in danger of undergoing a gnat change establish a Senate for life, and to make the Pres- people on 'this subject, can justly call himself a
from its true theory." Sir, if h e h a d ident a part of the legislative power. true Republican.
But the Executive practice in these days (all It is because Gen. Taylor, on this, as on oth
been forty years in these halls, instead of which seems to be folly approved by Gen. er great questions, stands on Republican ground,
of the tented field, he could not have I
Cass,) is not merely sic veto—but sir rota, tie that we desire his election. He occupies pre
more thoroughly understood the trite jsben. He now assumes the initiative in adds- I cisely the platform on which Mr. Jefferson pla
theory of this Government and it s w e . 1 lion tothe t
i. , i tt t o t ep e ctreei on lie not I . t .i ill e y o rtco n ni n s s
c !cod
himself
fs
in in origint f li n e yr of
strengthening arties this wu p ii:
al inevitable tendency, as now admints- 1 mends,
daily quoted in debate here, and and cont P rol our le . branch of the Government, and opposed to
tered. It is evident he has, in the silent i legislation. It has been but four days since tin the augmentation of Executive power. This
hours allowed him in the camp, by the attempt was made by the Senators from Ken- was the great dividin g landmark
n be e t r u n •een mw
watch fire in the night, or amid the in- tacky e _ and Tennessee, renve risilpr.obUst.NriD,EctßiNoVno0 an d
i3tlsollor
c rn e d
ffi -holding democ
tervalslet-
of battle and military service,
iii,,,',,u Ohio at
in tte ties rncy in a l : 9 lt . e n But, ,lriv driven a li s y l
' Otto ) a t t o Cum m berland - island. Everybody , ors to a very different position from that occu
deeply studied the genius of our Govern- I here seemed to think it right to remove it—but , pied by Mr. Jefferson. It now stands as the ad
and its practical administration. it was known and said that the President would vacate, the prop and support of kingly power.
Sir, it would consume more time than veto the bill which contained it, and the improve- [ Here Mr. C. addressed himself to the Demo
is necessary for my purpose, to show meat fell. So the navigation of the Ohio must ocratic side of the chamber.] You defend all
be obstructed till Taylor can put it all right, by its encroachments. You spurn the rights of the.
how often the will of the people, ex- allowing Congress to make laws. We have now country and of Congress. You decide that the
pressed by the Representatives in not a single river or harbor bill before Congress President shall put down the will of the people;_
Congress, has been defeated by the lint one measure for internal . improvement.—' en e t. s — te and rou! l uir e r tneifnnarteedtikiem&nnywehnotinsntr
by
Ha
iron will of a President, and cape- NoVi.NlffierrillatilnV:
them,
_t
President i t i lit: se has letter acceptance of your nomination, to veto
cially by the exercise of his monarchi- publicly avowed his resolution to veto thee all. the will of the people, when expressed through
cal negative on the laws. In the Inn- The will of the people is nothing. All men here their representatives, on all great leading ques
gunge of a distinguished statesman, look only to the will of the President. He is the tions, in any other
the
th i a n n n a e s f a e merefaction
"the extreme medicine of the Constitn- fountain of favor. Now in th e e_t:tZtse o , Ir v a i tL t tat in e. ino l i lz y h
t N:as aet ffered th control, convention,
tion has become our daily food." Every 7, a d A r a lZ ie s tZ e lu d Z y ll Y:
r T ia i \s d i . i r ah
makes it which took only one night to consider all the
man who remembers the history , of the silt of order for any member, to state in debate great questions of public policy, your candidate
last twenty years, will bear toe witness what is the will of the king; and it is perfectly ,is pledged to veto the vote of thepeople, should
that in this respect, the modern democ- true, as Col.
