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REMARKS
OF
MESSRS. TALMADC1E, WRIGHT AND TAPPAN,
ON
C K RTA1N
SOLUTIONS OF THE LEGISLATURE OF NEW YORK*
ADVERSE
TO T H E
INDEPENDENT TREASURY BILL.
S E N A T K U. S. F E B R U A R Y 25, 1840
WASHINGTON:
P R I N T E D A T T H f i OLOBE OFFICE.
REMARKS.
IN
SENATE,
from M a r y l a n d , at a late h o u r in the afternoon,''
requested the Senate to a d j o u r n , the usual c o u r t e s y
February 25, ISiO.
on
such occasions w a s Uenied h i m . H e t h o u g h t
M r . T A L L M A D G E presented certain resoluthat such a refusal, u n d e r .such c i r c u m s t a n c e s , w a s
t i o n s of fhe L e g i s l a t u r e of the State of New Y o r k , i u n p r e c e d e n t e d , in the a n n a l s of the S e n a t e .
^ - ^ i v e r s 3 to the I n d e p e n d e n t T r e a s u r y bill, <&c.
I M r . B E N T O N s*dd the S e n a t o r w a s m i s t a k e n ;
M r . T . went at m u c h length into a n e x a m i n a - there had been similar refusals, a n d u n d e r muchv
^ i o n of the policv of the A d m i n i s t r a t i o n , a n d The less e x c u s a b l e c i r c u m s t a n c e s . D u r i n g the B a n k
J ^ ^ u r - e (if the E x e c u t i v e in relation to the S u b - p a n i c , w h e n the Opposition had the majoritySjn
^ t T V e a ^ u r y bill. W h e n in w a s first broached in the that c h a m b e r , they a t t e m p t e d to b r e a k h t m d o w n
J E > r e s i d e m V m e n a g e , in 1837, u w a s the w h o l e s u b - by physical exhausti-m; a n d to p r e v e n t it h e w a s
> 3 ^ C t of the message, a n d ia ihe success of this single compelled to resort to the u - e of expedients, a n d
^ V i e a s u r e w a s i n v o l v e d the success of all the rnea- this w a s d o r c in a sultry day in J u n e .
^ ^ r e s of his A d m i n i s t r a t i o n . H e brought, forward j
Mr. T A L L M A D G E .
T h i s occured
before
^xo other proposition, r n d ic w a s s&an m a d e k n o w n i his t i m e , and w a s p r o b a b l y d u r i n g the e x *~YiM tho«e who could not s u p p o r t this S u b - T r e a s u r y • citing debates on the r e m o v a l of the deposttes;
>>i)l could not s u p p o r t his re-election. H e ( M r . T ) but he repeated, that u n d e r the c i r c u m s t a n c e s ,
X v a s in a p e c u l i a r and t r y i n s ^ i t u n t i u i . It was the , he regretted that the bid w a s passed so p r e *=3rst question of m o m e n t with w h i c h lie h i d differ- ' cipitately.
H i s colleague w a s c h a i r m a n of t h e
* ^ J wit'* ihe President and the s u p p o r t e r s of his ' e o m m d t e e who had the bill in c h a r g e , a n d had h e
. A d m i n i s t r a t i o n . T h e is*-ue w a s m a d e , a n d the requested some d-lav on the hill, it would h a v e
p e o p l e of N e w Y o r k decided against the policy of' been g r a n t e d , and he w o u l d not h a v e been t h o u s h t
t b s Administration* T h i s w a s not d e e m e d con- ! c h a r g e a b l e with a see miner want ot coartexy.
His
^ l u n v e , and they had a g a i n , in 3 8:13, a r d ye*? vol enczac w a s a w a r e at his election, a n d s h o u l d
^ g a i n , in 1S30, p r o n o u n c d their c o n d e m n a t i o n cf i lie not h a v e waited for his a r r i v a l here, so t h a t
-Jt. T h e y had thus parsed three several rime; on ! his L e g i s l a t u r e and S a ' c should h a v e
had
Xhe policy of the E x e c u t i v e , a n d , after all tb^se j an opportunity of be tig heard on the bill?
^ccif-inns, his c o i l e a g u e , [Mr- W R I C H T , ] wlio was | T l r m e h ill- >e resolutions m i g h t not h a v e b e e n
t h e sole representative ot thai S.'a-e on the floor of j passed at that period, it w a s perfectly well k n o w n
the S e n a t e wlsvn the I n d e p e n d e n t T r e a s u r y hill wa^ ' they would pas*, a n d this:, it might h a v e been.
T^efur* them, had voted for i's p a s s a g e . H a d he \ expected, would h a v e had t o m e influence on h i s
( M r . T ) been s i m i l a r l y si tun red, he would h a v e ! ccdlrr.ir•je's cnur.-e, a n d if lie had not waited f o r
•felt it his d u t y to h a v e regarded the expressions or j his ( M r . T V ) aivival, he m i s h i at least h a v e w a i t p u b l i c s e n t i m e n t , and h a v e n e e d difie e a d v . T h u t e d o r tiii- r.vprt.s-^ion of the sentiment ot the L e jiis colleague w a s the only reoresentifive; of his gislature of l i s Siare, especially as Ids c o l l e a g u e
gjtate for so long a period, w r s ivU his ( M r . T V ) lprofVs.es to h - of that school of politicians w h o
f a u l t . T h e political friend* of Ids c o l l e a g u e had , reeoizni e the riaht of instruction. T h e s e r e s o l u •preve-.te 1 on election at the U s ' session of di~ L e - t o n s explain the objections 10 ihe S u b - T t e a s u r y r
g i s l a t u r c . A t the preseit it was k n o w n thar a m a - thry oppose it beeau-c its ehVct will be to p r o jority m b< th b r a n c h e s w e r e o p p o s r d to the S u b - duce two cnrrenei? > in the count 17—one a p p r e T r e a s u r y l-i'd, and of c t ' u r ^ it w a s k n o w n that ciate 1, a n d the oth*:r depreciated. T h e b e t t e r
they would s n d a S* n a k r here who would r e p r e - c u r r e n c y of srold and silver coin will be for t h e
sent their .sentiments and those of the people of Dili ers oV the G o v e r n m e n t , and the baser, of d e S t a t e on this subject.
