The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1858-07-07
SPBECH
NTR. LETCMEE, OF VIRGINIA,


Mr.. CHARMAN; In the discussion which took
place some days since between the gentleman
from Ohio ((Mr. SHERMAN and myself then
stated to the committec that would seek some
suitable occasion between that time and the
close ofthis session Of Congress 10 present my
views fully on the interesting subject Of govern
ment expenditures. His speech exhibited all
the evidences of careful preparation, and is in
terspersed with tables Of figures that must have
cost him Immense labor in their construction
Without moments preparation, and without
even the advantage Of hearing the entire speech
was called upon by several of my political
friends to reply. Unter these circumstances
I entered into the debate, and amid constant
Interruptions from the gentleman himself, and
several others, replied briefly 10 some Of the
leading positions which he had assumed. The
speech, which was doubtless intended for gen
eral circulation, as campaign document pre-
paratory to the elections that will take place
this fall, demands, from its ability and ingenui-
ty,a more elaborate reply than it was in my
power then to make
Thissspccch, and others made in the latter
part OF this session, gives reason TO believe that
the questions which divided parties in other
days are again 10 be revived. Since the adjust
ment of the Kansas controversy, ard its reno
val from, the congress icna halls, gentlemen in
this and the other end of the Capitol have di-
rected their attention TO subject of more prac
tical importance and lmOrc immediate inter-
est to the people. in the past two months our
discussions have been mainly confined TO Qucs-
tions within the range of legitimate congIcs-
sicnal acticn. Questions of a financial charac-
Ter and bearing, the tariff and its revision, the
disposition Of the public lands and their pro-
cceds, the comprehensive subject Of internal
improvements, the best mode of raising revenue
to dehay the expenses Of the government and
the purposes and objects to which il should Gc
applied, and last, but by no means least in i'm
portsnce, our relations with foreign govern
ments--thesc now furnish the topics for speech
eS and claim from us that consideration which
has been too long Withheld from them, and too
often directed TO exciting sectional questions
mischevous in their tendency and runous to
the peace, prosperity and fraternity Of tie pco-
bic who constitute the States and organ Zcd
Territories of this great naticn. These things
licaie return to the policy of the earlier and
better days of the republic-those day in which
representatives Of the people lcsi>latcd pr"cti-
rally within the limits OF the constitution, cX-
hibiIing that manly patriotism Which embraced
the whole Union and its interests and repudia
ted all attempts to interfere with the rights and
institutions ofth States. They recognized and
acted upon the docrinc-,c Union of the
States is secure so long as the rights of the
States are respected | trust most sincerely
that these indications are not deceptive, and
that they presage calm and happy future,
when sectional controversy and STRIFE Shall be
baniShed from the national councils.
The bill now under consideration proposes a
loan Of S15, 100000, which is absolutely ncces-
sary to enable the government to meet it's OBJ
legations. The gentleman from Ohio admits
the neccs ssity of the measure-admits that the
in this bill, or the Obligations incurred cannot
be met as they mature. Yet, strarge to say
he avows his opposition to the only feasible
measure that has been or that can be presented
credit Of the government! After voting with
vast majoIity of his party friends TO create thi,
necessity--alter formal complaint that WI
would not increase the expenditures by voting
S1,500o0O to the improvement Of rivers ant
harbors in the Northwest-he now comes tor
ward to resist the passage Of a bill TO iurnisl
the means required to meet appropriations made
by the two houses Of Congress. The policy o
that side OF the House seems to be to vote ex
penditures, and then refuse the means to NEE
them---to impose burdens on the government
and then repudiate all the measures proposed
for its relief. | Anticipated such result, ant
hence it was that have on several occasion
during the session proposed to ensraft upon tn
bills q section providing for loan sufficient Il
cover the expenditures provided for in cach.-
1t is my deliberate opinion now that such sec
tion should have been engrafted upon all th
appropriation bills, and then these who vote
the expenditure would have been compelled t
take the responsibility of providing the mean
to pay the sums appropriated. The House
however, did not concur in this opinion, an
hence it is that many Of the most liberal voter
for expenditures Of money will new refuse t
give their support TO this bill. If it shall lai
these appropriations must remain unsatisfct
until it shall please Congress to provide tll
necessary means. Neither the President nc
the Secretary ofthe Treasury has authority {
power to furnish the money for that purpose be
yond the provision made by the treasury moi
bill, and the accruing revenue from customs an
landa
The gentleman charges that on the LIST day
July last there was u surplus Of $l7,710, LII j
the treasury, and that Congress has alrcad
granted $20,00000o of treasury notes, making
making an aggregate sum ofmeans of $37, ,710
114 in single year, which, together with IL
current revenue, has all been expended by th
pronigate administration. These facts, in Ii
opinion, make out clear and undeniable ca'
Of extravaganza against the party in power
Accompany me in the investigation Of thei
facts,and we will ascertain the precise weight
be given to this charge.
The Secretary Of the Treasury informs us
his annual report that the public debt amour
cd, on the list day Of July last, to the sum
S20O6o, 1886 90, and since that time the sum