Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1812-11-26
Saturday, November 81.
DEBATE CONFINED.

DEBATE CON IlNtED.
The eRgrcssed bill concerning the pay
of non-comnissisned officers, &c and
for other purposes, beng under con.
sideralion, Mr.. QUINCY, Of Nsssa-
chusetts, said.
Mr.. Speaker am sensible, that l
owe an apology, for addressing you, at
so early period Of the session, and SO
soon after taking my scat, Il not to the
house, al least to my particular csaati-
tuents. II is we'll known to them, at
least to very many of them, for have
taken no pains to conceal the intention.
that came to this session oil congress,
with settled determination to take no
part, in the deliberations Of the house.
! had adopted this resolution, not 90
much from sense of .elf-respecl, as of
public duty. Seven years experience,
in the business Of this house, has con-
viDced me, that from this side of the
house all argument is hopeless; that
whatever a ma orlty has determined to
do, it will do, in spite Of any moral sug-
gestion, or any illustration made in this
quarter. Whether il be from the ma.
tnrs of man, or whether ii be from the
particular provisions Of our cons .itrtion.
know not, but the experience of INV
political life has perfectly convinced me
81 THIS fact, that :hc wiz Of the cabinet
Is the Law Of tie lard. Under these i'm.
pressions, have ieIt it say duly, not TO
deceive my constituents s had, there
fore, resolved by no act, or expression
81 mine, in any way, to conntenaDce the
belief, that any representation ! could
make on this aoor, could be useful. to
them, or that could serve them any
farther than by silent vote. Even now
sir, it is not my intention to enter iato
this discussion. I shall present you my
thoughts, rather by way of protest, than
OF argument. Aud shall not trouble
myself afterwards, with any cayi!s that
may be made; neither by whom, nor in
what manner.
/ should not have deviated from the
resolution, of which I have spoken,
were 1t DOT ior wha; appears to me, the
atrocity Of the principle. ard the maeni
tuds OF the mischief, contained in the
provisions of this bill. Whcn speak
Of the principle as aroeious, beg dis
,inctly to be understood, as not impe ..ch-
ing the, motives of any gentlemen, or
representing them as advocating az afro,
cious principle. speak only of the
manner in which the object presea,s IL
seEito my moral view.
Il is the principle contained in the Sd
section Of the bill, of which speak
That section provides, that "e,ery Der.
son, above the age of eighteen years, !
who shall be enlisted by any officer, shall! |
bs held III, the service of the United |
States, during the period of such enlist
ment; any thing, in any act to the con-
lrary Notwithstanding" The nature of |
this provision is apparent, its tendency
is not denied. 1t is to seduce minors OF
all descriptions, be they wards, appren.
tees or children, from the service of |
heir guardians, masters and parents
On this principals, rest nv objection to
The bill. meddle not with the nature
ot the war. Morris it because am hos
tlle TO this war, both in its principle and
rs conduct, that at present make any
objection to the provisions of the bill
say nothing against its waste of public
money. 1t eight dollars . month for
he private, be not enough, take sixteen
ioi.afs If ,aat be not enough, tske
wenty Economy is not my difficulty.
Nor ao TANK much OF that objection.
VI which my honorable friend fism
'ennsylv ania (Mr. Miinor) seemed TO
hlnk great deal; the liberation of
ieotors from their obligations. So far
Is relates to the present argument, with
'at any objection from me, you may take
What temptations you please, ard apply
hem to the ordinary haunts fer enlist
nsnt-clear the jails-sxhaust the bro
hei-nake desert of the tipping shop
LAY what sasres ysu please for ever