H e res relied 'hat. u n d e r preciated b.ink pttp-r, will be for the people*
these c i r c u m s t a n c e s the bill should h a v e been Add To ibis the doctrines recently p u t forth by^
h u r r i e d t h r o u g h this body before the S t a t ^ W W T I R P ^ H s ^ J h e confidence of the E x e c u t i v e — t h a t i t
Y o r k h a d an o p p o r t u n i t y of beiog^f^r^}
* * W J j ^ r t ^ v polhw of this A d m i n i s t r a t i o n to b r i n g
s a w by t i e n e w s p a p e r s h o w it h a d r b e e n h u r r i e d J ££>wn the w % s of labor in this c o u n t r y to a*
through on t h - !a*t e v e n i n g , a~d wfWn the S.?!7a*orj i e v r ] with t h a t \ e c e i v e d by the p a u p e r s of E u - V
TUESDAY,
4
T o p e — a n d it will be seen there is just c a u s e situated, if it had been his object to escape
rluence of the powerful talents of his c o l l e i ,
o f alarm to the friends of our free iostnut'jons.
M r . W R I G H T said he should not h a v e felt opposition to the m e a s u r e , the charge should
called upon u> participate in i h s debate at a l l , had been that he w a s dilatory, a n d not "precipi"
n o t the r e m a r k s of his colleague, m relation 10 the for it was not until the 6 h d a y of J a n u a r y ,
p a s s a g e of the I n d e p e n d e n t T r e a s u r y hill in this than a m o n t h after the m e e t i n g of the Senate,
b o d y , been m a d e personal in (heir application to the bdl was reported from the committee* Oft
himself; but as they had been s o m a d e , it w a s ne- following d a y , fhe 7th of J a n u a r y , the Legi
cessary that he should m a k e a more m i n u t e state- of his State w a s to assemble, a n d he could no*
m e n t of ihe facts, and of his o w n c o u r s e , ;n rela- to k n o w that a m o n g their first acts would b*
tion to ihe action of the Senate upon that m e a s u r e , election of a Senator.
t h a n he had done upon a former occasion, when
By the direction of the committee, it becaitt*
called out from the s a m e q u a n e r .
duty to report the bil ; a n d by the same drrect*
P r e l i m i n a r i l y , however, he w a s b o u n d to confess, he g a v e notice that its consideration would
t h o u g h he dut r o t pretend to be very well schooled moved on that d a y week. T h e day arrived., the 1*
i n questions of couitesy, it did a p p e a r to his mind of J a n u a r y , a n d passed, and on the 14th ihfi •*
a s s o m e w h a t singular ihat he should be arraigned was called u p . S o m e discussion wan had in ****
for want of courtesy a s a Senator, by one w h o w a s re rice to a postponement for tv*o week$ to give U
xiot, at the tune the transaction c o m p l a i n e d of oc- for absent Senators to a r r i v e , and for vacancies
c u r r e d , either present, or a m e m b e r of trie body. be rilled, and reference w a s m a d e to the vac**1
T h e Senate, as then constituted, w a s the tribunal existing from his own S t a t e . H e informed the
t o which he w a s properly, a s he WAS willingly, re- nate that his action, thus far, had be**n under
sponsible for the propriety or impropriety of his j order of the c o m m i t t e e ; that h a v i n g dischatl,
conduct u p o n th.\t and all other occasion.-, when ' their order, he n o w cheerfully submitted the wh<
b e acted here. T h o s e who were then Senator:*, and m a t t e r to the disposition of the Senate; that-**
^were prrsent, saw and heard, and could jtuk T o, would g;ive him pleasure to h a v e a colleague bet
U p o n their j u d g m e n t s he war* willing to rest the before the bill should be finally acted upon,
matter.
T o (hem, a n d 10 t h ' m o««iy, w a s be that he should n o w be in the dai ! y expectation o\
a m e n a b l e for his course: and he would now tell hi* the news of an elecuon and of the arrival of the p***j
colleague, as he had told him upon a farmer o c c i - son appointed to take his seat in the body; that be
sion, that he would net discuss, on this floor, with did not consider it proper for him to urge a of
h i m or a n y oth^r m a n , the p/opriety of his acts cour.-e u p o n the Senate ; n o r should he, any farther
within these walls, t niching any rnatier rransac.ed than to give his individual vote upon the quesiiojj
h e r e when the c o m p l a i n a n t w t s n t a m e m b e r o; of postponement. T h i s c; urse on his part called
t h * Senate. Tiiis, he h p d, would end this m a t e r forih. nt the rime, expressions of approbation from
between him and Ins c o ; i e a j u c lie re. It the £en- a distinguished S e n a t o r of the Opp sdion, [Mr.
t l e i r a n chose to d scuss mis-, or a n y other topic, C L A Y of K e n t u c k y , ] not now in his s at. T h e biU
touchir g his cnur-e and. coziduct, else w h e r e , he was u n d e r the consideration of the Senate daiifi
"was at liberty to do so. T h e c h o i r s of the time, from the I t h to the 17ih of J a n u a r y , when *be
p l a c e , and m a n n e r , were open to h ' m .
