Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Mass.) 1828-1830, 1830-03-30

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within my recollection has been passed
authorizing it; and yet, who doubts your
power, sir, to make these arrangements,
so essential TO she business OF Legislation
The cases are parallel. and it the power
is denied for one purpose because it rests
on resolution of the House alone, II
must be denied for the other. / have
now done with the main question.
But, sir, the debate has been very broad,
embracing other matters, which seem to
have little connexion with the resolution.
1t seems to be festive occasion, a satur-
malta, as was observed of debate going
on in another part Of this building and
opportunity has been afforded to the gen.
tleman to indulge in wit and merriment,
and in pointed, but at the same time, good
humoured, sarcasm. It is my purpose, as
matter of Justice to myself, and to the
Committee on Retrenchment, to notice
some Of these remarks. ] will begin by
correcting mistake of the Chairman Of
the Committee. understood him to say,
If his language reached my ear correctly
across the wide aud busy populons region
between Us, that the resolution under con-
sideration came into. the House with the
unanimous appreciation Of the committee.
Sir, it has been my misfortune not TO be
able to attend most of the meetings be-
cause Of i'll health, aud was not present
when this resolution was adopted, and did
not give It my support. | am not, there
fore, now opposing what, in its inciPient
stages, had my appreciation.
Another gentleman from Kentucky (Mr.
Chilton) has in a two days debate, in
dulged in much freedom of remark. and
has occasionally made oblique shots at the
committee ofretrenchment. H. would, |
suppose, be understood TO mean that their
attention hi been directed to insignificant
subjects, while matters Of great moment
stood in their way, and invited them to
quicken their zeal. | will do him the
justice to say, there was much of good
nature in his humour, but his sarcasms
were occasionally somewhat caustick. and
after have done with him, shall leave
the House to Judge whether his censures
fell with justice upon the committee.
While abiding TO the works Of retrench-
ment, he took occasion to compare the
committee or its chairman, am not able
to determine which. to the fabulous god
ofthe ocean employed in spearing min
nows while he was himself drenched and
suffocated with spray and foam spouted
upon him by the whale /! am not able,
sir, touse his exact phraseology, but / will
do no injustice to his sentiments. He
said, also, that the committee or the chair
man we're pursuing the track ola cricket
while the roar Of the lion was in the ear
This is but igurative mode of charging
upon Us dereliction Of our duty. The
gentleman proceeded, from these aud 9TH
er circumstances, to draw the inference
that retranclIment has become a farce
and in his despair at the failure to redeem
the pledges which have been made to d.
minish the number Of officers, he resorts
for consolation to the pointed moral con-
tanned in the fable of the fox and the flies,
and concludes it is wiser for suffering
people to bear the stings of those partly
satiated than to drive them away and let
in throng of successors with keener
appetite. Il is not my purpose to question
the truth of his differences, for he may
know more Of the signs of the times than
I do; he may have better information than
/ possess, but / will assure him, If his
prophecies prove correct, the committee
are blameless.
Twill shew The gentleman that we have
not been as needless and inattentive to
our duties as his suggestions imply. We
have launched our barque upon the very
sea where this leviathan was represented
TO be, prepared, not with spear but with
harpoon, 10 put an end to his ravages,
If we could discover him. but there was
no rioting in the water there, no daring
70 the contest, but all was calm and tran
quill. In the cruise we fell in with the
High Admiral of your feet, and spoke
him, and received foreign intelligence,
that he too had been cruising for the like
purpose, bat had entered on his log-book.
that the search had been vain and fruit
less. II therefore this freebooter exists,
he has eluded our vigilance.
Let me tell the gentleman also, that we
have entered that forest where he said the
lions roar was heard and have penetrated
to its farthest verge. but we saw act the
footsteps nor heard the sounds OF this beast
of prey. In this excursion we met the
commander Of your land forces, and he
reported that he had examined the secret
zecesses Of the forest for the same purpose,
but his search was vain and fruitless. If,
therefore. this plumber exists, he too has
-eluded our observation.
THE Speaker said the hour allotted to
morning business had expired, and the
debate would be suspended. On the day
following it was resumed.1
When the hour run out yesterday, said
Mr.. D.. ! was about adducing proofs OF
the proceedings of the committee, which