Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-02-06

better to let them alone-and let them fight
their battles in the best way they can. Let us
not, 1T is said, embar,. in these Quixofic enter
prizes, but attend to our own concerns and
should any unfortunate Greek be landed OH our
shores. God save the mark Il we'll do the
best VIC can to assist him. Really, MIR. Chair
man, is it come to this-are all recolections Of
the past forgotten Aye, arc we Americans to
be induced to adopt such line of conduct from
such arguments. Forbid it justice forbid it
gratitude think, Sir, see the Marquis de
In Fayette arriving from France, with the mu-
nitions of war and articles of clothing, in the
sci which he presented to this country. l think
see him when he came as a private individual
landing On the shores of America, before the
French government had declared in behalf of
this country and l think that hear the al
dress of such Americans. g. Go home, Sir
we don't want you, you arc Foreigner, and
therefore have no business to presume to give
us icrc-leave us to ourselves, and not inter-
fcrc in our affair, which no way concerns YOU"
And, sir, think sec the couDtenancc of the
gallant young La Fayette, lighted up with the
chlvalry of the old country, and cheercd with
the republicanism of The new country u think
see the fash of indignation dartcd on such cold,
calculating characters. And also think that |
see the soldier Of Washington in his camp at
Valley Forge, when the proifered boon was
brought and rejected by his countryman, be-
cause foreigner gave it | think | sec his
bleeding feet and laceratcd ANGLES, alluded to in
the preamble. and the gathering frown and dark
scowl of his carc-yorn csunteIiancc, when he
heard the declaration ofhis countryman to car
nv away the military munitions and clothing.
Aud also think what America would have OK
perICllced, had kosc,Isl;o. Miranda. De i\alb,
Fulassi, Montgomery, Gates, ana Mercer
Aye, sir, Mercer, of Virginia-bcen ordered TO
attend To their own immediate concerns, and not
to interfere with lis, because, forsooth. they
were foreigners; | am convinced that this conn
try must have ultimately conquered ; and OBJ
tanned its freedom without the iisterc ntion of
foreigners-hut am also persuaded that its
freedom was accelerated, and the devastation of
war was arrested and shortened, by that inter
ference.
But some have in discussing this subject said
that there was danger to trade and CONNER
cial interests as well as the lives of our citizens
within the Turkish dominion, should the pro-
posed subscriptions take place. 1t has been said
that great excitement would ensue among the
members of the Turkish government, should a
ny assistance be afforded BY us. But, Sir, arc
we To cease to do rig because there is a pos
sibillty that others may do wroItr' Are we TO
forget the claims of Justice and of mercy, be-
cause there may he rntlians dsnosed TO violate
thcm' Arcwc to fold up our arms and Indirect
ly TO doevil in order that good may come To
what would these pcgInat;c cold principles lead,
were tdey TO be carried into effect III private
lite Y. by, Sir, we must not intcrposc III be-
half of the niure and oppressed sufferer, be-
cause, perhaps, the brutal and outrageous ty-
rant might, in his caprice and malignity retail
ate on some Of Our friends who might happen to
he il, his 4 iDohla manly nd met fool
ing, in private life would he stiiled on the adop-
lion ofsuoh principles. There would be none
20 interpose in behalf of another, because bad
consequences might occur IN some quarter
But, Sir, ] have 10 fcar have no dread of any
such consequences in the case OF the govern
rnent ofthe Sublime Porte.
They have heard of America. and they have
heard of what it has done 1T AJgicrs, they know
tl!alcsson that was taught the disciples of the
crescent, there and at Trpoli and TuDis. Their
own dependents have told them what an Ameri-
can Navy led by Decatur and cambridge
can accomplish. Let them but dare to touch
the hair of the head of an American citizen, and
those fir frigatcs with old Ironsidesn in the
Van Division, and orr ships of the Line COM
manded by officers who encountered and tore
down the flag of England, will make the very
ruins of Constantinoplc, " sing woe to the day."
i'll which they dared to Infringe the rights of our
American citizens. Let them but attempt it
and the walls of the Scraglio will be battered a.
bout the ears of the Sultan. Whilst highlands
patriots, whilst French, German and Swiss IL
bcrdts are making such continued efforts in their
behalf-neither menace nor danger will deter
the Republican of America, from feeling and
acting according to the dictates of mind, free
and independent IN the enjoyment of that liberty
which has been established.
But, Sir, have detained this Assembly too
long, and have TO thank them for their kind in
diligence, and the patience which they have ex-
ercised towards me.
Under the circumstances of this case, let me
however say, that l think 1 hear from Greece
the exclamation which is mentioned in Holy
Writ, from the men OF Macedonia, s' Come oveI
and help us.o
BY tn shrielSs of the murdered Sciots, those
shrieks which have been waited across the At
lantic, in doleful cry-bv the grey hairs of the
venerable Grecian Sires, that were sclotted r
gore, by the eye OF beauty which now saddens
and the cheek once tinted like the rose which
now wakes wan and pale in the Turkish Serial
by the Wondering edifices, the PROSTATE halls o
the colleges, and The blacken ruins of the burn
ed housesand cottages-by the desolatc hearths
and extinguished firesides, around which the So
cial circle once mingled in delight--by wha
the exiles were, and what they now arc" For
get them not.n
"Cold is the hearth within their bowers,
| "Goneis the hand that cropp'd their flowers,
| "Unheard their clock repeats its hours"
| But am persuaded that You viii this night
! by your sympathy, and By your contributions
however small, assist i'll again rebuilding the de
rnolshed edifces, and again lightning up the
blaze Of the hospitable hearths. You will re
member those whose dust and bones are nov,
crumbling in the defile ofThermopyir, and OF
the plain of Observation-Disclosures anC
| Thchcs will hear the exIIiliratnr and friendl,