The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1826-04-13
GAR. AobbtHn' 2preeb.

The substance of the remarks made by Mr.
ROBBINS, of Rhode Island ,on the question to
agree to the resolutions reported by the Com
Inittee on Foreign Relations, that il is not ex-
pedient to send Ministers to the Congress of
American Nations at Panama"
Mr.. ROBBINS said the honorable gem
tleman from Tennessee (Mr. White,) call
cd upon US (by US, mean those who have
not adopted the reasoning of the report,
To show wherein the reasoning of the re-
port was not conclusive; implying, that we
were either to do this, or to adopt the res
olution; as the resolution was the necessa-
ry result of the reasoning, if fthatiwas con-
elusive. do not agree, that this is the
necessary alternative; for an argument may
fail of convincing the mind, may be felt as
very fallacious, and yet the mind be una
bic to detect its fallacy, and unable to ex-
pose that fallacy, either to itself or to 9TH
ers. Berkley's argument against the exls-
tence Of matter is memorable instance Of
the kind; it convinced nobody; yet it puz-
zled every body. 1t confounded all the
philosophers and metaphysicians of the
early part Of the last century; many of
them labored hard at its refiutation, but
labored in vain. Reed at last hit upon
the clue that unravelled the subtle web; at
least, he conceived that he had; and for
while, it was admitted that he had; but
now it seems again to be doubted whether
his refuta:ion is not itself REPUTABLE, and is
not more seeming than solid. Suppose
Berkley here now, to put to the honorable
gentlemen from Tennessee the same di-
lemma which he would put to US; and say
to him, now refute my argument, or adopt
my conclusion; admit that there is no ma
terial world, or refute the reasoning by
which demonstrate that there is none;
admit thai lno vnainoei ." -
that the columns which adorn II, are Nv. M
material objects, external TO US, put nseie'y
ideas in the mind. My honourabie lrlenu
would say, =" believe, MIR Berkiy, your ui-
tentative is hard one, and as unreasoh'
able as hard feel that your conclusion
is false, though find myself unable 10 ae-
tect the fallacy Of your reasoning ou
will give me leave, therefore, to oeieVe II
the information ofmy senses, ana 10 'e
your subtleties alone"
Besides, an argument may be true, an'
unanswerable because it Is true, yet, not p'
satisfactory; for it may be out weighed D.
other arguments, equally true and unan
swerable, and more satisfactory because o
more weight. This is the case as TO aI
questions depending on q balance OF prop
abilities; as questions of political eXpedlen
cvdo: of which this is one. But II W
were reduced to the alternative, to whlc
the gentleman from Tennessee would n
duce us, still / think we should not
compelled to adopt the resolution; for th'
reasoning, subtle and ingenious as it
almost Berkleyen, and imposing as it's,
first blush, will be found, upon closer G
animation and reflection, to be far tro
conclusive.
1t is altogether hypothetical, and the h
pothesis is no where supported. 1t is u
even attempted TO be supported in the !
port. In this way, you may prove a
thing; "supposito quo Tibet sequiter, q,iid
bd." lfyou are at liberty to make yo
premises what you please, you may ma
your conclusions what you please, a
make them necessary. II is hypotheti
altogether, as TO the nature and charac
of that body, the Congress at Panar
II supposes that body to be, or is to
come. a confederate organized sovereign
nossessing the prerogatives Of sovereign
possessing powers supreme ana hnal, on
SuOleCIS NllHll luc spHtiS Va rs
but that sphere TO be underlined, at ie
as far as we know. This IS impl
throughout the report; many passa
might be cited in proof will select
ly one as sample.
In page 4th, are these words: III
therefore, much 10 be desired, and
tanly to have been expected, that be
the deainies Of the Y. States should
ronmitted to the deliberation and dc
il of Congress, composed, not Of
oy citizens, but Of the Representative
many different nations that the oblcc
such deliberations should be mosi a
rately stated and defne' and clearly
distinctly marked out"
Clearly implying that our desti
would be committed 10 the decision
that body. in case we were represe
thero. If 90, tina, boly must have supr
and final powers on the subjects oil
deliberations: and these subjects must
volye the desiinies Of this country.
mus, be. as said before, a contede
oreanized, and absolute sovereignty
in the sphere ofits action, whatever
sphere might be. THIS IS the sup
ton Of the report: the assnmptlon'on
its reasonings arc bottomed; the prin
from which all its alarming dangers
deduced: and neither the reasomngs
eIe consequences can be 81. . 'rted OF
o,her supposItion. Now, If his were
nCt-if this Congress were. or Is to
eIgaaised sovereignty, as : IS assvm'