oof England
l i e n n ft Convention
tiereto ! even e t l e n t i e n r e i - f r o n i th t s B o u f l, them d
and a re-enactment eupa of that
raey have drifted to a returnless tlist- 0f . 417 e ,
t tl , l e at ve n t o n
potter since the F as .nglish rev- of 1842. Now, on this ground, la there any
once from the old landmarks of Republi- olution produced by the Whigs of 1688, one honorable free-trade man who will hesitate to
caniem. The Executive prerogative is hundred and sixty years ago. Why ? Because give his support to Gen. Taylor 1 Every hon
no longer the object of attack, but its the exercise of a power co despotic, which' cot democrat—every en nativ e e and n a ti n tr n a e liz e e n d e ce'enn
advocates have been the unceasing as- wholly denies t o o ni he e r n otle ii r n i i tt d of m self- n „
n iz e e e n tre c t a:zppor po (L ati T in yi
r any political
sailants of the rights of the people, and g e r e , T a T, r a t a ' s ' t a „ y i
English monarch his hea. party to which they may have been attached
of the popular branch of the Govern- Y
Queen Victoria would not keep the throne a' I, as a Whig, can unite with my fellow citizens
ment. "The power of the crown has week under one of our Presidential vetoes. We of the D e e n T i o n e l r l ali e c e r
o r f ty th i e n nn su i v t o o rt e of ß G e en n ej i ii . l
increased, is increasing, and ought to have the name of a Republic, but seat nontit Taylo r ,
be diminished." He has broken down infihra—ai t
iestittsCbotn'ts,the shadow of is, name. ,
g aninheart, and allow the will of the people l to
can
; for that is the great principle laid down
the power of the people to improve their r irn ' a r tientw e e n ote years observer by hint M the Allison letter, and it towers nth
1471tined i have sinceli e ee ss n
rivers and harbors—dictated a new and Of men and things here, though one of the hum- nitely above allother t qu e es e t r ir e n i s n o n f
I tinakilnyd everl
untried system of currency in despite blest of the actors on this theatre, where men ima o. d e e tn in w t a h r i d
the un ,
ie ry. n I h
1 ti guished gentleman
thaws
gone
• their expressed opinion—and even with It i t i l e ist ri xo t fasion n s 4 l e D e em t ocracy on their , lie
;he democratic convention nominated. I have
gone so far as to deny the right of Con- !P hearts; e t i ne o i ' r and ITio; say ItLitejerimneoliPiaerschi- always entertained for him the highest regard,
grass to pay a private claim to an Amer- cal tendency has every year been growing stron- ,
on account of the excellence of his priv n ate , char
ican citizen. I refer to the claim for ger, that many of our legislative acts of the ,a c tneort.
his But
ri l v ant y fe w .
I
his
shownr public
ct
acts
not spoliations on our commerce most i e ttbo , rtmt character are drafted at the Ex-
I ;eel of occupying republican ground, he steels
to 1800, for the liquidation of which a Tititti
is:e ail t r l t iTt7t..!,:,:s it l t ts ewilufth t . precisely in the position occupied by Col. Horn
bill passed both houses of Congress two e ,
tier the Democratic Presidents, degenerated,till it is littlel ilton and Mr. Wilson in the Federal Convention
years ago—a bill the principles of which better than the register of the edicts of an Em- —pledged to s a i n is d ta t i n n y t e h t e n ultr d a e t x it ei t ic o i ‘ s v e n o t f he
a
Exec
he never understood—a bill, to which it peror. It is lint a few days since a member i ,a power,
' o u ' i% ;fienaion on every subject lP upon which an
is palpable, he never gave a weeks atten- vkivitior.hrs,osie,srtveerd,)indCecoitailer7iinatoisutptialiciret,yzetars
h , irresponsible convention, have had the effrontery
lion in Isis life, though Congress passed fled never known a President set his heart on to dictate their arbitrary dogmas to the Ameri
it, after having it held under considers- any great measure which he did not force through ' can people. These men have thus set them
lion for a period of nearly fifty years. Congress. I selves up above the Constitution, and usurped
the legislative power. They seek to control the
The Government has ceased to be a gov- Why is this ? Leta Democratic report, made,n , ' appointment of Chief Magistrate, and, like the
ernment of the People, and has become to drive the younger Adams m p owerfre
~,e " I Polish Diet, virtually to elect a monarch to ride
a governtne3t of one man. Power says y_ e ,_
e n e r. oer g ;:ve m Missouri ' , (Mr. Benton,) in
his
. over and rule an abused and insulted people.
Junius, is continually stealing from the report on Executive patronage, may 4, 1 1826, , Which, e i t t i lz,lll7 ,e ß rt er b en li m ca p nz7 f l De l2 ,
many to the few, and I may add, from after remunerating the monstrous extent of the n
t crat.f, naturalized citizens, native citizens, and
the few to one. The one man-power is Inver of that Patraaage, ,says i i Whigs—patriotic men of all parties—who now
the subject of unceasing eulogy among "The whole of this great power will centre constitute the great Taylor partyof the country? ,
in the President. The King of England is the ,
some of the advocates of the Baltimore Thai is the true Republican party; opposed to
~ fountain of honor;" the President of the Uni- the downward tendency of the Government in
Convention platform, and one of the rod States is the source of patronage. He pre- its administration—anxious to avert its progress
delegates lately made a speech to show sides over the eittire system of Federal appoint- to monarchy—and unless the principles of that
its superiority in concentrating all re- 'mitts, jobs, and contracts. He has .power" , party be sustained, the liberties of the country
sponsibility in one head instead of divi- over iter the e "support" of i k n e d s l' a 'i n tla tt i n s nn w a r es . l 4 l l ;in - i must, sooner or later, fall benath the axe which
ding it among many, thus frankly avow
, He chooses from the circle of his friends and
' I t ts , li n e t e e ci4i t il d tc a t i 2tr tr r i o g c t r i t in li o y fe th et e i g n roc ‘ e v e i ll i i e n i fs in of
e
ing his preference for the monarchical supporters, and may dismiss them, and. upon all by turns muzzled, cajoled, and trampled upon
over to the republican principle. the principles of human action, mil/ dismiss , the rights of the modern Democracy. When,
We must arrest this tendency to monarchy f i them, as often as they disappoint his expecth- ; then, I cull upon any man to support Gen. ray-
tioi spirit•ll '
is. His twill animate their actions in i lor, I do not ask that he should be merely a
Tay
we intend to remain a Republic. When you
all theelections to Nt ate anti Federal offices .— s ' '
Re
talk to me about Whig principles, tariffs, the There
Whig, or a Democrat, but a Republican—a Re-
currency, internal improvements, land bills, and e may be exceptions, hut the truth ofgen- 1 publican not merely by profession, but a Repub
public economy, I tell you that, although lam a te rt ilde r d " c e he i c s k p a r nTc d ol i Zol me ofTie ei r . The in - 1 limn in heart and dee . d. . .
