Newspaper Page Text
Hut. sir, my colleague [ Mr. Cobb] says that 1 lie
concti . relit uml even coitlroliiug pow i r ol (Jungle:.*
over llie subject t.l" congressional elections, by
which they cun “inuka” or ••alter” the regulations
“of time, p'uca, mi l mnuner,” doe* not uu.horizo
them barely to “annul” ami "abrogate," us lie says
this net docs. And though I shall be able, 1
think, to show presently) most clearly, that Ids view
of llio act in this particular i> altogether incoriecl;
yet, in answer to him, here I put die case supposed
by the minority cl the committeo in their report.
Has not Cmigre.at the same, and even greater
power over the whole subjeci, than the States have!
My colleague admits that Congress has. Then,
suppose that tile State of Georgia had, bv law, tie.
clarcd the same general principle which the net
Under consideration has, uml hud done nothing
more, and such act Imd pasted hjth (louses of our
legislature, and been signed by the Governor, would
it not have operated as a repeal of the general tick
et system? lie admits it would. Hut then (-ays
he) would bo the time for the exercise of inis con.
8ervativc principle in the constitution on the part
of Congress. Grant the fact, but the case 1 put to
him is, if the State had so declared, by law, would
she be entitled to a representation on ibis llmir by
members elected according to the old law, or eoetd
she have held any valid election until them had
bcon farther legislation upon the subject, either hy
Congress or her own legislature ! Thai is the
question. And it Congress has the same p o'.or
as the State, is not the result practically the sump,
whether the law was passed hy this government or
the Slalo government! Hut 1 said his view of the
law, in this particular, I conceived to he «rong.
Ho says the power to “make” is out a power to
“unmake,” and the power to “alter" is not a power
bareiy to •‘repeal or annul ,” and that, wimo Con.
gress undertakes !o alter any existing St.e mo c
or manner of holding elections, it mast nof hr a
bare repeal of such mode or manner, hut something
should l,e substituted for lac provision changed.
And Isav, sir, such is the fact in rcitition to 'Itoact
under consideration ; and, without inquiring into
the correctness of his position ill general, it is suf
ficient for n:e lo say it does m<( apply to this ease ;
for tite act of Congress is not u repeal, but some,
tiling is substituted in lieu of what is tillered, ns far
as tite alteration goes. It altered if you please,
tile general ticket. and substituted the s«y/< dis
trict system in its stead, which, I apprehend, was
exercising the power over the subject conferred
upon Congress in just such n way and sense as was
originally intended hy the framers of the constitu
tion. Their object in giving the controlling pow
er to Congress, was to give Congress power to os.
tabiish general principles upon the subject of elec,
lions for the purpose of having uniformity through'
out the country, leaving details and particnlnis to
the action of tite State legislatures. For, when
Mr. Madison, in the Virginia convention, was a - li
ed hy Mr. Monroe, “Way Congress had tho ulti
mate control over the times, places and manner, of
holding elections ?” he said, “It was thought that
the regulations of time, place, ami maimer, of
electing representatives should be uniform through
out the continent. Some Stales might regulate the
elections upon principles of equality, and others
might regulate them otherw ise, it was found ne
cessary to leave the regulation of them in the first
place lo the State governments, ns being best ne-
quainted with the situation of the people, subject to
the control of the general government, in order to
enable it toptoduco uniformity, and prevent its own
dissolution. Anil considering the State govern
ment and the general government ns distinct bo.
dies, acting in different and Independent capacities
for the people, it was thought that particular regu-
lotions should he submitted lo tho former, and the
general regulations to the Inttcr.”
Now, l would nsk, what Mr. Madison could have
meant hy general regulations, if he did not intend
to include just such a general principle or regulation
as that contained in mo apportionment net, provi
ding that all the members of this House, in nil the
Slates, should he elected hy single districts ; and
leaving, ns was originally thougut host, the partic
ular regulations—.tie details, if you please.—the
laying off the districts. tVc—to the State govern
ments. But so far ns the argument of iny c-fi.
league upon this point is coneei tied, he is certainly
fully answered in litis : that Cotigvoas has substitu
ted something in lieu of '.be provision altered, it
repealed—or annulled, if lie will have it so—the
general ticket, and substituted in its place the single
district system.
It seems to me, then, Mr. Speaker to he clear,
not only that Congress may, in some instances,
pass a law constitutional und valid in itself, which
will, nevertheless, require legislation on tite part of
the Stales before its operation can bo full and cfl'i.
cient, but that the second section of the apportion,
meiil act is just suclt a law ; and, in exorcising the
power over the stmjoot.mnlicr, Congress went so
far ns was originally thought to bu best, and no far.
titer; and, having arrived ut this conclusion, 1 will
aay nothing more upon this subject, but respectful
ly submit to the House whether, in the course o'
what has been said, it lias not been made to np.
pear—
1. That the “power of districting” is embraced
in llie terms “limes, places and nmurer of bolding
elections,” as used in the constitution, and conse
quently is vested in Congress.
2. That the power in Congress to regulate ihc
times, places and manner of holding elections for
members of ibis House, is neither, in letter or spit-
it, conditional ot contingent, dependent upon tite
failure or refusal of the S.nti-s to exercise it; but
is full and absolute, and lo be exercised, as all oth
er snob powers, according to circumstances, and a
prudent discretion.
3. Tlmt the second section of the Iasi apportion,
ment act (the object of which was to legislate upon
this subject so far ns to secure or establish ueifur
mity of elections in all tho .States upon the single
district plan) seeks to do nothing which is not clear
ly within the power of Congress ; and, so far from
being so imperfect within itself as to justify its he.
ing considered inellicicm or inoperative on that oc-
count, it is just suclt an exorcise of power ol Con
gress over the premises ns lias been exercised ov
er other subjects, under similar powers; und just
such a one ns was originally thought to he best hy
the frantets of the constitution in this case; and,
therefore, under no consideration, should it he pro.
nouitccd hy this 11 msc as either void, iiivuii l or in
operative.
And here, sir, I might perhaps properly close
what I huvo to say upon this occu-ion, hut
there aro one or two other matters growing out of
this subject to which I wish briefly to allude before
doing so.
The majority of the Committee of Elections, in
their report which is now under consideration, af
firm that tite “second section of the act of apportion
ment is an attempt, by tho introduction of a v on
princii>lc to subvert the entire system of legislation
adopted hy tho seveial States of the Union, and to
compel them to conform to cert tin rules established
by Congress for their government.”