Elsewhere, question u p o n its engrossment w a s taken. Thi*<
h e might have rights in she mafter, a n d he presumed was F r i d a y of the week, a n d after ihe question wa*
h e would know how to exercise them wi>ely, but d e e l \ r e ' , he, in violation of the wishes a n d feeling*
h e r e , he could have none,
of a targe p rtion of his friend*, moved that when
A s , however, Jos couise upon toe occasions &I- the Senate adjourn > it adjourn to meet en Monday,
ludvd to had hi en ch;ir ict i , ; ^ l as ''piecipit.-it-:? i r s ead t-f S a t u r d a y , thus deferring the question
a n d w a n t i n g in court* sy, : 1 it w a s due to himsMf, upon the final p p . s ^ e of the bill to the following
apd to those who c o n s t r u e d the S e n a t e at thai' week. T h e motion prevailed. Pie entertained not
t u n e , that he shuuJd detail s m n e w h a t minuti-Jy the a single doubt thru that he should h a v e a colleague
facts in relation to the action of ihe body upon the ptes M.t by the M o n d a y to which the Senate stood
I n d e p e n d e n t T i v a s u r y bill, during ihe present >,es- adjourned.
s-inn, that his c o n s t i t u e n t nnri the country mieht
T h e M o n d a y c a m e , but not hi^ c< Vex%ne. T h e
k n o w With how much propriety ibis c h a r g e had bill was again taken u p , and the discus-ion upon
been preferred. Vr-:- this purpose lie, would a-k the irs final passage was continued from day to day,
indulgence of tho ^ernit-^ for a frw
nvments.
usitd T h u r s d a y , the 23d of J a n u a r y , when the quesTrie Senate met ami was orL\aniz<-d on :he x> 1 day tion w a s t:\ken, nrul the bill parsed- On that day
o f December lasl. T h r o u g h the I i m h ^ s of the j an cilvn w a s m a d e to adjourn the Senate to giv«
honorable S c n a ' c r wlr> then occupied dr.? Piesi- i furihrr rit7K? for the Senator from M a r y l a n d [M r d e n t ' s chair, and the i n d u i i ^ n r e of ihe SrruLte, he I Mi.RRiCrtj to d;s..uss the bid; ar:d when the quesh a d been honored with \hv s.nric pi c rt uni,n the t i o n was tabcvi upon the motion to adjourn, b*
Mantling cormaifeefi of th^ body which hVh^d. oc- 5 pLjjVosely left his s j a t , and did not vot^*
c u p i e d inr several previous sessions, bestowed '
N o w , a* to his c.mduet towards hi* colleague?
upon him, ax the thim presiding oilicer cnnld uglify, { who ha.i chosen to m a k e himself die a u t h o r of
without ^fdictaihm from himst-if. T h i s necessarily ihe.vc c h a r g e s of ' p r e c i p i t a n c y " and L want of
placed before the commitiee of which he w.*s a • e o i n t e s y . " ' On the evening* of S a t u r d a y , the 25th
m e m b e r the ru'Vrence of that part of the a n n u a l •f of J a n u a r y , two days afier the bill in question bad
m e s s a g e of the Piesident which re'ated to the j finally passed ih-? S e n a ' c , the mail from the North
finances of the c o u n t r y , and consequently which brought him a letter, dated at the Astor H u u s e , in
j e l a t e d to the Independent T r c a m r y bill. T h u s ! the city of N e w Y o r k , on (he 23d, the day on whick
5
(jfcfcJlial . question uprn the bill was taken here, I certainly had net regretted the reference. It w a s
« d
b y h i s colleague, giving the information [one which his duty, not less than his feelings,
M l h e w a s detained in N e w York by ill health, prompted him to muke, and it was made to those
i t t a t b e i n g the first information of that character who would take c"gniz*inc3 of them without their
^fcich b a d reached Mr. W . ) and requesting that the co 05 eat.
%ml question upon this bill might be postponed to
Tne Senator said their constituents had decided,
JlTai? h ; s arrival, which would be on the Monday af tl>rice decided* Be it to. H e had not questioned
**r. Bur a few moments had elapsed, afier ihe letter the assertion, nor was he to do so upon this occa**ached bis hands, Tvhen he was informed thst the sion, l i e had not claimed to stand with the m a ^Ime train o f cars which brought the letter, brought jority in his Srate, nor h a i he manifested any dis*lsa bis coWeagae to the city.
position, ijor did he entertain any wish, to dispute
U p o n this s'ate of facts, well known to the S?ena- !.h- standing of his c o l e a g n e in that pai icular. H e
*V*r by a former explanaf on here, he ris» s in his fe't on ambition to change places, or positions. H e
fclace a n d a g a i n makes the charge of ''precipitancy said now, as he had said before, leave our public
*od w a n t of courtesy." T o such a charge, under acts to the determination of tho*e common consti**ich circumstance?, and coming from such a tuents, and not undertake to set le them here.
^laar'er, he had no reply to make.