Whig, have always been a Whig, and expect to , Senate, without The party leaders in the Convention that in- ,
die a Whig, yet I hold that, in comparison
new constitutionalor
Patronage
.. provisions, troduced this two-thirds rule, and thus cheated •
with the great principle now at issue between ,
this
cease tooperate. wilpenetrate , itself, refusing to allow the majority to govern,
Lewis Cass and Zachary Taylor, the other prin- , a.,,;.• body, subdue its capacity of resistance, , have felt already the consequences of their con
ciples
.. • 1, in to it the car of power, and enable the . duct. This rule was introduced as a permanent
of any party ever yet known in this coun-
I Presideut to ru'. a easily andmuch more secure-I •••
try sink into insignificance. lam called upon, , principle of the Democratic party in the conven-
1 with than Without, the nominal check of the I
in the election of Zachary Taylor, to vindicate 1 lion of 1814, and was a deliberate fraud upon
S Y eitute. ' If the President was himselfffi
the o -
the great right of man to self-government, and Mr. Van Buren and his friends. He went into
I car of the People, elected by t,.., and re - ion- •
the right of the people, through their Represen- 1 • -,_ • ' - .1 I the convention, expecting the the will of the
tatives in Congress, to make aws. lam called sable to them, there potililbe. - . danger from mai rRy would be allowed to control its action;
the concentration of all tower in his hands • but ' --- j e
upon to deny the right of the President of the • • .„ I t an he received the votes of a decided majority
it is the engine. co statesmen to act upon ,
United States to assume the position of a lees- • of that convention. But the politicians—those
things as they are and not as they would wish •
lator ; and whenever the day shall come that his , tugglers who understood the game which was to
them to be. We must then look forward to the s
right to legislate shall be acknowledged, thati e played—so contrived it, that a majority could
time when the piddle revenue will be doubled ;
moment the republican diameter of our govern- not control the action of the convention.
They
when 'll e civil and military officer, of the
owe utterly ceases to exist. Yon may call it Fed- deluded Southern men by the pretext, that as
quadrupled; when its
what you ,please—you may style the roan at the era, Government will be theNorthlead a majority of votes, their institu- 1
influence over individuals will be I, / ' •
head of the government a President, . Bona- ill-"Pited to !lionslaverywas in ,and thus
of procured
an indefinite e dent • when the nomination
li • .
parte was, in the first instance, styled the first aid to establish the rule, that a vote of two
s t
the President Can carry i men throes)) the I the”
Consul, and afterwards Emperor of the Repub- . thirds w. necessary to nominate the candidate.
Senate, and his recommen a Zion.can earcy .erg '
lic—but to all intents at.d purposes your repub-They thus rejected Mr. , Van Buren ; and what
measure through the two Houses of Congress
lie is at an end—it becomes a Monarchy—has been the result ? 1 his political magician,
Monarchy—an 1 when the p rinciple of public action will be open ;
elective Monarchy—the rneanest and most des- .1 as he was called, has applied his magic touch to
I Ulu avow ed , the President wants MY vote gull Pen
picable form in which that kind a government , 1 your party, and lo ! it is crumbling into dust I
want ills patronage ; I will VOTE as he wishes, It i s
can exist. prostrate beneath his feet at this moment !
and he trill GIVE me the office I wish for.
