Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-01-19


led on him 10 perform his promise IN manner
SO imperative, as TO raise that spirit OF oppo-
sition which is usually excited by that simple
cause.-the fact is,s,hat the gentleman does
not stand to him in the relation oil either friend
or enemy. He did not imagine that he was
himself man Of SO much consequence as 10
make his enmity or friendship thing OF
any consequence He begged pardon Of the
gentleman; and promised .ha,he never would
offend him in that, or any other way, again.
Mr.. Weems after few remarks said he
would give way, hoping the gentleman from
Ohio and kentucky would come 10 comprom-
Use as TO the resolution and amendment. Mr..
Wright spoke against striking out. Sir, said
he they all tell you've want all the facts-
all the documents; but we would shut the door
opon the opinions uf the Secretary, or his ar
garments. /, TOO, want The facts, and doeu.
ments, and no opinions or arguments; and will
not any gentleman perceive, who will take the
trouble TO read over that part Of The resolution
proposed 10 be struck OUT, that these argu.>
menls are directed against matter which has
no existence in fact? Sir, is il argument or
opinion, to furnish us with copies Of The cores
pondence with the Governor OF tennessee
is i, argument or opinion 10 furnish copy OF
the Executive order to continue the militia III.
service longer than three months! Or Will II
be said to be argument opinion, II no Ike
cu,ive order exists, TO certify that single fact
10 the Hous,. Surely no gentleman will pre-
tend This either; yel we have heard, much OF a
desire TO give all the facts and documents, and
TO withhold only opinons. Let US have all the
documents and all the facts, How will The
case stand before the country, If tie MOTION
prt vail, and gentlemen deny the Information
sought. We NAV be told, if the Information
obtained bears hard on any individual, that u
the whole correspondence between the ar
Department and the Governor Of tennessee
had been published, the country wouiu nave
found ample evidence to justify either The
Governor, or any militia officer, acting unIer
him. for retaining the militia IN queslloh LOT
six instead of three months; and u we nave no'
an express certificate from the proper othceT'
that no order Of The President exist, II may be
said il has been Withdrawn therefore want
the whole information, correspondence and
documents wish an opportunity OF Judging
for Inystl If what they con,ain-to have the hgh'
she'd uron my own mind, thai may form an
opinion myself. ! do not believe, ol', Tor
could not inpugn any mans motives, there
can be single gentleman on this floor, VINO
would withhold the Information sought tor, u
he understood The subject.
Mr.. Wickifft then modified his amendment,
by confning his motion strike out only the
following: "and 10 furnish copies Of any order
of the Presiden, or Secretary Of War, by which
in the exercise Of Tie discretion vested III the
President by the 9Th secion OF the act Of lo1h
Apiil, 1914, the term Of service of the lennes-
e., miljti, may have been extended beyond
mon hs; and if no such order exists on the ti'es
Of the " ar Department., 10 state that Tact TO
this House.
Mr.. Slime then further modified his reso!u-
ZION, by striking GU, the following: "and II no
such order exists on the files of The War De-
nar,ment, 10 STATE that fact to this House.
being part o! the words embraced IN MT.
Wh klffes modi6"d molion 10 strike out.
Mr. Burgess expressed his regret that the CTS
cussion should have taken SO wide u range
1t " as generally understood that copies oil do
cumpnts from the d, par,menrs were not at"
:aiuable but by legislative order, or call from
either of the Houses. 1t would occupy too
much time TO-, make copies indiscrimina'ely,
for the use Of The public. 1t was Impossible
that those matters oil record should go 10 The
public. but through the medium of Congress.
| The ou, sion then was, whether this Intorma'
ton should correctly go 10 the public.
Hr had seen it, and read il, Tor II was pup.
lished in those vehicles HIGH We were accus.
toned TO peruse from childhood and man
hood: and from which we derive our strongest
impre s,ion--in the daily Journals, that mill
tia men had been executed, and shat 1t was
illegally done. The question whether 1t was
legally done or not, was one Of great anxiety to
the public. The individual who is 'mp'ie ated
in the act, is one who fills large space IN lhe
,ublic eve. He would ask If there Is any OBJ
lection towards getting every information
which was necessary to satisfy the public
curiosity for such he would call it, height
ened curiosity? With what proprlety could
gentlemen lay their hands on any OF the facts,
aud say they shall not go to their constituents
II there was any information which Toe wish
ed, If any hat friend wished, II ought rot %
be kept back. He would be content that the
whole should be submitted to two persons; the
one friend, the other foe, and that they
should be permitted 10 select for publication
He bad no fear that the publication OF The facts
would have the effect 70 CONVEX, tbs Hall into
an arena for rladiato,s He thought better oil
the country, and Of every one around him, tnan
to fear that either the sword or the dirk oil The
gladiator, or the pistol Of the assassin would
I