Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-06-18

After the second toast was drank, (pubished In
ur ,ast) Mr.. burgess rose and addressed the COM
.pany as follows:
DI,.. President and Gentlemen: 8 49,.
Permit me to thank you for this meeting. Your
invitation, the entertainment hero provided, the
persons collected around these tables, the sentiment
lust uttered and so received, above all, so many
countenances turned on me with looks OF approba-
ton and such hearts, beating throughout this throng
ed Hall, with esteem and kindness for me, demand
a reciprocal ion Of all l feel, and more, much
more than Team say. Every thing around me comes
home to my heart, warmed with your generous ap-
yrobation. will not tell you, for have not words
equal 10 attempt to tell you, how much am delight
cd with this occasion, and the demonstrations of
this day. 1t is not in man, who labors for his fe
low man, to be cold or Indifferent to those acts OF
courtesy which give notice to us, that the re.
auirements Of just expectation, from us have been
fully satisfied. There is gentlemen, own it, there
is to me aspect of plessantness in the eye, the
countenance Of approval, found in any other form
or expression Of human features there is melody
Of sound IN the voice OF commentator, which may
be listened after in vain, in all other intonaions OF
human utterance. Aflcr the appreciation Of cur own
minds and the higher hope of what is more cheering
than all human reward, mercy from the Eternal !;
after these nothing earthly to be either sought, or
acquired, can transcend the appreciation Of those,
our fellow who have known long, and fairly es
tmated all our doings. Again, Mr.. President ami
gentlemen, let me thank you; for have nothing
have received and for what value above all price
Your very liberal way of estimating, any public
services, done by me, will not only excuse some
explanation Of that service, but seems to cal for
brief 81 aicment Of the more important transactions
of our national government. To you, need not
say, that those who regard the whole business OF
Congress, as the mere enactment Of laws, are not
altogether Just 10 the national legislature. Such
men consider debating, and voting, as the only Ia
hours Of a representative; and set down the hours,
ss, tI,ah hall hnsp only m
al service. This opinion is erroneous. Moro than
thirty committees, and almost all Of sevon members
each, are employed by the House ofRepresentaives,
in the examination and report OF serious FACTS These
reports contain a statement Of all the public and
pryate questions b, ought before that part Of Con-
eress, and are, whether acted upon Immediately, or
left for future consideration printed, and copies oil
thom distributed to the people, or deposited among
tho archives Of the House, for the aid OF future la
bourers, in the public service. No man can have
aBy adequate idea of the time consumed in this work
saless he has examined the documents produced by
IT.
Some men too have censured the character, as
we'll as the length Of debate, in the Hall Of their ma
t;onal Representatives. The man to whom you
this moment giving your very friendly audience, has
been distinguished by some share in this ccnsure.
Suffer nc, by plain matter Of fact, to balance the
account for my individual dividend in thai disribu-
tiou Of public honors. What have said, concern
ins myself with any asperity, said in defence OF
your Representative; aad what may have so said
an regard any part Of country, said in de-
fence Of New England, and New England men Of
Rhode Island and Rhode Island men ofmy friends,
my constituents whose interest and honor have never
been postponed to any considerations merely person.
al to myself Concerning the protraction Of debate,
Ct is the necessary result of diversity Of opinion, Of
various, and at times, Of really apparently con-
dieting interest. II is inseperaby connected with
that liberty, so dear to us all, and 50 perfectly
wrought into the entire fabric Of all institutions.
The freedom, Of debate, tho freedom Of tho press,
and the freedom Of the citizen, live, and they will
die together. They are like all things human /:
some evils, in the pilgrimage OF life, travel in COM
pany with all blessings. Place a dcspot at
fhe head Of your government give him but military
dominion, and the session of your Congress would
be shortened 10 tho dur alton of Divan. You would
be relieved from the evils Of debate and OF tho press
and your liberties would be as secure the head
Of Turk an Algerinc.
He, who would speak Of the administration Of our
national government, should never forget, that this
government established, for the " general well
fare" This principle embraces each, and every gen.
oral, and individual interest, in the nation. Ator
the security ofifc, liberty, and property to all; it
will be found that all interests fall under one,
another Of three great divisions They are, eltho.
agricultural, manufacturing, commercial. All la
Dor and capital employed either IN drawing from
the earth In the largest meaning OF that word, the
materials for human use: in fabrcating those ma
tcrias into forms, suitable TO subscrvc such use
Or in the purchase transportation and sale for such
uss OF all the infinite variety ofsuch fabrics Neither
the plough the loom, the SAIL should be made tr-
butary; OF aay ono Of them to any other. Each rs
sgusly entitled TO receive and therefore, all shoult
equally receive tho encouragement, and protection
Of the laws. II Is not wonderful that won should
love agriculture. A hind of independence aud pleas
srs ere, IN sc cs,instioa Of all mon, found IN 'his