Alexandria advertiser and commercial intelligencer. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1800-1803, 1802-05-11


rs. I believe, fir, that there never was
any fubjeef in any country and at any
time more ably difcuaed than this has been
II the other branch of the Legislature
believe, fir, thar few fubjeets have been
more fully Investigated than this has osen
in this houle. Sir, the arguments uied by
an enlightened and venerable gentleman
from MaGachufetts on my right; by an
honorable gentleman from North Caroli-
ma on my left, and by ieveral Of my col
leagues, mutt fill be frelh in the recollec-
ton every gentleman of this COMMITTEES.
Permit me to fay, that their conclutlye
areugth has not been impaired by any
thing which has fallen in reply, nor DO |
mean to enteeble them by any obtervati-
oos Of mine either as to the expediency or
confitutionality Of the meaiure.
Sir, in field extenhve as this, 1t is
more than probable THAT fomc gleanings
do fill remain; the collection of thoie
fhall leave to other gentlemen more
ingenious and more induftrious than my
felf, and will beg leave to reply 10 lome
of the obiervations of collateral nature
which have juit fallen from the gentle
man from South Carolina. Think not,
Mr.. Chairman, thar | mean to notice
thofe which may be cenidered of a per-
lonal nature; the refpea which have
for on, for this committee, and for my
felf, all forbid it; there are Others to
which I will advert.
The dreadful picture which has been
drawn by that gentleman Of the iituation
of our country, hould we PATS this bill,
will for long time haunt the recollection
of every gentleman of the committee, and,
if true, diRurb the peaceful Plumbers Of
that honorable gentleman whether he
has drawn the picture to the life, or whe-
Their it's too highly colored, it refs with
the committee to determine. To 4 gen
tleman, fir, Of his fancy, Of his magma.
ton, the talk was an eafy, and may add
it was very annecedary one; il i, admit
ed by rs, that the contribution Of cur
country is the ark of cur covenant; the
rock of our lalvation on which political
forms, and the rage Of party may beat,
and fpbGde; this is the doctrine for which
we have always contended which we
fuprort on this day and could the friends
to this repeal be taught to doubt the con-
ftitutionality Of the mealurc, am bold to
fay, they would Immediately Withdraw
their fupport. Nay, fir, for myfelf, |
avow, that was net perfuaded that the
public good and the puolic will DO imperi-
ouly command the repeal, fynPathy and
a regard for the feelings of men, who
have been invited into office by public
act, and fanttloned by public appoint
ment, would induce ne to opPoic this bill.
But believing as l do, that the public
will, and the public good do command
the repeal, and tina he contribution of our
country does nor forbid 1t, | fhall vote
in favor of tie repeal, and lend 10 it my
feeble aid.
Mr.. Chairman, in the courle of this de-
bate a new character has been introduced,
and has occupied much of our attention
it was sprefented to us by the hon. the
mover of the amendment from North Ca
rol ma it has been invoked and pretty
freely ufed by his neighbor, who has juh
fet down, tits a Iprit, fir. Mr.. Chair
man, you will confels, that there is fome
difficulty in meeting an opponent of this |
fort, and in anfwesing arguments drawn
from this lource. believe it bef done
by declaration; for mylelG, thenI declare
that fpirit Of which we have heard g much; |
that fPirit of innovation which gentlemen !
70 highly deprecate, is that fpirit which i |
sdore.
Il is not Mr.. Chairman, that fpirit |
,,,hich {aarE,f Cfitf.IE ccya ~ ~. o., :,