The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-04-06
CONGRESSIONAL.
sPEECH OE MR. SMITH,
OF coESEcrIcUT.

Senafe, Safurday, Mareh ~. 1850.
The Senate having under consideration the resolution
introduced by Mr. BRADBURY,
Mr.. SMITH resumed and concluded as follows:
Mr.. PREsrDESr now come to part Of the dis.
cusson TO which desire 10 invite the attention OF
those senators who have counienanced this resolution,
as l propose TO show that the undertaking OF my
honorable friend is highly hazardous to the demo-
cratic party How far have you kept your pledges,
and how far have you held them binding on your
Presidents for a long course OF years! | am not
about 70 excuse lkng By the practice and ex
ample Of the democracy Fortunately. have no occa-
o e e q
cutor Of this claim Of violated pledges" and take an
exception 70 his competency up against him what
ss neither .xS: ss g ssS w ssaS
ception now urged the attention OF the Senate In
review OF the political history OF the country from 1928
down TO this day, have been able 10 hnd scarcely
instance OF held out to the public by the demo-
cratic party the basis OF presidential which
they have not departed from utterly in practice. This
to the past will not be without its as II will
show those who free 10 mpeach the motives and
assal the conduct Of others. that possibly they may
quire some little indulgence themselves, and hence may
conclude to be little reserved in casting reproaches
at others. A little self examination would think be
highly useful to the democracy They should search out
their own skirts, and perhaps they will hnd there the
ghosts OF too many broken promises, TO make It worth
while for them 10 say much the subject Of violation
of pledges by any one
Il will be recoected that the party known in 1928
the Jackson party obtained OF the government
the result OF the presidential election OF that year. on
the faith Of numerous pledges and assurances all OF which
will show were set aside in practice and came to
nothing Up that PERIOD the party had not arrogated
the democratic and characer but soon afterl be-
leve in the winter OF lS2S-hey held meeting IN mus
city 70 commemorate the bllue Of New Orleans, wnen
democracy, and have continued to rejoice therein ever
since BY that designation shall speak OF them here
alter as have hitherto, though am far from admitting
thai there has been much Of true repubcansm displayed
in their course What them were the pledges given by
the democracy at and before the presidential election in
i'' Tbsy TDs took ground distinctly and empha,cay in
favor OF the term principle They held that no in
cumbent Of the presidential Office should be reelected
on and unless s s could Be @ adopted
least in practice, serious evils would follow the Presi-
dent would busy himself during the whole of his first
iavoraS,. The election Of General Jackson was in
cessfnt N W. Of this principle. and public
scys ans in the same cause were
Importance on the people We know Ms ,s , arr
was. Mr.. Adams was defeated, and the hero on New
Orleans became the seventh President OF the Uniiea
States President Jackson in his first annual message
feed to and recognised the obligations which he and his
party had assumed in this respect. He says:
II would advisable limit the service of Chief
Magistrate single term of either four six years"
In bis second annual message, he says:
Experience abundany demonstrates that every pre-
caution in this respect is valuable safeguard Of liberty
one which my upon the Of our
incline 10 think should be made still stronger II
the constitution removing all Intermediate agency in
the choice Of the President recommended SOME rssric
Offices generally. The sui exist, and renew
the recommendation with increased confidence this
adoption win strengthen those checks by which the
stlon designed the ependence of each de-
parnent OF the government and promote the heahu and
equitable administration Of all the trusts which 1t has
created"
In bis third annual message after referring his former
recommendation of amendments Of the constitution Civ.
the choice OF the President directly TO the people, and
rendering the office Of President ineligible after term,
he says:
$50 important do consider these changes In our funda
mental law, that Cannot in accordance with my OF
Congress-"
Asa fitting commentary on the fidelity OF Gen Jackson
and his friends to this pledge il is sucien: state that
Mr. Doneson then private secretary OF the President in
the winter of 1s3l'32, addressed letter 10 General
knpps, member Of the Pennsylvania legislature with
views and for purposes which will be readily appreciated.
IN which tspeaking OF the election of Gen j. he said,
that the President would doubt feel il CRATE
ul compliment 10 be assured that the OF his ad
minisafon has not disappointed the wishes OF Pennsy-
yania to whose partiay and early support he is much
indebted. This letter was, said ranked BY the then
President; but Justice TO General requires il should be
stated that Mr. DoneIson denied that he General J had
any knowledge of It's contents.
In due season he nominated by his friends in the
Pennsylvania legislature, and responded thereto in let
ter dated February o. 1884, in which be admits that he
had not antePaied' that the appreciation OF his fellow
czens would subject him 10 any iuure calls in the
vice OF his country" lie then refers his recommenda-
lion Of amendment OF the constitution rendering
fesdent not re-eRDie ana suggests ne had expected
retire conformity with that principle. but finally con-
cludes TO be overued byhis friends He says: feel
10 be my duly 10 yield my personal pishes TO their soca
from"
1t will hardly be sufficient answer to say that General
Jackson merely recommended amendment OF the
stItuon for any practice he evil 80 great 10
quire that extreme remedy would suppose that "a
would be advisable TO change the practice itself On the
reelection OF President Jackson, this subject dropped
He did not deem il expedent to refer to again IN his
COMMUNICATIONS TO Congress, and the democracy have
been profoundly silent in that regard from that day 10
this
q Another ground assumed in the canvass OF '2s was
that members OF Congress should be appointed Office
either during the for which they elected,
within two years thereafter This last addition TO
qualification OF the rule indispensable 10 its efficiency
The object to place Congress beyond the reach Of
executive infuence-to make il truly independent-an
object which would certainly be evaded defeated. IL
members could become recipients OF executive favor
Immediately alter the expiration OF their terms Ii will
be recoecied that General Jackson was during the
vass OF 1884, member OF the Senate; and that soon after
his defeat in the House OF Representatives in the winter
Of ls225 he resigned his seat and re turning home
on the l4h OF October 1895, honofed with public recep
ton by the general assembly OF Tennessee and, in an
resulting from this source from which submit the fol-
lowing extract:
"wih view to sustain more eectnaly in practice the
axoni which divides the three classes OF power into
indie pendent, constitutional cheeks wond impose pro.
vision rendering any member OF Congress Ineligible 70 office
under the general government during the term for which
he was isa se q oi Two years 20
.But IL this change the constitution should be OBJ
tanned, and Important appointments devoye
thought 70 be convinced p,ion viii become the or
der Of the day. and that The sab OF