Sir, l cannot agree with tho coromilloo in opin
ion that such was either tho object of the act in
question, or can, in any way, he its consequence.
If so, I should ho the last to advocate the measure.
I consider myself as one of those w lm hold the doc
trine that tho permanency of our institutions can
i nly ho prosrrvcii Isy .confining the anion of the
Stuto und federal government* each to its own pro
per sphere ; and that, whiiti lliero should bo no en
croachment upon the rights of the Slnli s hy this
government, there should u|sn, on their part, he no
disobedience or failure In perform their < uties ac
cording to tite terms ol the constitutional^com*
pact.
But, sir. Is it true that the second section of the
Oct allude (I to docs subvert tho entire system of
Elate legislation, or even attempts to do so ? Have
not all the Stntes of the Union conformed thereto
but four? Yea, all but three—-for Georgia is now
amongst thoso w liiclt have established tho single
iwtiicj idan tif nleetiiit* member-)' lo litis Ho i g c,
\ ml is not tho system of our Stale legislation as Nats—Sim'# tint prnpiirMum nf the lornxmii* sboels foi
, .. • ii, , , ,, tlii'press, I l„,v« n<',.|i I'utili-limi ill tlm ulotin wlint purpart*
txcdundlirm as ever ! I)o wo not regulalo n.i j t„. ii,« it,,,,,,, „,m n th» »-.tm,t *m.jv-,-t,
,ucu matters as belong exclusively to ourselves, ns I t»y "Mr. iStilesofticor^iu," in which »re some remark* quint
i.iliv nnd as ahsolulelv ns before! Hav-we : I" r *<'ii"l m myself. Tlii*. I take it lor granted, w«» wiitton
1 > ns nature I II.». '"’• , III l.nnsHi; and publish,.fi Iiy his aulhuritv. Amt I uolico,
nor legislatures our executives, our Judiciary, | Ilmt in wlail ho reports mo III luivu suill to him ill Ilia House,
and all our olltcers, inililltrv ami civil ! And do out , j" l' 11 ’ peeressnl hi* spic' li, lie lin* represented me n* my
all tilings move on as smoothly and harmoniously
as holoro ?
Bir, 1 do not see this entire subversion and break
ing up of all tho Stuto institutions complained cl
ay tho committee; and suppose it mu-1 iiavo its
oiigiil only in the heat of their own imagination.
And I only allude to it to show the extravagance ol
tite views uiitortaiacd hy the committee upon this
subject, nnd which forms one of'tho links in that
chain of argument by which they coma to the coir
elusions expressed in the resolutions. Another
point I would cal! attention to, is the remark made
the other day hy llio gentleman front Imlinuu, [Mr,
Kennedy. |
lie spoke ot’ litis as being a pttrtv questinn ; and
said all the Democrats wont made Up in mind upon
n a side, and all the wltigs upon the oilier.
Now, sir, though 1 admit that the wings arc most,
ly united tipnu otto side of this question, and that a
largu majority of tho democratic party upon '.his
floor are also united ntt the other side, (which 1 re
gnu to sec upon any great constitutional question.)
yet if 1 mistake not, this feature originated with u
distinguished member of tho domoorulie party in
tite last Congress, who now sits he loro me, (Mr.
Campbell of South Carolina.) And mi the journals
nl that Congress, which arc now before me, l see
; the nnmcsof several of that party recorded in I'a-
j vor of tho measure.
And who,sir, movr 1, liar other day, the adoption
of tho iiiinorilv report ? Was it not the gentleman
| It out Alabama. (.Mr. Ilelset ?)—a im-mlii i • I lie-
| deineei fine party, and one w ho favored the House
also with a very able argument in iuvoi ef the valid
I ity of the section in question,
: A not lie-1' gentleman (Mr. Elinor) s aid tho other
I day, that he considered this qa- slimi ns involving
: the great principle which at first divided parlies in
l litis country—the federal, or these in favor of a
! strong national government, on the ouo side, nnd
j tiio republican or those opposed thereto, mi tite oth
ier. If so, I nsk the
• he knew ihni 1 */iil not stiy.mul lin
in equally coiiHdoiit ho tnvti Juiw
Alt.tt l ran hnt
miii'Hv mniiit'il wImt i
known thol l tlitlsot/.
Il«*n* ii nut only a nnpprcMio vni, hut n elenr augg ratio
fatal; l iilicrof witi -ii n. < ortliii£ iti most I'.nsii»?<ts, i* wholly
iiicoiirsi.-leiit wiilia % oi y liifili ilagrro of“iiiornl uitniiiinent,
nml it’t HurpuHsctl in FiiMnuily ol tnrpituili*, oven l>\ tin* ntro*
ciotiHiUHH of ihni hy/n/criijj I lint would ootiiiiicm o tin* groiw-
«*.4t ol pi'r-onal iiIImcUb with tilt* prolnsninn “of all kiinlin’.«8,"
IdVorts to a.-Miil me or my position, from sill’ll a nourm*, ami
ofhim'Ii a i.liario'l« r,iiM tho-ic of tlmt mom' or, either as oiigi-
11*111 y maiU’, or now reported, will prove no lew impotent m
th»*ir object, limn th v wore donhth*>*s nvdiaunnt in their mi-
ciits To Iih remarks iih far nt? mv position is eoiieerned,
iliorofm-e, I have no reply. Tosiiofi mi argument i shall in-
ver f/t it'll to leplv. 'I lmt position I Imve plueeii lolly before
the eomitry, ami leave the country tojodgn ol it.
lint, as I n as hi- n oiiVilts may ln*ve Imen iiitmnli’il to un-
«wer tit'* purpose of vonve) ittg u pv*r>»mml iosult.l have thin
reply: that no miut, without provocation, would Imvv chosen
llie aieiii'u of th'* I louse, ami profaned »*. vails lor such a pur
pose, or to ”ivu vent to liis piivatc malice, wlm was not a
kiln re hy iiiitnic,aml a poltroon at liom t. And I taki 'this me-
thou of milking this reclv, hectinsc I do not climna to sch-et
th of (hr lint.(fas the proper platfi for persotml ultoiea-
lions. 1 did not conic hero for that purpose. And in so doing,
I let*I that I should no l»*t.s degrade mv self, limn offer an imp.ir-
tl.n.iihle in liu'iuty to that high minded and honor ahlui , oii*>t linen-
ey, whose r**p»• sect ttivc I am. And it any apology I. tine lor
the laiurntiue iiskI, t vm in tlii?* nluce, I ran only si; in ex-
temuuiuo ot mv error, (ifsttch it he.,} that l w.t- t’uuht in that
"code of morals" in which"! was educated," that “u lonl
should be answered mcoiding to his folly; ami my instinct
tolls nn* that bl'icktruanls sometimes should In* lnated in a
similar wav.
