Speech Of Mr Buchanan Of Pennsylvania On The Ratification Of The Treaty With Great Britain

Author : James Buchanan
Publisher :
ISBN 13 : 9781331338949
Total Pages : 28 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (389 download)

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Download or read book Speech of Mr. Buchanan, of Pennsylvania written by James Buchanan and published by . This book was released on 2015-07-13 with total page 28 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Excerpt from Speech of Mr. Buchanan, of Pennsylvania: In Support of Mr. Benton's Resolutions, Respecting the Fortifications and Defence of the Country, in Senate, February 1& 2 1836 In Senate, February 1 and 2 - On Mr. Benton's resolutions, is modified by the mover on tlie suggestion of Mr. Grundy, for setting apart so much of tlie surphis revenie as may be necessary for the defence and pei manenl Security of the country. Mr. President: I am much better pleased with the first resolution oftercd by ihe Senator from Missouri (Mr. Uenion) since he hau modified it upon the suggestion of the Senator from Tennsse (Mr. Grundy.) When individuals have more money than they know how to expend, th yofien squander it foolishly. The rtniark applies, perhaps, with stUl greater force to uitions. Wlun our TreaMiry is werflowing. Congress, who are but mere trustees for the people, ought to be especislly on their guard against wasteful expenditures of the public money. Tlie surplus can be applied to some good and useful purpose. I am willing to grant ail that may be necessary for the public defence: but no mort. I am therefore pleased tliat the resolution has assumed its present form. The true question involved in this discussion is, on whom ought the responsibility to rest for having adjourned on the 3rd of March last without providing for the defence of the country. There can be no doubt a fearful responsibility rests somewhere. For my own part, I should have been willing to leave the decision of this question I to our constituents.I am a man of peace; and dislike the criminitiwn and recrimination which this discussion must necessarily produce. But it vain to regret what cannot now be avoided. - The friends of tliT Auininisiration have been at-j tacked; and we must now defend ourselves. I deem it necessary, therefore, to state the reasons why I voted, on the third of March last, in favor of the appropriation of three millions for the defence of the country, and why I glory in that vote. The languages ued by Senators in reference to this appropriation has been very strong. It has been denounced as a violation of the Constitution. It has been declared to be such a measure as would not have received the support of the minority, had they believed it could prevail, and they would be held responsible for it. It has been stigmatized as mostunusual - most astonishing - most surprising. And finally, to rap the climax, it has been proclaimed that the passage of such an appropriation would be virtually to; create a dictator, and to surrender the power of the purse and the sword into the hands of the President. I vote for that appropriation under the highest convictions of public duty, and I now intend to defend my vote against all these charges. In examining the circumstances which not only justified this appropriation, but tendered it absolutely necessary, I am forced into the discussion of the French question. We have been told, that if we should go to war with France, we are the authors of that war. The Senator from New Jersey (Mr. Southard, ) has declared that it will be produced by the boastful vanity of one man, the petulance of another, and the fitful violence of a third. It would not be difficult to conjecture who are the individuals to whom the Senator alludes. He has also informed us, that in the event of such a war, the guilt which must rest somewhere will be tremendous. Now, sir, I shall undertake to prove, that scarcely an example exists in history of a powerful and independent nation having suffered such wrongs and indignities as we have done from France, with so much patience and forbearance. If France should now resort to arms, - if our defenceless seacoast should be plundered, - if the blood of our citizens should be shed, the responsibility of the Senate, to use the language of the gentleman, will be tremendous. I shall not follow the example of the Senator, and say, their guilt;