H i s colleague seemed to man fe*t peculiar anxiH i s Ma'ement of facts had been made to justify ety lo learn whether he would obey instructions
J t m s e l f to his constituents and the country; it had from the Legislative of the SUate; a doctrine, he
*een m a d e to th-»se who were Senators when the said, w h e n originated In the school to which he,
i ^ a o s a c t i o n s took place, and could judge of the ac- Mr. W\ belonged. H e was free to avow the docc u r a c y o f his account of the matter* T o his col- |irir.c t f instructions as belonging: to his school, but
|ja£U«» h e o w e d neitner explanation, nor reply, t•> the present remarks or' h : s colleague we e the first
%is repetition of such a charge.
! intimation he had received that he too did not beI t w c u l d be seen that some time bad b<*en a'- l>nz to that same school, upon this p^int ut least. H e
^Owcd, after the meeting of the N e w York Legis- was s< IT/ to b? compelled to intei h n here again a
^ • u r e , and before the final action of the S-matc difference was t> ^row up between ihem, as it
^ p j n t h e bill in question, for the.nllir it of that va- seemed to threaten an entire separa ion in principle
^ i n r y , a n d the arrival of the elected Senator to. as w«*ll as practice.
**ke h i s p l a c e in the body.
H e was aware that this answer had not exactly
H e w o u l d leave to his colleague the dufy of in- reached the object of his colleague, and that he def o r m i n g the Senate and tl e country at what time sin d him to spe.ik particularly of the resolutions of
His # l e c t i o n had taken plac?; at what time thr. no-- th* i: Legislature now befotc t';c Setia*c, This it
* c e o f the A c t had reached him; what time was oc- uas not his purpose t«» tlo at present, and the only
c u p i e d by him in travelling f-om die place «*f hi<- relief he could give him now, was t\ inform him
*e-ji<!ence to the city of N e w York; what nun.her o! that \K\X- n legislative instructions should call for it,
flays ill health had confine! h : m di-?r*; ?*.nd all the uc should he rc-dy to act prompt!v and decisively.
Other f a c t s , wh'ch would a c c u m t to thvir common
Mr. T A P P A N said that the Senate had been
t Constituents for his late arriva- to tain? his seat in repeatedly cha.ged \vi h precipitation and want ot
the Sfiiate* H e had not taken the pa us to make c*une^y iu r* ldtii n to the pus«ag:a of the Indepen^rwpi'rtes into thete tacts, nor were ihey >uch as it dent Treasury hill.
H e would l.-ot have thought
b e c a m e him to enlighten the Senate about. H e dd these c'.iKtg* s worthy of notice if ih'.\y had only
*iot d o u b t the ability of his colleague to <rive the in- been made by tho*e who were not members of this
foimati«»n, which sc-emrd to b« ca'led for before he body when ihs bill pa-wed; but as die sams imprestthouM become an accuser of om* rs; but it was at sion had been attempted to be made by others, he
h i s o p t i o n to give the infoimitiun, I T t.-> withhoh! would brit fly state the fants as they actually ocit. T o him (Mr, W . ) neither course h*d any im- curred.
On the Tnnr<dav ihat the bdl passed,
p o r t a n c e , ooi had he any desire upon the >ubjrct. ' after ih* Sennt r from Mis.-issippi [Mr. IIKSDICRT h e facts were within the reach or' th --'se to whom s ^N] had spoken m opposition to the bill, and det h e y owed a common responsibility; and they would I li vered an elaborate argument in f v<<r of a United
m a k e up no judgment upon either side, withe u: ISu»t-s U m k , t observed, said Mr. T . <: ihat the Seg i v i n g them ih^ir true weight and consider it ten.
i nate ^ccuied tired of the debate; that I had intended
H e had no disposition to follow hi ; coUes^ue, Jlu speak on thut subject, and h.id made some prei n t o the discussion of the Independent Treasury bill p>r.\t on for that purpose, tut was not prepared
u p o n this occasion. T h e subjt-ct was not new to! ih-n to ad-Ire-s the Senate; and from d>^ litf* atcither, and the views of both were fa ly knowu to tention paid to the labt-red argument of the Senatheir common constituents. H e hns fur her thought I tor fiom Mississippi, 1 should conclude that the
it proper to discuss again mrst of the subjects upon Se.iaic did not desire to hear any iniTo speaking,
w h ch we have diffcied ^inre we became members but \Tuuld prcier to take the question that evening.
together of this body. H e (Mr, W . ) would not I said 'hat it was my own opinion that we had
* foilow him in this review. H e had hern, and con- spjat tim*» enough en the bill, and that we ought
tinued to be, content with their first discussions, arid tuen to pn ceed to a final vote upon i-; but if the
would rest himself upon them.
Senate thought otherwise, and tht> del-ate was to be
H i s colleague ha? said, wish some apparent feel- continued, 1 would, on to-metr w, take occasion to
l o g and triumph, that he, Mr. W . had, upon those submit my view*; that at present I would give
occasions, proposed to refer their differences to their way to any gentleman who de-ured then to address
The Senator from Maryland then
constituents and not make them the subjects of de- ths Senate.^
bate and irrilatioa here. H e had done so; and h e ' took the floor, an i after making a few remarks,
6
"moved an adjournment, which w a s not agreed to.
H e then pro<:eede*i to make a very strong speech
against the bill, and when he had spoken Jong
enough for a reasonable sized spercb, he gave way,
and the member from Indiana made a motion 10
adjourn.
Thi* w a s also negatived, and the Senator from Mnr5 land then proceeded umil he had
fini>htd his remarks. A t r him, the Senator from
Massachusetts [Mr. D A V I S ] juldies-std the S.*n«itt
with much ingenuity in opposition to th*i lull,
and when he had concluded, no other gentleman
seemii>g Hc-irous to .speak on ihe subject, the bill
w a s parsed.
