The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-03-24

done finally, that there in this BILL nor Ill any oil
the consequences attached to this bill, single thing
that extends the power of this government the opera
ton OF this government the laws OF this government
the influences of this government, single inch, or
the line OF an INCH beyond the sphere they occupy at
present
Well, sir. here are, acting upon this measure, IN;
der the influence OF gentleman who has distinguished
himself in the treasury agree, gentleman OF demo
cratic associations, OF democratic authority, democratic
altogether We are acting under the influence OF his
opinions, as aman OF experience. We are conforming
to the opinions OF almost every of the distinguished
Presidents who have presided this republic and,
far as know, every one that has from the State
represented here by The honorable senator who last ad-
dressed the Senate We know Mr. Madlson's opinions,
Mr.. Monroes opinions and all we have heard 10 night
is that they have not been acquesced ia Sir, it is time
they We're acqnesce6 in. Every gentleman concerned in
the administration on the government has found out the
inc licency OF arrangements From Madison and
Monroe downward, they have told again and again
that there was new organization necessary and down
to the present moment and the distinguished person who
holds the Office OF Secretary OF the Treasury, and
who fills ii with so much distinction, all say that their
experience, and the experience OF the departments prove
the necessity OF the organization, They have repre-
seated this 10 us before, and we have not done It,
think il is time that should adopt the advice of those
experienced in this affair
Now sir, if understand the argument upon the other
sde il is merely turning upona word We call this the Sec
rotary OF the Interior Thence ii is inferred that the gov
eminent to be carried further into the interior than it
ever carried before | do not understand il.
Where is the pc conferred upon anybody this bill
upon any branch of this government, except this that
certain powers heretofore exercised by certain agents.
hereafter to be exercised by certain other agents
That Is creating new Interior department. That is
overshadowing everything by the federal government
That is exngushng, and overturning, and bringing to
close present internal institutions. | see nothing of
all that. see nothing but plan, practical question
You have certain duties under this government to per
orm-dues respecting foreign reations-dutics respect
ing Internal affairs Are not those OF this great class,
relating 10 the census lands, pensions, Indians, and 9TH
they not ineror Are they not just interior
they will be when this bill is passed? and all subor
diuatpp Now the whole oupStIOu whether the
administration OF the matter there shall be one depart
ment, experimenting all these, or whether they shall be
distributed among all the other departments; whether 1t
shall be under the superintendent of the whole, or under
deputes Tha, is the whole of it. There is not an ar
cle in this bill extending the powers OF the government
over anything not already within It's grasp and It's admin
straon not sentence not phrase. 1t is sir, bill
for appointing agents to exercise already existing
powers, ana nothing else under heaven; and all our
defamation about The overshadowing influence OF Exec
utive power, cannot change that fact Sir again repeat
that this has been demanded by the exgenclcs OF
the country recommended by the most experienced men IN
the country, and principally from the Soulhprhepay
from the South. Now that its cygency has become pal
pable obvious such as strikes the and conscience
of every man. now sproposed that this measure which
has passed the popular branch shall be concured in here
The sentiment OF this body is for it, 1t is known to be
for it, And will not trespass upon its time further than
to say that and to leave to those who know mat to be
from proceeding to other urgent and impending mea-
sures
Mr.. DAVIS of Mississippi The position occupy
with relation 10 this question mpels me to ask the aen
ton of the Senate for few moments. The senator from
Virginia, Mr.. MAsoN,l in the remarks which he has
made has given totally turn to the measures he
has put it upon party groundsupon the extension OF the
federal powerupon It's popularity with the incoming adj
mnslraon, aud It's support upon the other side OF the
chamber find in the argument other fact than this
that necessary is sought to be defeated, be-
ii will not nure to our benefit hope sir, that II
does not derive It's support from the others merely be-
cause it will inure to their benefit
Sir this is no new measure, suddenly introduced, as
it has been time and again--and strangely enough-as-
serted to be- is old the foundation of our govern
ment
for one, have occasion to vaunt my democracy,
trumpet the fact at this time Sir, never had any
other creed never had any other name; ! never de-
parted from the OF democrat do not find in this
measure anything to reflect upon the past history OF my
political life That which comes from Washington,
Madison, Monroe, and from Robert J. Walker | think
has right 10 the of democracy. and to be con-
silered part and parcel of democracy. What manner
of argument is this, which asserts that the creation of
new agent is to extend the power of the government
Why, sir, when had but Secretary for the army
and navy and the exten SION OF this department of the
government made it necessary to divide into two,
enlarged by hsi Are all the powers OF the federal gov
eminent enlarged blythe addition OF every Indian agent
postmaster, or other officer who is found necessary to
the proper discharge of the duties OF the government!
Sir there are two ways in which this bill can be de-
ea,ed, and that after the OF the Senate has been
clearly expressed by much speaking, and the other
by many Amendments. If either OF these means be
adopted, and by their agency this important measure
shall fall and the cosny suffer for the want of these
officers, do not nend by keeping the Senate long, that
any portion of the censure shall fall upon me.
That distrus OF the federal government which belongs
my creed dsrust of the federal government when
it passes beyond its prescribed limits. Within these
limits ii is much entitled TO confidence and respect
as the powers of the State governments themselves.
Our opposition to it is only to be justified when engaged
in keeping the government within its constitutional linn
its.
But the senator says the federal government has moth
ing to do with internal and domestic relations. Nothing
Indeed Has the federal government nothing TO do with
domestic relations nothing 10 do with treaties with
Indian tribes, the government of the Indians, the
protection of our frontier nothing do with the rev.
of the conntry' nothing TO do with the post Offices
of the countryl
! Mr. MASON. If the honorable senator will allow
me, will explain did not say that the federal govern
men had nothing to do with domestic relations said
the federal government created to provide for foreign
relations but it necessary to give it share
of power over our internal relations, the Paten,
Office Indian bureau the public lands Nc, II should be
subordinate Being formed to take charge OF exte-
rior relations, we should not extend its power to in
terror relations any further than was absolutely
sary
Mr.. DAVIS. 1t was not the faul, of my memory then
but OF my ears, for certainly understood HIM the
| time
Mr.. President, if this passes intend to claim
it for the democratic administration, and to claim
democratic measure too, emanaton IRON the mind
of the Secretary Of the Treasury, and a mark of re-
spect shown to him IN It's passage the other branch
of Congress and IN this. intend to clam It, sir, a
bill for the southwest because the eyes OF the people
the southwest fixed upon it measure pecu-
| larry benetcia to them The man argument of the
senator from Virginia h~sore me, MIR. HUNTER / that
the power over the public lands should not be taken
| from the Secretary of the Treasury would imply
"A whose business ii is TO supply the ways and
means carving this government yyould of