Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-12-14

The following is the speech delivered by Mr..
Cock, q, late period Of high excitement IN
the Virginia Convention. The manly good
sense and patriotic good feeling which per-
,sdes il, are worthy Of sincere commentator,
and we'll worthy OF being remembered, and oi'
ted as an appropriate and honorable example
to be followed in all similar emergencies.
Sketch Of Mr.. Cooks remarks made on the I'd Dec
Mr.. Cook said, tia he deeply amented The
course which the debate had taken, and The
course whic it seemed about to take. From
nv soul, said he, 90 ! lsmentit
Listened, Mr.. Chairman, with respectful at
ten,ion, TO the exposition made by the gentle
man from Northampton, of his plan OF comprn,
mise basis OF representation in the Legislative
bodies. And had he deemed il necessary TO
| con sumo far greater portion OF our time IN
The explanation and development, Of his plan, l
should have listened, not with patience only,
but with pleasure. His plan is a ne,0 one, and
! therefore, requires development: 1T proposes
an amicabe adjustment, Of dangerous con-
! 'roversy, and therefore, demands from every
lover Of his country, patient and respectful
hearing
But, Sir, I listened, confess, with o,her
feelings. with feelings no, Of Impotence mere
iy, bu, Of heartfelt sorrow, 10 the angry decla-
nation OF the gentleman who followed him. |
did conceive, Sir, tina, the flag Of truce was hy-
ing aloft-,hat suspension Of hostiliiies had
been proclaimed; I cherished the ford bu, de-
lusive hope that the war was at an end. The
hope was indeed drlusive--for while he white
fas is still waving over our heads, The war has
recommended In the midst Of nego'ia ion,
he nG hattlp il raiseA orp
soush, % be inHsmed by angry denunci,,ions
We are told Of blood that is to be she'd, and Of
battles that are 10 he fought TO he Tough be-
tween whom? TO be Tough, between friends
coun, brethren!
Sir, i've gentleman who has uttered these an
cry declarations should have reflected. that,
even between belligerent ATOMS, The flag OF
truce is held sacred-that we are actually en-
gagged in negotiating comps omise and iha,
il is no, thus that we are bring our conflict
Jog pre- ensiohs to an amicsblr adjus men, -
Deeply-deeply, do l lament the course he has
purs sued
For myself, Mr. Chairman, I did suppose,
that al er a three weeks diseu, sion lad exhaust
ed all the topics which belong to the subjct II
the superintendent OF representation, further
debate, OF any sort, was superhuou,; and |
did, more especially, suppose, tbs polenaical de-
bate, while plans OF compromise were under
consideration, would be il ne highest degree
Dernicious. took it fer gianted that The
schemes OF compromise proposed by The gen.
llemen from Northampton and Chest rfr I'd,
would be deliberately developed, fully explain.
ed, and then accepted or rejected by sicn,
vote. deemed ii an evil augurv then, when
heard the gentleman from Chesterfield remark,
that these plans Of compromise would Civ.
birth 70 "a strenuous debate"
What good purpose, | wnuld ask him, can
discussion occasion. Tn plans Of compro.
misc proposed by 'ne gentlr II The mid
die and western country; by he member from
Northampton, and by himself, involve no ele-
msnt Of rspresen a'ion which was not fully IN
de- God BY every member OF she COMMITTEE
They involve topics 90, mus BE- permitted %
say, which have aresdy eliei,ed, and whose
d,scusslon will again stir up the angry passions
OF this excitsol- BODY ~ implore the gentle
man from Ches,st To cDntent himself will
an exposition Of his plan Of compromise, Offer
ed. believe with sincere view 10 the adjust
ment OF The points in dispute, and to a5an
don for the sake Of peace his express purpose
Of making them the subjec, of"a strenuous de.
bate" | would say TO that gentleman, in The
words OF his fa,ori'e author,
-Inceds per ignes
Suppostos cineri dooso.
would warn him, that there arc fires con,
cealed,' under The 'dectiiful ashes over which
he rashly proposes TO tread. Tha, by pursu.
ing the course he contempIarcs, he will kindle
again the hslf-extinguished flames of Gisc ord,
and run The risk Of frustrating The obiec, so
dear to us ell. again enireai him 70 abandon
his purpose Of DEBATING the proposition. be.
fore Us.
Let us have no more "s,renuous debates" on
this subject at leas,,-let Us express. by our
vo,es our deliberate opinions as 10 their merits.
II, unhappiiy, il shall b. found that'we can a.
gree on nothing, le, US, =, Iess,, par: in peace.
Let US MOI inHame our imsgina,ions and our
passions by dsclaiming abou wars ,hs, are ne.
yer to b- w-ged, and about battles tina, are ne.
YER to be- fought.