A II. STKrilKNS.
Washington, l\h. 26,loll.
FbMALE I'jOUCATIoN ON CliltlsTIAN PR I NCI PI. IIS,
wo c.inltDl Inii regard as the s)ic*c*t-ntic!ior ofotir tin.
liotial lmp"s. If wo mould and fashion our dant'lt*
lers into a race of vain nnd silly women, the more
illstnirlion vvi» givo them llio it nitial ho foi
thorn nnd their jnj.sirrily. It must he eon lesson
that many poou'ar 1 ti.siitulions of education ot
young fema’c-Sj Imve gniti their celebrity from their
success in ministering to pnrchlal vanity, rather
ilian I y wise and cdn istittn efforts for tho formation
of a ciiaracier of .sterling worth, embellished wish
lasting ami vahiable ttecomplishmonts.
Display—is th.oir mono , principle utterly anti,
cilrislinn, and drsirm*iivy,g| everv lionoiablc j»rin-
ntiemnn on which side of'! eiple in the Icmair* cliurncter. ihc j'otm^ Indv
lire line does lie place Itimse.l and his friends. Uer* j vv h° lias been taught to court I Ito eye nnd ndmira-
ininly ho is not on that side of the question upon j dm* ol the world, is morally mined; she has fist
which tiie distinguished lenders ol the republican the brighest nnd most attractive quality of her sex
party stood i n llieir day. Iliad thought that Air •—tho, delicacy ol feeling which shrinks from all
Madison stood amongst the first in the republican notoriety.
ranks. I care not by wlmt party name you charac- . ^ 0 <‘ : mnot but cherish tho hope thnt jnstor view’s
teri/.e bis pi.isition. In this matter, ns in most othcr.s "I die true ends and aims of ail IMueation are be.
of n political nature, I profess to belong to his ; .14innin«g to gain the ascendency in tbe public mind,
school ; and 1 enre not whether you cull him a fed flu* claims of Religion, in this connection, need
cralist, a republican, or a democrat, 1 regard the | °uly to be judiciouaiv advocated and they will com.
name but little. We,on the whig side, however, I m(,,1 d u large share of public respect and cot. Ii -
certainly follow in bis lead upon this question, as I I'-f'ee ; for many a man who disregards its claims
have before shown. J upon iumselt, feels, under the strong impulses of
Upon the general policy of the single-district ( nnturc, f«*r the spiriitui and eternal iutere.sis of his
system, or its relative merits, compared will) the
general ticket. I do not know, Mr. Speaker, that ii
would he proper, at this time, to say anything. 15,it
i should not feel that I hail discharged my duly ful-
ly, if I permitted the occasion to pass without at
h ost giving the expression of mv opinion quite as
lecidedly in favor of the policy as the validity of the
act now under consideration. 1 am,sir, a ilislric
We cannot divest ourselves of a strong
Iceiing ol confidence in the benignant Providence
that has hitherto led and sustained our country
through all its trials, mu* are we yet pn pared to
look with distrust upon tbe permanence of the Re
publican Institutions reared up in our favored coun.
try under tho special protection of tho Almighty.—
We,o| 1 lie present generation, are rapidly passing
man ; nnd believe u largo majority of the people til | nwuy. Our places two soon to bu resigned v
bulb parties, of the State from which 1 come, upon th^rs—lo others whose characters ivc arc oursc/ccs
this subject agree with me in sentiment. Jortntng. Oar responsibility is indeed mnmeutotis;
Sir, it is the most equal system. It is the most 1 'I luithlui 10 ‘lie duties of our station, the blessing
republican. It gives every section of the State a j Almighty Ciud wj.! \et rest upon our successor*,
voice in the national councils. It increases the re- j !l . s ^ ''i nn eminent degree upon our Ilevohi.
sponsibility of the representative to Ins constituents lionury fathers,
and better enables the constituents, from persona
Cotton and tub Tariff,—The predictions ot
the enemies of MiclnriiF have been falsified in al
most every pui tieulnr. Theories cannot long stand
• u *I*o w ay of fads,and the pockets of the American
. ! people at this moment contain arguments w Inch en«
)lls ’ 1 tirely overthrow I,ocofoco speculations.
vativc lei.denev ITmiei* ir^ .• - I Ry tho tHritf, cotton, according lo llio false pro-
. u operation, parlies m , r .to. ... , 1
me dill-rent.States arp ....... 11 1 phots ol Locoisin, was to fail to a price still lower
ok* unit luiioiuitb ui^ irlore nearly balanced ngninst . .. 1 »»*, . .
illomselves, o V .u their violence is more t.enrlv nco- ll,BI . ,lm " r| ; ,ch tl,c U u, . r ! ,l 1 ,UU " 1 ;I Ac "
traliw 1 . j )v ils counteraction. This teds v.-rv '■ ^ ' ls | ”°' t ' h, f or .' ,n, t , l ,t 1 'V,“ S
Vouch to check that hi«h deurco of eoi, ,n “ " ,ldlssl111 »*'"«• l! «nny B.t said that tho
acquaintance and intercourse, to judge correctly ol
the man to whom they conlide tho important trust
of legislating for them. lint I cannot enumerate
tite advantages of this system atthis time; I will
handy, liowevor, add thnt, if irotn no utile
deration, I should he in favor of it I '.Oin its conscr-
n liiclt otlici'ttise would prevail on many question*,
and might bo most deleterious in its consequences.
To b,e useful and salutary, laws must have some
conlimmiice and stability, liut if the opposite
principle sii add prevail, or, if even tho four larger
•States in the Union slum d adopt the general-ticket
mode of election, who is so careless an observer of
mutt and things as not toseo the consequence tlmt
would result ?
