American watchman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1814-1822, 1822-02-12
MR.. THOMAs's SPEECH.

Matters of more general interest have prevented
us from noticing this speech sooner Its extreme
length precludes i, from our columns for we
have taken up resolution to set our faces against
sfieech making and as the only means Of carrying
cur good resolution into effect have determined
never TO be the means Of giving them publicity.
Were it not to crafty silly vanity at the ex.
pense Of the public ito have il mentioned in the
public prints that MIR - spoke two hours and
was anwefed by Mr.. - in speech of three,
the time of our public Assemblies would be much
more proGtably spent and we should not hear the
general complaint that they had adjourned without,
doing any thing save filling their pockets with the
public trcasure 1t would be well for our Legislators
to follow the example Of the venerable FranklinY-
who knew what herwas saying, ard said what he
knew in few words. 1t has often crossed our
minds that it would he great advantage to have
the laconic address of DR.. Witherspoon, to the
graduates of Princeton, in letters oftgold, in some
conspicuous situation in our national assemblies
".Neper begin 10 sheGk tn ye 6aUe something 10 say
ana dlgoogs leave off gOhen ye hare done" Were
this adyice followed, should have fewer saeecheS
made and more Dizziness done. These few prem-
naries lead US to the subject under discussion-Mr
'rhomas's Speech.
In order to give general idea Of the manner in
which he has treated his subject, the reader is in
formed that he commences by regretting the ne
cessity he is under of again bringing the business
before the Senate gives phppelc against our
baibarous code of laws tells us OF the march Of
civilization in our sister states ;-that it is time to
pluck the scales Of prejudice from eyes ;-that
our laws are not consonant with the principles oil
humanity and sound policy that they have ten,
ldency to promote crimes that familiarity lessons
our adherence Of crime that habit is second ma
ture that the true secret Of virtue lies in savod
ing temptation" that boys of twelve years old
have thrown off all terror for the whipping post =
4 [if they have, God help the poor pedagogues who
have charge of their instruction that by accus-
toming the public to such sights, you lessen their
terro: IAN invectiye against drunkenness ;--tha
the infliction of severe punshmcrts will not an
swer that severe laws corrupt the manners o.
the people bids you look to Delaware -" state
that has the most bloody penal code of any state in
the Union" &c. &c. &c. &c. We shall not pretend
to follow him through all his meanderings ;-suhct
it to say, he has dragged in the anciens by The
shoulders told US of Greece and Rome ;--wha
they did what they meant TO do ;--taken us &c
Japan ito Chinas Ito England ito Spain, Por-
tugal, Italy, Russia ;told US what happened ii
Tuscany i'm Rome, sc. &c. &c. told US what viii
4 hing man in England; what will not hang him.
J prophesied what would happen were the English
laws put in force ;--Sec &c SC. We are not fond
of dwelling on theme we cannot commend and
therefore hasten TO the parts which have more
immediate bearing upon the subjects TO those parts
} where hi reasons well, and where if will not be
! hatery to offer our appreciation. Had he con-