A s to the remark of the Senator from Maryland,
{Mr. J\IKRRICK,] whit h w ; s published ^everal days
s i n c e , and not disavowed by hi in, that he [.Vlr. 1 \ ]
declined to address the Senate at all en the subject, he. must say, without supposing it other than
a mistake in the Senator, it was not true. l i e
made no >uch declaration, liut the Senator from
'.New York stems n> think 'hat h U S t i t e is the whole
U n i o n , and that the Senate* should lay by, and not
presume to iransnri any important business, mitii
the State of N e w Yoik \v;;s ful.y represented here.
N o w , h-z was as \vi:ti112- as any Senator to admit
the cifcim of that ;;pal ^uo* to be tie ;Mi with ah
proper i >pect.
*i he Kmpirr. State iv a sreat and
populous o n e ; but she is not ths only Huic in the
Union.
There nrs other Siat?s besides N e w
York. To the wrrd you may alio see great and p pulous *S abF, nearly equal to her in population,
and on this flm rensit ed to a* much werght and considf rat on. If both the N*-w York Senators were not
here to participate in tl e tiansaction of the buMi.c-s
of th? nation with the Representatives cf the 25 other
independent States, it not the fault of this body, and
he s a w no reason why the business of this great
Confederacy should be delayed on that account.
B u i llv* Senator s \ y s "he has l ^ n i in a peculiar
and tryirg situation." H a s b*> indeed b e n in a
"peculiar and triing *hn.4t.o:i V* *.nd, for that reason, could t;ot «rrt bete s oner ? W h a t bronchi him
into thai situation 7 W h a t was i s p-cuiMriiy ?
W h a t v as n,s try n~ naiurr? [It- baa nut lold
u<; on that we ate Jeft to roT*j.»csure. But theS e n a t e s c >mse has not been htdden from pub'ie
view—if. has bren open to the world. I lid die Senator su-p*ci b* con id j;o through a e^aiplet- transformation, »ni| be insensible tii the c-ha y e ? W h y ,
air, w e are j.o constituted thut wc cannot ehocse
but fort, and feel deeply, all RICAI revolutions in
our circurr.stanc-5. If a man, with an apparent
3^eal and la nc&y, advocate* any c a m e fi»r a series
o f year.-', so as to make himself not only conspicuous among the, advocates, of that eau-e.
bui one of t! e uws'. hor.o red, dislineinched, ami
trusted of die se a d v o c a t e ; if in l a s way he
iden!iGe^li : m>elf with a precr p a r y , \v::h tlie m i nority of his countrymen, and ihon, -.* i hot.t ant
reason, rr fur reasonsro:ni:i« n sen c s^oii'j,as frivolous ar;d t<umeanir.;r9 he abai.d »nv (I will not say
his p n n p i e s f«r such men b a r e no principles)
his party connections, all those he ha 1 piofi sscd
to love and honor, joins hi* and their former
enemies, and is the loudest and most unprincipled
calumniator of his former associates, do you think
h e can do all ihis, without feeling that he has
placed himself "in a peculiar and t ^ i n g situation?
N o , sir, no; human nature is much the sai
all; we are so constituted that we cannot d<
from a life of honor and virtue to acts of
turpitude and wickedness, without feeling
selves in " a peculiar and trying Situati
Do
you
think, s^ir, that Benedict
did not find himself in " a peculiar
trying situation," when he resolved to
tray his country, to abandon hi> high and
narable station, as the gallant soldier of liberty,
s nk into utter infamy? Undoubtedly he did;
although h* burned and plundered the villages
towns of his countrymen with ravage ferocity, * |
ingratiate himself with his new friend^, if y°J
could have h i a r d the voice of his conscience, if
would have told y o u that he found himself in '%
peculiar and trying situation."
\
W h e n , >ir, a public man steers his course by dm
pelar star of principle, he may be misunderstood*
he may be misrepresented; he may lo*e his pop«H
farity; but he d»-e* not lose his honor, his ?elf-po*|
^e s on and dignity. If public favor is withdra
from him, he re:ires to private lifc, and enjoys tl
calm and peace of a m i n d a t e a s ? , and conscious
recMt-tdc; he is not reaching out his "inching pa!m»
and uhuiiiig about his "peculiar and tiying sito
1:011."
And if, indeed, the Sens tor has chosen to pi*
himsHf in so ve:y peculiar and trying a situatioal
it <r-ves him no authority to misrepresent the mOl
tives or actions of those with whom he had becM
a^ociated, although it may entitle him to the pWf
of aU men of honor and integrity.
I
Mr. M E R R I C K said that the ecnatnr from OhiOtl
in the course of his remarks, had *-a:d that a p*Jj
tirular statement in his (Mr. M V ) published ^peec*l
11
was not true." H e wished to inquire o f tb*|
Senator whether, by this remark, he intended W>
c h a ^ e him with an intention to misrepresent fact*
Mr. T A P P A N said that he was a plain spoke*
man, and would x<\y7 with Martin Luther, that"h«j
seneraMy called a spade a spade;" but he did n<*
s \y, or »uppos?, thai the Senator intentionally mi*j
represented thr* f<tcU: he on!y sp>ke o f them a*
they were.
Mr. M E R R I C K then gave a brief history o f uw
events previous to the passage t.f she bill. Havinrt
stated tnat it was half af.er fivj
VJ o'clock w h t n b«;
moved the r.iljournment.
Mr. T A P P A N said the S.nater was mistaken ii
the hour; it was about a qaaiter past thre*
oV-lock.