Tho representatives fiom each of these Slates,
instead of being divided is they now are, so ns al
most to balance each other in party strength,
would most probably all oe on tite same side of the
question ; and might, poilinps, be eieeted by only a
lew bundled majority in their respective Suites ;
and to the next Congress another delegation, t-quni
in number and equally divided on the oilier politi
cal side, might he return 'd by about us large a inn
jority the other way. T'tc client would be an on-
prospect ofu short crop lias caused this rise. But
with what consistency cue Locofocos urge this rea
son ! Wln-o cotton was so dull last summer, ow
ing to the abundance of llio previous crops, they
also alleged tlmt the Whig tariff hud prostrated it.
Now, if llie Whig larilf acts independently of sea
sons, why is it not as responsible for the rise in the
groat staple now, as for its depression six months
ago? lint on the short crop of this year the Whig
tarifi’ has greatly increased tho demand. Since iis
passage there lias been a large increase of the
manufacture of cotton in the United States, and
the planter will consequently haven biisk home
market, and a lively foreign demand for his article,
Is it not apparent, then, thnt the Whig tariff lias
had an agency in the riso of cotton ?—1‘elcrsburg
Intel.
Legislative Eloquence.—The Jackson cm-
, respondent of the Vicksburg Whig, gives tho ful-
lire change of measures for the past admonishes, lowing as verbatim et literatim speech deiivered
and the present speaks in language not lobe riiisun-ihe Mississippi Legislature, bv Mr. Lindsey, of
derstood, t bat party rules everything. I Itswamlm. It “takes the seek*
Sir, amongst the dangers to which our system of Mr. Speaker, in fixin the salaries of officers, wo
government is exposed,! consider ds not amongst imve in view all tho citizen.? '•! .Mussisippi, und wo
the least, the cllects upu.i tiio public interests of tin j Imve nut in view a portion o( the citizens uf Mas-
country of those fearful shocks produced by the I **is<ippi. I beam it said that high Judges should
sudden change of such largo party majorities upon i high salaries because they had to study a long
tlii? floor. The liumar, system, in its soundest time before they g- t to be Judges. 15 it I [lint a
health and fullest vigor and strength, cannot long 1 gnino to believe a word of that, fur I know ns soon
sustain its healthful notion against quirk transition* a young mat) begins to study law lie goes to
from the extremes of tc nperiruro. Sir, the most ! practice and gils rich directly. I would like to
deeply laid nnd substanti illy built of human odiiicei know how long a young man would have to study
cannot stand amidst the 1 scillations of an unsteady law before be gets lo practice, why. right away sir.
earth; nor cun the government of a free people, Rut 1 dont oppose a nnti because he is rich, nor I
the noblest of all human structures, remain firm, il ' dout oppose him because lie is poor; no, sir, for
its elements and foundation are subject to constant
vibrations. Its basis is public opinion ; and tlt«* el
ements of’ the human min 1 are not unlike those of
the atmosphere about us—w hioli. however still, nnd
calm, and q d< t :o day. may be roused into h • tvl il l
wind to-morrow. And sis the mild air wo breathe
when put into commotion, assumes all the power
this is tlie reason, sir, why this great nation of ours
' look down with pride upon all other nations of the
yearth. Rut, sir, I think nil men when they form
asocial compact is nil equal and alike, and this,
! sir, i think a sufficient reason, sir, to reduce llie
1 salaries of these Judges, and I hope, sir, llie mem
ber* on this floor, will go for mv amendment. .Mr.
1 terrific force of the tornado, laying waste nnd -Speaker I'm not a gtiine to make a long speech, for
in ruin cverv tiling in its desolating sweep; so with two reasons, sir, one is that I don’t know much, and
the passions, prejudices, nnd ambition of men, when tot lie* r is, it don’t take me long to tell what I do
excited and amused into factious -strife; without know. Gentlemen 1 tun much oblige to you for
I'l'fison or Argument to control tbeir notion, every. ! your kind atteinion,und prosperity attend the speak-
liiing relating to order, right, law, or constitution,; < r.
- is equally disregarded; and government itself can- 1 ' “
j not bo saved from its ruthless destruction. Wise j Facrtix.—The Loudon Rost relates an muxs
i legislation should always guard against oven thing *L^»tc of the Duke ol Bordeaux's sojourn u\ Alton
I tending to promote such excitements. It was in ' lowers: “When the hurl of Slirew sbury was
; this view of this subject, and to guard, ns far ns pos ! about to propose his health, the Countess, turning
1 >iV,e, against the liability of such results, that the 1 bis royal highness, sai l. ‘Non? aliens boirc a hi
) same wise statesman—— the pure patriot, tho sago of] do Monseigneur avec riu vin do Bordeaux s;’
Montpelier—to whom 1 have before alluded, while ] to "liicli he immediately replied in the most touch*
1 the adoption ot the constitution was before the A me ing and naive manner, ht nioi, milady, jo buirai
' rican people, urgi’d upon them the necessity of es- i ,lux votres avec du vin de Constance,
tnblisliing such cheeks and restraints in their gov- hoi’d B , w ho sports a (erocimis pair of
ernrnent°as would be n “defence for them against w-liiskers, meeting Mr* O’Connell in Dublin, the
their own temporary errors nnd delusions”—sissur- latter stii■ 1, •• W lien do you mean to place your wliis*
ing them that, if the people of Albers had bud such kf’rs on tlie peace ustabiislirnetit !” “When you
provident safeguards for their protection, “they place your tongue on the civil list!” was the winy
might have* escuped the inde'lible reproach of de- rejoinder.
crce—giving to tho *111110 citizens tho liumlouk on Alononf tlio fine Clmrclt brrnkfitsls in Glus-
ottc flay, ami statues on tlie tu xl.” Dr. Clinlmcia n.*kcd a Fruncli goiitl.ntieii
witeMtor ite wtsliud “to lieiu'lncd to somu kiiiuut'od
Sif.lltoic was » , Mom n,„i sound Philosophy p',. om . hir „, n in „ llired nu ,'ni„^
tl,..sc tiisiniL'lion*. w hich were no mote propc,mo be 1,. „ ki p( , » mill (in ,, oill g l0 '| ( | it si,.„ilU-d
I -•”“r“l''r<'J and regarded in the tor,„:Q,on of a .. |irow ' r ir Bl l.” ho was helped 10 a ponimi, amt s.-c,,.