Here then is the principle upon which I make The splendid art fabric—theßegency palace
issue with the honorable gentleman from Mis- What will this be but the Government of one —which, by his wzard art, he erected in the
sissippi, in the approaching Presidential cam- man? and what is the Government of one man Empire State, has vanished like the morning
paign. 1 mean to stand by Gen. Taylor as the but a monarchy I Names sire nothing. The mist, or one of those dreamy mansions of which
representative of the right of man to self-gov- nature of a thing is in its substance, and the we read in Eastern tales, at the touch of one of
eminent. 1 mean to aupport him because he has name soon accommodates itself to the substance. the genii. The vengeance of the man who was
boldly and nobly proclaimed himself, before the T he first Roman Emperor was styled Emperor thus defrauded and defeated, equals that of Ma
country, as the champion of this great princi- of the Republic, and the last French Emperor zeppa, the Prince of Aagnburners—
ple, that the majority should govern. In all took the same title; and their respective cone- ~ For if we do be mark the hour,
those cases where the fathers of the Republic tries were just as essentially monarchical before There never' yet was pumas power,
intended that the veto power should be applied, us after the assumption of these titles. It can- The could evade, if unforgiven,
he, declares the he will exercise it. In all cases not be denied, or dissembled, hut that this Fed- The patient search and vigil Icig,
where a bill passed by Congress is clearly and eral Government gravitates to the same point, Of him who treasures up a wrong."
manifestly unconstitutional or has been passed &c." . Those who make the President must
I say to gentlemen who now vainly attempt
in haste and without due consideration, he will support him. Their political bite becomes to uphold this tottering fabric of progressive,
be prepared to apply the veto. He is ready to identified, and they must stand or fall together.
aggressive, and retrogressive Democracy, that
apply it to stist,riu the Union of the. States Right or wrong, they must support him : and if on the day on which you established that prin
against any dangerous infraction of the Consti- lie is made contrary to the will of the People he
ciple, and overthrew the fundamental principle
tuition. But he will permit the people of the must be suppor " ted not only by votes and speeches,
country to govern themselves. He will suffer but by arms. of all republican government, your destiny was
sealed! From that hour your doom was irre
the Representatives of the people and the States, I proceed now to answer some of the inter- trievably fixed. Nothing could or can save you
in these halls, to maim the kws. He will not rogatories proposed by the honorable Senator from the fate that awaits you. Nothing can
set himself up as . essential part of the legis- from Mississippi ; and, first, in relation to the save any Party in this country, that shall dare
lative power of the nation. Ile will, when he tariff. He asks me whether General Taylor is to establish such an unprincipled rule. The pen
reaches the Presidential chair, stand by the in favor of the tariff. I answer that General pie may be humbugged fora time; but when
great principles avowed on this subject by Mad- Taylor has expressly declared in his letter to they have been allowed opportunity for reflec
ison and his compatriots of 1787, and utterly Captain Allison, that he will, on that subject, tion, and see a fraud perpetrated, repeated, and
repudiate the kingly maxim practised upon in submit to the will of the people. If they, by enjoined as a principle, by which the right of
the present day—tt sic ea., sic jubett, sic veto. their Representatives in Congress, choose to the majority is denied, the shackles of party can
Met pro 'alone volttatas.” pass a protective tariff law, he will not veto it. bind them no longer. They imbibed thisssacred
I propose to look a little ftirther into this stilt- If they choose to retain the free trade law of princ i p le
from their fathers—they were taught
ject. 1 desire the Senate and the people of the 1816, he will not interfere with it. The Sena- it by their mothers amidst the first lessons of
country to understand vvhat kind of government for asks what is my position in regard to this their infancy, and they know that without it
was sought to Le established by those who in- question 1 I answer that lam a Whig, and as their Government would be converted into a
traduced the veto power into the Constitution of a true friend of the American tariff of 1812, and government of prominciamentos, and could not
the United States, and the kindred principles the principles of that tariff, lam perfectly con- exist an hour. Whig as I am, and ever have
which actuated them. In Madison's papers, we tent with the President of the United States been, I have no hesitation in deckring, that if
find a copy of the Constitution which Colonel who will permit the will of the Representatives the Whig party were to assemble in convention
Hamilton, the father of the veto, intended to of the people and of the States to become the to-morrow, and adopt such a principle, I would
propose. Here are three of its provisions: law of the land. The honorable gentleman re- leave them the moment I could address a letter
" ARTICLE 1.-Sec. 1. The legislative pow. ferred to a letter of mine, written in 1846, to to the Pultlic.
er shall be vested in two distinct bodies of men, my political friends in Delaware, in which I The Senator also inquires what will Gen.
one to be called the Assembly, the other the avowed myself t o b e w h a t I h ave a lw a ys felt Taylor do in reference to the Sub-Treasury and
Senate, subject to the negative hereinafter men- proud to declare myself—a friend to the protec- the Bank. I answer, that Gen. Taylor has
tinned. tion of .American Industry, and the tariff of pledged himself, in the Allison letter, to let the
it An, IV.--Sec. 10. The President shah 11412. It was a letter written, not as he says,lf they want this
-
....miserable
have a right to negative all bills, resolutions, or
acts of the two Houses of the legislature about
to be passed into laws.
