The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1828-04-24
PORTRAIT OF GEORGE MeDUFrlD

nr Mcfuuie Is extracted from speech ot
mr.. BuHGrs, OF Rhode Island, delivered in the
House of Representatives on ,he 9th instant !:
the style of the performance is Original and
exceedingly bold, +" the symstry OF is parts
sosn kept up, We recommend the piciuro
amateur'- l"ws the People"
Mr.. BURGES. Iwould not rob the gen.
tleman OF any OF his claims to origirali,y.
Since he came into public life, he hse eer-
tsiuy discovered mind not altogether
barren and can call up a numerous family
of political sophlsms, legitmately, ana ia
oil their feans>s, xecu,iaily his own.
Move thsn thisS esntct allow 10 him HIS
tecmrg genius could neye, have produced,
+" A repor, on the state Of the Finances
had there never been any intercourse lc.
tween him and the ma sculins sbsurdty OF
the Boston Report. The gentleman accu-
ses me of making this accusation against
him insidiously. IL is no part OF my char
actor 10 do so; and the gentleman knows
that his allegation bas no connexion with
the fact. said II openly on this floor.
have II in print, and ] sent copy OF tho
whole speech to him for his pcrusal Had
the present ctiusion o' his r. mus, and tho
genllemaply accomplishment, been poured
out upon me then should have looked for
the source of il in the fiery and combrstbls
elements OF his nature. The generously
passionate temper Of southern cimo can
furnish no such apology for tha, cautious
malevolence which hes in wait ten dnys
and pights and then suddenly uncoils and
aims her iahgs al the unexPectlng adver-
sary. The gentleman says ! have somo
character for some leaning. thank his
courtesy but would have preferred the ap-
probation of a less questionable authority.
Whatsoever progress he may have mnde in
science or letters, he seems not 10 have A.
dopted the style OF speaking common 10
scholars and gentlemen. He who could
use terms of vulgar abuse such as he hao
used to me, before this House and this ma
ton, places himself below the reach of any
rebuke from my togue.
Mr.. BuR6rs contnued-he knew not if
"the grave rebuke, severe in youthful beau
ty," Of the gentleman from South Carolina
(Mr. McDuffie) should seal his lips. Had
his rude and vulgar assault any ofihs ordi
nary apologies Of suddenly exerted and un
controlablo anger, said Mr. B., could pnss
II by like any other freak Of psssionrted
boyhood. He has carefully removed all
the steps by which he descended and rem
dered II impossible Tor excuse or pnllis,on
to follow him. The words uttered by ma
were uttered here in my place, and exnc,-
" as they were then written. and are nc-v
printed then accused HIM OF the pisgar-
ism which has given hin, so much annoy
ance. lie neither interrupted, nor rive
me any reply. This was on the 2Slh March
lie daily met me with thet kind ofcourtcsy
which the nature ofour very slight ncqUsin-
tance uuthorired. Why not rebuke mo
then, when the offence Was fresh uron mc ?
+" He reserved himself, he says. I'll this
.imc." For ten days the honorable pertle-
man has been breathing over the cub crr or
his smouldern z malice, and cnkind NJ the
sooiy magazine OF a heart never runarka-
BILE for much generosity ofpurpose or kind
liDcss Of movement. Hc has coubijcpS
spent sundry hours Of h's time in the plhas-
ant exercise Of selecting suitable plrsres
wherein to get his bright and sparkling
thoughts. This parade Of prtpsfal IN has
been made, and the stcnogrophers called 10
mark hun, and write his speech in their
books" for the very purpose Of abusing "A
very old man." He says have stated
"falsehoods and uttered SANDERS, I" concern
ing his authorship ofhis report on the fnau.
ces IL this the result Of all his parade
and dreadful note fprepsrstion7n Why,
sir, sturdy bcRgar, had he been equally
regardless Of decency, might have said he
same things extempore. He ~ my elder
in parliamentary life; but cannot persuade
myself into any imitation Of his rules Of de-
corum, or his manner OF prac, ,ising them in
debate, either st other times or on this oc-
casion. II would, and the gentleman GER
tnnly knows il, be very unbec oming me 10
say what might be very Appropriately ssid
ofhim. The gentleman seems TO claim the
whole right 70 himself Few men wonld,
I believe. pira,e upon this property. 1hs
foe simple Of the honorable gentleman, in
hls principles. opinions and thoughts. to-
geihcr Wiih his oirn manner OF expressing
them, " III never be feloniously invaded by
any person of sound mind, or having the
fcor of God before his eyes" He soys,
" What he j.. he is himself" Why, sir,
do noi question this. lie is himself; and
n lthct he olaIy other person will ever mis-.
IA ke him fot rpy body else The honora-
bio gentleman need not fear being last in
The ordinary samples ofexistcDce. His in
d,yidualny is secure. II is very probable
there IL bnt this one specimen in the whole
mass Of moral, intellectual, and pbysica
being. With what other thing could he bl
confounded Men would as soon mistake
the frey elements. angry action, ard fe
rocibus yissge of wild cat for the gentle
blood and peaceful eountensnce Of the
lamb.
The gentleman alleges against me. gross
ignorance OF ordinary books on political e.
economy. Adam Smith has. ! know. IN ons
short passage, asserted, that imposts ens-
bles the home producer TO add the amount