The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1813-02-12
S P f. f c Fl

De4vered 6y the Hon. Henry Clay, in the
Homse Of REPRESENTATIVES, Of The United
STATES, on Friday. the eighth day ofJa-
mary, 1915, on the bill for raising an
dddtttonal Military force Of Tgventy
Thousand Men for one year.
TIE House IN committee fthe 7vholc, Mr..
Bib liz the chairl
Mr. II. CLAY (Speaker) said he was
gratified yesterday by the recomIntment OF
this bill to a Committee of the whole House.
from two considerations ; one, since 1t af-
foTded to him slight relaxation from
most fabguing situation, and the other. be-
cause 1t furnished him with an opportunity
OF presenting to the committee his senti-
ments upon the important topics which had
been mingled In the debate. He regretted.
however, that the necessity under which
the Chairman had been placed, of putting
the question: preclu,led HIM from an op-
Portunity he had wished to have enjoyed of
rendering more acceptable to- the commit
tee any thing he might have to offer on the
interesting points it was his duty to touch.
Onprepared, however, rs he was to speak
on this day, of which he was the more SEN
sibe from the i'll state of his health, he
would solicit the attention of the committee
tor few moments.
was little astonished, confess, said
Mr.. Z. when found this bill permitted to
"ho!e, 2ns. thst, not until the moment
when the question was about to be put for
It's third reading, was it selected as that
SUBJECT ON which gentlemen in the opposi-
ton, chose TO lay before the House their
views OF the interesting attitude in which
the nation stands. 1t did appear to me that
the loan bill, which viii soon come before
us, would have afforded a mach more pro
per occasion, it being more essential, as
providing the ways and means for the pro-
secution OF the war. But the gentlemen
mad the right of selection, and having ex-
ercised 1t, no matter how improperly, am
gratified, whatever / NAV think of the
character of some part of the debate, at the
latitude IN which, for once, they have been
INDUCED. claim only, in return, of gen
tlemeD on the other side Of the House and
OF the committee like indulgence, in ex.
pressing, with the same unrestrained free
dom, my sentiments. Perhaps in the course
OF the remarks, which ! may feel myself
called upon to make, said he, gentlemen
may apprehend that tiey assume too harsh
an aspect. have only now to say that !
shall speak OF parties, measures * thJrrs
as they strike my moral sense. Drotestng
against the imputation of any intention, on
my part, to wound the feelings Of any gen
HcmaK.
Considering the situation in ,ehich th;.
country is now placed-.-in state of actual
war with one OF the most powerful nations
on the earth--it may NOT be useless TO take
a view OF the past, of various parties which
have Mt different times appeared in this
country, and TO attend to the manher bv
which we have been driven from a peaceful
posture. such an inquiry may assist IL
guiding rs to that result, an honorable
peace, which mGst be the sincere desire Of
every friend tn America. The Course of
that opposition, by which the adminigtra
ton OF the government had been unrernit-
tingly iinpeded, for the last twelve years.
was singular, and. believe, unexain bed
III TIE history OF any country. l. hiss been
alike the duty and the Interest nf tie adj
minissra.jon % preserve pea-cc. Their du;&
because II IS necessary to the growth Of AN
infant people, their GENTS and their habits.
Their interest, because n change of thc
condition Of TIE nation brings along With it
danger OF the loss Of the affections OF the
people. The administration has no. been
iorgettu, F.these solemn obligations. No
Art has been left u3essaycd; M eyperi-
ment, promising a favorable resaIt, lcf,
the ch,irn1T haE ,i,,n - mt The ones,ion
which would have cqt Nr, &. oT from the chance
ri speaking, b. returning the bin to tic iiou,e.
EDyr