Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-03-26

declared all this TO be necessity, and called
upon US, by our sense of propriety, by our duty
a. Senators, by our patriotism, by our regard
tor the peace and safety and happiness OF the
people of Louisiana, to pronounce declsion
Y ct when the time came and the vote was ABOUT
TO be taken which would decide this tremen-
dous issue, Senator Mr.. West rose 10 his
place; and simply stating that because the par
ty appeared not to be united 10 opinion, there
fore all these grave considerations must De
.'whistled down the wind, and PIochbaek
case postponed until December next, leaving
these momentous issues all unsettled, THESE ter
rbIe dangers still imminent. these sacred rights
yet unvindicated, lest fursooth the interests OF
the party might be- jeopardlzed.
And here take occasion to give expression
to my full appreciation OF all the high quaIlties
of 4 parliamentary leader as exhibited by the
distinguished Senator from Indiana Mr.. Nor
| touI during the progress OF this discussion.
Cool, watchful, and determined, with clear
| and logical intellect which enables him to grasp
| ut once the strong point of every question that
| is presented, of indoHitahe will with heart
| upuusiIing and hand unfinching, he is prompt
at all times to enforce party discipline whenever
! necessary. WELDING the whip OF bis party
| with relentless hand he lashes into subserVence
| mapv who seem at first disposed to be little
rccalcitrapt. His action assimilstes so closely
those to which have often been witness,
thai feel impelIed to run the parallel, albeit
little out of place in this Chamber, but which
| hone will be pardoued 10 consideration of the
partiaities Of distinguished official, not very
remotely connected with this subject. So have
[ seen the skiitul driver Of a restlvc team,
composed of horses of different tempers and
different dispositions, when he comes to the
pinch of the hill, find it necessary to WELD with
relentless hand the whip and lash the sluggish
horses into obedience. The Conestogaa re,
spoud promptly to the whip, but il there should
he in that team any high -mettied thorough
bred the touch Of the lash rOuscs him to rcsls-
lance and he Indignantly refuses to- obey the
demanded OF his driver he rears, plunges, ant!
tUalIv clicks out Of the traces" Under such
circumstances what does good driver 40
Precisely what was done in the instance before
ns. He DO longer pies the lash; but substl,
tutes the soothing process; he coaxes him with
honcyed words ; he pats him on the back calls
him good fellow, coaxes hlm into good
humor, and when his docllity is thus restored,
at the word be presses forward and the obstruc'
ton is overcome.
But let US return to the consideration of the
resolution now pending. Modified as 1t has
been from the form in which it was originally
presented, it still retains substantially the same
elements in its composition. l do not, tor ex.
ample, see the advantage OF the substitute OF
tered by the distinguished Senator from Rhode
Island for the original resolution iDasmuch ac
il differs from it only in striking out that por.
ton which authorizes the President to con-
tinue 10 recognize in the State of Louisiana the
existing State government. Ii the existing
State government be the lawful government,
if it be the true government OF that State, II
the Executive has done nothing but what |:
right aud proper in recognizing and sustaining
it, what objection can there be to pledge IN ad
vance the support of the Senate in lis future
recognition Of that government? l repeat
therefore that | cannot see substantial differ
ence between the amendment which has been
offered and the original resolution, but have
no doubt it is perfectly right and proper, only
the distinguished gentleman who moved II has
not thought proper to eulighten US as to what
was desired to be accomplished thereby.
1t has been intimaled that this resolution
has not the force of law, that 1t Is a mere
placebo, which the Chief Executive OF this ma
ton is anxious to have passed that his action
10 this respect may he Endorsed by the Senate,
as it has been already approved by the House
of representatives. Well, sir, do not regard
the resolution 10 that light. 1t is true that it
is no specific enactment; it is true that it is a
mere expression of the opinion Of the Senate,
which may be we'll sssimllated, as has been
done, to the action of popular assembly or q
political convention but, my word for 1t,
there is somebody behind the scene who IL sui.
6ciently astute to know that such action by the
Senate means something, and If it be carried
out it will bear fruit, aud such tlult probably
as many of the gentlemen who now favor 1t
will be sorry to see rlpen.
The passage of this resolution is the indorsa-
ton of an act which those of US who have been
trained iu stricter rule of constitutional con-
sruction than is now fashionable cannot admit
was justified by the Constitution or the law.
| la fact, | regard the Introduction OF this reso-
luton an admission that tine acts which are
here alluded 10 were not done 10 consonance
with the Constitution or the laws OF this coun-
try. believe this to be the Legitimate and
| logical deduction to be drawn from the intro
| duc,ion of the resolutions themselves. w hen
| before was it ever thought necessary IN execu.
| tive session TO solicit the approval OF the Sen
ate OF the United States Of any act of the Pres
ldent which was performed it strict and known
accordance with the Constitution and the laws
| Never, so far as my knowledge OF the action OF
this body extends. The necessity of this in-
| uOTSdllUu luEu, lSpSaIt up 49,
sion that those acts need indorsation, that they
are iD violation of the Constitution or of the
laws of this country, and consequently should
never receive the approval of this body.
| know that in many Of the years which
have passed sad years to some OF us-vloIa-
tons of the Constitution have been not intre-
uuent. | know that its most sacred provisions
have been Ignored and pied under foot on
more than one occasion. know that the rea-
sons alleged in justification Of these violations
we're evidently potent at the tune, namely,
that the safety Of the nation and the life Of
the patton" demanded that these constitutional
restrictions and iuhibitions should be ignored.
| It boots not now to discuss or deny this But
surely 10 such reason exists at present; surely
no one can now assert that 1.-The life OF the pa
ton" or the public veal would be 10 any way
Imperfect by refusing to give the sanction OF
| a., Con,to to tbas, oc,s nf tina President con-