" ARTICLE 111.-Sec. 6. The Senators shall
hold their places during good behaviour, remo-
vable only by conviction, on impeachment, for
some crime or misdemeanor."
Here are the principles of the Government
which the author of the veto power intended to
. .
introduce. It is manifest that the mind of the
author of the veto power was at an infinite dis
tance from the opinions of those who made the
Constitution. It is evident that he intended to
for a Presidential election, lint for a State elec. ,
tion, and on the eve of it. I shall never aban
don it—but I glory in the principle it avows.
The honorable Senator inquired if there vas
a man on this side of the chamber who was in
favor of that tariff of 1842 t I AM, and I think
all on my aide of the chamber concur with me.
But I do not desire General Taylor to force any
tariff upon the country, by the exercise of F.x•
•-
..
reutive power. He is willing, on that great
queation, to let the vote of the people govern;
and no man, be he from the North or from the
South, who desireii to curb the expression of the
his . . is, my own opinion which
sublTre - a . sury scheme, they will keep it. If they I am almost certain is well-founded, that General
wish to repeal it, he will interpose no veto upon Cass is opposed to any general system of inter•
the exercise of their will. On the other hand, nal improvements, and that he would veto a bill
how stands Lewis Cass, the Champion of the in favor of such a system. But, as I said the
Democracy! He stands pledged to retain the other dziy, my own impression has always been
Sitb-Treasury, in spite of the will of the peo- that a liberal system of internal improvements,
ple. If three fifths of the people should come I within the Constitution, would certainly meet
here demanding the repeal of the Sub-Treasury the support of Gen. Cass. Now, if I have ail
law, Mr. Cass would be bound to trample upon swered the question satisfactorily I would sk
~
fine 5.,,,... ..,rity, _ would as., The honorable gentleman asked me that Congress should leave the terri
to.
that will. Which, then, is the Republican . I. 1 the Senator whether Gen. Taylor will withhold I what were the sentiments of Gen. Taylor 1 I
ry as they found it. We desire to abide
Which the true Democrat) I his veto, in case of his election, to any bill for •
in regardtothe Mexican war.think i by
Mr. Foote.—Will the gentleman bear with I internal improvements that may happen to pass 1 he I the compromises of the Constitu
me while I submit another question. Does lie both houses of Congress ! , will find an answer perfectly satisfiteto- 1 [coscl.t•PED OS SECOND 1,10E.]
regard the veto power as a conservative one, to I Mr. Clayton.—However vogue the answer, or ry in the Allison letter. There Gener
be retained, or as one to be struck out of the 1 the question addressed to me, 1 reply promptly, al Taylor announces a great principle of
.
constitution ? If it be retained, should R not ' that ido not believe the case will occur of the
vast importance to this country He
be exercised I 1 deliberate and well considered passage of a bill
Mr. Clayton.—l am very glad that the honor- • foruny internal improvement by both houses of avows himself opposed to the doctrine
able gentleman has put this interrogatory. I ; Congress, which ought to he condemned by the of nneexation by conquest. He is op
hold the veto power to be a great conservative ! American Executive. General Taylor, while posed to war, when the honor of the
power in the Constitution. I do not seek, riot ' pledged to abide by the will of the people, is al
country does not demand it, and in In.
do the friends of Gen. Taylor seek, to strike it sn free to restrain any hasty or inconsiderate
from the Constitution. We regard it as the ; legislation. vor of pence as the general policy of the
fathers of the Republic did—as a conservative Mr. Foote.—The question is not whether nation. He congratulates the country
power to enable the Executive 10 defend itself, such or such a case can occur, but whether Gen.
upon the
successful termination of the
and to be exercised precisely within the limits- 'Taylor would so act in certain circumstances. Mexican war. But he distinctly tui
tions laid down by Mattison and his associates. Mr. Clayton, (smiling.)—lt is impossible for
Gen. Taylor specifies the causes for which he me to state my opinion as to what the action of nouuccs . his own principle, conservative
will apply the veto. Gen. Taylor, in a given case, might be, unless and glorious as it is—one on which we
I now return to the consideration of the (pies- the ease he stated with precision. You might will go into the canvass this fall—that
tion of the currency and the National Bank, at suppose a ease in which Congress, having gone .he
will oppose all war for the purpose"
which point the Senator interrupted the course • raving mad, would vote twenty-five miillions out
_,
____
____.
of my remarks. And I recur to the Bank ques- of the Treasury, when there were not five mil- °I conquest.
tion
_
tion particularly, that this matter may be put to lions in it, nod ask me whether General Taylor Mr. FOOTE—The Senator seems to
rest, fro far as in my power, now and forever.— Avoid , ' veto that. But lam now looking as a have glided past my interrogotary.
