The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-07-08
CITY OF WASHINGTON, SATURDAY MORNING JULY 8, 1854

and it would require repeal Of these laws 10 abolish
them to repeal REQUIRES the Of the Senate and
President yet in emergency, If the Of the country
should be turned against the government its constitution
against the rights and privileges of this House.
have the power in such exgency to stop the supplies
and abolish them by that process As member Of this
House would stop every dollar of their pay in such
fearful contingency This would be very extraordinary
exercise of power, admit and anticipate the
tingency My purpose only to illustrate the extent Of
ceivable emergency.
If the question Of constitutional law now pending before
this COMMITTEES rested upon Judicial precedents Judicial
expositons could cite authorities conclusive
OF the powers claimed in each branch of the
for negotiating treaties and giving them legislative
ton but these authorities not binding upon this body
Every mans opinion here upon the constitution is just
good and potential that of Judge Story any other
constitutional authority, far his action is con-
cerned STILL AS the opinions OF able writer's who have
brought to the subject vast research and distinguished
ability, would be glad to refer he were it not that
my time is too short They within the reach, more
of member of this BODY who wishes to consu
them. - eta W tf+
repeat them that concur with the honorable gentle
man from Missouri as far right authority and power
ere concerned in every position he has taken upon this
question and think the only mistake he has made is that
OF putting the saddle upon the wrong horse. He finds
fault with an encroachment the privileges of this body
by coordinate branch of the government He will dis
cover by little careful attention. think that he has got
to-day by his vote the full possession of every particle OF
power that any reasonably ask for this House.
lie has got the powerin with the other members
of this body, if the majority of the House will 90 with
mto kill that treaty and he has got the power to make
it live. What more can any earth want than
thatIo kill or to make alive? And if the gentleman is
in want of informatonf he requires any light further
than that furnished by the treaty its face and in the
Presidents messagehe has got the power call for it
and if majority of the House support the demand he
get the light and information which he requires There s
therefore no loss of privilege on the part Of this House in
voVed by the course pursued by the Executive If the pa
pers are not here it is because the House decline to call for
them not deemng them necessary enable this body to
discharge its duties to the country the subect-mater
now before them.
After careful survey of the whole subject came to
this House prepared if the gentleman from Missouri should
make good his assertion that the privileges of this House
had been dsregarded by the Executive stand with him
on this question II he had succeeded in showing that
there was such breach Of privilege and such encroac
have concurred with him in the bold assertion of
rights regardless OF consequences but the gentleman has
failed signally failed, in this important particular. All
that he has proved to nothing more than the as
sertion in this body of ndispuabe right If they see
proper to exercise ho power the constitution gives its
exercise depends upon the will Of the House If he wants
light and hos not got it, Is because the majority of the
House has not thought proper to call for it. not because
coordinate branch OF the government has refused to fur
nisi II And the only legitimate inference TO be drawn
is that If the genan is not satisfied with the norma-
uon he possesses large majority of the House Isl and it
his misfortune to be obliged TO submit as we all must
do to the will of the majority Of the body of which he is
| n member.
have thus, Mr. Chairman presented my views on both
grounds and on all grounds shall 60 for this treaty
honor since
OF the elder Adams has been known throughout the coun
try fer iss weldcned and wellsetted principles of cons
utonal liberty The people of district not afraid
OF tcdr; they have always offered than would
be received in but they lovers Of peace
cause peace brings prosperity security and happiness
Ihey are economstsaganst an extravagant expenditure
OF the public money but like all good citizens they would
rather spend ten millions for honorable peace if it could
| be had, than half.the sum in apdr,
Ihus they reason in peace but II the honor OF
try is Mt stake they stop count tho cost 1t is
years since Washington retired from the head
deRaed its positions the principles the party
yes even the paper edited by the family stand
now where they stood then, in principle and practice
proud to say Mr. Chairman that in all the fluctuations
half century of national lle it is not atteryit is plain
honest sober rutho say that Old Berks has stood firm
Interchangeable, unswcrved The factions, the isms the
mas OF the day have made their marks all around her
but true she true 98 they have made impress
sion on her; and, Mr. Chairman, they will make now
do not moan to bo invidous but, public man, an
excusabe for saying that proud to represent part
State which shows brilliant record on every trying
cling any interest for the support o principle devotng al
to her country and her countryS honor in
been reckoned in vain sectional
self she has always thrown her influence the
stuional rights of all sections of the country
II s not because she is rich in minerals in SOIL
mighty IN power that feel proud of her. but because in
half century she has reared reputation for love of
sbutonal law patriotism of SOUL devotion to liberty, to
the right OF the people under the constitution throughout
the country, which time itself oblterate For
this oil her sons have to be proud These virtues
though valued now, will be infinitely more valued in f
nre history The position she will occupy and the inn-
ence she will WELD in the future tcsnics of our
country should make every Pennsyvanan upon her
altar eternal fidelity 70 her vrtue liberty and ndepend
ence" sf a