,'.0,1*1111,'.ton man in overy species “Maps,at,an. rcliii„a from ,I,is hall
when the same object can he ohtn,nod. And the . nl((| , aKj , |,. aveJm „. ns hou| . d wis |, in j, ,| lu Due.
district sys'eiii I consider ono nf tl>o*o cla-cks 1 1(1 |lm| ho lllig)>t bu kippered to the Free
at, J saleguards winch, 1 trust, will ttovet - u .• ubun- Qlmrcl, '*
dnned.
1 thank the House, Mr. Speaker, for its attentive A lady asked a Judge what was the “dill’ereneo
heal ing. 1 will trespass no longor upon i's patience. , hetw- en a solictor and an attorney ?” “Pieeisely
I In,ve given you my views upon this subject, ll ! ilio bantu,” ho answered,“as between a crocodilo
was due lo myself, to tho country, ami particularly and an alligator.”
to my constituents, that 1 should do so. 1 may he j -
wrong in my opinions. I submit them to your con. “Ibis is a sweeping catastrophe, ns tho man
siderntion; and in tho decision of tbe House I shall paid wlton his wile knocked him down with u
. • ■ i . I Iti'iinin
CONGRESS.
[»llt 11 THE NATIONAL IN'rr.t.Llr.r.NCEIt.]
WA-IIINGTJN, Feb. 39.
SENATE.
As soon as tile journal was rend, tlie following
Message was announced from the President of llie
United Stales:
To the Senate and House if Representatives of the
United States:
I listvc to perform the melancholy duty of nn
uoiincing to tlie two Houses of Congress llie dentil
of the [Ion. Auel P. Ut'snuit, late Secretary ol
State, and the lion. Thomas \V. Uii.mku, lute Sec
retary iifilie Navy.
Tliis most lamuntahle occurrence uunspiie.d on
hoard tlie U. S. slop of war tite Princeton, on yes
terday, at about hull'ufter -1 o’clock in tho evening,
and proceeded from the explosion ofono of llio large
guns of that siiip.
The loss which the Government and llio country
have sustained by this deplorable event is heighten
< d by llie ileutli. at llie same tIni'', anil by the same
cause, ol'suvuru! distinguished persons and valuable
citizens.
I shall bo permitted to express nty great grief
m tin occurrence which lias thus so suddenly .trick-
rn from my side two gentlemen upon whose advice
I so confidently rolled in iho discharge of my nr.
dnuiis task of iidiuini'teiing the office of the
Executive Department, and whose services at
•ills interesting period wire of such vast impor-
lance.
In some relief of the public sorrow which must
necessarily accompany tills most painful event, ii
afiarJs me iiiucli satisfaction to say it was produced
by no carelessness or inattention on tbe part of tho
officers nnd crew of the Princeton, hut must beset
dow n as one of those cusualilius which, lo a great
er or less degree, attend upon every service, and
w hich are invariably incident to the temporal of
fairs of mankind. 1 will also add that it in no
measure detracts in my estimation from tlie value
of ihc improvement contemplated in the construe
lion of the Princeton, or from the merits of her
brave and distinguished commander and projector.
JOHN TYLER.
Washington, Feb. -39, 1844,
’I’lie Mesmgo having been read—
Mr. IUYE8 rose and addressed tlie Somite ns
follows:
Mr. President:—Tho general feeling of the
Henate has, 1 am sure, already anticipated me in
what 1 have lisei. to suggest. Tlie awful calami-
i v communicated to us in the messngo of the Pro
sidcmjust read, and w hich lias made of yestorduy,
j a i h ili its unearthly brightness, one of the darkest
I ""I most inauspicious days in our national calendar
j is Ini', too well known to the Senate in all its dread-
till d, tails nnd heart rending results. Surely, Mr.
President, nevr r, in tile mysterious ordinances of
! God, has a day on earth been marked in ils pro-
i gross by s ell stai lling n.id astounding contrasts—
! opening and advancing with hiliarity and joy, mu-
1 tuni congratulation and patriotic pride, and closing
j in scoie-s of death and disaster, oflumentation nnd
unutterable wo. It was my sad fortune, Mr. Presi
tleiil, to he an eye-witness of those never-to-be-for-
| gotten events, ll I had language to describe litem
I the power of speed, would fail me.
1 linvu arisen, in llie midst of the universal sad.
ness and dejection of heart which prevail around
me, and under the overpowering weight of my own
feelings, to suggest the propriety of suspending our
ordinary labors und pursuits, in the. presence und
under the chastisement of this awful visitation ol
Providence. It has fallen to the lot of my own
State to he the chief mourner on ibis melancholy
occas on. Two of her distinguished citizens, fill,
high places in the civil government of the country,
have been cut down in the midst of their days and
their usefulness; and another of her sons—a gallant
officer of the navy—bus been destined to full, by
disastrous accident, on a deck which, under oilier
circumstances, lie might have illustrated by his
valor.
But, in so overtv helming a calamity, which stands
almost wilbmvt n j.atataU i„ tlu, ,-ooovdo of human
misfortune, all bear their equal and sympathizing
share. Surrounded, us we are, on every hand, by
llio desolate wailing of the w idow and the helpless
cry of the orphan, unite of us cun be in a state ol
mind lo discharge, with intelligence and compo.
sure, the duties which belong to us hero.
Let us then, Mr. President, bowing in all itumui).
ity of spirit beneath this stroke of an all-wise and
mysterious Providence, discard from our minds,
for a season, the cares and excitements of our daily
duties in litis hall. Let us lay to heart the tnoni-
toiy lessons so impressively rend to us in the events
oi yesterday, tlmt "in tlie midst of life we are in
death.” \Vitli this lesson engraven upon our hearts
.et us keep constantly in view the eternal as well as
temporal responsibilities under which all the duties
uf both public and private life are to be performed.
Let the deep sense of common calamity and mutu.
al iitllietion unite us rnvro closely by tlie ties ol
brotherhood and affection. Let us “put away l'i om
us all bitterness and wrath, and evil speaking;’’ and
when we como together again, under these chas
tening influences, we shad all feel, I trust, how
iiiucli better patriots we are for being belter citris-
liuns.
Mr. R. concluded by submitting the following
resolutions:
Resolved, That the Senate is impressed with a
profound sense of tho awful calamity which vestin',
day occurred on board of tho steamer Princeton,
by the explosion of a gun, involving the loss of ma
ny valuub -- lives, and among ilir-ni uf the Secretary
of Slate, and .Secretary of tho Navy.
