Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-02-22

on;n;on expressed BY the gentleman from New
York, Mr.. SToRRs,) as 70 the propri.'y anu
;u.,ice OF retaining that feature OF the bill; and,
,l,o a. 10 the fact of many of our most de-
serving officers being the children OF poor
ard INDECENT parents, circumstance nono
bic to themselves, and gratifying 10 tneir ID
miles. and TO all who can feel pleasure in VIII
Messing the exalt alton Of merit. In reiation
20 The individual. whose name he had mention
ed, he could not bring his mind TO consent thai
Tho byc,ber. and sister, Of that young gen'le'
man-,he children Of his amiahle and respect
cd mo,ber.th. children Of his veneraied tather,
should be deprived of the advantages wnich
tina, clause Of the bill might possibly afford to
Them For his own parl, he could not consent
m leave remembered aud unhonored the me :
morv of one whose name was connected, MOI
only with his State, bu, also with the giorles
Of his country. :,
Mr.. SrgioHr remarked, that he had SAID
Yesterday, and repeated again 10 day. mat ne
was opposed 10 the whole bill, and was "pp"s-
ed TO il in principle He believed he had as
much sympathy for those who had been De-
reaved of their relatives by this great Calamity
of The loss Of the Hornet, as any member on
tina, floor; and when called in his individual
cspsciry to administer % lheir wants from iunds
under his own personal control, he believed lie
would be as prompt 10 manifest 1t. But he
could MOI answer 10 his constituents nor 10 MS
own conscience the proprie'y OF thus appro
p,ia,iug the public funds As TO the argument
of me gentleman from Maryland. Mr.. Dorsey
who advocated the bill Oh the score OF graft
,ude 10 the gallant crew Of the Hornet, or he
glorious achievements of that vessel, he would
ask tha, gentleman, if this principle obtained,
where his pension law would stop? TWAS per-
fectly analogous 10 The whole system OF the
pension law, which he had opposed ON forms r
occasions, and which he could not consent TO
have crammed down his throat; aud he hoped
his opposition 10 II would not be embszonrd
before him as political sin He commended
tina, Congress had no power thus to legislate
away the public treasury, and that, too, TO Incl
viduals who had actually performed no services
to The country Should he vote TOR this bill, his
constituents would have right 10 demand OF
him on what principle he did so. ii they ask
me (sad Mr.. S whether inquire into The
pecuniary circum> tances OF these individuals to
whom voied this money, my answer must be
" No: i, on the broad principle OF national
gratitude" And will this be satisfactory
answer! Sir, (said Mr.. S wonder the gen.
Iemen did not carry their gratitude 10 It's tul-
les extern; and in the nexr thirty genera
tinns of the relatives Of the deceased in their
hountiful provisions. The gentleman asks 1t
the House is prepared to re- ecl this provision
OF the bill! trus, in God. sir, it is prepared
for it, The oppressive system OF taxal"n Tor
the increase Of the revenue, must and VIII be
pu down by those who feel lis burthen.
In conclu sion, Mr.. s. said he could not vote
for he biH Ii seemed that when gentlemen
pur their shoulders 20 the wheel on the subjec'
Of pensions, they were disposed, 10 use vul.
gar phrase, I" 60 the whole hog;" and allow
no bounds TO restrain them. M. S. also aliud-
ed 10 the case referred to by the gentleman
from North Carolina, (Mr. A. II Sheprrd,) Of
Young Forsyth, who was educated a, the ex
pense of his own State without appealing 10
he Ma ional Legislature for assistance
Mr. HorFMAN said, tina Of course it could
no, be supposed tina, the Committee on Naval
Affairs had any intention, in reporting he bill
in its presen, shape, OF insulting the judgment
Of the House, or ha' OF any Of its mrmbers.-
Their ohiec' was, as well to pay debt OF graz
itude as TO promote the uavap.ervice of the
country. The mode Of doing so, by comren
ssling me drsct ndsn,s and relatives OF those
who were deprived Of their protectors ny the
death of he defenders Of our country, who had
Leri she'd in its service, could not be laid down
specifically. Il was difficult, indeed, TO say
what cour Se should be pursued in particular
case: the only means of meeting them was by
the applicant n Of general rule to all. h"
Observed, E instance that in the case then be
fore them, Congress had no evidence OF the
manner in which the Hornet had been los, and
oy which 'er brave and unfortunate crew pc
risbed. L. ghr have been in Conflict, Tor all
a was known Thea, or that was, IN all human
prohablry, ever likely De known. He saw
n" reason, either. he Observed in conclusion,
why bill so small should be encountered with
fiji y OF Sky additional, and, he conceived, UNI
necessary provisions.
MIR. ELLSWORTH rontended in favor Of the
bill, which, he main, aimed, was an act, not OF
mercy, humanity, or gratitude, but simply Of
justice.
MIR, EVERETT inquired what was the precise
question before the House?
The SPEAKER stated the question 10 be, on
the motion 70 recummit, with instructions 10
strike gu, the clause, extending the relief TO
brothers and sisters, in default Of nearer rela
lions.
Such said Mr. EyEpErr was nv under.