hat it was the fate of mankind to hold different
opinions as to the form of government which was preferable; that
some were attached to the monarchical, while others thought the
republican more eligible. This, as an abstract remark, is certainly
true, and could have furnished no ground of offense, if it had not
evidently appeared that an allusion was designed to be made to the
parties in this country. Does the gentleman suppose that we have a
less lively recollection than himself, of the oath which we have
taken to support the constitution; that we are less sensible of the
spirit of our government, or less devoted to the wishes of our
constituents? Whatever impression it might be the intention of the
gentleman to make, he does not believe that there exists in the
country an anti-republican party. He will not venture to assert
such an opinion on the floor of this House. That there may be a few
individuals having a preference for monarchy is not improbable; but
will the gentleman from Virginia, or any other gentleman, affirm in
his place, that there is a party in the country who wish to
establish monarchy? Insinuations of this sort belong not to the
legislature of the Union. Their place is an election ground, or an
alehouse. Within these walls they are lost; abroad, they have had
an effect, and I fear are still capable of abusing popular
credulity.

We were next told of the parties which have existed, divided by the
opposite views of promoting executive power and guarding the rights
of the people. The gentleman did not tell us in plain language, but
he wished it to be understood, that he and his friends were the
guardians of the people's rights, and that we were the advocates of
executive power.

I know that this is the distinction of party which some gentlemen
have been anxious to establish; but it is not the ground on which we
divide. I am satisfied with the constitutional powers of the
executive, and never wished nor attempted to increase them; and I do
not believe, that gentlemen on the other side of the House ever had
a serious apprehension of danger from an increase of executive
authority. No, sir, our views, as to the powers which do and ought
to belong to the general and State governments, are the true sources
of our divisions. I co-operate with the party to which I am
attached, because I believe their true object and end is an honest
and efficient support of the general government, in the exercise