The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-04-21
sPEEcn OF nR. ", Y. \. BAY.

i or MISSOURI, ~ s |t6 tst
On the Resolution referring s Presidsats sssagsio n.
gari0us Standing C0mmtess; defsUered 40 ne House %
| Representatives. February 20, 1850. 3s isaW helal
| Mr. BAY addressed the committee as follows: ~
Mr. CHAIRMAN; believe. SIR it Will bs generally con
ceded, that during the various discussions which have
been going from time to time since the commencement
OF the session. by little degree OF warmth
and feeling. have manifested as little inclination ss any
not one OF those who believe thai the frequent discussion
OF exciting subjects is calculated promote the public
good. Upon the contrary, they too often result, ss
the history OF the past concusyey proves in
ting sectional feelings and sectional anmosities diff
cult to heal and hard to snbdue Yet. sir, Il am
free to admit. that il is the imperative duty Of the rep.
resentave to make, upon all suitable occasions can
Ibid and explicit avowal OF his opinions upon all snb
jects involving the public interests, upon which he may
be called TO ac ~ his representative capacity With
view, then, of defining my position upon some OF the
70 submit few remarks and IL in doing So shall SUBJ
more Immediately under consideration. Trust shall lind
sufficient apology in the example which has been set by
older and more experienced members: " AlIr9
The proposition to refer the Presidents message to the
appop rate committees Of the House involves the mers
OF the whole document. and presents il as iii subject
OF ent II is document semi to US in compliance
with that provision of the constitution which requires the
Executive to furnish from time to time with informa-
ton of the state Of the Unon and TO suggest the adoption
OF such measures as he may deem expedient Long
usage however, has given it additional importance;
for Il supposed to foreshadow the policy OF the admin
saiion, and to point 10 ssch measures the party in
be aydy w which 1 sought alter SV Se
American people, and the criticisms universally passed
upon i BY the American press isea
Probably document ever looked for with more
interest than this growing out Of the fact that the Exec
utve had figured in political life. had settled
opinions upon many OF the exciting questions OF the day,
the policy he designed pursuing And here permit me to
say, by way Of DEPRESSION, it is the first time in the his
tory Of our government-a government relying Tor Its
support upon the intelligence and wisdom OF the people
that an Individual, without ever having bestowed
thought upon its complicated machinery without any
definite opinions upon questions connected with lts ad
ment that the theory has been boldly advanced that the
better qualified 10 stand al the helm Of State than the
man who has devoted his life to the study OF political
| economy.
But il also derives some importance from the fact that
the executive and legislative departments OF the govern
occupy antagonisc postionsan event that seldom
occurs, and which must be traced 10 the circumstances
surrounding the great contest Of ls4s do not propose
10 discuss the merits Of that contest for that would Be
foreign 70 my purpose SIMPLY desire TO give Whist ~
my humble opinion is The cause Of this conflict between
two separate and distinct departments Of the government
To do this, must OF necessity refer to some historical
facts competed with the admission OF Texas into the
Mna ae % s ner
and officially acknowledged to be such by the principal
natione Of The EARTH at this late day pretend! 70
deny That after her admission she became entitled
all the nights, privileges and immunes guaranteed By
our constitution the States composing this confedeTacy
equally clear and indisputabe Her history, both be-
fere and after her admission is clothed with the deepest
interest Her population consisted chiefly of emgrants
from the States. who had gone with large and helpless
families to that distant region to seek LIVELIHOOD by
exposed every hardship, they asked nothing from then
government but that protection which they had rg TO
demand under her constitution and laws. Mexico, con,
sderng herself aggreved by the act of cxaion not
only threatened but actually did invade the territory OF
one OF the States OF this Union The President foreszw
were es exposed 70 ali The evils hat Mexican cruelty could
inct; and prompted by feelings OF humanity, which will
ever render his name dear 10 the American people,
and laws, and rescued that deienceess population
from the hands of Mexican barbariy. For this he was
denounced BY the leaders Of the whig party through0ut
charged with wagng unjust and aggressive war upon
a weak and imbecile power with trampns under foot
the constitution Of his country, which he had sworn 10
cherish and protect Yet sir in the very lace oil these
denunciaons, the wing party met in solemn council. and
selected their standard bearer in the great contest o
s4s the man who had figured most conspeuousy 70 the
that for the laurels which now decorate hs.brow
But the people elevated him TO the presidency and
services he had rendered 10 his couniry
they certainly did not suppose that would be regarded
endorsement OF wing measures, whg policy, hut
had good 10 believe from the tenor OF his cores
pendenee during the canvass, that his administration
would be conservative in lis character and untrsmmeed
with party obligations, or party interests Of any kind
But, sir, what has been the RESULT No sooner he
installed in Office than he called around him, bis con-
suional advisers the most ultra partsans OF the coun
try The doctrine of prescription for opinions sake has
been recognised and pracsed 10 almost unlimited ex-
tent Men, honest capable, and above suspicion m point
OF moral character, have been hurled from Office for no
other reason that of belonging to the democratic
PARTY and hs too in the very face Of the pledges SOL
emny and repeatedly made prior TO the election
This the sir, that the Executive is ia MI.
nony in this House. The people have taken the matter
into their own hands betrayed and deceived they have
80 constituted this body as to operate ehectual
check upon every and all temps 10 fssten upon The
country long since condemned and reudiafed
But sir, my object nrsng was not TO discuss the merits
this message but 10 define my position upon the grest
Question OF slavery, which, IN point OF magnitude an
10 one proposition contained in the message and against
which protest in the OF those whom have the
honor to represent upon this floor allqde, sf 70 the
proposition 10 disturb the tariff OF 40 have always
advocated strictly tariff, and arm az all times
ready 10 vote Tor any tariff that may be necessary 70 meet
the expenditures of the government economicaiiy az
minsered You cannot adopt any stem OF iarn WHICH
will not extent. operate oppressyey upon me
/ South and West The protection afforded tne Nofn ann
duties but in the South and West we have no manu-.
factues foster and consequently can receive no equiv
aent for this indirect system Of iaxaon :. tHAff
Now sir what is proposed by the Presidentf tfe rec
ommends revision of the present arih, the avowed OBJ
ec OF which IL TO provide for deficit in the treasury
about sle 100000 which IL is supposed will exist at the
end OF ihe present fiscal year; but il IL obvious that the
favorite measure OF the whig paiyand for the
pfishment OF which they spare no exerfions. III 70
The peiexi for this recommendation s frivolous in the
extreme for debt OF sixteen million Of dollars s mere
rhe when take into consideration the immense re-
sources OF this co.ntry. | will suggest 10 the party IN.