Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1830-05-12
SPEECH OF MIR. PEARCE.
+ Concluded from the first page. !

tIiiHk ndtuTui suOulu Icei VI
the gores Of hi. administration Sir, peace has
its glories, as well as war; what, ask can add so
bright halo to the spendor Of his reign as the COM
pletion Of this road of the Chesapeake Ohio canal
& the other works Of internal Improvements which
have been projected. The laurels gathered at
New Orleans pleDteous as was the harvest are
"trihes light air, }" in comparison with the glory
Of having these great works Of national improve
ment begun or perfected during his Presidency
On retiring from office, he might then say, in the
language of one Of the Latin poets, without incur
ring the imputation Of egotisin, which has been
ascribed to that poet:
"Eregi monumentum are pe,rennius."
| What are the monuments of Egypt, or the pyra-
mid erected to perpetuate the folly or idolatry Of
an age, compared with these works, one of
which cost more than all the money which this
nation has disbursed, or will soon be required to
disburse, account Of works Of internal improve
ment.'
II any one consideration more than another
would make seat in this house desirable to me
it appears it would be that which would hereafter
authorize us to say that we have, as the repre-
sentatyes Of the nation, contributed our share to
the commencement and the completion Of these
works. OF all such il may with propriety be here
after said, in the language Of another Of the Latin
in English. Happy, thrice happy, did you but
know, did you but realize what happiness was
yours" The measure Of our glory would be full,
and we need not aspire to any thing more to rem
dar our names illustrious, or cause them TO be
held in grateful remembrance. Away, then, with
these stories about the influence Of this or Of that
feeling retardng great national design.
II is too late now for gentlemen from the
tide water Of Virginia to spread before us their
half-spun theories. The system has made its way
down the side Of the mounan il is making its tri-
umphant way to the South, "conquerng and to
conquer" The voice raised in South Carolina
has reverberated along the high lands Of Virginia,
and the cry of North Carolina now is, "what shall
we do to be saved" In reference to the Western
feelings and Western claims, such is my opinion of
their equity, that even If | had any conscientious
scruples with regard to them, would at least en-
deavor to divest myself Of them. My word for it
II you Withhold from theWest what il now asks as
a favor, you will hear, ere long, the same require
ments in the form Of demand. DO gentlemen
forget at what ratio the number and influence Of
the nine States in the valley Of the Mississippi are
increasing Why, sir, if ever had any hostile
feelings towards the West-and to all such feelings
khode-lsland and New-England are strangers-I
would endeavor to make my peace quickly, while
was in the way with her. What Bishop Of
Cloyne said of North America, compared with En-
gland, may with equal truth be now said of the
South or the East, viewed in reference TO their re-
latve future consequence, when compared with the
Vest
Westward the star of Empire takes it way.
''Time's nobest offspring is his last"
We may withhold favors from them now, or deny
to them what is justly their due, but rely upon i
we shall hereafter feel their power and the weight
OF their influence. Already the West has given us
one President, and unless am greatly mistaken,
she will not be satisfied with giving us one, but we
shall have another, and another Is it then good
policy for Us TO throw obstacles in the way of their
iuPro vemonts. To tho Woa,, I soy, w must look
ior our next President II is not my province TO
designate or name the man; he who is now at the
head Of the nation may be the man; the late dis
tinguished Secretary Of State may be the man; the
late distinguished Postmaster General may be cal
led upon to exchange the Judicial robe for the
Presidential chair in addition to these Iustrious
men, might point to distinguished Senator now
! member Of this House, gentleman deckcd with
aurels aud covered with wounds received in fight
ng the battles Of his country. Sir, to me it is
morally certain that South Carolina and N. York
night as well hang their harps upon the willow,
or at least the next four years, General Duff Green
and Lieutenant James Watson Webb, If they
please, to the contrary notwithstanding. Sir, dur
ing the debate have listened with great attention,
and pleasure too, to two venerable gentlemen, one
from Tennessee, (Mr. Standefer,) and the other
rom Pennsylvania, mr. Ramsay,;) their power
lu appeal addressed to their respective colleagues,
onght not to be disregarded; they have told the |
House that whatever may do on this floor, the |
people will ere long declare for themselves what
is their will on this subject. The language of the
UantI a..
Of plain, sornd practical common sense. He |
told us this bill was to result in the benefit of those
On whom still rested the primeva curse, and who
lived literally by the sweat Of their brow He told
IS the yeomanry Of the country were desrous of
IN opportunity to convert their toll into money. I'll
confess that appeal from such quarter has a pow
'riul effect on me, an effect which could not have
been able to resist, had my prejudces been enlist
ID on the opposite side Of the pending question.
But we were told by one Of the gentlemen from
lrglnla, (Mr. p p. Barbour that the money
sked for this design could be better used lie
aid that the duties on coffee paid by Virginia a
one, amount in the course Of a single year to
sl3O, 900, and that if, instead Of wasting money
m this road, we would consent to take Off the du-
les, virginia would be richer by that amount, and
hat Si3O,OOO may then be applied by that state
o the construction Of roads and canals. lie af-
irhed that seven millions may be dispensed with
rom the revenne, and that can bo equally
veil distributed Now, sir, am in favor of repeal
ng the duty on coffee in toto, and as Virginia will
hen have Sl3O,00O to be applied to internal inn
movements, taking the gentleman at his word,
think we may call upon that State to appropriate
money to that amount. But, sir, if she shall be
disposed to answer the call, how can she collect
he money! Ifshe does it at all, she must do il by
ilrect taxation, the most odous and burdcnsome Of
Ill modes in which contributions of the people can
'ossibly be rendered. How will the collector be
nett When he asks for this new duty, he is, I Il
uppose, to tell the people-you ought not to com
lain, your burdens have been lightencd by re-
zeal Of $3.50 900 Of the revenue, and how would