Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856.

338 ABRIDGMENT OF THE SENATE.] President's Protest. [MAY, 1834. the Journal of the Senate a medium of convey- ated ashes of the illustrious dead, who can ing his sentiments to the people, is manifest. raise no voice and make no protests against the He knows perfectly well how to address to them imputation of high crime? his appeals. And the remarkable fact is estab- What has been the treatment of the Presilished, by his private Secretary, that, simulta- dent towards that other illustrious man, yet neously with the transmission to the Senate of spared to us, but who is lingering upon the very his protest, a duplicate was transmitted to the verge of eternity? Has he abstained from Globe, his official paper, for publication; and charging the Father of the Constitution with it was forthwith published accordingly. For criminal intent in violating the constitution? what purpose, then, was it sent here? It is Mr. Madison, like Washington, assisted in the painful to avow the belief, but one is compelled formation of the constitution; was one of its to think it was only sent in a spirit of insult ablest expounders and advocates; and was opand defiance. posed, on constitutional ground, to the first Bank The President is not content with vindicating of the United States. But, yielding to the force his own rights. He steps forward to maintain of circumstances, and especially to the great the privileges of the House of Representatives principle, that the peace and stability of human also. Why? - Was it to make the House his society require that a controverted question, ally, and to excite its indignation against the which has been finally settled by all the departoffending Senate? Is not the House perfectly ments of Government by long acquiescence, and competent to sustain its own privileges against by the people themselves, should not be open every assault? I should like to see, sir, a reso- to perpetual dispute and disturbance, he aplution introduced into the House, alleging a proved the bill chartering the present Bank of breach of its privileges by a resolution of the the United States. Even he, the name of James Senate, which was intended to maintain unvio- Madison, which is but another for purity, palated the constitutional rights of both Houses in triotism, profound learning, and enlightened exregard to the public purse, and to be present at perience, cannot escape the imputations of his -its discussion. present successor. The President exhibits great irritation and And, lastly, how often has he charged Conimpatience at the presumptuousness of a reso- gress itself with open violations of the constitulution, which, without the imputation of any tion? Times almost without number. During bad intention or design, ventures to allege that the present session he has sent in a message, in he has violated the constitution and laws. His regard to the land bill, in which he has charged constitutional and official infallibility must not it with an undisguised violation. A violation be questioned. To controvert it is an act of so palpable, that it is not even disguised; and injustice, inhumanity, and calumny. He is must, therefore, necessarily imply a criminal intreated as a criminal, and, without summons, he tent. Sir, the advisers of the President, whois prejudged, condemned, and sentenced. Is ever they are, deceive him and themselves. the President scrupulously careful of the mem- They have vainly supposed that, by an appeal ory of the dead, or the feelings of the living, in to the people, and an exhibition of the wounds respect to violations of the constitution? If a of the President, they could enlist the sympaviolation by him implies criminal guilt, a vio- thies and the commiseration of the people-that lation by them cannot be innocent and guiltless. the name of Andrew Jackson would bear down And how has the President treated the memory the Senate and all opposition. They have yet of the immortal Father of his Country? that to learn, what they will soon learn, that even great man, who, for purity of purpose and a good and responsible name may be used so character, wisdom and moderation, unsullied frequently, as an endorser, that its credit and virtue and unsurpassed patriotism, is without the public confidence in its solidity, have been competition in past history or among living seriously impaired. They mistake the intellimen, and whose equal we scarcely dare hope gence of the people, who are not prepared to will ever be again presented as a blessing to see and sanction the President putting forth inmankind. How has he been treated by the discriminate charges of a violation of the conPresident? H-las he not again and again pro- stitution against whomsoever he pleases, and nounced that, by approving the bill chartering exhibiting unmeasured rage and indignation, the first Bank of the United States, Washington when his own infallibility is dared to be quesviolated the constitution of his country? That tioned. violation, according to the President, included volition and design; was prompted by improper motives, and was committed with an unlawful MONDAY, May 5. intent. It was the more inexcusable in Washington, because he assisted and presided in the convention which formed the constitution. If The Senate proceeded to the consideration it be unjust to arraign, try unheard, and con- of the resolutions of Mr. POINDEXTER, as modidemn as guilty, a living man filling an exalted fled on motion of Mr. CLAY; office, with all the splendor, power, and infiu- The question being on the amendment offered ence which that office possesses, how much by Mr. BIBBmore cruel is it to disturb the sacred and vener- Mr. WRIGHT said he had to thank the Senate

Pages

About this Item

Title: Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856.
Author: United States. Congress.
Canvas: Page 338
Publication: New York, [etc.]: D. Appleton and company [etc.]; 1857-61.
Subject terms: United States -- Politics and government

Technical Details

Collection: Making of America Books
Link to this Item: https://name.umdl.umich.edu/ahj4053.0012.001
Link to this scan: https://quod.lib.umich.edu/m/moa/ahj4053.0012.001/340

Rights and Permissions

These pages may be freely searched and displayed. Permission must be received for subsequent distribution in print or electronically. Please go to http://www.umdl.umich.edu/ for more information.

IIIF

Manifest: https://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/api/manifest/moa:ahj4053.0012.001

Cite this Item

Full citation: "Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856." In the digital collection Making of America Books. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/ahj4053.0012.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed June 17, 2025.

Abridgment of the Debates of Congress, from 1789 to 1856.

Annotations Tools

Actions

About this Item

Technical Details

Rights and Permissions

Related Links

IIIF

Cite this Item