I do not know a man who supports Gen. Taylor, ' practical man, to the cases which are likely to
The question wits, did Gen. Taylor ap
that entertains the most remote idea of bringing occur, and I have not the most distant idea that
the question of a national bank before the Con- any circumstances will actually exist in which Prove of the conduct of his own country
gress of the Union. Ido not know a Whig on Gen. Taylor will apply the veto to a bill for in- or, did he hold that Mexico was in the
this side of the chamber, or any whereelse, who ternal improvements. But how stands the ran-
right. And secondly, when that war
cherishes any idea of reviving that question. ; didate of the other side of the chamber with had been wriged, up to the time of the
The gentlemen on the other side will rattle the I respect to this question 1 Perhaps, as his patb
treaty of peace, does he not know that
dry bones of the old Bank of the United States 1 way still remains obscured, the honorable gen
iii our faces, but they will, by doing so, only tleman from Illinois can inform me. Does he Gen. Taylor was in favor of that acqui
frighten the men of their own party who voted believe that Gen. Cass will veto a bill for inter- sition of territory which has been made
in Congress fur, and carried that bank charter ; ' nal improvements i by the treaty.
and they will attempt in vain to ride .y longer 1 Mr. Breese.—t will answer the Senator v ery
Mr. CLAYTON.—The gentleman un
,on their old political hobdy as an anti-bank par- 1 frankly. If I slid not believe that Gen.
Cass''
ty. Whatever opinions we may have in regard would veto such a bill, I would not vote for him. intentionally assumes, by his question ;
to that great question, we have all resolved thatl
m Mr. Clayton.—l helieye that the gentleman a knowledge of Gen. Taylor's opinions
we will never revive it. If the Democratic from Illinois, as well as Gen. Cass, twice voted which his published declarations do not
party want a Bank of the United States let them I for the river and harbor bill, and against the ve
justify, and about which neither he nor
.
move it. We on this side of the chamber know to on that bill. Does he believe, that such a bill •
that a National Bank could be of no valild to the would meet with a veto from President Cass it I can have any knowledge. We know
country, unless sustained by the will Of both Mr. Breese.—l do not suppose that it weed. nothing of General Taylors opinions sir.
the great parties of the country. I run free to And with all frankness, permit me to say, that cept from the letters which have been
declare here the part which I took in reference ,as I understand the priuciplea of the Democrat- „ n o shed to the world ; and in them lie
'to this question. I voted for the bank in 1832; is party, a palpable distinction has always been
Ito dare ! under your lead, sir ; for you, Mr. made between a general system of internal im-
has given no opinion upon the subject to
President, (Mr. Dallas,) were the chairman of provements and mere appropriations'out of the which the gentleman refers, nor can I
, the committee that reported the bill. I only Treasury for the improvement of rivers and conceive that it is of the slightest imp
1 followed that lead. We passed the bank bill harbors.—Reasonable appropriations for the portance. Asa soldier, his position
with your assistance, your argument, influence, latter purpose wool,' no doubt receive the sane
and vote ; anil your aid extended much farther; tion of Gen. (joss and the democratic party. made it improper to question any coin.
for when Gen. Jackson vetoed it, you and I con- But appropriations flit a vast and expensive sys- • nand of the Chief Magistrnte, and his
' curred in voting against the veto I I wilt never tern of internal improvements, I hope never duty was obedience. It is not necessa
-1
ry, in (his connection, to discnss the
deny the faith that is in me. As I thought will receive the sanction Of either.
question whether the Mexican war was
then I think now. And the day will come Mr. Clayton.—We see from these vague an
' •
Lank
pressure s a y s e . rs do h e o . w o i r lifficult it is to aseertnin what Gen.
\ o ‘ f .h l l ist y re o s u s r , d c e ry mo alo r uTfo m r .il a l no n tt le r r does not mean about these times. just and necessary or not. If Mr. Polk
whig will ever start that question again. The I I know that he has voted in favor of every in- were 'lining as the candidate, I might
question of a national bank should be and will I ternal improvement bill, and against every veto kayo something to say on the subject;
,be allowed to remain at rest, until men of all of then, Now I have always heretofore look- ,
! parties shall seek to establish, and resolve to ed to a man's arts in order to ascertain what he and when treating of the claims of Gen.
sustain it, by a unanimity which shall place it meant to do ; and I have hitherto regarded tass, who approved by his specchee
above the reach of the demagogues who will Gin. Cass as a high ultra internal improvement ;it'd votes in this chamber every act and
seek to destroy it. man. I have always believed that lie could go ' saying of Mr. Polk on wars, it may be tu
tam asked what Gen. Taylor will do in re- further on that subject than I could myself, and
ken up with propriety. But, so far as Gen.