Resolved. That the Senate will attend in a body
the obsequies of the deceased members oi the Cab
inet, and a commitlco of five be appointed to make
arrangements, with suclt committee us may he tip.
appointed on the part of the Ilouso of Representa
tives. for tue funeral.
Resolved, That the members of the Senate will
go into mourning by wearing crape oil the left arm
for 30 day s.
Rtsolveil, That a copy of tho foregoing resolu
tions lu transmitted to the President of the United
Slates.
Resolved, Tlmt in consideration of this afflictive
dispensation, the Scnuie do now adjourn lo Mon
day in xl.
Thu resolutions having In on rend, a message
was reccivdd from the House of Representative*,
announcing ll e action of that body touching this
awful calumny. The message was read and con
curred in.
The resi lutions submitted by Mr. Hives weie
unanimously agreed to, and the following Senators
were upp< inled a committee of arrangements on
the part ol the Semite to ucl in conjunction with
the committee on the part of tite House of Hepre-
sentatives, viz. Messrs. Hives, Archer,King,Wood
bury and Bayard.
Tho Senuto, then, in accordance wiili its previ
ous action, adjourned till .Monday next.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Immouietcly after ruudieg the Journal of yester
day—
A message in writing was received from the
President ol tho United Stales by the hands of
Joint Tyler, Ii*q., his Private Secretary, ( >l‘ tlie
snmo tenor ns that inserted above in the Senate's
proceedings) announcing tho melancholy event
which happened yesterday on hoard tlie steamship
Princeton.
The message linring been road—
Mr. HOPKINS ruse und olfcrcd tho following
resolutions:
Rssoloed, That this House has heard with deep
sorrow uf the dreadful catastrophe which occurred
yesterday on hoard llie United States ship of wui
Princeton, w here many valuable lives were lost,
and by wlucli, amongst others, the lion. Ahkl P
Upshur, Secretary uf State, ami tho Hon. Titos.
W. GiHMi.it. Secretary of the Navy, met a sudden
and awful death.
Resolved. That this House will manifest its res
pect for the memory of the late distinguished Sec
retaries of Stale nnd ortho Navy, and its sympathy
for their bereaved families, by ntlcndiug their tunc,
ruI in u body.
Resolved, As n further mark of respect to the de
ceased, uml to manifest our sense ol tlii* most mel
ancholy nnd aillieling dispensation of divine Pro*,
iderico! that this House will transact no legislative
business until after tlie funeral obsequies of the de.
ceased shall have been performed.
Resolved, That tho members of this House
will wear the usual badge of mourning for thirty
days.
Resolved, That a committee of five tncnihersof
this Mouse he appointed to make arrangements w itli
such committee as may be appointed on the part
ofilio Senate, lor tho attendance of the tw o Houses
of Congress ut tho fum-ml of the lute A. P. Up
gtiutt and Titos. W. Gilmer.
Resolved, That when this House adjourn to-day
it w ill adjourn to meet on Monday next, and thnt
this House uu now nilj niru.
Mr. II. suit! that in the state of feeling which
pervaded llio breast of every gentleman on the
floor, ho should ho pardoned for declining tu utter
n syllable in support of the resolutions.
The question was then taken and the resolutions
were adopted unanimously.
Messrs. Hopkins, Admits, C. J. Ingersoll, Bar.
nard, and Cave Johnson, w ore appointed the com
mittee on the part of this Ilouso.
And thereupon the (louse adjourned.
P UNEIt A LARK A MG EM ENTS.
The Members of the Senate and House or Repre
sentatives are requested to assemble in llieir res-
peelive Halls at hall past ltl o’clock on Salui-.iay morn,
ing, tbe gd ot March, lor the purpose ol attending the fu
neral of the two deceased members of '.lie Cabinet.
Carriages will be in attendance to convey them to the
President’s IF.use, where llio procession will bn formed
W. C. HI V1CS, mi briertf
of the Committee of arrangements of the Senate.
<!. \V. HOPKINS, on behalf
of the Committee, of the House of Representatives.
Tlie committee of Arrangements respectfully invite
llio members of the Foregn I) ploinatic Corps to at-
tend llie funeral of ll"! Hon. Abel, P. Upshur, llie Hon.
Thomas W. Gilmer, Captain Beverly, Kennon, the
Hon. Virgil Maxe.v, and Hon. David Gardiner, at 11
o’clock, A. M., on Saturday tlie 2d March, at tiie Pres
ident’s Mansion.
In pursuance of authority vested in us by llie Presi
dent ot tlie United Stales and the Committees appoint
ed on behalf of Congress, we have determined upon the
following official arrangements for the funeral solemni
ties of Abel P. Upshur, late Secretary of State ;
Thomas \V Gilmer, late Secretary of the Navy; Cap-
lain Beverly Kennon, United States Navy, late Chief
of the Bureau of Construction and Equipment of the
Navy ; Virgii. Maxcv, of Maryland, late Charge d'Al-
fa ires of the United States to Belgium ; and of the
Hon, David Gardiner, of New Fork.
W. BRANFORD SHUBR1CK.
WM.D. MERRICK,
ROGER JONES,
JOHN 11. EATON,
RICHARD S. CONE,
J. H. A CLICK,
SELAII B. STONG,
John t. McLaughlin.
Washington, March 1, l*lt.
ORDER OF PROCESSION.
Funeral Escort in Column of March.
Volunteer Troops.
Battalion of United Stales Marines.
Squadron of Cavalry.
Troop of United Slates L : glit Artillery,
Commander of the Escort and Stall'.’
Dismounted Officers of Volunteers, Marino Corps, Na-
vv and Army, in the order named.
Mounted Officers of Volunteers, Marine Corps, Navy
and Army, in tiie order named.
Major General Walter Jones, commanding the Militia,
and Staffi.
Major General Scoli, commanding the Army, and Staffi,
CIVIC PROCESSION.
The Mayors of Washington, Georgetown, and Alex
andria.
Clergy and Medical Facully of the District of Colum
bia and elsew here.
Committees on the pari of Congress and the Executive.
Pall.Hearers—(to precede the hearse.)
OFFICIAL.
