The Arkansas banner., 1844-06-26

miserable pensioners as they increased or relaxed their cries of financial agony; public meetings held in every city with scarcely the intermission of day, denouncing the Presi- dent as tyrant and the enemy of his coun- try; deputations hocking from the towns to eXtort from him reluctant submission; Whig orators traversing the country, and stimulating the passions of excited multitudes, without respect even to the sanctity of the Sabbath; imhammatory memorials poured into Con- gress from every quarter; the Senate almost decreeng itself into a state of permanent in- surrection, and proelaiming that revolution had already begun; all the business of legis- lation in both wings of the Capitol postponed to that of agitation and panic; an extraiudi- eial and branding sentence pronounced upon the Chief Magistrate of the nation, in viola ton of usage and of the Constitution-these features present but faint picture of the alarm and confusion which prevailed. Con- sternation had almost seized upon the Re publican ranks, thinned by assertions and harrassed by distracting doubts and fears.- But the stern resolve of him whose iron ann guided the helm of state, conducted the peri
 lous conflict to a successful issue. Nor should we forget the eminent services of the individual who presided over the Committee of Ways and Means. His coolness, prompti- tude, and abundant resources were never at fault. His opening speech in vindication of the Presidents measure, contains all the ma terial facts and reasons on the Republican side of the question, enforced with much power, and illustrated by great search. To this speech almost every member of the Opposition, who spoke upon the question, attempted to reply, but the arguments which its author brought forward 10 establish the power of the President under the Consttu- ton, as elucidated by contemporaneous or early exposition, 10 do the act, which had been so boldly denounced as a high-handed and tyrannical usurpation, could neither be reluted nor weakened. Mir. McDuffie, the distinguished leader of the Opposition in this eventful conflict, bore testimony, in his concluding remarks, to the 'boldness and manliness2' with which Mr. Polk had assumed the only position which could be judieiously taken. The financial portion of his speech, and that in which he exposed the glaring misdeeds of the Bank, were no less efficient. When Mir. McDuflie had concluded the re- marks to which we have alluded, member from Virginia, after few pertinent observa- tons, demand the previous question. Amore intense excitement was never felt i'll Congress than at this thrilling moment The two parties looked at each other for space, in suIlen silence, like two armies on the eve of deadly conflict. The motion of Mir. Ma son prevailed, the debate was arrested, and the division proved a triumphant victory for the Republican cause. The Bank then gave Fup the contest in despair.
 The position of the Chairman of the Com
 nittee of Ways and Means, at all times q most arduous and responsible one, was dou- bly, so at this session, which will form an epoch in the political annals of the country
 Mr. Polk occupied t for the first time. From it's organization and the nature of It's duties. this committee must be at all times the chiel organ of every administration in the House. At this session it was for obvious reasons pe- culiarly so. To attack 1t, then, was to strike at the Government; to embarrass its action was to thwart the course of the Adminstra- ton. Extraordinary and indiscriminate oP- position was accordingly made to all the ap- propriation bills. It was avowed in debate, that 1t was within the scope of legitimate op- position to withhold even the ordinary sup plies until the deposits were restored to the Bank of the United States; that this restltu- ton must be made, or revolution ensue. The Bank must triumph, or the wheels ofG0vern- ment be arrested. The people should never forget the perils of contest i'll which they were almost constrained to succumb. The recollection should warn them not to build Il, dabe faculties. The tactics which we have
 just described, threw great additional labor upon the committee, and particularly upon it's chairman. Fully apprized of the difficult ties he had to encounter, he maintained his post with sleepless vigilance and untiring ac- tiyity He was always ready to give the House ample explanations upon every item however minute, of the various appropria- lions. He was ever prompt to meet any ob- iactions which might be started, and ofquick sagacity to detect the artfices to which fac tious disingenuousness is prone to resort. All the measures of the committee, including those of paramount importance, relating to the Bank and the deposits, were carried in spite of the most immitigable opposition. The true-hearted Republicans who conducted this critical conflict to successful issue, among whom Mr. Polk occupies a distin
 guished rank, deserve the lasting gratitude of the country.
 Towards the close of the memorable ses- sion of 1894, Mir. speaker Stevenson resigned the chair, as well as his seat in the House. The majority of the Democratic party prefer red Mr. Polk as his successor, but in conse- quence of division in it's ranks, the Oppo- sition, 10 whom his prominent and uncom- promising course had rendered him less ac- eeptable, succeeded in electing gentleman, then professed friend, but since decided opponent of the President and his measures. Mr. Folks defeat produced no change in his course. He remained faithful to his party and assiduous in the performance of his ar duous duties. In December, 1885, he was elected Speaker of the House of Representa-