Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1813-02-05
DEBATE
ON THE VIEW .aR.MY BILL.
CONTINUED.


Mr.. Law said, as he was orisi-
pal.y opposed TO the war. and TIC
preparatory steps which led to IT,
he could not admit the principle,
that because 7cdr 1oas declared, he
was bound to aequiesce. and lend his
aid to promote every plan for prese-
cutting the war which might be pro-
posed, however wild and extrava-
CANT the same might appear. He
said he felt it daty, and he claim
ed it as right, (;.lthough he was
not ambitious very often, toexercise
the right to offer objections to any
measures which might he introduced,
if he supposed they were not ca'eu-
lated to produce the effect intend
ed. although he might not be in ia
vor of the object itself-or if ne be,
lieyed the measure proposed would
be productive Of real evil.
Sir, on this important occasion it
would be wise for moment to look
back-and if we can bear he pain OF
retrospection, consider what this Ma
ton cnce was. what it might be. and
what il in fact is. Tine was. aid
that within the recollection ocus all,
when industry. commerce, prospe-
rity and peace siaddened the hearts
OF this once happy people; and the
use Of arms was known only as a pa
ciiic pastime. The Ration. like some
individuals, could not bear The in
toxicalinc intiuence Of Dro.perity.-
1t might have preserved its ea'iable
condi;ion-bat it labored and groan-
ed under the weight oi national
bsessiHgs-it submitted 60 regard the
sinister views and malign influence
Of foreign roHers, it listened. fatal
~ listened to a serpent more fell
than the serpent Of old. And now
how sad is the reverse. let defect
ed and impoverished nation answer
in tie past we see departed COM
furis-beiore us we behold distress
ard ruin. The unhappy crisis to
which we have arrived has been pro-
gressive. Had the transition been
sudden. the nation would have been
driven to desperation. We have been
often admonished by those who fore.
saw the present evils-and had we
been wise, might have avoided the
calam:ties in which the country is
now involved, and from which there
is at present no prospect OF speedy
relief.
Sir, we will no longer dwell on
times passive will now briefly no.
,tice the causes whic!, were alleged
in the manifestos which Immediate
ly preceded the declaration OF war:
And what was said &c be the object
and attempt to s!eN that the bill
now under consideration is anreaes-
sary for the attainment Of the orisi-
nal object. That it Will be injurious
to the militia, and may endarser The
liberties of the country.
AS to the causes Of the war. with
out admitting or denying their jus
tice on national principles to justify
the act at the time it WIS declared,
he might say that some of the pre-
tended causes have never been seri-
ously relied on by orr own govern
ment. The principal one has been
wholly removed ; and but one out Of
the ingenious catalogue now remains,
and that might be easily adjusted TO
The mutual satisfaction Of both ma,
lions. And. sir. j, ought not 10 be
forgotten, that the act declaring
war, was carried with great labor,
and much northumberland such was
the majority in each branch of con-
gress, that it might well have jus
tilted doubt as to the cxpediency
when il did pass. Besides a large
ofthe United States we're
then and even since have been Cd.
posed to the act. And this opposi-
ton was not confined to those who
have been slanderoasly reported to
be. in the interest of Great Britain.
The d;spust and ahhorrence was fclt
by some of the best patriots and pu-
rest bosoms i'll the country. Expe-
rieDoe also has proved that the pub
lie sentiment was against the war
witness the feeble ranks Of your vo-
!unteers, the slow & reluctant march
Of the militia. and the tardy pro-
,ress in the recruiting service. Sir,
he disgrace Il disasters which have
hitherto attended the army, have re-
smiled more from want of oon6