The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1810-03-21

Cir, II is our cwn faults the nor -in,crcourse
has not been enerse,ick we were 80 much
off our guard last summer, owing to Frs
kine's arrangement, that we repealed the
provisions calculated to enforce it. Re-enact
them, sir, and il will lie coerciyc On our enc
mics. The gentleman qualities il further,
by saying that If 1t is submission, IL is profit
able submission--it will bring money inlo our
treasury. Mr.. Speaker, is this the language
of the Americans To be willing TO barter
their national responsibility for few cents
Sir, trust, the great bulk Of the American
people have not SO far degenerated from the
heIoism Of their fathers, as to subscribe to
this doctrine.
The gentleman from Maryland, Mr.. Mont
gomery) says, We are determined to have
commerce, and when that is resolved on il
will be defended. Yes, sir, am afraid the
determination will oe fatal one, at the ex-
pence OF national honour-how defended
Has the gentleman come forward with any
plan of defence Certainly not He must
be eagle eyed indeed, if lie can discover any
thing like resistance in this bill. The gen.
tlemaR says, repeal the non-intercoursc with
oct substitute, aud you abandon the best in
terest Of the country. What substitute does
the gentleman mean Certainly he cannot
be under such mistaken policy as to suppose
this humilialing measure substitute for
system, that not long since he conceived to be
not only an honorable stand, but would be
efficient as coercive measure. But the gen.
tleman tells you that if this was the only mea-
sure that was TO be adopted to redress our
gricvances,he should be among the discomfort
ed. wish the gentleman would let US know
what he contemplates bringing forward it
ought 10 be laid on your table before we take
vote OH this bill, before we repeal the only
thing that stands between US and disgrace.
No, sir, am satisfied from the apparent po-
litical torpor that pervades the House, and
from disposition have discovered Of layinS
ON our oars, tha, if this is adopted, which is
nothing more than backing out, that we are
pinned down--yes, completely anchored,
and that the chapter Of accidents must do the (,
balance. a..
Sir, my anxious wish, is to avert war--but
1t we keep receding we must calculate on adj
ditional Observation-Disclosures if we form
manly stand--act with frmncs--shew Bri-
tain that we will not abandon our pretentions,
she will recede, owing to her being cut out
from all other parts of the world she must
rcceae, or fall.
Sir, we must act with more frmncss we
must shake of that political lethargy that we
have been s!umberiug under for some time,
unless We wish to See The reign of terror a
gain, with the alien and gag laws, accompan-
led by their train Of eyils--for, sir, your po-
litical opponents are yigant, and Gre prepar-
ed to take ali advantages of your wavering
policy. applaud their n,ana agcment, how
ever may despisc their political principles
they come forward ON all occasions abreas.
like the Macedonian phalanx and, sir, fer
vcntly wish, that the federal phalanx may not
be as fatal TO the liberties of the American
Republick, as was the Macedonian Philip and
his phalanx to the Grecian Republicks. For,
sir, the most dircful evils are to be apprehen- ]
ded, from their thwarting the administration,
and changing upon the wheels of government. |
But, it is said, this is an administration /
measure. Sir, have examined particularly
the Presidents message handed to Congress
At the commencement of the session, and |
cannot sec that he takes the responsibility of |
recommending this measure on himself |
md, sir, don't choose (much as ! am dispo- |
ed to support the President, in all reasona-
lie measures) to take any OF the responsible
Y Of this cobweb submissive system on my
Mr.. Speaker, much regret the
ccessty am under, Of differing on this oc-
aston with number of my political friends,
nth whom 1t has been my pride to act. l
tribute tho purest motives to them, and ex-
ect correspondent libcrality--I would
,ake any reasonable sacrifice, but must be
ardoncd when refuse to unite in what / /
onceve to be degradation-ror, sir, was
OF sent here to compromit the honour of my
ountry
Sir, have been gratifed at the patient at
ntion Of the House, for which return my
ncere thanks.