'The constitution, sir, it is true, renders it imperative on both Houses to keep a correct journal of its proceedings; and all this can be done, and any portion of it may be expunged, without violating that instrument.

For instance, sir, a resolution is adopted to-day, is entered on the journal, and to-morrow is expunged--and still the journal remains correct, and the constitution is not violated.

For the act by which the expungation is effected is recorded on the journal; the expunged resolution becomes a matter of record, and thus everything stands fair and correct.

The constitution is a sacred document, and should not be violated; but how often is it strictly adhered to, to the very letter?
There are, sir, some men in the world who make great parade about their devotion to the "dear constitution,"-- men, sir, who make its sacred character a hobby, and who, nevertheless, are perfectly reckless of its violation, if the ends of party are to be accomplished by its abjuration.' "There was a degree of sarcasm blended with his enunciation of the 'dear constitution,' which induced me to think it possible that he intended some personal allusion when he repeated the words.

In this I might, and might not, have erred.
"'In what way, Mr.Adams,' I inquired, 'is this expunging process to be accomplished?
Is the objectionable resolution to be erased from the journal with a pen; or is the leaf that contains it to be cut out ?' "'Neither process is to be resorted to, as I understand it,' he replied.
'The resolution will remain in the book; black lines will be drawn around it, and across it from right angles, and the word "expunged," will be written on the face of it.