Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1801-1806, 1802-03-20
& p z c H

PEE C. II
OF the Hon. WILLIAM B. GlLss, in the
Houle Of Reproductive, of the United
States, February 3, 1904.
On tbs Bal rseeivea frsn fbe Senate, entitled" .Ax
Aa 10 reseai certain ads yslpttlisg fbs argani-
)aiian Of tbs eoErs sf sbe United States.
MIR. GiLEs faid, that he felt fomc degree
of appreciation, tina, in the coarie he deemed il
neceiIsry to take 10 ibe difcnion Of this cueAion,
fanc obiervations nigh, fall from hin, which
might not be in ariet harmony with the feelings
of fomc gentlemen OF the committee. He mould
regret. however, If compliance with fenfe of
duty ihould produce thar effect. He faid, there
fore, that he wiihed to sppriie gentlemen, that
he intended TO direa his obievarions as much as
pefIible 10 the effects and tendencies of meaf-
ures and that when he was confrainsd to fpcsk
Of the views of gentlemen, il would be with re-
fped TO what he conceived to he their opinions
in relation 10 the general intereis and nor TO
private Qualifications. He faid, it was natural
that men fhould differ in the choice of means 10
produce given end, and mote nainrsI thar they
fhould differ in the choice of political means than
any other; becsule the fubjetf preiented more
complicated and variable objeas, ont of which
TO makea choice. Accordingly great portion
of the human mind has been at all times directed
towards monarchy, a, ihe bef form Of govern
ment to enforce obedience and enfure the eeaeral
happiness; /; whereas another portion of the hu-
man mind, has given a preference TO the repub-
liean form, as beft calculated to produce the fame
end and there is no reaion for applying irnpro-
per motives TO individuals, who lhould give
preference TO either of ,heie principles; pIovid-
cd in doing 70, they follow tn: honeR dictates
of sheir own Judgments. II NUT be obvious to
the moa common obfcrver, that from the COM
mencenent of the government of the United
States, aud perhaps besre il, difference of
opinion exited amongt the citizens, having
more or lei reference to theie two extreme fun
dsmental points; and that il manilefted illelf in
the modification or administration of the gov
ernnent, as foon as it was put into operation.
On one hde it was contended, that in the organ
ization Of the contribution, due spportionment
Of authority had not been made amongtt the few
efd departments. That the legiaature was too
powerful for the executive department; and to
create and preiervea proper equipoiir, il was ne
ceGaty to infuie into the executive department.
by iegilation all artificial powers compatible with
the contribution. upon which the moff diffoGve
contribution was given; or, ia othc. words, to
place in executive hands all the patronage il was
poi6ble 20 create, for the purpofe of protecting
the P,eiidcnt agsnft the full force Of his con-
ftitutional responsibility 10 tie people. the
other iidc, it was contcndcd, that the doctrine
of patronage was repugnsn, TO the opinions and
feeling, OF the people thar il was unnsctGary.
expenfve and opprsflive. and ,hst the highea
energy the government could poiieis, would how
4. E 81 afo NJ fhe
pie, founded upon their own !cnfe OF their COM
mon intereas. Hence what Is called party IN
the United States, grew up from diviiion OF
opini,h refpetting thefc two great charatscriltic
principles, patronage, or the creation OF paftiai
e intereas for the protection and fupport OF gov
ernmcn., on the one Gde.-On the other bde, 10
efreta the fame end, fair refponGbity OF all re-
preientatives to the people; an adherence 70 the
general intereas. and reliance on the confidence
of the people a, lerge. refalting from ieaie OF
their common intercfs. A variety OF circum-
fances exiited in the United States, at the com.
rnercement OF the government, and great num-
bcr Of favorable incidents continued aiterwardi
60 arilc, which gave the patronage iyttem the
.prepondersncy, during the 6ra three Prehden-
tial terms Of election notwithstanding II wal
evident, thar the fyhen was adopted and pur.
fucd in direel hoRility to the feelings and oPin-
ions Of great portion of the American people.
The government was nihersd into operation on.
der vaA excitemsnt Of federal fervor, flowing
from its recent triumph on the qcefion OF adopt
ing the conffitution.--At that time conhdera-
bic debt uas sAost in the United States, which
had grown out of the revolutionary war. This
debt va, of two kinds the debt proper OF the
United States, or engagements made by the Unit
cd States in their federal capacity; the other,
the fate debts, or engagements entered into BY
the reflective aates for the fupPort OF the COM
mon csufe.
The fsvoreu OF the patronage iyeem fea-
div availed themfclves Of thefe materials fos
erecting monied iaterea; gave to it a fabili-
W, or oualifsi perpetuiry, and calculated upon
iis certain fupport ia all their neafarcs OF irref
poniniliw.
This wss done not only by funding the debt
proper Of the United States, buf by sHuming tht
payment Of the Rate debts, ard funding them
slf,; and il is believed, extending the sGump-
sion beyond the saual engagements Of the Rafes
Hence the fedora. sxiop, that public debt Is