Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1830-02-26


arms. She appropriated half million of dollars on
her account, defence Of her maritime frontier
ordered brigade OF State troops to be raised, anu
when left to protect herself by her own means, never
suffered the enemy touch her soil, without being
instantly driven off or captured
Such, sir, was the conduct of the Soutl-such the
conduct of my own State in that dark hour (which
When look back and contemplate the spectacle
exhibited that tme another quarter of the Union
when think of the conduct Of certain portions of New
England, aud remember the part which was acted on
that memorable occasion by the political associates
Of the gentleman from Massachusetts--nay, when
follow that gentleman into the councils of the nation,
aud listen to his voice during the darkest period of
the war, am indeed astonshed that he should ven
,urc 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 tho democracy of New England;
for they have been in times past they now, the
friends and allies of the South. No, sir, the accusa-
ton comes from that party whose acts, during the
most trying and eventful period of our national his
tory, were of such character that their own Legis-
ature, but few years ago, actually botted them out
from their records, stain upon the honor of the
country. But ROW they be bottcd out from
the recollection of any who had heart to feel,
mind TO comprehend, and memory to rctan the
events OF that day! Sir, shall not attempt to write
the history of the party in New England to which
alluded-the party in peace, and the peace party
III war. That task shall leave to future biog-
taphcf of Nathan Dane, and doubt not it will be
found quito easy TO prove that the peace party of
Massachusetts We're the only defenders of their
try, during the war, ind actually achieved all our
victories, by land and sea. In the mean time, sir,
aud until that history shall be written, propose
with the feeble and glimneriDg lights which pos
sess to review the conduct Of this party, in
ton with the war, and the events which Immediately
preceded It.
1t will be recoeced, sir, that our great causes of
quarrel with Great Britain, were her depredations
Northern Commerce, and the impressment of New
England seamen. From every quarter we we're call
ed upon for protection. Importunate as the West rs
now represented to be, on another subject, the ipor
unty of the East, that OCCASION far greater.
hold in my hands the evidence of the fact. Here
Ore petitions, memorials and remonstrances from all
parts of New England, setting forth the injustice the
expressions, and the depredations-the iIsul,s-the
outrages, committed by Great Britain, against the
unofendinS commerce aud seamen Of New England,
and calling upon Congress for redress Sir. Cannot
stop to read these memorials. In that from Boston,
after stating the alarming and extensive condemns
ton of our vessels by Great Britain which threatened
to sweep our commerce from the face of the Ocean,
and to involve our merchants in bankruptcy" they
called upon the Government "to assert rights and
to adopt such measures asIl suppot the diguky and
honor of the United States"
From Salem we heard language stiIl more deci-
sve; they call explicitly for San appeal ARMS" and
pledge their lives and property, in support of any
measures which Congress might adopt From .Aen
oUryport an appeal was made Ito the frmness and
Jus rec of the government, to obtain compensation
and protection" It was here, think, that when the
war was dcclared it resolved to resist our own
government, even unto blood" (Olive Branch, D.
1919 E
In other quarters, the common language of that
day was, that our commerce and our seamen were
entitled to projections and that it the duty of the
government to afford it at every hazard. The con.
duct of Great Britain, we were then told was san
outrage upon national Independence" These
clamors, which commenced as early as January 1906
we're continued up to 1912. In message from the
Governor of Of the New England States ms late
as the 10th October, 1911, this language is held: a
manly and decisive course has become indispensable
Ia course to satisfy foreign nations that while we
desire peace, we have the means ond the spir il to
re2el aggression" I've are false to ourselves when
our commerce. our territory is invaded With impu
nifty"
About this time, however, a remarkable change
was observable, in the tone and temper Of those who
had been endeavoring to force the country into war
Phe language of complaint was changed into that of
insult, and calls for projection, converted into re-
proaches. "SInoke, smoke" (says one writer, "ny
LIE on 1t our Executive have no more idea of declar
ing war than my GRANDMOTHER" .Y'he Committee
OF Ways and Means, (says another) shave come out
with their Pandoras Box oftaxes, yet nobody dreams
OF war. "Congress do not mean to declare war
hey dare not But why multiply examples. An
honorable member of the other House. from the cty
of Boston, MIR. Quincy in speech, delivered on the
Sd OF April 1e12 says, Neither promises nor threats
nes observations, nor oaths will make me believe
that you will go to war. The navigation States are
sacrificed and the spirit and character of the country
prostrated by fur aud auarice." sYou Cannot fsaid
the same gentleman on anoher occason,) s'6e kicked
into q tcur."
Well, sir the at length came, and What did we
behold! The very BIen who had been fer six years
clamorous for war, and for whose protection it was
yaged became at once equally clamorous against it.
They had received q miraculous visitation; new
light suddenly beamed upon their minds; the scales
fell from their eyes; and it yas discovered that the
war was declared from "sutserviency to France"
and that Congress and the Executive chad sold them
selves to Napoleon, that Great Britain had, in fact,
'done us no essential injury" that 'she was the bull
vark of our religion" that where sshe took one of
our ships she protected twenty; and that elf Great
Britain had impressed few Of our scamen, it was
because she could not distinguish them from her own
And so far did this spirit extend that Committee
of the Massachusetts Legislature actually c to cal
cutafisD, and discovered to their infinite so tishction
but to the Advertisements of all the world beside rbut
ONLY ELEVEN Massachusetts sailors had ever been
Impressed. Never shall forget the appeals that had
been made to the sympathies Of the South in behalf
OF the thousands of impressed Americans, who had
been torn their families o,J