1
Several Sena 1 ors5 said that was about the time. J
Mr. T A L L M A D G E appealed to the S e n a t e !
whether he had not, in all hi* intercourse will]
uien.be s, trerdrd them with the couru-sy whictl
gentlemen owe.! to e ^eh othpr, and to ihe statio*^
th^y occupied, l i e was not in the habit of us>n£l
hnr-ih w»nds there or elsewhere. H e had no convl
plnint to mi!<u of hi-! colleague on ihi.< score, H«j
wnuid say that, as far as parliamentary and indf"
vid:i:il courtesy were concernee, no man carrird * .
further than his colleague. It was his unif«C* \
mannrr, aud he cheerfully awarded this to hil"jj"
But, said Mr* T . my colleague hais mfsapprehendc' I
me if he understood me as saying that he belong*!
to a school which avowed the doctrine of instruct
t i m , v:h"b I b e l o ^ r e ! *o a difTerent s. h o d . I satf
7
thing.
B u t w h e n w e see S e n a t o r s , w h o
i w o f e s s e d l y g r e a t a d m i r e r s o f the right of in• S i o n , q u i b b l i n g f o r w a n t of a t e c h n i c a l w o r d ,
•*feonfidence i n t h e d o c t r i n e w a s a good deal
H e d i d n o t s a y h i s c o l l e a g u e w o u l d do
tbxxt t h e r e h a d b e e n i n s t a n c e s of it in iha S \g£m
I f £ r e c e i v e d i n s t r u c t i o n s , I w o u l d at once
%hy o a t t h e w i s h e s of m y S ' a t e , or g i v e h ? r an
^ p o r t u n i t y o f filling m y p l a c e w i t h a n o t h e r w h o
^ o u l d r e p r e s e n t her truly*
H e w a s s o r r y t h a t t h e S e n a t o r f r o m Ohio h a d
b o u g h t it h i s d u t y t o i n t e r m e d d l e in this fami-y
Affair; a n d h e w o u l d l e a v e it to the S e n a t e w h e i ^ r
*t w a s d o n e w i h p a r l i a m e n t a r y or indivuUv.il c o u r *«*y. T h e t e r m t r a i t o r h a d b e e n applied to h i m by
p o l i t i c a l s l a i g w h a n g e r s , b u t he did n o t e x p e c t to
K&r i t from o n e w h o h a d sufficient respectability
**f c h a r a c t e r t o o b t a i n a s r a : on this il >or. T i a i u - r
% w b a ( ? T o p r i n c i p l e ' ? N o ; a t a i t o r TO part v. A n d
*ur a d i f f e r e n c e in p o l i t i c a l i e n t i m e m , a m I to be
l a n d e d a s a i r a i t j i ? to be c o m p a r e d lo Arnold?
V h e S e n a t o r ia*ks o f w h a t h e k n o w s no thins; a b o u t ,
*t*d r e m i n d s m e o f a c e r t a i n B r i t sh k r d ' s p u p p y ,
V h o d i d n o t g e t h i s e y e s o p e a u n u l he w a s a b o u t to
^ drowned.
B u t t h e S e n a t o r is the very perst n;' c a t i o n of L o c o F o c o i s m .
I I * professes to be one
*f t h e S i m o n P a r t s o f t h a t s c h r o l . H e also pro' * i s e s a n o t h e r p r i n c i p l e , w h i c h is a v e r y na'.ural
^ t , e f\*r a L o c o F o c o ,
I h i v e seen it stated in the
^ w s p a p e r s , t h a t w h e n the n e w s of the S o u t h a m p t o n i n s u r r e c t i o n r e a c h e d O h i o , (he S e n a t o r exk r e * * e d h i s w i l l i n g n e s s (o f u r n i s h p o w d e r and DAM
*t> t h e n e g r o e s - T h i s feeling w a s o n l y carrying:
**Ut t h e dt » t r u c t i v e d o c t r i n e s of L o c o F o c o i s m .
) j e r e p r e s e n t s m e a s s a y i n g t h ^ t New
Y o r k IM
Hfcc w h o l e U n i o n , a n d that all legislation m u s t s t e p
V i i i l s h e is f u l l y r e p r e s e n t e d .
I said n o s u c h thing,
*&d p r o n o n n c e it a m i s r e p r e s e n t a t i o n — u n i n t r * : 'ional no doubtI t is l i k e l y if that S e n a t o r h a d
^i$ w a y , o n e S e n a ' o r w o u l d be t h o u g h t snilieient
*Vnr N e ' J f Y o r k , p r o v i d e d h e be a l w a y s right.
He
^ o u l d n o t f o l l o w t h e e x a m p l e of the S e n a t o r from
^ h i o a n d i n v a d e h e r t e r r i t o r y : there is one there
^ I r e a ' d y w h o is u s e d to repel i n v a d e r s , a n d lie will
**fre c a r e o f t h e g e n t l e m a n .
H e calis m e a traitor.
*f 1 a m Si t r a i t o r , t h e n a r e the p e o p l e of N e w Y o r k ,
^ h o * e r e n r c s e n t a t i v e I a m , a i r a tor. L e t him
^ m e w i t h i n hzr b o r d e r s a n d s i v inks to her s o n s ,
V l d t h e y w i l l t r e a t h i m w i t h tue scorn a n d c^nV m p t he deserves.
M r - H E N D E R S O N rose to a p o i n t of o r d e r .
^ l e w o u l d i n q u i r e o f the C H A I R wheth- r he consi^ r e d t h e c o u r s e of r e m a r k s n o w i n d u l g e d in a s
V i n g w i - h i n t h e r u l e s of o r d e r .
