The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1831-03-03

non ~ tney may, VI N WUre peS9onui war "
against the distinguished individual who :
happcns to occupy the station in question:.
The wsr Is out OF place and altogethertoo q
late. Where was all This affection Of a !
pious regard for public interest--0hore the ,
sleepem vigilance Of the opposition when
the President nominated the gentleman
from Virginia our Minister for Russia?
Where was all the inferiate zeal of party in
the Senate? Why was tho unre:enting spir
1t Of revenge so calm when not voice was
heard for rejecting this nomination.? Was
IL because the gentleman from Virginia
was here to defend himself--and is this
war now commenced because the Allan
vic rolls between him and his adversaries:
An opposition to his nomination at that
time, iG the Senate, would have been al
least more appropriate and respectable
than contemplate attack upon q Minis
ter's salary, as saere apology for caluin. !
mating the individual, and 10 crafty the !
most posllanimous Of our passions. But
the war, sic, is in perfect keeping with its
origin it 10 war of revenge--all weap-
| ons are deemed honorable, and a relentless
animosity subdses every impulse Of gen
erosty or nlagnsal,Mty.
| lvegret, sir, that the gentleman from
Rhode Island should have made any ahu-
sion, in a debate Of this character, to the
memory Of the hate Representative from
Illinois. II was roughly obtraded upon Us,
sir, and must be psrdone1 for noticing
the subject in any manner. little thought
that there was any friend of the late ad-
lmipistralon bold enough TO revive our rec
objections Of that genteman's melancholy
fate. concnr entirely with the gentleman
from Rhode Island in his just tribute to his
jtnemory. iic was amcpg the most prom
isng members of, Houses gentleman
Of talents and ambition beloved by his
! friends and admired by his constituents
In an evil hour he was tempted to violate
his obligations to the state he represented,
and in this House gave the vote of that
state to the late President Of the United
States. He appealed to the tribunal he
had offended but judgment was render.
led agains. him. From ihat honr his nope
wtirered, his spirits drooped-his ambition
was destroyed--he fell a much regretted
victim to the late Presidential election. II
became our duty in the progress Of oer in
vesliga,ions in the Committee Of Retrench.
mcnt, to probe the mysteries of the vari.
ious departments ofGovernmept, aud to dis
lclose many glaring abuses of the pnblic
confidence. We discovered, sir. that u
practice had grown up Of d,sbnrsng mon.
eys without appropriations liquidating
accounts without LAWN short, that each
n department had its little legislation of its
o own without the authority, CO operation
VI or knowledge Of Congress- Among the
o disclosures, there was one of an extraor
:. dinary character. II was discovered, that
d while the administration had not the cour
age to confer on the representative of Hi
k nos sn Office corresponding Ia his aent'
y and TO the station he had occupied in oul
r: public connses--while they dared not, for
r. manifest cause, send his name, coupled
!. with an Office, TO the Senate Of tho United
:. Siates--they had resorted TO the miserable
y subterfage of giving that gentleman SO
n cret and poor employment, under a vain
8 hope that this singular transaction wouit
J. remain forever wrapt in diplomatic mystic
J ry. The committee ascertaincd TO thei
d surprise and TO the astonishment of III,
Is whole nation, that fictitious mission L
l. Cuba had been created and that the lat
is representative from Illinois had receive,
4 his outfit from the secret service fund.
IN had not supposed, sir, that there was on
r friend ofthe late administration SO inais
e Greet or daring as to remind the nation o
ID this dark and mysterious affair. We hav,
Il much reason, sir, to congratulate our coun
10 try on the able and successful services @
h the present administration il mos
!s especially deserves the appreciation Of all
T. for the frankness OF its proceedings
- faithful adherence to our laws, and its cuui
IN age and hrmness in encountering and al
10 resting every violation of the constitution
es We have none Of these abuses now, sir
s. no disbursement Of The public money with
out the express sanction Of law--no exec
Q. utive legislation--ao diplomatic mystery
3. The course of this debate, Mr.. Speaker
a has made it my duty to notice some light
le er matters. have no desire, sir, to ap
lis pear in this House in tho character of
ry satirist with my bow and Quiver. Mine
r the humble ambition to be classed with j,
is useful members. In my view, the mont
st ments constructed here by reason nm
e. Judgment, are far moro solid and durabl,
nd ithnn oil the splendid bat more perishabl
Is draperies Of the imagination. But, what
ever may be our taste or ambition, 81
at whoever appears here, must be armed ,
lis all points, and must expect TO encounte
8. Antagonists Of every character. We as
a. sometimes called upon to engage in ger
d. tle,nanly tournament, with men Of principf
ny honor, and talent--but, sir, in such ger
ho erous war, however keen our weapons, "
or leave no stain upon the blade. If, in
is sudden impulse, or by an uneraceful thrus
b. We should wound our generous adversar,
en- il is not only duty. but pleasure to NAL
se, the "amende honorable" But if, Mr.. Spcai
ly, er, We are sometimes driven to the ha,