Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1808-12-27

4 WdS DISC opposed. INr. quincy sustained
I his motion in manner so spirited and feel
ing, as to shake the guilty purposes Of his
| democratic rnaiestys troops. He declared
that $ the bill proposed, struck at the very
root OF the constitution, and was traught
Wltlrthe most dangerous and alarming cont
sequences. 1t was intended to strip the peo-
pie oftheir freedom, to destroy the funda-
menta! principles Of our constitution, to
make them slaves TO the worst OF masters.
was born a freeman (said MIR. g. and |
mean to remain one. Twill transmit to my
children as fair an inheritance as my father
bequeathed to me,o Iwllperishin the trial.
This bill was only passed by the senate, at
a late hour last night, and | solemnly de-
clare, that have not yet studied 'lt., Ii l
am not allowed reasonable time to: tonsi-
der the law, | shall disdain to act upon it
when it is brought before the house. IT it
is to be hurried through this house by force
without permitting its deformities to be e1-
posed, for one will employ every means
TO arouse the spirit Of the nation, and IN
form the people Of The manner in which
their rights have been invaded" These
remarks made a sensible impression on the
majority, but men were not wanting in des-
perage devotion to executive will, to oppose
the reasonable request of Mr.. Quincy
Mcssrs. Eppes, Smile and Bacon, spoke in
appreciation of the Embargo, and the neces-.
.sity Of losing no time to enforce it.
Mr. GARDENER followed, and opposed the
immediate consideration OF the biz, in a
most animated speech The law was in
tended to bring into existence swarm OF
petty tyrants creatures CT executive crea-
ton, cloatlled with arbitrary powers, were
to ovcrrun the country, ard tyrannize over
the free people OF America. That it went
to create military inquisi;ion, and martial
law was to be proclaimed through the coun-
try to sabiue the spirit OF independent a
merlcarls to awrthcm into silence, and force
them to breathe thsir gas softly when tieir
Chains should gaul them. claim time (said
Mr.. c. to reflect veil upon question
which involves every tang that is sacred
and dear to my constituents. | would
humble myself before the overbealing pow
sr OF The majority and inplore them to si-
low but one day, solitary day, four and
twenty hours, 10 weigh in our 1nindsa qacs
ton which duplicates ,hs freedom and nap
piness Of nv country. Shall our liberties
be buried under this arbitrary law, and we
not permitted to cast our ewes back and give
one longing, lingering lo>sk Behind ,ls.----
Shall we be torn rom the embrace Of What
every American -N,o4id lay down his llie to
defend, and not allowed d moment TO bld
farewell. To me, Dir. Speaker
I" A day, an hour, OF virtucns liberty,
g Is wai4il :, whole eternity IL bondage
" OF what rights, what sacred privileges
will free Americans be left to boast, AZ
ter the adoption Of this most arbitrary ty
rannical ard oppressive lava law pros
trating the constitution at the feet OF ssi
ambitious individual, whose instructors,
whose mere breath, is to be made the source
of all legitimate power-a law subverting
the consccrated temples of justice, and de-
stroying the authority Of the Judiciary, and
erasing, at single dash, the whole CIVIL
Jurisprudence Of the country. beseech
gentlemen to pause for a moment, and NOT
rashly precipitate tie nation into state OF
hideous anarchy and confusion. l ask no
more of the majority, than one day to pre-
pare my mind TO discuss question when Is
PREGNANT with the most interesting conse-
quences to the nation
The prayer for postpone ment was also
eloquently and forcibly urged by WI. q
vermore and Mr.. Dana, who brought III
aid of the strong appeals of Messrs. Iuiney
and GARDENER, every thing that remained
to be said. Upon calling the yeas and nays
there YVES majority of seven tor postpone
ment until the day after tomorrow. ne
question will probably be taken on that cay si