Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1830-02-24

her own account defence of her maritime rontisr,
ordered brigade Of State troops TO be raised, and
when left to protect herself by her own never
suffered the enemy TO touch her soil, without being
instantly driven of or captured.
Such. sir, was tho conduct of the Soutl-such the
conduct VI my own State in that dark hour switch
tried mems souls" 80 sax 80,
When look back and contemplate the spectacle
exhibited at that tine in another quarter Of Unon
when think Of the conduct Of certain portions of New
England, aud remember the part which wac acted on
that memorable occasion by the political associates
of tue gentleman from Massachusetts-nay, when
follow that gentleman into the councils Of the nation,
and listen to his voice during the darkest period OF
the war. am indeed astonshed that he should ven
to touch upon the topics which he has Introduced
into this debate. South Carolina reproached by Mas
sachusetts! And from whom does the accusation
come. Not from the democracy Of New England;
for they have been in times past, they the
friends and allies Of the South No, cir, the
ton comes from that party whose acts, during the
most trying and eventfnl period OF our national his
tory were of such character. that their Legis
lature, but few years ago, actually bioted them out
from their records, as stain upon tho honor Of the
country. But irow can they be blotted from
the recollection of any one who had heart 10 feel
events of thai Sir, shall not attempt to write
the history OF the party in New England, to which
auded-the war party in peace, and the peace part,
in war That task shall leave 10 some future biog
rapher Of Nathan Dane, snd doubt not 1t will b.
found quito easy to prove that tho peace party o.
Massachusetts were the only defenders Of their coun
try, during the war, and actually achieved all our
victories, by land and sea. In the moan time, sir
with the feeble and glimncring lights which pos
sess, to review the conduct Of this party in connec
tion with the war, and the events which immcdiael,
preceded it.
quarrel with Great Britain, her depredatons oil
Northern Commerce. and the iunpressment of. New
England sedmcn. From every quarter we were Gull
ed upon for protection. Imp0rtu nate as the West il
fedt IN I,or<,t h.,
tunity Of the East that occasion was far greater
hold in my hands the evidence OF the fact. Herr
are petitions, memorials and responsiveness, from al
parts of New England setting forth the Injustice thu
expressions, and the depredations- insul,s-tht
outrages, committed by Great Britain, against the
| unotending commerce and seamen of New England
and calling upon Congress for redress. Sir. canno
stop to read these memorials. In that from Boston
afier stating the alarming aud extensive condemna
ton of our vessels by Great Britain which threatened
"to sweep our commerce from the face of tho Ocean
and TO involve our merchants in bankruptcy" they
called upon the Government ito assert our rights ant
to adopt such measures will suppo the dignity unt
| honor Of the United States"
| From Salem VIC heard language still moro dcci
sive they call explicitly for san appeal ARMS" ant
pledge their lives and property, in support of an,
measures which Congress might adopt From Nep
buryport an appeal was made ito the firmness ant
justice OF the government, TO obtain compcnsato,
and protection" 1t was here, think that when the
war declared, it resolved .to resist orr owr
government, even unto blood" (Ove Branch, D
ll0i)
In other quarters, the common language of tina
day was, that our commerce and our seamen wer,
entitled to protection, and that il the duty of the
government to afford it at every ha zard The con
duct Of Great Britain we were then told, was "ar
outrage upon our national Independence" These
camors, which commenced as early as January, 1906
were continued up to 1912. In message from the
Governor Of one of the New England States as lat,
as the 10th October, 13II this language is held: 81
manly and decisive course has become indispensable
"a course to satisfy foreso nations, that while We
desire peace, we have the means and the spir ts
repci aggression" "Wc false to ourselves wher
our commerce our territory is invaded with impu
nifty" sap.
was observable, in the tone and temper of those who
had been cndeavorng to force the country into war
The language ofcomplaint was changed into that of
INSULT and calls for protection, converted into re-
proachcs. "Smoke snoke," (says one writer, "my
life on it our Executive have no more idea of declar
ing war than my GRANDMOTHER" "The Committee
of Ways and Means" (says another shave come out
with their pandora's Box oftaxes yet nobody dreams
ttey dare not" But why multiply examples An
honorable member of the other House. from the citv
of Boston, Mr Quncy) in speech, delivered on the
Sd OF April 1e12 says "Neither promises nor threats
that you will go to war. The navigation States are
sacrificed, and the spirit and character of he country
Frustrated, by fear and auarice" sYou cannot fsaid
the same gentleman on another occasion) "be kicked
into a todr."
Well, sir, the at length came, and what do; We
behold The very men who had been for six years
clamorous for var, and for whose protection il was
waged, became at once equally clamorous against it,
Ihey mad received a miraculous visitation; a new
light suddenly beamcd upon their minds; the scales
fell from their eyes and it was discovered that the
war was declared from 'subserviency to France:"
and that Congress and the Executive 'had sold them
serves 10 Napoleon" that Great Britain had, in fact
'done US no essential injury" that ''shc was the bull
wark OF our religions" that where "she took one of
our ships she protected twenty; and that elf Great
Britain had impressed few of our seamen IL was
because she could not distinguish them from her own
And SO far Cid this spirit extend, that Committee
OF the massachusetts, Legislature actually fell 10 cak
cuaion, and discovered to their infinite satisfaction
but to the establishment Of all the world beside, that
ONLY ELEyEN Massachusetts, sailors Lad ever been.
Impressed Never shall forget the appeals that had
becn made TO the sympathies of the South in behalf
OF the thousands compressed Americans" who had
been torn from their families and friends and "im
injured in the floating dungeons Of Britain" THE
most touching pictures drawn Of tho hard con-
ditlon OF the American sailor, created like eavc"
thp hat of b,,o