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


considerable curiosity, and il is undoubtedly the
most interesting and animated which has been re-
ported since the meeting of the present Congress-
was expected that it would be supported with some
enthusiasm, but it would hardly have been imagin-
ed tina, it would be opposed with such earnest and
perseverng vehemence. Ii could hardly have been
supposed that American statesman would think 1t
either decent, becoming, just to compare the mo-
dern Greeks-a civilized refined and lettered nation,
to the ignorant and savage barbarians Of Hayti 1t
could hardly have been supposed that the sad ca
lanities of oppressed and gallant people who
have not only groaned for long succession OF UNI
happy years under the domination OF foreign
despot but who have endured cruel and unreInit-
ting religious persecution for the sake of the cross
which we profess to worship-ofa people like this,
the descendants of Plato, and Mtiades, and Epa-
minondas should be considered on the floor of a
Christian and Republican assembly, fit object for
cool, insulting rony-for calm and heartess scorn.
But let us not consider the want of feeling
sign of wisdom the contrary cold heart and
muddy understanding are inSeparable. great
and deserved celebrity of several of the members
who took part in the discussion must be my excuse
for introducing very brief enquiry into tine ten
dency of the proposition which produced it, by few
observations concerning the principal speakers. Mr.
Websters speech is unquestonably the unequieocal
production of man of great powers and great
qurcments, and what is equally pleasing to the
der and honorable to the author the whole compost
ton is warmed with the fine fervor of generous
and honest bcnevolence. In his answer to the OBJ
ections offered his resolutions he has also proved
that he is by no means unskilful in welding the
lighter weapons of parliamentary warfare-the
prompt retort, the brilliant sarcasn the quick and
keen reply.-I not going latter the distinguish
ed gentleman who has been lately nicknamed with
such classic felicity Z" the AgameInnon of the West
Yet must say that his defamation on the Greek
Question appears to to be truly rhetorica and
his argument show that the adoption of the
luton, would have no tendency to involve the ma
ton in war, quite irresistible. Nor can Ihelp adj
miring the frank impetuosity with which he avowcd,
and the intrepid ability with which he defended his
principles. - Fuit Ell disertus, neque minus con-
cinnus in brevitate respondendi, guam in perpetual
oratione ornatus. Habuit obtroctatorem .Henecli-
dem qltordan,, salts exercitatum III dicendo al
7Heba,,,n, sclicef."-M Randolph is far above nv
censure my praise. But for the heroic and dsin-
teres,ed frnness with which he has long steadily
pursued, not indeed the road to greatness but the
path of honor for the spendor and versatility of his
talents, and will and for his excellent sense and
real wisdom would just say that no can pos
sibly feel reverence and admiration more sincere
| than do. have not accused HIM with Want of
| sympathy for human misery and suffering nor
shall ever. No, am well convinced that no man
ertertans indignant and utter adherence
and detestaton for every sort of tyranny and that
| his prayers and wishes are now and have always
been what he considers the side of truth and lib
erty. But as he has been from his first entrance
into public life, the undertaking advocate of pa
cifc policy, he has apparently allowed. himself on
the present occasion TO be alarmed by what / mnst
with due Difference consider, very unnecessary APP
prehensions-His genius is unquestioned-but
will venture say, that although he possesses We
ry fertile and noble hnagnation-it certainly is not
| that OF Poet. His taste is very pure and even
fastidous, but as he for his life resist the
temptation of making striking comparison, he fire.
quently loses sight both of elegance and pro-
| prety. He is never at loss for imagery but then
ne does not hesitate to employ illustrations invaria-
bly, forcbe, but frequently low and degrading. Ills
calling the road to Turkey''but stuaPy road for
Russia" is good specimen Of his patriotic passion
1 fer homespun metaphors. 1t has long been the
fashion with certain set of sapien critics to talk
| of Mr.. Randolph, as mere declaimer and nothing
/ more---giited to be with remarkable figure,
ane eyes, and clear voice, and with some degree
| smartneSs and sagacity too-but wholly incapable
of thinking speaking logically. There never was
greater mistake--and it arises solely from sin
gular contempt which he seems to have for method
IN Speah'g and indeed in evety thing else. Arriv-
ing his own conclusions with instructive rapi1itv
he che.ishes tine most unqualified disdain, for the
inferior capacity of the man who is obliged to pet
at his, by travelling through all the ordinary forms
| of systematic argument. If one however. was to
Judge only from his speech on the Greek Question,
| he might perhaps be inclined to- admit that the
charge perpetualy made against him, by his de-
tractors is correct and that he is not able to rea-
son. 1t is in his most scattering and desutory
style. His idea was that we would incur the peril
of an expensive war, If the resolution had been a.
dopted, if this country were to act I'D to the
principles on which it was supported. Now, has
he succeeded in proving that the adoption of reso-
luton, authorizing the President to send an agent
to the morea, would be any Just cause of war Or
has ne succeededin showing that it is at all likely
that the Porte, would Immediately begin to plum
der our commerce on that account, before we had
afforded to its revolted subjects, the aid of sim
ge dollar, or solitary schooner? 1t is very true
that fthe people of Canada, were to rebel and we
were to furnish them assistance ; this would be an
act of hostility against England. But if the Bri-
fish government was 10 be wicked and foolish c.
nough to attempt TO reduce the inhabitants of that
province to state Of abect slavery, although we
would not consider ourselves bound to take part in
the contest, yet if they succeed in driving
their oppressors OF the country ought we to all
low any mean fear Of the resentment Of any power
GARTH TO prevent from recognizing their indie
peDdence And how could such an acknowledge
mcnt on our part be called ple9ge that we would
resist any further attempt to subdue the colony I?
We have clear right to judge for ourselves as to
the actual condition ofother states and as soon as
they become dc tncfO independents no other nation
has any reasonable pretext for complaint IL we
deem Il expcdient to establish amicabe relations
with them. All but the Turk is not rational
animai-he IS so ncorrigibly barbarous, his feline
popensIes are so easily excited, his oriental blood
IS 20 suddenly Unframed, thai he will 20 10 war Of