Hon. John Nbmo.n, At
of iho United Sillies, will di-charge |) ;I , ,j
Secretary ef Slate ad interim, until a -
n ?ritl
'•"•ns U f
lIuit.’A. P. Upshur shall iw appoiLM^q
Tho Department of Slate will be „ui iui„’„
ing for tho doaili of iho Il.ni. .\bu, 1’ t n " ,n '
late Secretary of Slate; and nil Envoy*
i-.icrs of tho United Slates, and other affii'"
nci'tml w ith the Slate Department, whether no''" 1
nr uliroud, will wear the usuil badge* j,, 1011,11
grii fund respect for liis nierneiy <tmir... t p
of throe months from the time of rccnivm
dor, JiJl
February 20, 1944.
y'seii ,,f
P«*rim|
l!| k«r.
1 \ kbit.
Cnumiodnrn Lewis Waiiiiinoton, Chief nf
B iii'nu of Yards and Docks, is appointed Si'.
rv of tho Nuvv ad interim, mail n * m . c ,,
II >n. Thomas W. Gilmer i* appointed, amt 9
without dotny enter upon tho duiji s of i|„. ,,j^, 11
Tin- Department will iusian:,v he r, ,t ’ ’
ing, nnd the officers nf the Navy w i i „,.. lr
•ll badges in token of grief lor tin-death u„. n”**
T. W. Gilmer, late Secretary of the Naw ,!„ •
tlie period of thirty days. ri11 ?
Minute guns will be lired on llie day afterro •
ing ibis order at all Naval Slutiuns, u m | on i ' IT :
all tho ships of war. “' a ™
Similar orders it ill be issued in token nf ro ,
for the memory of Captain Beverly Ki, . NuN T C|
of the U. S. Nnvy, and Cbiefofihe Bureau ofc" 1 *
stritclion, who had won for himself ahbdi rn t"'*
the service hy tho fuithful nnd dilb>cnt r di-r4 11
of hi* duty, and by his acknowledged gailaniryV^
uniformly correct and officer-like deportment’
JOHN TYLl’il
February 20, 1844. ”
GENERAL ORDERS.
War Department. Feb. 20 1041
In the deepest grief the President of the I'mli-iistAiM
has instructed the undersigned to announce i„ i,.,
my that from the accidental explosion of a * un
day, on board the United States steamship />?.“’
ion, the country and its Government lost a: tlm cam*
moment the Secretary of State, the lion. A |> p
SHL-R, and the Secretary of the Navy, the ilini T tv
Gilmer. ’
Galled but a few days since to preside owr •> a A
ministration of the War Department, ii is pc( .'u ha £
painful to llie undersigned that his first official commu
mention to the Army should be llie announcement 0 f *
calamity depriving the country of the public service,
of two ol our most accomplished statesman and popular
and deeply esteemed fellow.cilizens. Tfieir virtues
1 a louts--, and patriotic services will ever be retained in
the graielul recollection of tbeir countrymen, ami nor
petuated upon tbe pages ot the history of our comm™
country.
Deep as may he the gloom which spreads over the
community, it lias pleased llie Almighty Disposer of
events to add another shade, by blenilunr’ j„ ,| le |ne i
nneboly catastrophe the deaths of an eminent citizen
\ 1 noiL Maycy, Esq. late Charge de’ Affaires lo Bel.
gmm, a gallant and meritorious officer ol the Narr >
duel of a Bureau, Captain B. Kennon, and a private
citizen nf New York or high and estimable character
besides others, citizens and sailors, cither killed or
wounded.
As appropriate honors to the memory of those dis
tinguished Secretaries* half-hour guns will be fired at
every military post, furnished with the proper ordnance
the day after tho receipt of this order, from sunrise to
sunset; the national flag will he displayed at half staff
‘lut ing the same time; and all officers o'f the army will
wear fur three months, the customary bad«r 0 of mourn.
totf- WaM. wibkixs,
„ , Secretary nf Bar.
13y command of the President.
Pall-Bcarcr
The lion. Mr: Archer
of Virginia, and the
Members of the Com
mittee on Foreign Re
lations of the Senate.
Hon Mr Moseley, do
Hon Mr. Fish, do
Hon Mr Leonard, do
P. K. Feuda l, Wash.
*: 5 j Pull Hearers.
I % I The Hon. C.J. I gorsoll
£ > 1‘tfPu. and tlie Mem hers
Za j ot the Committe on For-
| fc eign atiairs of the House
x-f ) Representative*.
Family and Relatives of the Hon. Mr. B’pshur;
The Hon. Mr. Rayard f._ ijs ] The Hon Mr.Parmcn-
of Delaware. & mem. i ! ter,of A\Iass»audmem
bers^ ot the Committee J ^ « ° t Ibersofihe committee
on Naval Affairs of the i- ^ j on Naval Affairs of the
Senate. v •!;£ J House oi Repiesent’s.
Family and Relatives of the lion. Mr. Ciilmeh.
CaptScott,r.SN. f c‘2 ^2 J CaptAulick USN.
Com Morgan, “ a . I Com Shubrick “
Com Holton, “ J t Jj'r's f r ^* l Com (Jrane, “
Col Totten,U.S A.] ? .§ || |^ f ("in HomfordUS A
Cien Worth, “ — t = | (leu Towson, “
Gen Gibson, “ [ J Con Jesup, “
Family and Relative? ol Captain Kennon.
Hon Mr. Merrick, Md. f |-f 1 Hon Mr. Pearce, Md.
Hun Mr. Cauaiti, Md. Hon Mr. Preston Md'.
Hon Mr. Spence. Md. J y «£ s l,Hon Mr Kennedy Md.
(i.C. Washington (i’li j = f Hon Mr. Aulick, (Pn.
M St (. Clarke V\ ash. t J. II. Hradley, Wash.
J. W. McCulloch, do. ( J Gen. W’cightman, do.
Family and Relatives of the late lion. Mr. M*\xrv.
Hon Mr Wright N. V. f = | j, ] Hon Mr Carroll N. V.
Don Mr. Strong, do | 'z Hon* Mr. Davis, do
> H 0| i. Mr. limit, do
z J | £ j Don Mr Barnard, do
-“Sj j Col. Murray, do
-=’3 z j DaV. Ciargett, Wash.
Family and Relatives of tho late Mr. Gardiner.
The President of tho United Sates and Cabinet Minis,
ters.
Kx-Presidont of tlie United States.
The President of the Senate and Secretary.
Senators and Officers of the Senate.
The Speaker and Clerk of the House of Kepresenta*
tives.
Members and officers of the House of Representatives.
The Chief Justice nnd Associate Justices and Officer?
of the Supreme Court.
