The Litchfield County post., 1827-02-23

but mere au aSAcu, anu ~ 10 a ptOpSA
inquiry, whether | am willing, now, to re-
state aud to settle anew all the accounts of
the revolution Whether 1 am willing to
make good the losses sustained by all other
descriptions of public creditors! And i'll
not. how distinguish the case of officers
from that of others frankly admit the
pertinency of this inquiry; and l say there
are grounds in my judgment, on which the
claims of the officers, being just in them
selves, are entitled to attention, although
il be impossible to re-settle all accounts, or
do Justice to alt creditors. And these
grounds are, first, the special and repeat
ed promises and assurances of Congress,
given in consideration ofthe indispensable
necessity of retaining the services of the
officers, and as peculiar and extraordinary
pledges of the faith of Government. Inthe
next place, there was no speculation in this
matter; the certificates were not purcha-
sed, otherwise than by laborious and per-
ilous service. But mainly, land to pass over
many other considerations, among claims
all strictly just, those for personal devotion,
the hazard of life, and the price of blood,
have preference over those founded on
mere property. Especially is it so in rev.
dictionary and civil war. The officers of
our army bore, in their property and for
tunes, what others bore. No tax, no bur-
den, escaped their shoulders to light on
those of others. They were citizens of
the country, and as such, had their full
share in what citizens suffered. But they
were soldiers also; and in that character,
not only hardships, but dangers, fell to
their lot in which others did not participate.
They were put forward to breast the storm
where it ragged with the greatest fury
They braved the dangers of the field which
is but common courage: but they braved
also the higher dangers arising from defeat
in civil war, the dangers of wronged repu-
tation, of illuminated memory, and igno-
minious death. Men of fixed principle, of
high honour, and ofsteady nerve, are alone
fcers of the Revolutionary Army land they
had been solicited into the service by eve
ry consideration which Congress could adj
dress to them. Look to the journals
Every page, almost, teens with proof of
the earnest and anxious desire of Congress
to draw into the service young gentlemen
of education and intellect. This was in
dispcnsibly necessary. An army was to be
formed in a country where there were few
officers who had been in service. 1t was
to be kept together, not SO much by mer-
cenary means, as by patriotism and at
tachment to the cause {: and that cause tie
officers never deserted till they saw it tri-
umphant.
Mr.. Speaker, advert to but one thing
more in the history of this army. 1t is
something SO prominent, that though we
were to shut our eyes against it, the whole
world would yet see it: monument of
their worth so solid that every coming
generation may contemplate it. mean
their conduct at the end of the war.
cannot well say how that scene of patri-
otism, tempted, yet not yielding of honor,
goaded by the sense of inustice, yet bear
ing itself with unquestioned loyalty; of
military power, proud in its victory,yet not
seduced by injury, by suffering, by power
ty, by real or supposed GOODNESS and neg
lect, to turn its sword against the parental
bosom Of the country.
The occurrence stands without prece-
dent. No other history shows it: and the
honor which it confers on our own annals
is worth more, far more, than we shall, or
indeed, than we could, now bestow. What,
sir, was the condition of the country at
that moment? A victorious army had res
cued her liberties from foreign foe. But
where were they held? There was no set
tied Government to check or control that
army. Victorious as it was, it was unpaid,
unfed, unclothed, unarmed. No!-it had
armed itself, and had arms in its hands. 1t
was, at that moment, the arbiter of your
fate :? And what did it do? Did it demand
redress for its own grievances? Did it hold
with significant grasp that sword which
had given it victory over the enemy? Did
it demand terms? Did it stipulate for pay
before it lost its power by disunion? Sir,
it disbanded itself; it stripped off its armor;
it laid down its sword. Unpaid as it was;
unclothed as it was; unprovided as it was.
for a days maintenance, it dissolved, at
the bidding of that voice of public liberty
which had originally formed it: and it lef,
the great and sacred cause of the Revolu-
ton unstained by single instance of mill
tary excess.
Sir, we are not the generation Of those
who achieved the Revolution. We enjoy
Il u -