T h e C H A I R s t a t e d that h e h a d a v o i d e d a n y i n t e r f e r e n c e , b e c a u s e h e trussed to the S e n a t e to p r e V r v e i s o w n d i g n i t y a n d the o r d e r of the body.
Htf r e l i e d o n t h e sensQ of h o n o r a n d d e c o r u m of
Hie S e n a t o r s t o t r e a t e a c h o t h e r w i t h t h a t respect
I ^ftd c o u r t e s y w h i c h is a l i k e d u e to e a c h o i h e r as
I n t l e m e n a n d t h e s t a t i o n they o c c u p i e d . S i n c e the
^ n a t o r f r o m M i s s i s s i p p i , h o w e v e r , had r a i s e d the
feint of o r d e r , h e w o u l d .say that he considered the
Remarks o f t h e S e n a t o r from N > w Y o i k a s t r a n ^eendiogr *he l u n i t s o f p a r l i a m e n t a r y c o u r t e s y .
He
W a i t e d to b e c o m p e l l e d to s a y this, but it w a s a
H a t / ^ t p e s e d u p o n h i m by the position he held a s
the p r e s i d i n g officer of the b o d y , a n d w h e n h e k n e w
his d u t y he could d i s c h a r g e it.
M r . T A L L M A D G E a p p r o v e d of the s e n ' i m e n t s
of the C h a i r , a n d w o u l d e n d e a v o r to o b s e r v e h i s
i n j u n c t i o n s . All he h a d said w a s to rev>el the r u d e
a t t a c k of \h? S e n a t o r from Ohio, M r . T . t h e n
w e n t into a hivtory of his d ilVrtnce with the P r e s i dent on the S u b - T r e a s u r y bill. H e s:Ud his c o u r s e
in r e l a t i o n to that bill w a s t a k e n by the a d v i c e a n d
s a n e inn of the highest political a u t h o r i t y in h i s
State; but since that t i m e , these very m^n. w h o
irrged h i m to the c o u r s e , h a d d e n o u n c e d h i m a s a
deserrer.
Mr TAPPAN.
T h e S e n a t o r from N e w Y o r k
c h a r g e - me. wi-h " i n t e r f e r i n g b e t w e e n h ' m a n d h i s
colk-ap:u-V with " i n v a t l m g his S t a e , " with m e d *
J! i n : w . t h n e w Y o r k politics. T h e S e n a t o r rose i n
his place a n J uttered a l o n g a n d r a m b l i n g speech^
in w h i c h he c e n s u r e d his c o l l e a g u e , a n d in no v e r y
m o d e r a ' e t e r m s c h i r p e d the majority of this S e n a t e
with hAvins; passed the I n d e p e n d e n t T r e a s u r y Bill
precipitately, a n d wh f * the d i s h o n r s t p u r p o s e of
p r e v e n t i n g h i m from r e c o r d i n g his vot? a g a i n s t it.
W?is I to sit h e r e , sir, a silent" listener to his foul
s l a n d e r s of the m a j o r i t y of this body*, with w h i c h I
h.til ncAedl A r e w e b o u n d to s u b m i t to u'l m a n n e r
of c - m t u m e l y a n d r e p r o a c h ? N o , s T , no; the S e n a tor s h a 1 e x e r c i s e n o f-uch privilege h e r e w i t h o u t
the r e b u k e he m e r i t s . I interfeied not b-'tween,
h i m xnd his c o d e a p u e ; T i n v a d e d not his S t a t e ; I
meddled not with N e w Y o t k politic*: but I i n f a r m e d the S e n a t o r that there w e r e o t h e r S a t e s i n
this U n i o n t h a n N e w Yor;-, a n d o t h e r S e n a t o r s
here w h o s e rights w i r e To be r e g a r d e d , besi les h i m
w h o m his file l e a d e r p i o n o u o c e d fresh from t h e
people.
