The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1813-03-04

z fed
ferday by the recommtment ofths bin TO a committee
of the whole House, from TWO considerations one.
since IT Afforded 10 him slight from me Al
fatiguing situation and the other because Il fure.sh
cd nim with an opportunity Of presenting to the
se has seusnnsnts upon the important topics which
nad been mingled in the debate. {ic regretted. how
ever. that the necessily under which The chairman
had been placed OF putting the Question: prccuoed
him from an opportunity he had wished to have
Joyed OF rendering more acceptable TO the committee
any thing he might have to offer the interesting
points it was his duty to touch urprparcd however,
as he was 10 speak this day, OF which he the
most sensible from the i'll state Of his health he would
solicit the attention Of the commistee for iew mo-
ments. >fst
was little astouished, confess, said Mr.. C.
when found this bill permitted TO pass silently
through the committee of the whole, and that not
until the moment when the question was about to be
put for its third reading, il selected that sub
tcct on which gentlemen in the opposition chose 20
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 will soon before
as, would have afforded much more proper OCCASION
1t being more essential, as providing the ways and
means for the prosecution OF the But the gentle
had the right Of selection and having exercised
1t, no matter how improperly, am grat6ed, whatever
may think of the character Of part Of the de-
bate the latitude in which for once they have been
indalged claim only, in return, Of gentlemen on
the other side of the House and of the committee,
like indulgence in expressing, with the same unre-
strained freedom, my sentiments. Perhaps in the
course of the remarks which may feel my self called
upon to make, said he. gentlemen may spprchcnd
that they assume too harsh aspect: have only
now to say that shall speak of parties, measures,
and things, they strike my moral sense protesting
against the imputation of any Intention, my part,
to wound the feelings of any gentleman.
Considering the situation in which this country 10
now paced--n a state Of actual with one of the
most powerful nations on earth--it may not be
less to take view OF the past, OF the vxrions par
ties which have at different times appeared in this
country, and to attend to the manner BY which we
have been driven from peaceful posture. Such All
enquiry may assist in guiding Us to that result, an
honorable peace. which must be the sincere desire
Of every friend to America The course Of that OPP
position, by which the administration of the govern
ment had been unremittingly mpedcd for the last
twelve years, was singular, and believe, unexam-
pied in the history of any country 1t has been alike
the duty and the interest of the administration TO
preserve pesce. Their duty, because it is necessa-
ry to the growth of an infant people, their genius
and their habits. Their interest, because q
change Of the condition of the nation brings
along with it danger OF the loss of the affections
Of the people. The administration has not been for
getfal Of these solemn Obligations. No art has been
left unessayed; no experiment. promising favora-
bic result. left untred to maintain Che peaceful
Lotions Of the country. When some six or seven
years ago, the affairs of the nation assumed threat
cning aspect, partial non-importati0n adopted
As ihcy grew more alarming. an embargo was inn
posed IL would have attained its purpose, but il
was sacrificed upon the altar of conciliation. Vain
and fruitless attempt to proptate Then came = law
OF non-intcrcourse; and genera! non-imporlation
followed in the train In the mean tinc any indica.
tons of return to the public law and the path OF
justice, the part of either bsigerent are sciz-
cd with avdity by administration--the arrangement
with Mr.. Erskine is concluded Il is first applaud
ed and then censured by the opposition. No matter
with what unfeigned sincerity administration culti-
Yates peace, the opposition will insist that it alone
is culpabc for any breach between the two countries
Because tho President thought proper, in accepting
the profiered reparatiou for the attack national
vessel, 10 intimate that it would have better COM
ported with the justice of the King (and who does
not think SO y to punish the offending officer, the
opposition, entering into the royal feelings, in
that imaginary insult abundant cause for rejecting
Mr.. Erskinc's arrangement. On another occasion,
you cannot have forgotten the hypercrtical ngenui
ty which they displayed to divert Mr. Jacksons cor
respondence Of premeditated insult to this coun-
try. II gentlemen would only reserve for their own
government half tho sensbility which is indulged
Tor that Of Great Britain. they would find much less
70 condemn. Restriction after restriction has been
tried-negotiaton has been rcsorted to- until longer
TO have negotiated would have been disgracefuL
Whilst these peaceful experiments are undergoing
trial, what is the conduct Of the opposition They
are the champions of war--the Proud-thc spirited
1.-The sole repository OF the nations honor--he ex-
elusive men Of vigor and energy The adminstra-
ton on the cou.rsry, Is weak. feeble, and pusiIlan-
imous--" incapable of being kicked imo war" The
raxim not cent for tribute millions for Defence"
IL loudly proclaimed. Is the administration for nego-
ciationi The opposition 10 tired. sick, Disguised
with negotiation They want 10 draw the sword and
avenge the natioa's wrongs. when, at length. for
eign nntions, perhaps, embroidered by the very OPP
position here made, refused TO listen to The amicA
bic appesis made, and repeated and reiterated by
administration to their justice and 10 their interests
-when. in fact, war with one Of them became idcn-
tilted with our independence and sovereignty.
and it was longer possible to abstain from It. be-
hold the opposition becoming the friends Of peace
and of commerce. They tell you Of The calzmties
of warts usgical eveuts--the squsndering away
of vour resosrcesthe waste Of the public treasure
and the spiIlipg of innocent blood They tell YOU
that honor is an Illusion Now see them exhibit.
ing the terrific forms Of the roaring king OF the for.
est Nov the meckuess ard humility Of the lamb
They are for war and no restrictions, when the al.
ministration is for peace. They are for peace and