Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-02-26

may possess. au exemplary irugllty IS not one Oi
them. There are many persons IN this country VINO
have not regarded the last administration rs mo
dol of public economy. II they were obnoxious to
the charge Of extravaganza, what must be said o.
the p, esent administration! And yet the honorable
gentleman from Massachusetts, in his pathetic
summary of the wrongs and prosecutions oil the
present administration, specially complained OF thi
charge of eXtravagancc. He seemed 10 think II q
very hard case that those, whom he considered
Slc good stewards of The public resources, should
DC regarded by others rather deficient in some
Of the attributes of that character He complain
ed, too, that the members Of the cabinet, whom he
oulogizcd for their distinguished talents, tier wis
dom, their virtues their public services, had been
viewed and spoken of with less admiration by 9th
ers;-snd set all this down TO the account OF per
scouting spirit.
Sir, do not know legitimate subject for
difference OF opnon than the talents and merits oil
public men. L will not say what may think of
the talents of tho present cabinet, because feel
that 10 give an opinion, upon that point, any
weight, he who prouounces it must have some
preensions TO talents himself. But, surely, those
who are competent 10 Judge, and who do tot regard
the abilities OF the cabinet i'll the same favorable
light that the gentleman from Massachusetts, does,
may be permitted TO express their opinions, with
out mourning the charge OF persecution. What
would the honorable gentleman do! Would he
suppress all freedom OF opinion: viii ne refuse TO
make any allowance for inevitable differences OF
Judgment? No, Sir, rather, should hope, would he
take the advice of MIR. Jefferson, and permit these
dcluded unfortunates 20 remain 9" monuments
Of the safety with which error of oPuon may be
tolerated, while reason is LEFT tree TO combat it,
The recurrence of this venerable name reminds
me of duty, which the introduction, had al
most said, the m,hGN0,ccd introduction OF il, by
the gentleman from Massachusetts, imposes upon
me. Sir, that gentleman, while dcscantng OH the
subject of the Billiard Table, brought in the name
of Mr.. Jefferson authority for this courtly pas
time, and stated he hod been informed that Mr.
Jefferson had proposed TO introduce ii at the Uni
/ 81.
dents. If it had not been for this ailusion, GER
tainiy should have iorborne 10 say any thing upon
a theme already sufficiently hackneyed. But
standing in the relation i'll which did to that Illus
trious man. as his neighbor, his too much honored
friend, and protege-standing too, III the relation In
which do To that Institutions which was the pride
and bantiing OF ais old age, feel that ought not
| 10 permit the remark of the gentleman from Mas
sacllusctts TO pass without correction.
! Sir, Mr. jefferson was aveIse to all games OF
| fashionable dissipation. l believe he never play
cd at them himself. / am sure he always dscour-
aged them in others. His principle, iii regard to
amuscments,-for he was philosopher even IN
| his amusencnts,-yyas to make them, while they
exercised the body and recreated the mind sub
servient to some useful end TO the discharge OF
some practical duty. Hence his own favoritc a.
musements were found in the surerintendencc oil
his farm, and in the cultivation of his garden; and
when the weather such DIS to prevent him from
taking his usual exercises without doors, On which
case some gentlemen have said that the Billiard
Table might be a very proper amusement, even Tor
'most potent, grave, and reverend seigniors" o.
state his habit was TO occupo himself with the Ia
Lors OF the workshop.
AS every thing, however minute which relates
Il TO the personal habits of man like Mr.. Jefferson
is interesting, shall not be deemed tedious, am
sure, in mentioning the fact, known TO you, Mr.
Speaker, and others, well myself, that in
room, adjoining his bed chamber, he kept work
bench and 4 set of carpenters tools, with which
he employed himself, whe,.> ever the weather con
lined him to the house, i'll iabricatng articles OF
domestic accommodation; and that many speci-
mems oil this kind now remain in his family, &c
attest his ingenuity, his industry, and the print
tive simplicity OF his habits Whether the sage
OF Monticello at his work bench, or the Prerident
OF the u States at the Billiard Table, would pre-
sent the best moral lesson the spectacle Of truest
sublimity, it is not for me to say
Sir, the same views which directed Mr.. JEFF
terson in his own amusements, governed him in
recommending amusenents to others He never
lost sight OF the great principle of utility. In
gard TO scheme of amusements for the Universe
ty, l know he proposed the annexation OF an cr-
perine,idt fam, to it, that the students, in taking
the exercise necessary for their heathS, should
become acquainted with the Offices os rural labor:
he proposed, also, the establishment OF work
shop, that they might become familiar with the
processes OF mechanical skill and, il the gentle
man from Massachusetts will pardon me for men
tioning the fact he even recommended the ex-
ercises OF the Campus .fartius. Yes, sir, in the
spirit of Virginia Bill of Rights, which declares
that ga well-regulated militia, composed Of the
whole body OF our people, trained to arms, Is the
proper defence OF every free State" and recog-
nsing the paramount obligation of every citizen to
devote his person and life TO the defence of his
country, he proposed to introduce the performance
OF military exercises, part OF the anusement-
of the University, that the accomplishments of the
soldier mighs be superadded to the attainments oil
the scholar and this he did without the slightest
apprehension of fostering military spirit, pro-
ducing race of - Military Cbieftans," who were
70 DC the future desIroyers Of the liberties Of theiI
country.
1t would seem, Mr.. Speaker, from what has
been said by the friends Of the Administration in
the course of this discussion, that they expected
by the destinations of their eioqnence, TO cheat us
of the evidence Of our senses They have exhib-
tied such delightful pictures Of the peace and hap
piness of the country, and of the wisdom and bene-
hcence of our rulers, th,t one would think we
were in the midst of political millennium; and
when notes of discomfort break upon the ear, we
turn, with establishment, TO from what hidden
and malignant source the unweicome sound pro-
cceds, least OF all supposng thatit can be the voice
vi the people. The gentleman from Pennsylvania
Mr.. Sergeant, consummatcd the climax Of poetry
and praise by telling that in after ages the pat
riots of the land will look back 70 these times with
mixed admiration and regret, as he pure and hap
lPy dag @1 the Republic!
Upon what principle the gentleman from Penn
'ylyania can represent those the pure and hap
py days of repuJtc, in which, for the first time
'he great body Of the people have become divided
from the government, utterly at 4 loss e
conceive. When before has il happened, that the
people Of this country, during the existence Of an
administration, have returned 20 both Houses Of
Congress majority opposed 70 that administration
Even the elder Mr. Adams, Odious as his Admins
ration had become, retained q majority in both
branches OF the Legislature TO the very last. Il
this unprecedented popular isconteut then, with
out any cause?
Sir, ! had been taught TO believe, that the con.