Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1846-08-22

how utterly impossible with account OF all these
things TO vote for the bill without amendment along
with other Democratic Senator'S with our mouths gagged
Judgments unconvnced and deliberations oesaled upon
question which always thought be national one above
the dominion of any political party whatever as4 -
now poceed to lay before you unadoned narrative OF
my party conferences in connection with this subject and
leave you 10 characterize deserves the injustice that
has been done by all those who have brought ques
ton my faithfuness to the Democratic party Where my
defamers have been prompted by malice they entitled to
compassion where they have been led by the spirit Of
Wy, they worthy Of their where they have been
stimulated into activity by vain conceit the love Of
toey, Of petty political ecla they deserving Of my
contempt and richly they rewarded with it. But owe
i to honest men, who may have been msed by their I'M
founded accusations disabuse their minds far
do without betrayal Of that confidence which, amongst gen
emen is implied in private conversations, matter what
may be their subject and which is seldom betrayed without
misrepresentation II necessary have liberty do other
wise but shall avoid all unnecessary repetition Of the deca-
When the tariff bill first reached the Senate in Ra
leigh and then communicated to an intimate political friend
how difficult should find TO support without important
amendments expressing TO him my exceeding anxiety and
fears upon the subject Immediately after my to this
city, the first day Of the debate in the Senate, told several
of the Senators Democats) with whom most intimate
the thing and upon conference suggested to two Of
them that might have TO resignation but they did
agree with me, and consented to think further of that
had been voted by the party have and agreed
to have no amendment to the bill Next day held long
and confidential conversation with the PRESIDENT THE
UNITED STATES himself upon this subject and informed him
determination vote the lett II 10 MS
discretion whether to keep that purpose secret not In that
interview such my anxiety to reconcile my duty with the
wishes of Others that consented to my opposition and
for the BILL however reluctantly provided were amend
that the tariff would not into operation before
the 18th March, 1S47 The bill would then have operated
repeal Of the tariff Of 1872 and far was willing to
support But desred operation to be postponed to some
period which would be lees oppressive existing manuiac
lures and which might allow Congress time to correct its
rors and after full deberaon, to amend before the exist
system had been destoyed for deberaton had bsen re-
fused and amendments excluded although the was due
the subject and the others admitted be
By that time too, hoped might have peace with Mexico
and indeed entertained doubt that Congress would see
the necessity for modifying the act at the next session.
knew well that the Senate about passing the BILL con-
ary the judgment Of majority, under the duress Of
party drill unwse that feelings were ayerse
going against the Of my party in that body These
assigned to the PREsDRNT whose is not used
Without his express Hceaee Upon my return the Senate
Chamber had promised to do, told several Senators
who regarded leaders upon this question, that could
not vote for the bill unless should be amended as above
but, If were amended Uonid giue 1t U0e And
again promised to keep objections and secret
from the other side until my party had been consulted
and until shoud be obliged to act The secret was Kept
sacledly upon my part and hg Senator knew OF my
opposition to bill With that view that down to
the day before resigned had conference with persons
in Washington, and Out of the Senate upon this subject
cep the President Of the United States himself and OF his
Cabinet unless may be that general terms limited to
of my colleagues in the House that embarrassed
hut he asked interview and sought none On the day
before resigned went into the country with private gen
tleman and personal friend, Ca distinguished Democrat TO
consult with him upon the single point of resgnng, or OF
making resistance the bill bad frequent conversations
with Senator'S and during Wednesday and Thursday before
the vote taken in the Senate held three confidential
ferences with the PRESIDENT his request whom
termination to vote against the bill aw avs known is
unnecessary for aude personal and po
cal relations the particular conversations that
occurred if II possible repeat such conversations with
perfect accuracy Suffice say that he had notice OF
difficulties and knew all about my determination except my
intention to resign Twas not willing to tell him of my in
tenton resign when there could have been motive for
but constran his magnanmty into resistance Of my self
sacrifice his Administration He that my mind was
made up, and he respected scrupe though he was not
Indifferent to their supposed political consequences or
his Administration Twill not say more.
had been positively informed, before my last interviews
with the President that the Democratic Senators could not
unite would not agree upon the amendment which had
leopard the bill in the other House alter it that the House
would reject it If it went back replied TO this that was
mistaken calculation and if not, then the bill ought not
to pass with the Peoples Representatives. against IT, The
sequel proved that was right for had to he returned to
them in consequence of another amendment, and yet il
passed, it had done before. The Democratic Senators
must have regarded any effort of mine TO amend the BILL
rary 10 their wishes and after all that had passed.
r attack upon their bill and perhaps they would have
been justified in that and therefore, finally resolved not
to amendment myself As honor and good faith to
the party required of attempt amending the bill
against their will, determined to let my opposition be- in all
respects, direct and ADORE suspicion so exceedingly
careful not to do thing which might me to
sure interfere with my confidential party relations with
Democratic Senators, and therefore resolved not DO put
array against them all until forced to the wall, when
Gas told them) would be compelled to follow the die
aes of my conscience party party and leave the
sequences with God" There is Senator sure who
doubted my scupes if he did, he had sefespect
enough to conceal his suspicion On the contrary the lead
ing Of that body on the Democratic side, without ex
cepoD, well the President of the United States,
pressed themselves me- upon anxiousy but
con6dney-alI of them concurrng the wish that could
vote for the bill, doubling my perfect sincerity They
and knew the conflict had endure betwixt feeling and
duty, but which able to describe to you. There
hour when could have altered my
without any abatement of their respect any sacrifice
pride OF opinion, if could have reconced ii to my
of duty and conscience under circumstances
to vote for the bill as Yet my convictions too
strong for that-I COULD sor and nothing remained
for me but TO continue in my place and vote against my
party friends or to resign my seat at period when other
question likely be affected by it. | owe il 70 myself
state that all those who beforehand Of my intention
to resign, with voice dssuaded from it. for in
dcave of their confidence and attachment personal and
ca and after my resignation had been laid upon the table
of the Vice President number of tem without my know
ledge nteposed to have its delayed until could
be solicited to recall it. But my opinion varied
upon that point although my determination occasionally
caed anterior 10 the 25th of July, out Of Difference to
others and haring done all for The party that honest
man could DO chose 10 resign And now, after calm
review of all the circumstances do hesitate declare
that should do precisely the thing it to be done
over again, and these my reasons:
Democratic Senators numbering twenty had agreed
gin Wing Senator from Tennessee Il knew that Mr. Jar
To adj