Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1813-02-26
SPEECH
or THE
HON. JOSIAH QUINCY,
Delivered in The II. Of Representatives,
January. S,
ON THE mel ARMY BILL.

January. S,
ON THE NEW .ARMY BILL.
.eoNTINuED.
1t is curious fact, but no less true,
than curious, that for these twelve years
past, the whole affairs of this country
have been managed, and its fortunes re-
versed, under Me Influence of a cabinet
little less than despotic, composed, to
all efficisnt purposes, Of swo VirglHlans
and a foreigner.-When | speak olthese
men, as Virginians, ! mean to cast no
odium upon that state as thong h IT were
not entitled to its full share OF influence
in the national councils; nor when Ire
fer to one Of them, as being foreigner,
do ! intend thereby, to suggest any
connexions Of a nature unworthy or sus-
picious. refer to these circumstances
a. general and undoubted facts, which
belong to the characters of the cabinet,
and which cannot fail to be taken into
view, in all estimates of plans and pro-
jects; so long as man is constituted as
he is; and so long as the rejudices and
principles Of childhood never fail TO In.
fluence in different degrees, in even the
best men, the course Of thinking and &C.
ton Of their ripper years.
might have said, perhaps with more
strict propriety, that it was cabinet
composed OF three Vuginians and TO-
reigner because once in the course OF
the twelve years there has been change
of one of the characters. But sir, that
change was VIGOROUSLY matter Of form
rather than substance. As 1t respects
the cabinet the principles continued the
same the interests the same; the Oh.
iacts at which it aimed, the same.
said that this cabinet had been, du.
ring these twelve years, little less than
despotic. This fact also is notorious.
During this whole period, the measures,
distinctly recommended, have been a.
dop,ed by the two houses OF congress
with as much uniformity and with as
little modification too, as the measures
of the British ministry have been adopt
ed during the same period, by the Bri.
fish parliament. The connection be.
tween cabinet councils and parllamenta-
ry acts, is just as intimate in the one
country as in the other.
| said that these three men constituted,
to all efficient purposes. the whole cabi-
net. This also is notorious. Its true,
that, during this period, other inslividu.
ais have been called into tie cabinet -
but they were all of them, comparative
", minor men; such as had no weight,
either Of personal talents, or Of person.
al influence, to support them. They
we're kept as instruments Of the master
spirits. And when they failed to answer
the purpose, or became FESTIVE, they
were sacrificed, or provided for. The
shades were made TO play upon the cur
tain. They entered. They bowed TO
the,audience. They did what they were
hidden. They said what was set down
for them. When those, who pulled the
wires, saw FIT, they passed away. No
man knew why they entered. No man
knew why they departed. No nan could
tell whence they Came. No man asked
whether they were gone.
From this uniform composition ofthe
cabinet, it is obvious that the project OF
the master spirits was that ct essential
influence within the cabinet. For, in
such country as ours, so extended, and
its interests so implicated, it is impos.
sible but those who would conduct its
affairs wisely, and with a single eye to
the pubic good, should strive to call
around themselves, the highest * most
independent talents in the nation, at least
of their own political friends, When
this is not the case, it must be apparent
that the leading influences WANT not as
sociales: but instruments. The saRe
principle applies to the distribution OF
Office, out of the cabinet, as to filing
places within it. Some mistakes may os
to happen III selections, among
FOR appointments, at dis
tancs. But, if at sny time cabinet
shall be, Systematically guided, in such
selection, by a regard, not to merit, or
qualifications, but to electioneering SER
vices; If the obvious design be to re-
ward parsizans, and encourage detection
to its party standard, then the people
NAV rest assured, that the project such
cabinet has in view, is not to serve the
pubjic interest, but to secure their per.
sonal influence and that they want, not
for the employment, but
sub.erviency in it. How this matter is,
| shall rot assert; not because | have
not very distinct opinions upon the SUBJ
iect; but because the sphere OF appoint.
ment is too Extensive to be conpre head-
ed in the grasp Of a single individual
and mean TO make no assertion, con-
corning motive, or conduct, of which
there dAes not exist, in my mind, evi
danre as well camSleie az conclusive