Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1812-05-19

war, whose blood is TO bespllt, whose
houses are to blaze, whose towns are to oe
demolished, speak i'll tone that shall and
will, and must be hcard-thcy will speak
in tbunders that will ring the heavens from
Maine to Georgia, from the Atlantic to the
Mississippi. | rejoice, sir, in the signs OF the
times; and / wonder that gentlemen are not
sensible that the opinion OF the people is a
gainst their measures Before many weeks
shall have elapsed, | believe they will be sa-
tisfed Of it. 1t may be but fond delusion; |
may deceive myself; but, sir, if gentlemen
persevere in their course, if they go as Tar as
they say they will, believe the people will
put stop to their career, and that Shall
soon hail the day when the reign OF theory,
sophistry and false philosophy, which has for
several years past oppressed this country, pa
raised its industry, checked its enterprise,
retarded its prosperity and depressed its spirit,
will come to an end; when that commerce to
which we owe so much Of our prosperity,
which is the friend Of civilization and the COM
panian of christianity, will revive, will again
"veX every sea" and penetrate every bay, RI
yer and inlet where human beings and human
wants can be found.
Mr.. Grundy-Mr. Speaker, had cherish
ed hope that the sound of war would not "a
gain have been heard within these walls, until
the main question was presented, when every
gentleman might have taken latitude in de-
bate called for by the occasion, without fear
of violating those rules by which cur discus
sions are regulated * restrained The course
pursued by the opposition 10 our measures OF
preparation for war calls upon us to meet an
investigation into the propriety of our pro-
Ceedmgs, upon the mere presentation OF a
petition for the relief of a supposed grievance.
In this manner, the whole subject Of our TO-
GeigA relations can be thrown open at the will
OF any individual. own it would better COM
port with NY views OF dignity and decorum
to meet the ultimate question # peace or war
dirsctly--to examine IL with freedom, and de-
eide with manly hrmnesS, But as we have
5een thus unexpectedly assaiIed, | ask the
indulgence of the house while | attempt to
Justify our conduct, and to sheW the incor-
rectness Of the course pursued by our oppo-
nents. For this purpose have risen to reply
20 some OF the remarks ofthe gentleman from
Virginia (Mr. Randeph) and the gentleman
from New York (Mr. Bieeker). Sir, those
gentlemen have with much apparent gravity,
predicted the downfall of the men who now
administer the government, and have hailed
this as an suspicious day, in which sophistica
theorists were to be put down, and expelled
from the public councils; and other men were
to rise on their RUNS who would establish
new order of things, 1t was said of old, sir,
s that false prophets would arise in the latter
days"--they have come amongst US, & should
the result prove the gentlemen from Virg-
MIA and New York to be OF that description,
believe it would not be public misfortune.
They attempt TO alarm as with the signs of
the times, and warn us of a gathering storm
in the Last which, they say, threatens destruc-
ton to the present majority of congress in the
event of war with Great Britain. Sir, these
gentlemen have not consulted the " true signs
ofthe times"-tnele is 10 storm gathering in
the east the great body OF the people in that
Quarter, as well as every other, are ooiy wait
mo to sec the constituted authorities of the
county lead the way in ali honorable course
in vindcaton of the nations rights, and they
will be with US. 1t is only while the public
mind is held in suspense; it is only while
there is doubt as TO what Will De the result Of
our deliberations it IS only while We Iinger in
this hall, that any manifestations of uneasiness
will shew themselves. Wheneyer war is de-
clared, the people will put forth their strength !
to support their rights. Sir, the people of |
this country too well understand the value of
national independence and civil liberty they |
remember too well the price Of their acquisi- !
ton, to hesitate how to act when contest !
takes place between their own government
and foreign nation whose deadIy hate has |
pursued us from the day when America said .
She would be free. Sir: we are admonished |
that public sentiment is against US; of this I
what evidence have you? The gentlemen
from Virginia and New York have said it !;
and there the proof ends. Let each member,
Mr.. Speaker, look to the people WHO sent him
to this place-he knows them and their man
ner of thinking Oh important subjects like