The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 184?-1851, 1844-07-10
NUMBER I6.

tuuoHS3 inS PdntC WHICH - lIgnten CltleS from
their proprietyn do not sweep with the same
desolating force over the scattered dwellings of
the country
In September, 1888, the President indignant
at the open defiance of law by the Bank of the
United States, and the unblushing corruption
which it practised, determined upon the bold
and salutary measure of the removal of the de-
posites, which was effected in the following
month. The act produced much excitement
throughout the country, and it was foreseen that
great and doubtful conflict was about to ensue
AT such a crisis it became important to have at
the head of the Committee of ways and Means,
man of courage to meet, and irmness to sus-
tain, the formidable shock. Such man was
found in Mr.. Polk, and he proved himself equal
to the occasion. Congress met, and the conflict
proved even fercer than had been anticipated.
The cause of the bank was supported in the
House by such men as Mr.. McDuffie, Adams,
and Birney, not to mention host of other
names. 1t is instructive to look back in calmer
times to the reign of terror known as the panic
session. The bank, with the whole commerce
of the country at its feet, alternately torturng
and easing lis miserable pensioners as they in
creased or relaxed their cries Of financial agony;
public meetings held in every city with scarcely
the intermission Of day, denouncing the Presi-
dent as a tyrant and the enemy Of his country;
deputations focking from the towns TO extort
from him reluctant submission; whig orators
traversing the country, and stimulating the pas
sions of excited multitudes, without respect
even to the sanctity of the Sabbath; infammato-
ry memorials poured into Congress from every
quarter; the Senate almost decreeing iself into
a state of permanent insurecton, and proclaim
ing that revolution had already bugun; all the
business of legislating in both wings of the Capt.
tol postponed to that of agitation and panic; an
extraudical and branding sentence pronounced
upon the Chief Magistrate of the nation, in vo-
lation of music and Of the constitution these
features present but a faint picture of the alarm
and confusion which prevailed. CONSERVATION
had almost seized upon the republican ranks,
thinned by desertions and hanassed by distract
ing doubts and fears. But the stern resolve of
him whose iron arm guided the helm of state,
conducted the perilous conflict to successful
issue. Nor should we forget the eminent servi-
ccs of the individual who presided over the
Committee of Ways and Means. His GOODNESS,
promptitude, and abundant resources were never
at fault. His opening speech in vindicaton of
the Presidents measure, contains all the material
facts and reasons on the republican side of the
question, enforced with much power, and illus
trated by great research. To this speech, al
most every member Of the opposition who spoke
upon the question:, attempted to reply; but the
arguments which its author brought forward to
establish the power of the President under the
constitution, as eIucidated by contemporaneous
or early exposition, to do the act, which had
been so boldly denounced as high-handed and
fyropniool 10
nor weakened. Mr.. McDufie, the distinguished
leader of the opposition in this eventful conflict,
bore testimony, in his concluding remarks, to the
" boldness and manliness with which Mr.. Polk
had assumed the only position which could be
judiciously taken. The financial portion of his
speech, and that in which he exposed the gla-
ring msdeeds of the bank, were no less efficient.
When Mr.. McDuffie had concluded the remarks
10 which we have alluded, member from Vir-
ginia, after few pertinent observations, deman-
ded the previous question. more intense
excitement was never felt in Congress than at
this thrilling moment The two parties looked
at each other fol a space, in sullen silence, like
two armies on the eve of a deadly conflict.
The motion Of MIR. Mason prevailed, the debate
was arrested, and the division proved a triumph
ant victory for the republican cause. The bank
then gave up the contest in despair.
The position Of the chairman ofthe Commit
tee of Ways and Means, at all times most ar
duous and responsible one, was doubly so at this
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 session it was, for obvious
reasons, peculiarly so. To attack it, then, was
to strike at the government; TO embarrass its ac-
ton was to thwart the course of the administra-
ton. Extraordinary and indiscrimnate opposi-
ton was accordingly made to allthe appropriation
bills. 1t was avowed in debate, that it was with
in the scope of legitimate opposition to withhold
even the ordinary supplies until tho deposites
we're resorted TO the bank of the United States;
that this restitution must be made or revolution
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 10 succumb. The re-
collection should warn them not 10 build up again
power in the state of such formidable faculties.
The tactics which we have just described, threw
great additional labor upon the committee, and
particularly upon its chairman Fully apprsed
VI lllC nc lltlu "
tanned his post with sleepless vigilance and unti-
ring activity. He was always ready to give the
House ample explanations upon every item, how
ever minute, of the various appropriations. He
was ever prompt to meet any objections which
might be started, and Of quick sagacity to detect
the articles to which factous disingenuousness
is prone to resort All the measures Of the com
mttee, including those ofparamount Importance
relating to the bank and deposes, were carried
in spite of the most immitigable opposition. The
true-h hearted republicans who conducted this crit
ical conhictto successful ssue--among whom
Mr.. Polk occupies distinguished rankdeseve
tho lasting gratitude of the country.