But the S e n a t o r c o m p l a i n s that I a p p l y " o d i o u s
epiihets to him. 1 1 I h a v e a p p l i e d n o epjthets: I
h a v e s u p p o s e d w h a t m i g h t h n v e been the ca"j«<* of
his finding h i m s e l f in so '-very p e c u l i a r at;d trying a situation 1 1 as he confessed h e had been in for
s o m e t i m e past, I did not sAy that h i s c o n d u c t
a n d c h a r a c t e r w e r e p a r a l l e l e d by the c o n d u c t a n d
c h a r a c t e r of B e n e d i c t A r n o l d It is ihe S e n a t o r ' s o w n c o n s c i e n c e w h i c h a d o p t s this p a rallel: it is he that m a k e s the h y p o t h e t i c a l c a s e h i s
o w n . T h e S e n a t o r s a y s he is a l w a y s c o u r t e o u s i n
d e b a t e - W h a t a r e his i d e a s of courtesy? H e h a s
m a d e s e v e r a l s p e e c h e s here since he took his s e a t j
a n d w h a t were they? T h e most l o w a n d v u l g a r
a b u s e of all his old friends a n d assoei Ues, a t i r a d e
of n e w s p a p e r s l a n g a n d p o t - h o u s e v i t u p e r a t i o n ,
with frequent a n d m o s t c o m p l a c e n t reference to
" h i s s p e e c h " — a s p e e c h , when* a n d w h e r e d e l i v e r e d , I n e i t h e r k n o w n o r wish to k n o w ; b u t I
c a n tell the S e n a t o r thi?: I n e v e r h e a r d of
" h i s s p e e c h " before, a n d , if it is as v u l a a r a n d
a b u s i v e a s ihe s p e e c h e s he delivers h e r e , he w o u l d
do well ro let it p a s s into oblivion w i t h o u t a w a k e n ing a recollection of if, w h i c h c a n d o h i m no h o n o r . " C o u r t e o u s in debate!'*
I s u b m i t to n o
s u c h c o u r t e s y . I n my life, sir, T h a v e n e v e r h e a r d
a n y m a n s p e a k in p u b l i c w h o w a s m o r e a b u s i v e ,
m o r e c a l u m n i o u s , m o r e c a r e l e s s , in his a s s e r t i o n s ;
he m u s t become c o u r t e o u s h i m s e l f before he c l a i m s
to be treated with c o u r t e s y by o t h e r s . T h e S e n a tor calls himself a D e m o c r a t i c W h i g , a n d s a y s I
a m a L o c o F o c c , I a m indifferent w h a t he c a l l s
8
m
w
m e ; m y enemies cannot c h a n g e m y n a m e ; near rency o f private c o m p a n i e s ; but j ^ ? p a r t r «)5
Did
the
G
o
v
e
r
n
m
e
n
t
or
the
D
e
m
o
crat*r
f
finy yearv I have belonged to a parly devoicd to
Tefw
the support nf sound Democratic principles. W c biudi the State bank*? T h e banks hoai v» j
^ fir" i
-were catWt Democrats b y w a y o f reproach. W h a t except Ohio, south o f N e w Y< r*,
w a s intended a s a stigma, w e adhere:! to us an ho- r e d . e m their paper, and i h \ y a ? e ^ | 0 ^pi
nor; w e c u r s 1 ! ;he n.uri"-; it designates principles. against resumption, and e^d^avorin^ . ^ j ^ f c
"We do n*»t change our n a m e a m i i m d y as iht-5 cunMiiuth nal correncv wi*h m*-t• - j / w 5
the serpent c h a n c e s his skin, l a m a !>'. m < ~ tra*h. A n d w e find th* Senator lr.»m
*
f
era*, simply and p^r»dy; rm>% thank G o d , a D e m o - [Mr. T A L L M A O C E ) and the party
^#&
cratic W h i g , nor :i W h g Democrat.
tnc Senator has become* a ™f'?„
\ke& ' j
banks, and ?\vW"hf>']r
tff°Pfl
B u t the tt»*nat >r has ;ri\ r?e ! to a sTaV-flmdor with th-se
Hint he h a s p:c!*od u;i m some nrw.s-pape*- or other. countenance and support in | n . ^ a |
the ^
rd
i will not d"--f end «r* answer a charge m}>di; <>:i Mi'di .^oppress the circulation <d the
anthoritj*. I \wmj i *care< ]y ni»iice ai.y rii:*)«ie: on rency of the countryWidi a "
lheau ? hor:'y <>j !h * S e n a or IIIUMI!* — much Kss ihe all 'truth and d« c e » c j \ th«
A'
stories wlilr.h \ic p eks up out of W h i g r><; -.v.* pnprrs. ar • c h a f e d with cattfin- ibis state oj
,iiUr!f
N o , sir; wi.^.n a chs rir> is brought against me, ir I thank t!;e Senator lor hH
» TH*
mu^t have an en:l»-rs'»r, and a i?m>d and suhsUtntial u ill he remembered and profit d ryendorser, And ih»*n I w J l answer it.
even in this District, where w e have
T h e S*n;tlor hi.s a^rrted that Mi-* policy of the risiictiorss refuse to ledeem their
Administra' <m tends to the «*Mnbii>,hmrnl o f " one (VTr. T ^ P P A N ) hop«d t when ibe
currency for t? e U o v c n m o n t and smother J or the np for consideration, a s it w o n d
p e o p l e . " O r e r.uifcucv tor the Government and ) tKitoi.N w\>nld, so far a s their 1 ^ , ' \
another for the* re«.'pl-! W h o are i h - pe« p'c? A e rernetf, reli *ve the?n>e!ve5 from the c a y o u , M r . PreMile- t, ami is he not ou^ o f the p*'<ip!e? instrumental in e^tabhshintc •« o n e c u n
Doc-s the met e fact of his holding a teat in (hi- b d ,
and another tor the prop
raise a man above the level of the people? Sir* h»% would sanction but o n e currency H ^
m a y h a v e a .-"-at on this floor, and yet be in rh«i- m i n t and the jreople, and tnat a g^|.
racter and s!andm<r, a m o n g his fellow m e n , even s t i n t e d o n e . 1 h a v e no more to ^ a 3 r ^/
t ' l o w the aver^g" of the people of his o w n St.ae. has been t » l e o e i a n unjust and
r
T h i s has tern ?n oft-repeaUd charge, thai the lack; to let ihe Senator k n o w that if >
Democratic party h a v e established o n e cur- himself in s u c h attacks o n m e and ntf^
rency for ine Government and another for must expect to be answer- A plainly *"Jjy
the people: that, while w e p a y o u r elves in I g o no further; fjr, from m y *oul,j M j
gold and silvrr, the great m a s s #»f the w m m u n i ' y who, to court the favor o f n e w •*» f
are compelled to use a depreciated currency. U « it m c e s s a r y to a b u s e and vilify h»« <"
w o u l d admit that the fact exists
~ of two currencies:
— , On mot on by M r . W R I G H I \ ' « c .
o n e the constitutional currency, the other the c u i - 1 were ordered to be printed, and laid on
@FedFRASER