The North-Carolina standard., 1850-01-23

I'D RALElG
powers and privileges, to allow him for moment to
think of participating in gross an insult as has
been perpeated in this instance upon the dignity Of
this body. So often have those now in power avowed
their apprehension of the undue Strengthening of the
executive department of the government at the ex-
pense of the legislative-so much dread have they
heretofore avowed Of the increase of what they have
emphatically called the one-man-power of our
system-thatit cannot be possible that this most gev
encroachment upon the authority Of the Senate
this most fragrant insult upon its dignitycan either
have originated with the President and his cabinet
advisers, or have been otherwise than decidedly
condemned by them.
And yet, Mr.. President, the manner in which the
honorable senator from New York habitually puts
himself forward the special defender of the admin
istraiion-the haderahip of which he has, all
sions, authoritatively assumed-might almost an
duce one to suspect that the language which he has
held here to-day in defence of his editorial friend of
the New York Courier and Enquirer may have origi-
mated at the other end of the avenue-or may, at
least hereafter be approved in that quarter-but for
certain facts, familiar to all, of nature to awaken
some suspicion that the honorable senator from New
York is not so specially and exclusively authorized
represent the administration in this chamber he
seems himself to suppose.
1t is not for me- to become the regular defender
of the President and his cabinet against assaults of
their own professed friends, nor do wish to be con-
sdered as intending on this occasion to render to
them more than simple justice. Yet it is in my re-
collection, and beg leave to remind honorable sena-
tors of the fact that early last spring, even day or
two before the Inauguration of the 4th of March,
the honorable senator from New York came to this
city, (whether BY special invitation of the Executive
or not do not know, according to his own account
of the NATTER and kindly took charge of the interests
of the incoming administration in connexion with
most delicate and important question then pending in
Congress, and. if his own printed statement be true,
managed matters in the two wings of the Capitol,
in the course of twelve orteen hours previous
the adjournment of the two houses of the national
Legislature, defeat the settlement of that terrto
rial question which has put the Union in such serious
jeopardy, and off fellow citizens of California
and New Mexico from that governmental protection
and defence to which they clearly entitled at
our hands. do not assert sir, that the honorable
senator actually efficient in this affair as he
has himself claimed to have been. Indeed, l have
always doubted whether his influence was very po-
tentiallY exerted on the occasion referred to- Nor
that has yet been made in the case, that the acts of
the honorable senator, described by himself to have
been performed have ever received the formal sane
ton of the Executive of the Republic. l will add,
that my respect for the high officer just alluded to,
personally. in spite of political opposition to him,
will not permit to lend easy credence to the state-
ments of an indiscrest friend, who, with view to
increase his own consequence in the public estima-
ton, may possibly have claimed authority to represent
the opinions and wishes of the President and his
cabinet beyond that designed to be accorded to him.
And, sir, it is chiefly with view to rescuing this
whig administration from undeserved discredit and
for the purpose of saving them from being held re-
sponsbe for the extraordinary language OF the sena-
tor from New York, this morning, in connexion with
the mission to Vienna that will take upon myself
go little into the particulars of that nocturnal scene
of the Sd of March last in which the senator from
New York claims the honor of having figured so
conspicuously.
have said that the honorable senator from New
York arrived in Washington day or two before the
Inauguration of the President His advent had Ger
tainly been anticipated us all but feel that can
safely assert that here expected him to part
cpate very actively in the Legislative proceedings OF
member of this body which could not constitution
ally take place until the 4th of March had arrived
He reached this city, far as know or have heard
without producing any very profound sensation either
among the resident population, tho government func
tonaes, casual visiters to the metropolis of the
nation, of whom vast number had already congre-
gated. There was no special ringing OF bells Or firing
of artillery his approach; nor do recol
ect that the editorial notices of his arrival, in the
leading prints of this city. were such as to awaken
from the Empire State had reached our midst, who
would be at once on the part of the
Executive not yet inaugurated, in and over the two
houses Of the national legislature. At this period,
the memorable amendment to the civil and diplomatic
appropriation bill introduced by the honorable sena-
tor from Wisconsin, Mr.. Walker,1 had passed this
body after fierce and longprotracted struggle, and
was awaiting the sanction Of the House OF Represen-
tatves. The hope was confidently entertained, by
all the true friends of the Union, that the adoption
of this measure would forever settle the territorial
question, and secure to the patriots OF the republic
signal and permanent triumph over the accused
mYrmidons of faction Nothing had been more clear
y asceraned than the fact that this plan Of settle
ment brought forward by the honorable senator from
Wisconsin, was the only plan the adoption of which
could be probably secured. was most clear to all
minds that if this plan should be defeated the coun-
try would continue to be harrassed with the perous
controversy then in progress upon the most exciting
question ever agitated among Us. 1t was equally
obvious that NO one could feel interested in prevent
some aspiring politician, who, aiming to accomplish
his own advancement to high public honors BY sec
tional strife rather than by intrinsic merit, might be
inclined to throw impediments in the way OF all
schemes of fraternal and fair compromise Certain
is that the amendment of the honorable senator from
Wisconsin, with liberal confidence highly credlta,
BILE its amer intrusted large additional power and
patronage to President in whose election he had not
participated, but in whose good sense and purity OF
heart all the supporters of that amendment upon this
floor professed to have an entire confidence.
believe may add, without the hazard of contra
dicon, that General Taylor had, himself. expressed
wish to his confidential friends that this scheme
of settlement should succeed. Under these circum-
stances, the honorable senator from New York,
according his own account Of his achievements, en-
tered upon his brilliant career as manager-general.
On the 29th Of March last he became the historian
of his own exploits the author Of letter publish
ed in this city. in the columns of the National lnteili
gencer in which he states that, on the morning OF
the Sd Of March the last day of the late session Of
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