Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Mass.) 1828-1830, 1830-02-09

press our sense of the injustice we have
suffered in any language that is likely to
obtain our demand! Suppose we say to
Congress, you shall pay this claim we
nave submitted to delay long enough, and
you shall pay it; for this was the amount
OF what the gentleman from Boston
would have Us say.H Well, then it would
be tor us to consider whether the people
OF the State are ready to break with the
General Government. If they were ready
10 break with Government, then it might
40 to adopt stronger language. But if
they are not ready to do this, to go to
Congress and say, you shall pay us this
money, would be only loss of dignity.
MIR. Brooks, of Bernardsion. said. if.
when the resolutions were first read. he
mad not considered them exceptionable,
ne should think SO now. The gentleman
last speaking had admitted that we have
used energetick language, and now wish
es Us tososS gentle terms. IF there was
to be any change, and he hoped there
would be, he hoped they would be recon-
mltted and rendered stillmore energetck
and manly
MIR. Mann said there were many gen.
tlemen in the House who could, from the
most barren subject, find occasion for the
display of infinite wit and pleasantly
they could give to any subject an air of
levity, and make it a source of great
amusement. He thought the place place
tot business, and he should not attempt to
consider the subject in any other view
than as an affair of business Of great inn
portance. He then took a brief histor-
cal view of the measures which had been
adopted by the government Of Massachu-
sets TO obtain settlement of the claim
and stated that, on the recommendation
OF the governour, an agent was formerly
appointed to repair to Washington and at
tend especially to the business-that sub
sequently, on the recommendation of the
governour, the agent was dismissed. for
asmnch as the claim was no nearer allow
ance after two or three years of his resi-
dence at Washington. The claim was
then entrusted to the delegation in Con-
gress. He agreed with the gentleman
from Boston that the payment had not
been urged with good will and alacrity.
1t was the object Of these resolutions to
remind our representatives of their obliga-
tons, to make il the duty of the delega-
ton to urge itwith all their power. The
resolutions might have been made to speak
in the language Of pasqninade. but he did
not think it a proper tone. He thought
it better to address Congress in digni6ed
style. Some gentlemen might be very
courageois and wi h 10 adopt Hoisput
language, but it was that sort of courage
which John Randolph had described, as
increasing in an inverse ratio to the dis
lance Of the danger. 1t was better, he
thought, to present principles--the princi-
pies of natural Justice and equity-con-
stitutional principles, and these were en-
bodied in the resolutions. He was aware
that they were not filled with rhetorical
fiourishes, as they might have been-they
were not such as might suit other States.
They were not such as Georgia would
adopt. What would she say? She would
probably say that the refusal or delay Of
Congress was unconstitutional, and that
she would withdraw from the Union, and
this would have no other effect Than to
excite the regret of every sensible and So
Der man. He would urge the delegation
to temperate and firm remonstrance, but
he would uot urge them 10 vapour. This
he would not agree TO. To say to Con-
gress, The claim is just and shall be paid,
would be equivalent to declaration of
war the delegation could not support it /;
it would be gasconade and boyish pueriIty.
If the delegation shivefed and shrnnk
from their duty, let them be urged to it.
This will be much more efficient mode
Of obtaining what we ask--much better
than to use a threatening and mandatory
style. The resolutions embraced spirit
enough to satisfy considerable and reflect
ing men. He would submit to gentlemen
of this character, whether the moderate
way was not the most eIigible-the way
most likely to realize the hopes of the
State, and on all accounts much better than
any bullying resolutions they could pass.
Mr.. Blake said he was sorry to have
been misunderstood by the gentleman
from Dedham. He believed he was as
little disposed to gasconade and bullying
as that gentleman. He had no intention
of presenting to Congress an undigniied
representation. He thought he knew the
difference between 6rmness and dignity,
and the vaponring of Hotspur. He al
luded to the Declaration of independence
as paper which might be a model in
style. That instrument, as far as he recol-
lected, contained nothing exceptionable,
but it was firm, digniied, energetick,
equally distant from rashness and humility.
He hoped the resolutions would be recon-
mitted for the purpose of imparting lit
tie life to them if it had no other effect,