Portland gazette and Maine advertiser., 1812-06-22

Rom THE SPIRIT OF SEVENTY SIX.


john h4ndOlph'S Address
10 HIS CONSTITUENTS.
70 The f1ccHolders Of Charlotte, Prince e 5gara,
Buckingham and Cumberland.
Follow Cn zens,
dedicate to you the following fragment.
That it appears in its present mutilated
shape is to be ascribed 10 the successful.
surpatiOn which has reduced the freedom Of
spec Gu in one branch OF the aAmerican con-
gress TO an empty name. Il III now estab-
lished Tar The yjfyst time, ana il the person q
yow representative, that che house may, and
will refuse 10 hear member in his place or
even to receive motion from him upon the
most momentous subject that can be Presen'
ted for legislative decison-A similar mo-
lion was brought forward BY the republican
minority in The year 1882 before these
modern inventions for sitting freedom Of
debate had been discovered. L- was discus
sed as matter Of right until i, was abandon
ed by the mover iD consequence of addition
al information the CORE JondcuC9 of our
ENJOYS at Paris laid before congress BIZ the
president. In'' the reign Of FERROUS" the
fathers Of Tie Sedilion law had not the hardi
hood TO prescribe liberty of free debate on
lie flor Ot congress. This invasion Of The
puOtck liberties was reserved for seli-styled
publcans, who hold your understandings
il such contempt IS to h2tter themselves
,haL you will overlook their very outrage
upon lie great first principles of free gov
ernment IN consideration Of their profess
si0ns offender regard tOr the privileges Of he
people. Il is for YOU 10 decide whether
they have undervElued your intelligence and
SpIII!, or whether they have torme d Just
estimate Of your character. You do not re.
qure to be told that the violation of the
rights Of him whom you have deputed TO re-
present you is an invasion of the rights of ev-
cry man among you, OF every individual in
society If this abuse be suffered 10 pass I'm.
redressed-and the people alone are compe-
tent TO apply the remedy-we must bid a
dieu to a free. form Of government, fore
yer.
Having learned from various sources that
declaration If war would be attempted On
Monday neXt, zgi1h close. doors, deemed it
my duty TO endeavour by any exercise ofmy
constitutional functions, 10 arrest this h5aI
est Of all possible CalsmiUcs, and avert it
from our happy country | accordingly
made The effort of which | now give YOU the
result, and Of the success Of which you will
already have been informed before these pa
ges can reach you. l pretend only 0 give
you the substance Ofmy unfinished argument
The glowing words the language Of the
heart-nave passed away with lhe occasion
that called them forth They are no longer
under my control. Ny design is simply to
submitto you the views which have induced
me 20 consider war with England, under
existing circumstances, as COMFORTING nei
Their with The INTEREST nor the HONOR Of
American people, out as an IDoLATRoUs
SACRIFICE If 6oth, on the altar Of French
rapaClly, pcrtidy, and ambition
France has for years past offered US terms
Of underlined commercial arrangement, al The
price OF war with England, which hitherto
we have not wanted hrmness and virtue to
eject. That price Is now 10 be paid. We
are tired of holding Out--and following the
example of The nations of continental Eu-
rope; entangled in the articles, or awed
by the power Of the destroyer OF mankind /;
We are prepared 10 become instrumental III
his rejects of universal dominion Before
these pages meet your eye, the last Iepub-
lie of the earth will nave enlisted under Tie
banners Of the t)l.snt and become party to
his cause. The blood Ut American feemtn
must flow to cement his power, 10 aiG IN sti
fling The last Struggles Vt atH ctcd md pe. se
cuted man 10 deliver up mo bis hands NE
patriots IF Spain and Portugal 20 establish
lis empire over tile ocean and over tile land
that gave our fore.ts,hcrs birth 20 tOr ge
our own CHAINS And yet, my friends, we
are told, az we were told III The days " the
mad ambition OF Me-. Adams, I" That The I'm
Per NJ Hsav-n PAINS U WlIr" Yes, Tie finger
OF heaven does point 10 war. ] points 70 war
as il points 10 the Mansions OF eternal mis-
cry and torture; as 10 q filming beacon,
warning US Of That vortex which we may
not approach but with certain destruction.
Il points to desolated Europe md warn,
Us IF the chastisement "a .IJse nation
who have offended against lhe justice and
almost beyond the mercy Of Heaven. II
announces the wrath 10 come upon thO.e
who unggateiul for The bounty Ut Providence,
nor satisfied with peace, liberty, secuuu !,
This motion was drawn, it IS believed.
by Mr. GaIiatin, UI- moved BY Mr.. SDuEE.
declaring il 70 be ineXpedIent al that lime ID
resort 10 war against the French Republic.