Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1812-02-19
SPEECH OF THE
HON. josiah QUINCY,

In the House Of REPRESENTATIVES OF the U
States, January 25M, l8l2-ia relation &c
Maritime Protection.
CONCLUDED.
Bat il is inquired, {. what effect viii
this policy have upon the present exigen.
CIV % L answer, the happiest, in every
asoeet. To exhibit definitiTe intent tc
maintain maritime rights, by maritime
means, what is it, but to deyeiopc new
stamina OF national character? No ma.
ton can, or has right, to hope respect
from others, which docs not first learn to
resDeet itself. And how is this to be al
tanned By course OF conduct con
fOrnable to its duties, and relative to its
condition. lie it abandons, what 1t ought
to defend il it flies from the field, It is
bound to maintain. how can 1T hope ior
honor? TO what other inheritance is il
entitled, but disgrace? Foreign nations,
3 undoubtedly, look upon this union, with
eyes. long, read in the history of man ;
and with thoughts, deeply, Fersed. in the
effects of passion and interest, upon inde-
pendent states, associated by ties, SO, ap-
parentIy, slight and novel. They under
stand we'll, that the rivalries among the
great interests OF such states; the natural
enyyings, which, in all countries, spring
between agriculture, commerce and ma
nufactmres; the inevitable jeaiousies anu
fears OF each other, OF south and n0rtr,
interior and sea-board: the incipient, or
progressive rancour Of party luminosity ;
are the essential Weaknesses OF sovereign
ties, thus, combined. Whether these
causes shall operate, or whether they sha,.
cease, foreign nations will gather from
the features OF our policy. They cannot
believe that such a nation is strong, IN the
affections Of its associated parts, when they
see the vital interests Of whole states aban-
doned. But reverse this policy; show a
deiinitive and stable intent TO yield the
natural protection TO such essential III
teres,s; then they will respect you. And,
TO powerful nations, honor comes attended
by safety.
MIR Speaker-What is national dis
grace? Ofwhat stuff is it composed is
a nation disgraced because It's aas is IN
suited - because It's seamen are impress
sed because its course, upon the high
way of the ocean, is Distracted? No., sir.
Abstractedly considered, all this is not
disgrace. Because all this may happen TO
a nation, SO weak as not to DC able to
maintain the dignity OF its flag; or the
freedom OF Its citizens or the safety OF
It's course. Natural weakness is never
disgrace. But, sir, this is Disgrace; when
We submit TO insult, and to injury, which
we. have the power TO prevent, or redress.
Its essential constituents arc want OF sense,
or want OF spirit. When nation, with
ample means, for its defence, is SO thick
in tile brain, as Rot to put them into sui
table state OF Preparation; Or, when. with
sufficient muscular force, it is SO tame, IN
spirit. as to seek safety, not in manly Ell
fort, but in, retirement then a nation is
disgrdced then it shiinks from It's high
and sovereign character, into that Oh the
tribe OF lssachas, crouching down, be-
tween two burdens; the French burden,
on the one side, and the British burden, ON
the other, so dull, so lifeless, SO stupid.
that, were it not for ITS braying, it could
not be distinguished from the ciod oil the
valley.
1t is impossible for European nations
not to Know, that we are the second COM
mereial country, in the world; that we
have more than seven millions OF people !;
with less annual expenditure and more
uneIeueed sources of revenue than any
nation, OF the civilized world. Yet ma
ton, thus, distinguished, aboundins in
wealth, in enterprise and in power. IS
seen, flying away from "the unprotitabie
contest" abandoning the field OF contro-
yersy taking refuge behind its own doors
and soGtening the rigors of oppression