' gird to internal improvements. That is a most that there were some things besides Mexico
important subject, and I think I have already which I found very difficult
to take, which he Taylor is concerned, the question has
' answered this question. It deserves the patient swallowed with great ease. It is apparent that passed away with the war in which he
and most deliberate consideration of every there are two Senators who have very dilliqent did his whole duty I If he announces
himself distinctly opposed to acquisition
American citizen. But on this question, the I views of Gen. Cass's opinions upon the subject
' course of the bold, manly old patriot, is as plain of internal improvement. I am apprehensive
as the sun at noonday. He will leave this ques- that we are to understand Gen. Cass one way by conquest hereafter, the question as
tion also to the will of the people. If their in one part of the Union, and differently in an- to the justice of the Mexican war, so
' Representatives in Congress choose to pass a other part. He was called upon by one of his far its he is concerned ceases to have
' bill for internal improvennents, he will not im- friends at Cleaveland, (Mr. Wood,) to state his ' the least tne importance With Men of any
pose his veto on the law.—Nor will he write opinions on this subject, but we were informed . .
any messages for the pulliose of manufacturing that the " noise and confusion" were FO treat 1 Party, Il.! the Presidential campaign.
internal improvement men, or tariff men, or any that he could not make any reply, although he Gen. Taylor has done more to tenni
' other kindof politicians. He will not enter on a was able to tell the audience, very audibly, nate the war thee any fifty democrats
'in this nation. Even the Baltimore
career of propagandism. He does not intend to much about his early history, and how he had
get up a hot-lied for tariffs or internal improve- risen from comparative obscurity tol
pc ,17 . n 1 ,'' ll li e , ' con . vention, its the midst of all its party
ments, but knowing that nothing can prosper candidate of the great democratic
which does not rest in the confidence and glee- very much afraid Mr. President, that the "noise action, has not hesitated to introduce an
' lions of the people, he will refer these questions and confusion" will continue throughout the ncknowledgment that Gen. Taylor and
to the original sources of power, and will sus- campaign, and that we shall never be able to as- i his gallant army, with the other Anieri
min them all with inflexible firmness so long as certain the opinions of Gen. Cas: upon this im
, the people will permit them to stand. He does portant subject. He has written a deter ap- can armies, have done every thing that
,
not mean to push things to extremes. His ad- proving of the whole Baltimore platform. Let could have been done for the honor and
ministration will neither be aggressive or ret- me read a portion of that platform which vs'as ' glory of the country. The platfortb
says , , , l ii a n t ti t o l n iey in ' t ( o lin A v i e e c . a ic rr o i , ed ero t w lla n rr i s t
, regressive ; but he will adapt his progress to not expunged :
the mighty energies and capabilities of a nation Resolved, That the Constitution does not con
of the Hatton _
" it * l; imperishable glory ;" that "their
unexampled in the history a the world for its for upon the general government, the power to
ladvance in arts, as well as arms, in agriculture, commence and carry on a general system of in- with
commerce, and manufactures. I ternal improvement. ' unconquerable courage, their daring
Now, on this great question, let me ask, where It seems, then, from the light before enterprise, their unfaltering perseve
sten& Gen. Cass 1 I must now, in my turn, his that the Baltimore Convention held ranee and fortitude when assailed on nil
' put the honorable Senator from Mississippi on ,
the confessional, and ask him to illuminate my that the Government could not carry on sides by innumerable foes, sod that more
path, by shedding a little light upon this subject. a "general system of internal improve- formidable enemy, the diseases of the
, I find that the resolution passed by the Balti- ment," but the honocable member from climate, exalt their devoted patriotism
more Convention in favor of the exercise of the
veto powerlllinois says it may carry on n particu- into the highest heroism, and give them
•
“Reeelvetl contained these words: ,
That we are decidedly opposed to tar system, such as that indicated by a right to the profound gratitude of their
I taking from the President the veto power, &c., the river and harbor bill which met Mr. country and the admiration of the
which has saved the American people from the Polk's veto. That was first reported world.
I corrupt and tyranical domination of the Bank of by a committee to the Convention as a I Gen. Taylor was not a candidate
Lire United States, and from a corrupting sys- ..•
teas of general internal improvements. "corrupting system," as Mr. Polk was, when this resolution was adtpted. They
From a statement of Mr. Yancey, a member in that report, complimented for his veto thought, perhaps, that General Taylor
of the Convention, it appears that these words upon it. But as Mr. Cass had voted for I would not be nominated ; but they did
about internal improvements, which were orir the corrupting system, against Mr. justice to the gallant veteran. And I
1 ( i i n r a a l i t t y4;e e p , oleil tiffi by or t e he pl c a o tf ri o tt!cez r p e po o t n e e d te o
d Polk's veto, and it was held necessary, . hope that at this moment the democra
; to, for the reason thus stated by ' Mr. Yancey in as Mr. Yancey proves, not to " condemn cy of the Union are prepared to unite
' a speech in the city of Charleston, South Caro- the nominee," the compliment WRS with the honorable gentleman from Mis
tins, on the 6th June last, exposing the deeds of struck out, and this veto was not np- sissippi in eulogiums upon the public
this convention i
1 “Amongst other things he instanced, as evi- I proved. Then, to mystify the whole and private virtues of Gen. Taylor.
dance of itsnnsoundness as an exponent of Den- matter still further, another resolution ' With regard to Gen. Tnylor's opinion
ocratic views, its refusal to adopt its resolutions passed, " that the fruits of the great po- on the Wilmot Proviso, the Senator has
avowing its principles and the platform upon litical triumph of 1844.. "'Ili" elected ' the same information iet I have. He
which it designed to place its nomination.
