The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-04-03

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how they bear their banishment for they have been
banshed from power--nol 10 the Isle OF Patmos or
to St. Helena, but to the head waters OF "Salt
river"
The honorable gentleman from Kentucky, [Mr,
DAVIS To whom he wished 10 pay passing trib-
ute, commenced with lecture, very beautifully
pronounced, about sinking tho partisan and acting
the dignity and esmness OF the statesman. How
far his party denunciations today may have
ponded with the homily he delivered last evening,
he (Mr. d. should not consume time 10 inquire.
He concurred with tho honorable gentleman in the
opinion, when they came hse, that they should
examine the questions submttsd to their eonsidera-
ton imPsrtiay, and free fro" The aspeny Of party
spirit. Yes they ought TO look up TO the eonstitu.
tiou ITSELF which is the origin and definition Of their
powers they ought 10 seek there for the extent their
overs in the true construction OF that instrument
ITSELF and not to descend To former legislation as
standard, which, in many instances. has grown out
Of mere party strife, and unfathfay reflects, if j,
does not infringe upon the letkr and the spirit OF
the constitution. IL xe desire 10 contemplate the
n all their beauty and bsiliancy, Jet cast
our eyes up 10 the armament, and not satisfy our
selves by looking down nj their fashless reflection
in muddy brook. Thu WOULD be the course OF
wise stalssmsas hey sssJd mount up 70 IA son-
stution itself The sourss Of power and not quote
The grovelling creature Of party msy content him
self by looking farther to justify his acts than TO
former measures enacted in the heat and violence OF
partisan excitement, while he disrsgurds aad sets
at defiance the supreme authority, the constitution
Of his country. To him, without Injustice or uo-
lence, may be applied the words Of the poet:
Then like an IDIOT, gazing on the brook,
He leaps at stars, and fistsns In the mud'
We ought to attempt to conform all our legislation TO
the constitution; have sworn TO do t. Ills the con-
stitution which binds together this Union, which ID
our source Of power and il we fail to observe, II
we violate IT, and break il down, the Union itself is
destroyed. Sir, that constitution was framed by a
wisdom equalled only by the antecsdent bravery
which achieved our liberty. 1t 10 to this confede
streng thens all; it binds into glorious confede-
racy many separate, sovereign States, and Il gave
rise to that beautiful motto, "E piuibus ununs,"
TITS the last keystone
That makes the ARCH the rest that there were put
Are nothing till that comes 10 bind and shut
Then stands II a triumphsl mark! then
Observe the strength the height. the why and when
II was erected and still ing under,
Meet some new matter TO look up and wonder"
And we have daily cause to look up and admire
this beautiful arch OF our union, and to view with
delighted amazement and patriotic pride its admlra-
BILE operation in binding us together With such
sentiments, then, Of veneration to our constitution
with such a solemn conviction Of our duty TO con-
form to the provisions Of that instrument-l cannot
give my assent to any measure unta faithful, can
did examination has convinced me that 1t is within
our constitutional competency.
With these preliminary remarks, Mr.. d. pro-
posed briefly TO examine the provisions Of this bill
and 10 inquire whether they were in conformity with
the letter and spirit of the constitution and with the
intention Of the framers OF that nstrument-to in
quire whether il conforms also 10 the early legisa-
ton and practice Of the government.
This bill might be said To be divided into two
parts; the first portion Of it, down to the 18th sec
ton inclusive, relates TO the collection and safe keep
ing of the public money; the other portion relates
the medium in which the shall be collect
ed, with some other miscellaneous regulations. He
would not consume the time Of the committee by
taking each section by itself and reviewing its pro-
visions. He would simply state, however, that il
provides for the establishment of treasury and for
the safe-keeping Of the public money through the
agency of officers Of the federal government constr
tutonaly appointed and legussy responsible-there-
by so far the custody of the money is concerned
making complete separation Of the government
from the banking insttutons-the irresponsible cor
poraticns Of the country. Ii prevents also (whie il
effects this separation from the banks) the public
revenue, from the time of its collection TO its dsburse-
mcnt, from being employed in any way whatever
by the individuals who have it in their custody un.
der severe penalties and proposes faithfully and Sc
curey to keep it, to be used at all times when want
ed for expenditure for the public service.
The inquiry then was, Does such establish
ment Of the treasury and such preservation Of the
funds Of government conform to the spirit and
meaning Of the constitution TO the early Legislation
Of the country, and the practice Of the government
1t is clear from examination Of the provisions OF
the constitution that the establishment Of treas
ury proper is contemplated. The very idea Of the
collection of duties, OF revenue, carries with il and
embraces within its meaning treasury-a place in
which this revenue shall be kept until wanted Ia
be used for constitutional purposes. Besides that
there is provision in the constitution which says
that mo money shall be drawn from the treasury
but in consequence of appropriations made by law
and regular statement and account Of the receipts
and expenditures Of all public money shall be pub
lished from time to time" Language, therefore, can
not more plainly convey idea than the meaning
and intention Of the constitution is that there shal
be treasury thus established, and the provision
that it is not to be drawn out of this treasury but in
consequence Of appropriations made by law, inev
ably and conclusvely proves that it cannot be inter
mediately used for any purpose; boaause, once in
the treasury, it cannot be taken out used for any
purpose until drawn out for appropriations made by
considered brief and candid exposition Of the
meaning of the constitution.
And now, did the bill conform 10 the early legis
aton Of the country, both before and AFTER the adop
ton Of the federal constitutions If gentlemen would
turn to the lst volume Of the laws Of the United
States, they would find the very commencement o.
an effort to establish treasury Of the United States
it under the direction Of different officers, appointed
however by the continental Congress. Sometimes
under board Of commissioners, or board OF d.
rectors, under superintendent Of finance, &c, bu
invariably under the idea that the money was never
to be used and mingled up with private transactions
so much so, that when they first appointed super
intendent of the treasury, Robert Morris, who was
at that time engaged in some mercantile and com
mercial affairs, wrote letter, which would bt
found embodied in the laws Of the United States
asking whether it would be proper for him. having
made these engagements from which he could mo-
release himself to exercise the Office OF superintend
ent, and The Congress- passed special provision au
thorizng 1T but afterwards they passed an act that
no person in any way connected with the treasury
should be engaged in any kind Of business; so great
was their precauton aganct minglng the funds OIL
government with those of private individuals.
Such was briefly the history Of the treasury proi
to the formation Of the federal constitution; ant
soon after that, when the Treasury Department wa,
established, after providing in the 4th section tina
the moneys should be received and kept in the treas
ury, and the mode in which they should be paic
out they INCORPORATED in the 9Th section Of the sam,
act, provision in conformity with the previou;
practice and principles Of the continental Congress
/