Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1812-12-18
Congress of the U. States.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Saturday, November 81.

ton, Mr.. QUINCY, Of Ma~ssachusetts.
said
Mn. SPEAKER, l am sensible that | owe
an apology for addressing You at so early a
period of the session, and SO soon after tax
ing my seat, if not to the House, at least to
my particular constituents. 1t is well known
to them, at least to very many of them, for
] nave taken no pains to conceal the inter-
ton, that | came to this session OF Congress,
with a settled determination to take no part
in the elaboration of the House. had a
dopted this resolution, not SO much from a
sense of selfrespect, as of public duty
Seven years experience in the business of
this House, has convinced me that from
this side of the House all argument is hope
less that whatever a majority has deter
mined to do, it will do, in spite of any mo-
raj suggestion, or any illustration made in
this quarter. Whether it be from the ma
ture of man, or whether it be from the par
ticular provisions of our constitution, / know
not, but the experience of my political life
has perfectly convinced me, that the uiH
ofthe cabinet is the lao Of the land. I'm
der these impressions, | have felt it my
duty not to deceive my constituents; and
IitNs ttltIGfONC, SoISC ny IO ~ vi Ca
preston of mire, in any way to count
nance the belief, that any representation /
could make on this floor, could be useful
to them, or that / could serve them any
farther than by a silent vote. Even now,
sir, it is not nv intention to enter into this
discussion. shall present you my thoughts,
rather by way of protest, thar OF argument
And | shall not trouble myself afterwards,
with any cavils that may be made neither
by whom, nor in what manncr.
l should not have deviated from the re-
solution of which have spoken, were it
not for what appears to me the a~trocity Of
the principle, and the magnitude of the
mischief, contained in the provisions Of
this bill. Wien speak OF tile principle as
atrocious, beg distinctly to be understood,
as not impeaching the motives of any gen
tlemeny or representing them as advocating
an atrocious principle. speak only of the
manner in which the object presents itself
to my moral view.
1t is the principle contained in the third
section of the bill, Of which speak. That
section provides, that eUery person above
the age o~feighteen gears, uho shdA be n
listed By any officer, SHAH be held IA the
sefvjce Of the United States during the
period Of such enlistment any thing in
any act to the contrary notwithstanding "
T.le nature of this provision is apparent,
its tendency is not denied. 1t is to seduce
minors of all descriptions, be they wards;
apprentices or children, from the service
OF their guardians, masters ard parents
On this principle, | rest my objection to
the bill. ] NEEDLE not with the nature of
the war. Nor is it because | am hostile to
this war, both in its principle and its con-
duct, That ! at present make any objection
to the provisions of the bill. say nothing
against its waste of public money. If eight
dollars a month for the private be not e
nough, take sixteen dollars. If that be not
enough take twenty. Economy is not my
difficulty. Nor do | think much of that
objection, of which my honorable friend
from Pennsylvania (Mr. Milnor) seemed to
think a great deal the liberation of debt
ors from their obligations. So far as re-
lates to the present argument, without any
objection from me, you may take what
temptations you please, and apply them to
the ordinary haunts for enlistment-clear
the jails-ezhaust the brothel-make a de-
sert of the tipping shop-lay what snares
you please for overgrown vice, for lunacy,
which is of full age, and ideocy out of its
time.
But here stop. Touch not private right
regard the sacred ties of guardian and
master-corrupt not our youth-listen to
the necessities of our mechanics and manu-
facturers-have compassion for the tears of
parents.
In order to give a clear view of my sub
ject, j shall consider it under three aspects
Its absurdity-its inequality-its immo-
rality.
In remarking on the absurdity of this
principle, it is necessary to recur to that
part of the message of the president of the
U. S. at the opening of the present session
Of Congress, which introduced the objects
proposed in this bill to the consideration of
the House and to observe the strange and
NJ