forward to establish the power Of the Pres
ident under the Constitution, as clucidatcd
By cotemporaneous or early exposition, to
do the act, which had been 50 boldly de-
nounced as high-handed and tyrannical
usurpation, could neither be refutcd nor
weakened. Mr.. McDufiie, the distin.
guished leader Of the opposition in this
eventfal conflict, bore testimony, in his
concluding remarks, TO the "hcldness end
maniness" with which Mr.. Polk had as
sumed the only position which could b
judiciously taken. The financial portion
of his speech, and that in which he exposed
the glaring misdecds Of the bank, were no
lees efficient. When Mr.. McDuiHe had
concluded the remarks to which we have
alluded. a member from Virginia, after
few pertinent observations, demanded the
previous question. Amore intense excite
ment was never felt in Congress than ut
this thrilling moment. The two parties
looked at each other for space, In sullen
silence, ike two armies on the eve Of
deadly conflict. The motion Of Mr.. Ma
son prevailed, the debate was arrested, and
the division proved triumphant victory
for the republican cause. The Bank then
gave up the contest in despair"
"The position Of Chairman Of the COM
mittcc Of Ways and Means, at all times a
most arduous and responsible one, was
doubly so atthis session, which will form
an epoch in the political annals OF the
country. Mr.. Polk occupied it for. the
first time. From its organization, and the
nature of its duties, this committee must
be at all times the chief organ OF every
administration in the House. AT this ses-
sion II was for obvious reasons peculiarly
SO. To attack it, then, was to strike at
the Government; to embarrass its action
was to thwart the course OF the admins
ton. Extraordinary and indiscriminate
opposition was accordingly made to all the
appropriation bills. II was ayowed in de-
bate, that it was within the scope Of legiti-
mate opposition, to withhold even the or
binary supplies until the deposits were res
tored TO the Bank Of the United States;
that this restitution must be made, or rcvo-
luton ensue. The Bank must triumph,
or the wheels of Government be arrested.
The people should never forget the perils
Of contest, in which they were almost
constrained to succumb. The recollection
should warn them not to build UP again
power in the State Of such formidable
faculties.
s'The tactics which we have Just des-
cribed, threw great additional labor upon
the committee, and particularly upon its
chairman. Fully appraised Of the difficult
ties he had to encounter, he maintained his
post with sleepless vigilance and untiring
activity. He was always ready to give the
House ample explanations upon every
item, however minute, of the various APP
preparations. He was ever prompt TO
meet any objections which might be start
ed, and ofquick sagacity to detect the ar
tifices to which factious disingenuousness
is prone to resort. All the measures Of
the committee, including those Of para
mount importance, relating 10 the bank
and the deposits, were carried in spite Of
the most immitigable opposition. The
true-hearted republicans who conducted
this critical conflict to a successful issue,
among whom Mr.. Polk occupies a distin-
guishcd rank, deserves the lasting graft.
tude Of the country"
In December, 1885, Mr.. Polk was elect
ed Speaker Of the House Of Represents
tives, and which station he retained until
1889, when he was elected Governor Of
Tennessee. 1t was during the time that
he was Speaker, that Mr.. Clay, maddened
by his feelings Of blasted ambition. and 1t
the course which Col. Polk had pursued
towards his darling pet, the Bank Of the
United States, that he committed that out
rage upon decorum and gentlemanly bear
ing, which has made him 90 famous. Mr..
Clayhwas then Senator'S bank storm
was raging in the House, and Clay came
down to witness it. Finding that his party
failed, and bursting with rage which he
could not suppress, Mr.. Clay shook his
fist 1t Col. Polk. then in the speakers chair,
and in : voice choking with rage, ex-
claimed, Go hons God Damn you, 10 where
yoS baorgl" Col. Polk, Of course, paid
no attention to'ths slang Of The ssembodi-
ment Of whiggery," and there the. matter
dropped. sf8x
In 1896, sevsral professed democrats in
Tia a0safh hrna.oRt {nvwarA Hn~h II