The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1830-03-04
Extracts from the Speech of.M. Sprdgae, q
Maine, on The resolution IN III. Senaie Of
the U. S. relating 10 the Public Lands.

Extracts from tie Speech Of .ur. Sprdgae, y
Maine, on The resolution in III. Senate Of
the y. S. relating 10 the Public Lands.
"The North" says the gentleman, have
"from tho beginning. done all in their power
20 cripple and strangle the West" Sir.
before such All assertion was hazardcd, all
our history should have been dispassiona,e
ly examined. II should have been recol.
lectcd that Of the old thirteen States, nine
csre North Of The Potomac-that in their
hands was the whole Western country to
DO moulded at pleasure. e.--Tha, they could
have sealed up the magnificent Mississippi,
and devoted tho immense regions upon its
borders 10 beasts and savages; or If popula
ted, they could forever have refused to re.
ceive them into the American family, or ex.
tend to them the rights and privileges OF
American ctizens.- the five New
England States, constituting, as they did
more than one third Of the whole number,
might forever have excluded Louisiana
and Florida, aud have rejected every treaty
for enlarging or confirming the privileges
OF tho West. The power Of the North was
ample, complete and irresistible, once the
whole region beyond the Alleghanies and
instead Of being employed TO withef and
destroy, il has been assiduously excrted to
cherish, sustain and strengthen, Its inhab.
itsnts was regarded as children--bone OF
our bone flesh Of our fcsh--their infant
steps were sustained, g. their youth defend
ed by the strong arm Of the nation. We
rsioiced in their prosperity; the A'csssd
fruit Of our own bcnignant care. We re.
eeivcd them cordially TO the full comnu.
MON ofall tho ines,imable blessings of free
Governments and Republican institutions
which had been purchased by the blood Of
our fathers. We parted to them our in.
hcritance--we gave them Of our strength
I'VE resigned to them our power. From
being moro than two thirds Of the whole
number, We have voluntarily by our own
generous acts, mnde ourselves a minority
OF the States And now we are told--hcre.
in the Ssnsie Chamber Of the United
States--that "the North have, from the be.
ginning, done all in their power to cripple
and strangle tho West!!!
Sir, deeply deplore the cause, be il
what il may which can at any time, or in
any place, give birth to declarations ofsuch
character, tending to ALLEVIATE the afiec
tVUiS Uhu Poioou tuS U'utusl COiluuSuCt VI
different portions Of our country.
Heaven itself has made them for union
and happiness; and men and women might
90 well quarrel with each other for the diff
ference OF their formation, as the great
geographical divisions Of our Republic. for
the features and adaptations which their
Creator has given them; .
The Hartford Convention has filed no
snsll space in this discussion; it is welded
- q powerful engine against the Northeas.
tern States. ] remember il well, and have
never spoken Of it but in terms Of decided
condemnation. 1t had but few friends
while living, and q stil fewer mourners to
follow il to the grave: and fits skeleton is
sow dug up, and held on high to the view
ofthc whole nation. il will cast its shade
upon email part only Of the fair surface
. Of New England.
The sermons Of Osgood and Parish have
sss Prsdsssd bsrs, sod ineaued passages