Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-06-13

and support of the, whole together. On poi"'
this Sort, and under circumstances such as
those IN which we were placed, tits not strange
different minds should incline different
ways. II gives me great pleasure to bear les,
timony TO the conslancy, the Intelligence, ana
the conscious fidelity with which my colleague
discharged his public duty, in reference to TINS
subject. / am happy also TO have the oppor'u'
niry Of saying, that if the bill had been present.
ed 10 me, in the form it was in when II receiV-
ed q negative vote from the distinguished Heh-
tleman who represents this District, my OWN.
pinion OF il would have en,irely concurred win
his and I should have voted in the same man
ner.
The meeting will indulge me with Que turin.
er remark, before parting from TINS SUBJECT i
is only the suggestion, that in the place occp'
pied i was one Of the Representatives OF the
whole Commonw. al,h. was not at liberty
10 look exclusively 10 the interests OF the DIS
trio, i'm which l live, and which l have heretos
fore had the high honor Of representing. was
to extend my view from Barns!able TO brrk-
shire;-to comprehend in it a proper respeeuor
all opinions. Looking to the aggregate Of all
the interests Of The Commonwealth, and regard
ing the general current OF opinion, so Tar ssthat
was properly TO be respected, saw-at least !
thought / saw-my duty TO lie in the path
which | pursued. The Measure is adopted.
Its consequences, for good or evil, must be left
10 the results Of experience In the mean lime
| refer The propriety OF the vote which gave
with entire submission, and with the utmost
cheerfulress also, to The judgment of the good
people Of the commonwealth.
On some other subjects, MIR. President, had
the good fortune to act in perfect union with
my Colleague, and with every Representative
of the Stale; On one, especially, the success Vi
Of which, | am sure, must have grained every
one who hears me. l could not, Sir, have met
this meeting here, | could not have raised my
voice in Faneuil Hall-you would have aw.
ed me down-if you had not. the pictures Of
Patriots which adorn these walls would have
frowned me into silence, if had refused either
my vote or my voice TO the cause OF the officers
and soldiers Of the Revolutionary army. That
me assure, mixed up Of justice and charity and
mercy, is al last accomplished. The survivors
among those who fought our Revolutionary
battles, under an engagement 10 see the con
lest through, are at length provided for, no,
sump'uously, not eX'ravagantly, but In a man.
ner to place them, in their old age, Be yon the
re ich Of absolute want, Solace, also, has been
administered 20 thrir feelings, as well as to their
hecessi, les. L hey are not left to count their
sears, or 10 experience the pain OF wounds, Ill
f!r'ed half a century ago., III their counuy's
service, without some token, that they are yet
held in grateful remembrance. a gratifying
proof Of Re spectfrr the services Of their youth
and MAJ hood Q%uickens the p"isa,ionN OF patr'-
otin,ism, in veteran bosoms; and as they may
now iv" beyond the reach OF absolute want, SO
they will have the pleasure Of ,los'ng lie, when
that time for ~closi,g it shall come, which must
cumc, with The happ, consciousness Of merito-
ricus s~ereices, gracefully recompensrd.
Another subject, now becoming exceedingly
Interesting, was, in various forms, presented 10
Congress at the last session; and In regard To
which, | believe, there is, substantially, a gene
RI union of opinion among the members from
this commonwealth. ! mean what is common
ly called Internal Improvements. The grra,
and g'owing importance of this subject may,
| hope, Justify a few remarks relative 10 il, on
the present occasion.
1t was e,icent to all persons OF much obser-
Walton. at the close Of the last war, that the
ooadi'ion and lhr prospects Of the Z, States
hal become essenti lily changed, in regard to
sunday ggea, interests of The country. Almost
from the commencement OF The government,
down near 10 the commencement OF tina, war,
The U States had occupied a position Of singu
IL eAlIaOiuiua'y 3E'aS' H) h"H
been at peace, while the powers Of Europe had
been at war. This harvest Of neutrality had
been to them rich and ample, and they had
reaped il, with skill and diligence. Their ag
~riculture and NJ had both felt sensiDIy
The benefit arising from the existing state Of
the wol Id. Bread was RAISED for them, whose
hands were otherwise employed Than in the
cultivation Of the field, and The seas were navi
gated, for accoun, Of such, as being bellIgerent,
could rot safely navigate them for themselves.
These opportunities for useful employments
were all seized, and enjoyed by he cu,' rprise Of
The country; and a high degree Of prosperity was
the natural result.
But with general peace a new state Of things
arose. The European states at once turned
their own attention to the pursuits proper for
their new situation, ann sough: 70 extent their
own agricultural, manufacturing, and CONNER
cial interests. Il was evident, that ,hentefor.
ward, instead Of enjoying The advantages pecu-
liar 10 neutrality, in times Of war, a general
competition would spring up, aud nothing was
10 be expected without a struggle. Other ma
lions would now raise their own bread ard as