Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1876-02-01
DEFERRED ARIIcIEs.
HON. ]. RANDOLPH FUCKERS
SPEECH.

lay before hum In regard to this centennial
bill was As clear as 1t ever was in regard to
any question that had ever been brought to
his consideration. What was proposed to be
celebrated in this centennial year? Was it
proposed to have a material exhibition only,
or was it to be an exhibition worthy of the
great moral principles that were to be illus.
trased By the anniversary of Independence (?
In his view there were three great principles
that uuderlay the Declaration of Indepen-
6snce. These were the principle of indi>
Tidual liberty, the principle OF local govern
ment in the struggle against centralized
power, and the principle of the exemption of
American destiny from the controlling in
fuence of European politics.
BE would unite in celebrating the eeuten>
NAL anniversary on these three principles
Let him see that the liberty of the citizen
was secure against arbitrary power, that the
freedom aud iudependence-Wha Chief J u.s.
nee Chase terms the Anatomy-of the States
was safe against the arbitrary usurpation of
federal power, and that American destiny was
to be guided alone by its own policy and be
free from the interference Of European policy
Then there would be indeed centennial an>
niTersary. The spirit of the centennial was
obedience to the constitution. The greatest
invention of American genius had been lott
out of view entirely-and that was the abso-
lutte subOrdination Of governmental power to
the rigid, isfexible. unbending rule Of the
constitution Mr. Tucker then proceeded to
argue against the constiruticnality of tho
pending measure.
Mr. Hoar, of Massachusetts,, promising that
he had been very much interested in the gen>
tleman's able and clear statement, asked him
whether, when the constitution delegated to
Gt,OaTrpSa
the taking of national attitude toward for
eign nation. it did not intend that such OK
penditures for ornament, for national dignity,
IS were usual to nations welding those row
ers, should be made by Congress? And was
not the celebration of the centennial once in
hundred years one of those properly atten-
dant and implied expenditures
Mr.. Tucker asked the gentleman to point
out to him where the word ''natiouaP' in re-
speet to the power, or anything else occurred
IN the constitution, and declared there was
no such thing in the constitution. Gas claimed
by Mr.. Hoar) TO levy war; thore is a power
TO declare war, and to raise and support ar
mics. In answer to the declaration of Mr.
Lawrence that the word "nationaP was in the
minds of the men who made the constitution
Mr.. Tucker said: THE men did not make
1T; no one man made it, aud the federal con-
Tention did not make il. If the gentleman
wishes to know who made it, say with great
emphaIis) the States made it, CSensatiop I
In the further course of his remsrks. speak
ing of George Washington, Mr.. Tucker re-
marked that George Washington was the first
great rebel in the country, AID he ventured to
cay to the gentleman from Ohio. { Mr.. GarieldO
who spoke the other day about perjury, that
George Washington was IN the view of the
law perjured rebel, for he was an officer in
his najesty's army. and he (Mr. Tucker)
took 1t for granted that he swore to support
the crown and then went into rebellion
Mr. Garfield he hold a commission
in the British army at the time of the rsvo>
luton ?
Mr.. Tucker.-No. sir.
Mr.. GarGeld.-Then 1 think he did not
commit perjury.
Mr. Tucker-Theu You claim that his oath
only lasted 40 long as he held his commission.
Mr.. Gar6eld.-It ceased when his commits
sion expired.
Mr. Tueker-But he resigned.
Mr.. Garfsld.-He did not resign.
Dir. Tucksr.-fIe did resign
Ms Gar6eld-He was not an oiicer ct the
time
Mr.. Tucker-Why the gentleman does not
know the history of his own county
lL8uSuIoT
Mf G,rfeld-Did he resign to tax. ser.
vice against the crown?
Mr.. Tucksr.-Oh. no; that is another
thing.
Mr.. Garfield He was trying to get service
In Great Britain before the var and failed
Mr. Tucker--He resigned aud then he
took service In the rebellion. When the gen.
tleman was speaking of men of the South the
other day he spoke of those who resigned and
Afterwards took service on the Confederate
side
Mr. Garfield I did not speak of those
who, having resigned, took service, but I !
spoke of those who. being still under their
oath. eontemptuOusly violated it aud struck |
against US.
Mr.. Tucker.-If you had so qualified your
phraseOlOgy should not have interrupted you
the other day. for know of no such person
1 he reason why interrupted the gentleman
the other day was that l represent on this
floor district and a Little town where sleeps
the remains OF one of the noblest Americans
who ever trod this soil (meaning Robert f.
Leg He sleeps in death, aad no dishopor
can ever by implication or expression be
thrown on that honorable grave that the rem
resentative from that district will not rise here
and rePel- Sensation aud some applause
Mr.. Tucker then proceeded with his sryu.
ment, In the course of which he quoted tho !
gentleman from New York. (Mr Hewitt,) |
as saying yesterday that the government was
coDtsssedly an educator of the country, and |
commenting on it he said Confessed by !
whom? l never confessed it, not only do !
not confess it. but deny it in toto. l deny
that this government can intrude IN the con- !
troll of the common schools of each State of !
the Union. l deny that this government can
go into our common school system in the !
States AID upturu it according to the views of |
members of Congress here who know nothing |
in the world about it." Laughser1
Mr.. Tucker then went on to say This |
government (snd beg my democratic friends
to remember it) has no mission except tie exc
cute its power and to perform its duty under aod .