Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1846-08-20

the duty on imports > and the yet more painful
humiliation Of seeing that accommodation gravey
and seriously entertained by an American Congress.
Are the President oftbe United States aud his Cab
met ignorant of the importance Of preserving the
national credit at all times, but more especially in
conjunciure like the present, Do they not
know that there is close relationship aud intimate
sympathy between public and private credit Do
they not know that the destruction Of the one in
wolves the rnin Of the o,heri Are they ignorant
OF the evils aud embarrassments which never fail
to besei Government when its credit is stricken
down. Do they not know that il will be imposs-
BILE TO negotiate loans upon advantageous terms.
maintain treasury notes at par when the revenue
Of the Government shall be reduced many millions
below the amount necessary to pay its ordinary an
nual expenditures Have they been unobseryant
Of the TRUTH which experience teaches, that when
nation is embarrassed by such financial difficulties
as result from destruction ofits credit, its people
cannot prosper, Are the representatives Of the
people, in the Legislative branch Of the Government,
ignorant ofthese truths II would be unpar-
donabe reflection upon the American people to be-
eye that they have placed in authority. either in
the executive or legislative branch Of the Govern.
men,, men who have not investigated and under
stood these well-settled questions. Why, then. is
II that this measure is earnestly urged by the
executive, and seriously entertained by the leg
islatiye, branch of the Government Why are we
importuned by argument aud enIeaty TO abandon
the existing law, which, as a revenue measure, has
proven itself rock Of safety. 10 adventure upon
the doubtful qucksands Of wild experiment, that
present themselves in the bill under considcra-
ton 7 But one answer can be given TO this cues
ton. It is because party has so decreed Shall
the DEGREES OF that monster nullify the obligations
oil patriotism. and extinguish the lights Of wisdom
The gentleman from Georgia. Mr. JONES, a
member Of the Committee Of Ways and Means,
who. il seems. selected TO open the debate and
commend the bill to the favorable consideration Of
this committee, placed foremost in his array CT
arguments the fact that the Baltimore Convention,
which nominated Mr. Polk as candidate for the
Presidency passed resolution declaring that the
tariff act of 1912 ought to be repealed. And many
gentlemen who succeeded him in the debate on the
same side ofthe question have urged the same
gument. If this is valid argument. the conclu-
sion would seem to follow, that hereafter the only
duty which will devove upon the Congress Of the
United States will be, no. to deliberate and debate
with view TO wise egislation--not to look to our
own independent convictions. nor yet TO the will of
our constituents, TO ascertain public duty, but
merely TO inform ourselves Of the action Of pc.
litical convention which assemblies once in four
years, and without hesitation carry into effect is
DEGREES. Without stopping to show how much
such principle is in conhict with the genius OF
our Governm mt, aud how subrcrsire il is Of every
thing valuable in our institutions, | will. for the
sake of argument, grant the principle and yet con-
tend that the particular convention referred TO is
entitled to such respect. To establish this posi-
ton will not inquire how many Of the members Of
that convention were selEconstiiuted, claiming TO
be representatives ofihe people, yet having 40 con-
siituens but discrcdlt their proceedings with the
fact (which cannot be controverted) that very
1 large majority of them were instructed by their
constituents 10 nominate MIR Van Buren, as can
ddate for the Presidency aud that when they as.
sembled one Of their hrst acts was TO adopt rule
which required vote Of twoihirds Of the conyen-
ton to make nomination The object Of this
rule was 10 prevent the nomination OF Mr. Van
Buren,, and il produced that result. That object
being accomplished the convention proceeded to
nominate Mr. Polk, who had never, so far as know,
been thought Of or mentioned by any man, woman,
or child in America, as a candidate for that high
Office. Upon what ground the respect of a
Democratic Congress be claimed for the proceed.
ings Of convention which thus trampled under
, foot the expressed will ofthe party which il pro-
r fessed to represent Need ell this Democratic
House Of Representatives that this was papable
violation Of fundamental principle Of Democracy
sit not the doctrine Of Democracy that the will Of
the people ought always TO controlf Is il not the
doctrine OF Democracy that the voice Of the people
r is the supreme lawl And was not this papable
substitution ofthe will of few--interested. intrigu
ing poliiicians-for the will ofthe people Il may
be urged in these interrogatories, that cir
cumstances had occurred after the appointment o.
the members Of that convention which absosed
them from their instructions, and authorized them
to exercise discretion in regard to the selection
' Of candidate. meet this argument by contend
ing that circumstances now exist which absolvt
the Democratic members Of this House from any
ALLEGATION which may have been supposed 20 exist
{ requiring them TO obey the dictates Of the Balti
/ more Convention. The gentleman from Pennsy
\ vania, Mr. THOMPSON, himself Democrat, ha
r informed US that the resolution relating 10 the tar
n III was adopted when one.third of the members o
that convention had efi for their homes, without
. moment Of deliberation or word of debate an'
4 hence he deduces the conclusion that il ought no
e to be regarded binding upon Congress. Is j
thus that the great interes Of this republic are te
n be determined Is It not worse than ridiculous
II is il not contemplate in view Of such facts ree
q TO the proceedings OF that convention as an argu
nlent for passing the bill now before this commi!
IS tee? Mr. Chairman, Congress has already decided
/, that The proceedings Of that convention entitled
II to nothing bnt contempt and disregard. refer Il
the action Of Congress upon the Oregon question
n The Baltimore Convention passed resolution Of
}. that subject. Affirming that title TO the whole
o Oregon was clear and unquestionabe, and that III
o same ought to be re-occupied or re-annexed--
If speak from memory, and am not certain whic
% word was employed When that question wa
e under consideration in the Senate, distinguishc
democratic Senutor,[Mr HAywooD, Of North Car
/. olina, in answering the argument that Congres
y was bound 10 be guided by the DEGREES Of that
n yeniion, said in his place that "the Baltimore Cor
n vcn,io1 was organized by faction and controlled
+. dcmagogues." t.-65.