The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1812-01-01
AMERICAN CONGknos.
TWELFTH CONGkEoSs:...s:::s:;.SIn SESSION
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
MONDAY, Dec. g..
FOREIGN RELATIONS.

MIR. Grundy, in reply to Mr.. Randolph -
Mr.. SPEAKER,
did not expect that the gentleman from
Virginia would have madc any inquiries into
the motives or objects OF that committee OF
which he himself WAS m-mbvr He. sirs
attended lsi,hruly to his duty, and Witnessed
every step the committee took. He also saw
the report before il was made TO this house,
and mus, have heard the exposition Of our
uteriour u.easnies, as explained by our chals~
man. Why then, sit, shall he now Affect
no, TO understand us ! Our object, by those
who will listen, shall not be misundc sslood.
And, MI. Spe kcr, as Lave no poiltit al sc-
ctets, feel no hesitation in declaring 20 you,
10 dis house, and To the nation. The view |
have taken of the SUBJECT. Bu, before | do
this, il Is due TO the comnttec that IA tx-
PLANTATION oi their tonouct should take place.
So soon a. he commiuee on our foreign
relations was appointed, We were torciby ini~
pressed with the ,cvlons and highly r.sponsi-
bic station you had assigned US; 10 that com-
mittcc, consislihs of uine members only,
were not only the eyes OF this house bu, ok
tie nation turncd, and from US, III this the
most troubled season orr world has ever
kno sn, wis il cxpec,ed, that a course Ok
measures would be rrcom mcndtd, calculated
10 protect the interests OF seven millions OF
people. Under this impression, MI. Speak-
er, we deemed il a duty 70 take time Tor de-.
liberation we thought II better TO encounter
the charge Of having acted ~ atarry nc Vi-
la,ory way, thun 10 take rash step, BY uti b
this nation might be plunged inlu difficulties,
from which II couia not bc easiy cx,settG.
We therefore took the necessary tine o
weigh the arguments both for and asainot ss
measures we have rccomme nded nd as Tar
as We were able, we surveyed the scuscs.u,n-
ccs which were TO follow from She course We
proposed. We forcsaw, Mr.. Speaker, tbat
our countrymen were 10 tall in the mrdi,ated
conflict, and that American blood was 10
stream afresh Nor were we unniindiul Of
the expenditures Of pubIick treasure. And,
sir, what cost me mere reflection than every
thing else was the new test TO which we are
10 pLt this government. We arc about 10
ascertain by actual experiment how far Que
Republican institutions are calculated TO stand
the shock Of war, and whether, after foreign
danger has disappeared, we can again assume
our peaceful attitude, without cndangering
the liberties OF the people.
Against these sidcraiions, wciehty in
themselves, your committee icit themselves
constrained 10 decide, influenced Ivy existing
circumstances of % character too ilnpcricuS
% be resisted (, these will enumcra,s bciure
| sit down. My business Al present is 10 ad.
d,ess particular po!iluB Of the members of
this house.-l mcsil, si,, The Republicvn mem.
bcrs--dnd although whst am about to say
might be deemed impoli,ick on ordinary sub.
lects of icgislotion, yet, al this time, and on
ihis occasion, il would b. criminal to concesl
single thought which might influence their
deicrninaiorf. We should now, Mr. SpeS.
kcr, forget Lutte party aninlosities, We should
uiIngc minds freely, ant', an far as VIC stt a.
Die, commune with the Understandings OF
each other aid, The decision once made,
iet us become one people, snd prcscrt an IN.
divided front 20 the enemies OF our country.
Republic ans should never forget that somc
wears ago set Of men OF different poiticks
held the rcins of this government, and drove
the car Of state they were charged with be-
ing friendly TO standing armies in times OF
peace, and favourable TO expensive establish
menlsi; not for the purpose Of opposing for
cign er"mies, bu, 10 encourage executive
patronage, and 10 bring these forces 10 opcr-
ate upon tho people themselves. Thcsc
measures alarmed tho Republicans they re-
monstrated, they c.amorcd, they appealed to
Tile people, end by national sentence, tho
men then in power we're taken down from
heir high places, and republican men wcro
pui in their seats.
If yomr minds are resolved Oh war, you
arc consistent, you arc right, you arc still re-
pUblicsns but il you are not resolved, pause
and reflect, for should this resolution pass
and you then become faint hearted, rcmcm-
ger tha, you have abandoned your old princiA
pies, and trod 10 the paths OF your prsdcecs-
sors.
According TO my view Of this subject, Mira
speaker, we now stand on the bank ; ono
movement more, the Rubicon Is passed, wo
re in Italy, and VIC mus. marca to Rome.
As member OF the Committee. feel no
hesitation in saying, that IL there be a mers-
DER here, not determined TO 60 with US, to