.pas. 1 r., ii.
.And now mark the result, he continued : Af- ~..... A. i oin, have fulfilled the hopes of knows what interpretation ought to be
the nomination was made a committee was rail- the Democracy of the Union." But • put upon the Allison letter, and I hope
ed to report a series of resolutions. Mr. Tan- the most Amusing part of the whole plot- , Gen. Taylor may never assume the atti
cey said that the committee met on the evening form i s the distinction of the Senator
of its appointment and sat until ten at night. ~ f r om Illinoise between a l' lode ofa sectionalorg o ‘ ., ap c
c er hi al can-
Before it adjourned the resolution in relation
I to the veto power had been amended so as to tens of improvement," and
`` general sYs - , didate. Suffer me to say for myself,
"mere "Il• that although acting in the spirit of the
show its happy effect in saving the country propriations for rivers and harbors."— i
The Senator from Mississippi holds the my
request of the Legislature of Delaware,
otram a corrupting system of general improve
ments." It was unanimously agreed to as sound •
river rind harbor bill unconstitutional, colleague and myself, the represen-
Democratic doctrine and as a deserved compli
ment to Mr. Polk. When the committee Ina but still sustains Mr. Cass, who, lie says
, tatives of a slaveholding State, voted
for the extension of the ordinance of
next morning the first proposition made was to is for rt liberal system. The Senator
of 1787 over the territories of the Uni
reconsider that amendment and strike it out. I m fro Illinoise is for the river and harbor
( inquired why /It had heen admitted to be good bill. Mr. Polk is against that • d led States to prevent the nequsition of
Democratic doctrine the night before. The an
swer was, , Gen. Cass voted against that veto , the system, too
bill, an any more slave territory, yet we do not
also againstliberal
of Mr. Polk, and if we put this in we will con- ' cods. Yet all are on the platform.
Each us orthodox. Is it not clear, there- intend ever to connect ourselves with
damn our nominee."
“These virtuous politicians—these trustwor. fore that the
platform to whirls ener- i p a h b i I c i a o l r such pnrty an u P
issue u s such
t an
thy representatives of democracy—had discov- pnrty struggles of the day, as leading
ered by morning that the avowal of a truth al d
ass pledged himself by his letter of to the most fatal consequences. We
would put an error to blush; that the praise of acceptance of the Baltimore nomination look upon the introduction of a gen
ii patriot would be the condemnation of a politi- requires another explanation from him- graphical party upon such a principle,
cal heretic. self 'I ~..;asnsyue.geovvgrea
as tending directly to the destruction of
"The vote was not re-considered, but it'was, Mr. FOQTE C C •I •
. sen. ass, in his !et
as Mr. Yancey firmly believed, because it watti the Union of these States ; and there is
too barefaced even for that body ; and if the ter accepting the nomination of the Bal- not one State within this Confederacy
idea that Cass had voted against Mr. Polk's veto timore convention, stated that that letter that loves the Union more than the smal
had been thought of before the amendment was closed his profession of faith. lest in population among them all—
adopted, it never would have graced those reso
lutions. As it is, it will indeed become a thorn Mr. CLAYTON.—[ remember that whose lofty patriotism has become a
in the side of the nominee.” very well. In that letter, after ender- proverb, and whose proudest boast is,
Now I ask the honorable gentleman from tills- sing this unintelligable platform of the that she was the first to adopt the Amer.
sissippi, will Gen. Cass veto a general system Democratic convention, he adds, that he icon Constitution, and will be the last
of internal improvements '1 will say no more. He closed die door, to desert it. No sir. The men of Del-
Mr. Foote.—l am not prepared to state
_fur- became " General mum " and accord- aware will connect themselves with no
ther than BC • that it : t--
ingly, in his answer to Mr. Wood, of such geographical movement. Most of
Cleveland, he refused to throw any us entertain the opinion that, when the
more light on the subject. It is palpa- action of Congress is invoked, free soil
ble that his position is equivocal, and shall remain free, and that slave tearito
differently understood in different see- ry ought to remain such. The doctrine
tion of the Union, and that the platform prevailed among us at the time of the
itself is a mere humbug. Missouri compromise, and still prevails,
_ _