Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-02-09
CONGRESSIONAL DEBATES.
Mr.. E

OBSERVATIONS on the suDJect oil Mr.. Chttons
resolutions.
Mr.. PEARcE said, he was in favor Of the re-
solution; but he was free to say, that he was in
duced to do SO from the reasons which seemed
to operate upon others. He was for it, because
he wished TO see all the acts OF the Administra-
ton investigated; in borrowed language, "all
their acts are written with sun beams, that the
world may read them" He believed that the
whole Of the resources of the country which
were properly applicable TO that object. are ap-
piled to the reduction Of the national debt. II
was not therefore to expedite that measure, that
he voted for this resolution. Nor was il be-
cause he desired to reduce offices, or the salaries
Of officers. As to the debt, there are circum'
stances which will Justify it; and however I'M
popular The doctrine, if it is not q blessing,
there might be circumsi ances undor which it
should not be liquidated. Part of 1t only may
belong 10 US; and the other part may belong 10
posterity.--Such he believed to have been the
feeling Of our ancestors. They fought through
the war, and left it to posteriiy to pay the debt
that debt we in part have to pay; and the debts
we may now incur, should, IN like manner, be
left to our posierity to pay. He put a case,
that in tho purchase ofa territory, the debt in.
Cured ought to fall equally on %futuri,y, as on
the present times, as all ages will be equally
benefited by its results. Upon this principle,
part of our public debt is left for US, while part
may as reasonably belong to those who come
after US. He admitted, however as an abstract
proposition, that il is better to be without debt.
II was said that we ought to be out Of debt,
that We may be prepared for war. If we had
looked only to our freedom from debt, where
would have been the Notifications, our navy
and all those public improvements in roads, ca
mails, and breakwaters, which prepare us for
war? In consequence Of the appropriations
for these objects, VIZ have not been able 10 pay
off the debt 80 fast as we otherwise might Eave
done. In the course OF the discussion, the
country is compared to a family. whose head If
wise, would keep out Of debt. This is not al
ways vice. Suppose he buys a farm Of wood
land, and builds houses: his land is productive,
and it's markets are steady. Shall he, while his
circumstances are improving, sell his estate in
order to pay off the arrear which may be upon
il, and when he could as well liquidate it by
degrees: 1t is not in the power of the govern
mont to redeem the debt faster than it becomes
Y~edesmable. He was induced, then TO vote
for the resolution, not for the reasons which
had been thrown out by others, but be-
cause he desired to see the acts Of tho Admin
~istration examined. It had been said that the
doctrine of a national debt beng a national
blessing, was held by the elder Adams. and was
also held by the son. That doctrine was in
deed held by Governor Morris, Of New York;
but he never knew that it was held by Mr..
Adams.
While referring to the reasons of others he
made an allusion 10 what had fallen from .lo
gentleman from Maryland, (Mr. Barney,) he
was not disposed 10 say that, like him, he was
disposed to 60 into re~trenchmcnt, as far as he
who dares 60 farthest. He must first know
how far that would be. He would 60 as far as
he could judiciously 60. AS 10 the course of
the Committee. ne thought il ought 10 include
say either that it is too much, or too little, but
he wished investigation. He would not 60
with the gentleman from Maryland, so far as
to say that the Representatives Of the people
should come here without compensation. If he
understood that gentleman, his course would
result in bringing the richest men here, to the ex-
clusion Of men of moderate means. The House
had been told by the gentleman from Tennessee,
tina: he had sacrificed a pra ctice which brought
him in one year, more than the per diem for
twenty years. Great must be his patriotism
who comes here under such sacrifices.
Asto attack on West Point, knowing some
thing of the institution, and those who are there,
he pronounced the statemen against it un
founded. It had been called a monarchical in
sttution; only for the sons Of the rich. AS far
as his " knowledge went, those admitted
from the State Of Rhode Island, neither the sons
Of the wealthy, nor Of members Of Congress-,
were there. He referred to one OF the orders
Of the commander in chief; and to another
Young man from this District, who had been at
the head Of his class. When he himself was at
West Point, on q visit, no saw tho son Of q SER
aeant at tho head Of his class. How, then,
can il DO said that this is a school exclusively
for tho sons Of the wealthy. He once was OF
tho opinion that it ought to be a charity school,
exclusively for the poor; but, in conversation
with the present Vice President he was %convlnc-
cd Of his error. The association Of the son OF
the Sergeant and the son Of the Senator, IS the
best commentary on our institutions; and shows
that" worth makes the man."
He believed that the administration Of the
school was good. He would send his son will
lingly to this school; and il he had the wealth
of his friend in his eye-he had a right TO call
him his friend, for his benevolence made him the
friend Of mankind-he could not, Ike him, have
sent his son TO a private school, but to this in
stitution, TO show him that he wss only on a
level with the son Of the poor man. He refer
red to the sons Of distinguished men who had
bcen dismissed from the Academy for inability
and in order 10 show that 1t is only merit and
talent which can ensure elevation.
IT YOU destroy this school, SAID he, you take
away half the glory Of John G. Calhoun, who
had been 30 active in his endeavors 10 place II
on a proper foundation, He referred 10 the
disasters of the late war. caused by circum-
stanccs Of which il is the object Of tbK acade-
nv TO prevent the recurrence. Perhaps ne was
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