Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1814-06-29
SPEECH
Of The HON. mr.. FORSYTH
or oEoRoIA,
ON THE LOAN BILL.
I p tie House ef 1spre.snsasiyss d, sae .. S.

~s" 's A'4se 81 representatives OF the U. 5.
Mr.. CHAIRMAN-Every days expert
once must have satisfied the gentlemen of
.tne majority. that no opposition tothls bill
or to any other measures intended to give
vital energy to the contest ia which the
country IA engaged, can be successful here.
Whence then arises this extraordinary dis-
play of industry and ingenuity Is il that
they intend on this question to enter upon
their defence for their irregular and unpre.
csuented Course pursued since the COM
mencement OF the war In this view, the
subject Is indeed Interesting -worthy OF all
the labor and al the talents bestowed anon
u. 10 conduct IL to q &ncccssful issue. Win
rs1p'rs ynE;as cf b.dustsy never We, Il
qualled--a degree of ingenuity ne yer 4 ;.
surpassed. III the brief examination OF some
OF the topics of discussion, I wish 1t To be
understood that my object 10 not to prove
that the conduct of the goyernment has been
correct--but to show that the opposition ID
not justifablc upon any of the principles
assumed for its defence. The honor OF the
government is not yet sunk so low as to
require labored defence of their measures
at the bar OF the public. The evidence has
long since been exhibited TO the proper tri-
bunal-sentence of acquittat has been pro-
nonnced by the present generation and
more impartial posterity will, but confirm
the Judgment.
Before l enter upon the examination of
any of those arguments urged upon the
great subject of present contest, will detain
the committee by short reply to some OBJ
servations very remotely, If at all. connec~
ted with il. -
The gentleman from New-York (Mr.
Sherwood) expressed a hope that the re-
port made by slhe COMMITTEES appointed at
the last session to enquire into the spirit and
manner in which the war had been copduc,
ted by the epcmY, should sleep in oblivion
on the shelf. 1t is sufficiently evident that the
substance or form of that report is unplea,
cant to the honorable gentleman-but why il
has excited his dispieasure he has not cons
descended 10 inform us. Can il be because
II exhibits strong and irrefragible proof of
the injustice of those fond eulogums certain
persons are ia the habit of pronouncing up
on the enemies of their countryf Bur, SIR,
the fact is mistaken by the honorable gen.
tleman thatreport is not yet in the grave
ofobiivion, which has the honor to live insiiis
recollection. from any cause he desires
it to pass away,ke has misunderstood The
means py which his wis!es are to be accom-.
plished. WITH the ianprovidepce oi tue E :
phesian magistracy. he has rendered I'M
mortal the memory If that object he inien~
ded to destroy. Another remark, less equir
vocal in its Character and more reprehensi.
BILE, will recall to the attention of the com.
mittee. He said no valuable lives had been
or could be lost in the present war. as no
valuable lives would be exposed to its neriis,
HAS the honorable gentleman so soon. for-
gotten the names Of Lawrence. of Allen, of
Burrows, OF Claxton, and of Clarke, who
nobly died in oae element asserting the
rights and the honor OF their Country !:
and those of Pike, of Coyiugton and Backls.
who expired ON the other in the same r;gh-
teous and holy cause But this proclamation
of the ashes of the dead is not greater than
the injustice done to living mer;t-There
are at this moment on the northern irons
tier. in the armies of their country. gallant
and v;rtuous men. Some of tlem are ps.r.
soually known to me, whom purity of heart.
strength of understanding, extent of intel.
iectual. requirements and high chiyalric no.
nor, may proudly erect their crests by the
aide of the chosen Rcpresentatiye of
the great state Of New York.
The gentleman from N, G.. MIR. Castor,
has recommended to the majority mode.
ration, liberaiity, and forbearance. The ad.
vice was certainly excellent. bnt tybv MA
it confined in its application wby not cx.
tended To the minority to which the b,noYa.
bic gentleman is attached ! Ii IS az neces.a-
nv for them as for US, and probably wooJd
have been more acceptable. xince' n wa.
given BIZ .heir friend. But altbo, ve no i,
the benefit of the pentleman's recomnen,a
t;on u,e have not Ih. h.n.e, rs - -, -
He ha. mr., shewn e,,h.r tha, ,,,5..'a,;sIr -