Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-03-23
From the Boston Yankee.
~. ABLE SPEECH.

d
Of ne Committee to uhon mere referred
the Petitions Of seuerdi to1vns against the
uar and embargo, -
Mr.. Presiaent. when this report was
FIRST read, / desPaired Of composing my spi
rits or my muscles so far as 10 treat il with
seriousness and deceney. There appeared
to me SO much i'm it OF that species of ridic-
ulous, which critics describe, that art of
sinking. that rising fad disappointing Of. ex-
| pectations, that apprehended might In
dulge IN a levity unbecoming the dignity of
tins board. Having as we'll as could, sup
pressed those emotions which were excited
by contrasting the beginning With the cons
cIusion, entertain the hope that l may
succeed in treating the subject as reality
las the serious opinion OF serions men,
And, sfr,I am the rather inclined to this
course, from a wish to treat every thing
coming from joint committee, however
trifiirg, with an air of consequence--And
this, sir. Notwithstanding it's outrageous
Charges against the Government of the Uni-,
ted States, the dangerous principles it adj
yances, and the hercsies it inculcates, and
above all, the pitiful manner in which it con>
ciudes.
Permit me to give an abstract of the pro-
minent charges contained IN this Report 1t
states that the policy of Washington is "a
bandoned-that New England is lost in the
national conncils-that an understandable
and unconstitutional power has grown up in
thc'Western States-that the war is wicked
and unparalleled-that the President is an
unrestrained despot, and the Congress his
obsequious Parliament-that commerce is
intentionally and maliciouly destroyed-that
war is waged upon the people of this State
THAT our hopes and comforts are DESTROYS
ed-that so eco men are organizing to en-
slave us--that the compactis violated-tnat
liberty and property are exposed to arbitra-
sry restraints and exactions-that life itself
IS scarcely secure-that remons.rance is
valn-resistance legal; and that conven-
ton OF the New>England States for selfpre.
servation, would be right and proper
Here is catalogue of crimes that would
disgrace a Nero; history of oppression
and suferings which no people on earth e.
yer endured !: And this is but an imperfect
epitome of this Report. Where is the free
man who believes this, and would not ex.
claim arouse to arms Seize the sanctuary
ofiberty, and defend the altar or die. Who
but expects recommendation to break
these chains, hurl the tyrants from their
seat, consign them to destruction, and their
adhereuts to everlasting shame and re-
proaClls- Who but expects q storm of indig
nation TO burst on the heads of those wretch,
es, who thus delight to feast on their coun.
try's richest blood What is the redress
Have patience, sir, and don't treynble,-
This is the redress. The complaints of
these people are to be sent to the Governor
not that he should burst their chains and ex-
ecute vengeance on the guilty heads of their
oppressors; but that he should do with them
just nothing at all but that the next Co
vernon may lay them before the next iegis>
lature, and there ends the farce And
this is all that an oppressed people are to exc
pect from the patriotic legislature of Mas
sachusetts! Is It possbles After having,
been encouraged by the Governors Speech,
and the answer, and probably by special
application, to induce them to complain (; af.
ter having obtained pledge of these peo-
pie that they would support this proiec. of
opposition, you desert them in the hour of
peril. snd throw off all responsibility from
your shoulders. upon theirs. In the mean
time the army.ofsixty thousand is raised and
organized, and their destiny is fixed past
all hope.
Do gentlemen believe all these charges,
grievances and dangers or is it mere abuse
against the officers Of the gen'l government,
to drive them out of power and get in them
selves If it is this, we can very easily ac-
count for the tapering of. 1t is sossible
thatthe government may be more slow in
believing us in earnest, than these people
Should this be the case. and the laws should
be executed against those whom we encour-
age to break them, we might by this advice
keep our necks out Of the moose. But, sir,
we had better take care how we trifie with
men, whose passions we have labored
to inf1ame. We may kindle fame
which we cannot extinguish: Should
/ any be so mad as not 10 believe us, and ha>
wing more courage and consistency than we
have, put our precepts into practice, and
ind themselves abandoned and BETRAYED,
they might in revenge make as the first vic.
Tins oftheir fury.
will now, sir, review some of the most
prominent charges contained in your report.
In doing this, shall not condec,;nd to repel
those vi tyranny and despotism, or personal
insecurity. These conder rank, incohe-
rent defamation, and more the subject Of
ridicule than serious debate. Ifthey infiame
the passions Of the people, they will proba-
bly, answer their purpose. The constitu-
iionahty Of the embargo has been discussed
in Frevicus debate and IL gentlemen are
not, it is because they will not be convinced.
When tire subject comes regularly before
the proper JUDICIAL tribunal. gentlemen roay
wish that they had dclbcrated before they
had decided fc|
The sacred name Of Washington Is introdu-
ced to sanction opposition This report, this
evil spirit, is in this way tobe transformed in-
To an angel Of light. The mantle Of Washing
TOMS to be thrown over il, to cover its Cjcfor-
nifty. How do the seditious doctrines you in
cucate, COMFORT with his farewell address
Hear him on the subject Of dissolution of
the Union, and then talk Of your New Eo-
gland convention. Hear him speal. Of local
Jealonsies, and then complain of the voice of