Foreign Ministers and Suites
Governors of States and Terrifies and Members of
State Legislatures.'
Judge? of ihc Circuit and Criminal Courts of the Dis
trict of Columbia, wi ll the Members of the Bar and
officers of the several Courts.
The Judges of the several States,
The Comptrollers ot the Treasury, Auditors, Treasurer,
Register, Solicitor; Commissioners of Land Of
fice, of Pensions, Indian Affiiir?, Patent? and
Public Buildings.
The Clerks, &c. of the several Departments, preceded
by (heir respective Chief Clerk?.
And all other Civil Officer? of the Government:
Corporate Airhoritir? of Washington.
Corporate Auihoriti- s of Georgetown.
Corporate Authorities of Alexandria.
Such Societies and Fraternities ns may wish to join the
llie Procession to report to tlie Marshall of the Dis
trict, who will as.-ign their respective posi-
t ions.
Citizens and Strangers.
The troops designated to form the cscoit will as.
soluble in tho avenue, north of the President*? Hetiso,
and form line precisely at 10 o’clock A. M. nn Saturday
the'2d instant, with its righ* (Capt. R;iigo!d’s troop ot
B ght Artillery) resting opposite the western gate.
Tho Procession will move precisely sit II o’clock A.
M„ when minuto gun? wil be lired l.y detachment? of
Artillery, stationed near Si. John’s Cl urcli and the C -
ty Hall, by the Columbia Artillery at the C.ipitol, nnd
by the Commandant of the Washington X ivy Yard.
At the same hour the bell? of the several Churches in
Washington, Georgetown, and Alexandria will be toil,
ed.
The Adjutant General of tho Army and the General
commandant of the United Stitea Marine Corps aro
charged with tiie military arrangement? of the day, to
lie aided hy the Assistant Adjutant? General on duty at
the IIoadquarUMs of the Army and the Stufl’of the Ma
rine Corn?.
The United State? Marshal of the District of Colum.
bia aided by such assistant? a? lie may appoint, in
charged with the d.rection of the Civic ProccMiou.
general order.
Navy Department, Feb. 29,1944,
As a mark of respect to the memory of the late Hon.
1 iioM.ts \V. Gilmer, Secretary oT tlie Navy, wlioseea.
reor at In* entrance upon the Julies oi bis office
wouId have been nobly maintained by that ability anil
utror ol which his whole previous life bad been tlie
guaranty, the flags of a<1 vessels in commission, Xavv
\ards, and Stations, are to bo hoisted at half-mast on
the day alter the receipt ol this order; minute E uns lo
Hie number of seventeen are to be fired between sun.
rise and sunset; and crape is lo be worn on llio left arm
and upon the sword for the space of 30 days.
l. Warrington,
n - Secretary of the Aary ad interim,
By command of the President.
GENERAL ORDER.
Navy Department, Feb. 20, 1844,
On tlie day after llie funeral honors have been paid
to the late able and lamented Secretary of the Navy,
minute puns to the number of thirteen will lie lired be.
tween sunrise nnd sunset; mourning for the space of
at) days will bo worn on llio left arm, and the flags of
tlie Vessels in commission, the Navy Yards, mid Sta
tions will ho hoisted at half-mast, as a token of respect
to the memory of the Into Captain Beverly Kennon,
Chief of the Bureau of Construction, Equipment,and
Repair, who had won for himself tlm highest rank of
the service by the faithlul and diligent discharge ofliifl
duty, and by his acknowledged gallantry and iiuilonn-
ly officer-like deportment.
L. WARRINGTON,
Secretary of the Xary ad interim,
By command of the President.
Money Matters in N. York.—The Courier of
Thursday morning says:—
All fear of a scarcity of money however appears
to bo past away, ami the buoyaiice of the market
does not appear to be checked by an increase de.
mandat present. The banks are loaning freely,
and although upwards of two millions five hundred
thousand dollars have been required for duties with*
in the lust month, no alteration has taken place in
llie rates of interest. Money “on coll’’ cun bo
had at 3-j a 4 per annum, and discounts at 4 a 5 per
cent.
There is at present about 3 millions <' • oldie mo-
ney lying in deposile in ourbanks, which i ... iuiibt.
less be thrown into circulation before long hy the ap
propriations of Congress.
Joy.—OJoy! iliou heumilul, heavenly acmpli!
How loveable art thou, how woithy ol adoration
art thou, when thou aiisost bright in tlie tearful
eyes, and beurnest in the looks of the dying ! How
good thou art, when thou fillcst life’s cup to tbe
brim for tlie happy nnd llie noble on eurlli ; merci
ful when thou withdrawest sad memories from lira
wretched, the unfortunate, and crow-nest Ids sleep
with roses ; hmv lovolv and bright thou soernest to
me, when] remark liiy gentle movement in die
human soul! O that iliou wort an existence that 1
could call forth with my propers, wilh my bean’s
blood, llicn shouldest Iliou oilener appear on euilh !
Bui perhaps iliou wouldust ho less beautiful, less
enchaining, il'sorrow die not precede thee like tbe
sun, which never shines so beautifully on earth n»
after rain and lempest. Pain and j y are life's pair
of wings, wilh which llie human being raises him*
solf lo llie home of peri'ectioa.
Practical Gallantry.—.Most men are ready
enough to talk of llieir devotion to tho sex—to dis
play it in compliments and fl itleiics and protesta
tions of unlimited worship; hut few arc willing to
give practical proof of llieir desire to benefit tlio
“last, best gift,” when iho hour arrives m which
service is needed. Not so, however, wilh llio un “
ter of tho following note, which was addressed, die
• •tiler day, lo llie Judges of the General Sessions
Court at Buffalo.”
Buffalo Barracks,Feb. Gilt, 1844.
JuntiE II.—Dear Sur 1 hear liiut lliero is*
young lady iuj.it und is sentenced lo the stales
prison for life and has got 12 days be lore she gee*
and if any body will mnry her in that lin o she
will get clear 1 w ill volunteer lo mnry her if i can i
wisli that the Judge would he so good us to see M'
to it 1 am n soldier in tlio service of llio unlira
States 1 am in turd hous now for some sligh' ol*
fence you might send llio constubio up anti g’h 1110
and i will come and mnry her and i will suppuit
her as it is in mv power.
I am dear stir vour mos; obedient servant.
I j5**,****