Massachusetts spy and Worcester advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1823-1825, 1824-07-07
FROM THE BOSTON CENrINEL,
TO THE EDITOR OF THE cENr1NEL.


ter entitled to respect, that while the parallel
have attempted TO draw between the prnc-
pies of opposition in the State of Maseachu-
setts and out oft, is correct rs far as it goes
| have left rnexamined two themes of obloquy
| and complaint in which this State alone is in
| plicated. These are the alleged refusal ofthe
Legislature 10 vote thanks to our victorious
naval officers, and the discoura cement oppos-
ed to the public loans. chcerf;llly yield to
the wish expressed for my view of these mat
tiers, though it viii be recollected that a full
retrospeat of domestic transactions, is what !
expressly disclaimed the intention of under
taking.
In the Senate of 1919. Ihe following Resolve
passed that body
. RssO'red, As the sense of the Senate Of
Massachusetts, that in a war like the present.
| waged without justfable cause and prosecu-
ted IN manner which indicates that CONQUEST
and ambition are its real motives, it is not be-
coming moral and religious people to express
ANY appreciation Of military or naval exploits
which are not Immediately connected with the
defence of the sea coast and the sol.''
Upon division, the usual federal majority
| OF members present voted in the affirmative,
This resolve has been assaled in every form
ofcensurc. sS1mn invocation ofdefeat and
disgrace upon the navy and army could not be
liable to greater reviling.-But though the
fouse OF Representatives. Of that year, ofwhich
was a member, unanimously voted thanks 10
FERRY and Others, thereby manifestine diff
terent view of this procedure from that enter
tanned by the Senate, yet dispassionate con-
sideraton of this resolve and Of the accomna-
nylng circumstances, will shew it 10 be quite
4 nndpcprVirC nj no obi
lar from justiiylng any inference of hostility TO
the navy or indifference to its glory. Hadthe
sentiment expressed in that resolve appeared
in treatise on political morality, or been found
| among the aphorisms of a Peace society, no ex-
ceptions would probably be made to it. In or
der to Judge OF the correctness of this remark.
let the converse of the proposition be stated
| For example-''H is becoming moral and re-
lisious people, to exut in the military and ma
val exploits of a war Taged withou Just cause,
from mOtireS Of conquest and ambition. not con-
nected with the defence of the sea coast aud
the soil" Would not many moral and relie-
ious persons of all parties at this moment hes
itate TO subscribe TO this as an axiom? II SO.
the objection to the resolve must be found not
n ne inference, but 10 the assumed premises
In the character gtren Of The acGr j.; and not
in The abstract claim of military and naval
proves TO the appreciation of the people. But
this same character of the war, have already
said, whether justly or not, had been given 10
1t thousand times before this, and in that
view the resolve is left on the same ground
with other censurcs upon that measure. Jus
tice, however, to the majority Of that day re-
| cures more enlarged consideration Of this
matter. 1t has just been noticed that the
! House OF Representatives, in which the fed.
eral members was more than two to one. and
upon the motion Of It Federalst passed Duran
| lmously) votes OF thanks for our naval yicto-
res. Here was then a notorious difference of
! sentiment in relation to this point between the
two Houses.
The doctrine maintained in the Senate was
! FIRST, that it was not the province of the
State Legislatures to award this species Of
| homage to victorious officers, and that bv as
Stunning TO do it, they might graduate their
praise by rule different from that which the
national government might deem proper to a.
dopt.-But secondly, and principally, it was
said there was manifest inconsistency that
Legislative body demonstrating with vehe.
mence against the policy and necessity of the
war, should in the same breath encourage its
authors to peTseVere, by enactins plaudits m
on their Agents and that in the event of spc-
cessiul operations IN CANADA, the precedent
would create great embarrassment for those
who were opposed to the invasion ofthat coun-
try; and who might be called upon to EXPRESS
gratitude for what would be cause of rerret
| 1.-THE allcg alton Of these reasons was insincere
and mere veil for lukewam feelings towards
the navy; there would still be no equity in 40.
| Letting measure in which the Senate dissent
ed from the House and the people. and hold
ing 1t out detached from innumerable demon.
STATIONS of very different feelings. as a penu-
inc test OF the prevailing sentiment. Judsin~.
however, of the disposition of all who voted in
favor OF the resolve, by what is known to be
true OF mdny; their real friendliness to the
Navy and the indulgence which thew as nri.
vate citizens permitted to their iov in its sue
cess, were displayed in too many and conspic-
uous modes to leave a doubt respecting their
sincerity. Among those Senators were persons
who with their political associates were frsf
ana FOREMOST" to receive with open arms, up-
on ms landing, the hero who achieved the first
naval victory. To set on foot and promote the
means oil doing him and his gallant officers the
highest civic honors.-To renew the same cor.
dial ooiatlons OF respect and gratitude to him
VINO succeeded to the command and the glory
Of Old HOnSides~and TO those who shared the
honors OF his triumph. Persons who assisted
and ooihciated at public entertainments given
TO these oflcers-who, from that moment cher.
lshcd and cultivated an acquaintance with
th"m and thei' brethren of the sword as opnor-
tnnlty offered, and to this hour have remained
upon terms OF strict intimacy aud friendship
with many Of their number.
Leaving then. this inquiry as it relates toMe
branch Of the Legislature acIich passed The re-
Sotre, refer you moment to other indications
OF the sense of the whole Federal Party on thev
subject of our naval victories. Those whose
4 entire stock of calumny against that party is
composed Of gleanings from the Gazettes, must
admit as proof of public opinion the antrersal
and 'nrartd0ie attention of those very newspa-
pers' to whose occasional and limited overflow
lngs OF zeal they resort, in ordcrto convict the
people OF disloyalty. 1t may be said with con-
ldence, that from the first moment of the war
IN InrN H..