Page:The World's Famous Orations Volume 9.djvu/117

CALHOUN a resolution of condemnation, because we may afterward be called to try the case in a judicial capacity, then it is equally unconstitutional for us to record a resolution of acquittal. If it is un- constitutional for the Senate to declare before a trial that the president has violated the Consti- tution, it is equally unconstitutional to declare before a trial that he has not violated the Con- stitution. The same principle is involved in both. Yet, in the very face of this principle, gentlemen are here going to condemn their own act. But why do I waste my breath? I know it is all utterly vain. The day is gone; night ap- proaches, and night is suitable to the dark deed we meditate. There is a sort of destiny in this thing. The act must be performed ; and it is an act which will tell on the political history of this country for ever. Other preceding violations of the Constitution (and they have been many and great) filled my bosom with indignation, but this fills it only with grief. Others were done in the heat of partizanship. Power was, as it were, compelled to support itself by seizing upon new instruments of influence and patronage ; and there were ambitious and able men to direct the process. Such was the removal of the deposits, which the president seized upon by a new and unprecedented act of arbitrary power — an act which gave him ample means of rewarding friends and punishing enemies. Something may, perhaps, be pardoned to him in this matter on the old apology of tyrants — the plea of necessity. 107