Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1813-07-22
MIR. GASTON's SPEECH
ON
Mr.. WKsSTER'S RESOLUTIONS;

MN. CASTOR said, that when he
entered the house that morning, he had
no expectation OF taking part in this
debate. He was perfectly conscious OF
the disadvantages under which he most
appear, in attempting, Without the be-
nett OF previous reflection, an examlna-
ton of the argument contained Ia the
extraordinary harangue OF the gentle
man from Tennessee--an harrangue
evidently studied and elaborate. But AS
the question had been called Tor; as no
other gentleman seemed disposed to oc-
cupy the floor aud as part OF that ar
gument demanded notice ; he f@lt 1t his
duty 10 claim the attention OF the char
for few minutes. However unequal
the contest, vet IN the cause OF truth AID
of the best interests of his country, he
could not hesitate to engage ID 1t. Pto-
yided these were advanced, he was lit
tie solicitous as to the light in which he
might appear.
The rentIemap had occupied no In
considerable portion Of the time OF the
house, with invectives against those Who
bad discouraged loans and enlistments
To the part OF the country sid Mr.. Co.
which | have the honor to represent,
such invectiyes are without the p ssh
bility Of application. With US loans and
enIistmen,s have been considered as acts
p.relv voluntary, in which every indivi-
dual has been left free TO pursue his In
cli1aticns. Indeed, in these days OF
distress, few of US have been able to
Iepd-and The temptations % enlistment
have not been strong enough TO carry
of r.any besides those whom all were
willing to part With. -.
The gentleman has also INDUCED him.
seIfin iDsipuations, where more seemed
meant than met the ear, OF "a disposition
70 take the part of Great Britain and OF
nrepossessions in favor OF the enemy -
These. ne has indeed said, we're not de-
signed 10 apply 10 any gentleman occu-
nvinp a seat on this floor. My expert
ence. sir, hos been too limited TO enable
me TO ascertain whether owe tbis ex'
emption to the gentleman's sense Of JUS
tice: or whether am 10 CONSIDER II as a
mere form Of parliamentary decorom -
In this state Of doubt as 10 the precise
meaning Of the gentleman, will con-
tent myself with saying, that any charge
Of aartiality TO the cause OF the enemy as
e,,n,rasted with that of my country, SO
far as regards me, would be utterly un-
true. The bare supposltioh oft is IN
tolerable. II will not nc deemed ego
t;sn. I trust, to add, that baptised an
American in the blood OF martyred
father bound to my native land by eve
rv moral and natural tye that can tastsn
on the heart of man; with not one mo.
tive of interest, of passion or prejudice,
te seduce the loyalty of my affections
never can / separate myself from toc
cause of my country, however thar cause
nav have been betrayed by those to
whose care it was conhded.
Without commenting on the deilcacy
ofsthe course which the gentleman has
in this respect pursued, Its art and all
dress are sufficiently obvious. 1t re-
mind. me OF the mode Of escape which
na,uralists inform US is observed by the
Cuttls-.ish in time ofperil. When his
adversary is fast gaining upon HIM, and
destruction seems inevitable, he mud
dies the water through which he giides,
and finds safety in confusion. Thus 1t
is with the gentleman from Tennessee.
He would escape from this discussion
he would eIude the enquiry how tar we
owe this war to French imposition, by
raising tumult about British predliec-
tions and British arguments. But the
s,ratagem cannot take. No gentleman
will suffer himself to be diverted from
the investigation which these resolutions
fairly suggest and such inquiry deli
berately pursued, must terminate IN the
discovery of the necessary, though me-
lancboly truth.
MIR. G. remarked, that whatever might
be the issue of the resolutions, he COR
daily cangiatuiated the nation that they
had been introduced 1t was due to the
national honor, always involved IN the
honor of the national agents !; and IT was
due 70 the best interests OF the countrV,
that the mystery which developed this
subject should be dissipateG. a<
A formal authentic decree of the go
vernmsnt of France, bearing date the
2sth Of April, 1911, and purporting to
be an absolute retraction OF the Berlin
and Milan DEGREES, was exhibited by
that government to our /. presentauye,